Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Who Is Paying For The Tigers Tickets


Well, dear reader, the Windsor Star let you down! They did not tell you who was paying for all of those mayors who are attending Eddie's big "passport" conference and are being wined and dined with "Baseball style cuisine" at Comerica Park at taxpayer expense.

Frankly, I was shocked at the small size of the story in today's Star about the "MAYORS' SUMMIT." I must admit that I expected a huge story with Eddie's name and photo plastered all over it. Maybe tomorrow. Or the day after. Or maybe both days to rub it in.

No matter what happens though, the conference is a dud (except for those going to the game at taxpayer expense)! Eddie's timing is way off since the Prime Minister and US President already discussed the issue at their meeting several weeks ago. What Eddie will be doing is an after-thought for local political purposes.

Moreover, there were hundreds and hundreds of mayors in Canada and the US invited. So far, according to the Star, "More than 60 mayors and government officials from both sides of the border will be in Windsor." In other words, if you reduce the numbers by the speakers and other "officials" who are attending, you can probably expect only a small fraction of the mayors who were invited who are coming! Interestingly, Eddie's numbers may be off again. He said "expectation [are] 70 to 80 mayors will come" and the meeting was to take place in June.

I may let you know who they are too tomorrow. I will try to arrange for someone to get a camera with a big telephoto lens and take souvenir shots of them for the folks back home as they get on the bus (I hope it is a Transit Windsor bus at least) at the Main Lobby of the Cleary International Centre. I am sure their citizens would be anxious to see how hard their elected officials are working, having to stay up until at least 11 PM to see the whole game! Or maybe a friend can get a standing room only ticket to Comerica and take photos there.

You might also be interested in knowing that the instructions about how to get to Windsor from Detroit Airport to the Cleary only gives one option as the means of crossing the border---and it is NOT the Bridge! Way to go Eddie, get those traffic numbers at the Tunnel up!

Ok, here is the answer: "Game and Box Seats sponsored by the office of the Consulate General of Canada, Detroit, Michigan." At least the Feds are paying for something. I wonder if it comes out of the $300 million BIF Funds.

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