Here are some new comments from readers like you.
By the way, have you told your family, friends and colleagues to come to this BLOGsite to read the latest inside stuff about Windsor. Subscriptions are still at no cost to readers!
1) Great column this afternoon Ed. [Re CIBPA]
I am glad to see another group of business leaders step forward and demand action! I am glad to see as well that you are being more direct with this administration...
I say off with the gloves and let's fight for the survival of our city! I think the citizens should go on the attack and make damn sure that council and our mayor understand that we are not a bank, we are not going to roll, we are not going to ask how high we have to jump. No! The time is now to tell THEM what WE believe the way the city should be run and that their schemes and shenanigans will not be tolerated any longer!
Bring on the jobs!
2) [Re WATTGREENLINK] Thanks for reporting on this. How does Ojibway and the approval for a Big Box establish Windsor as a leader? Council approved a Big Box beside (Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Reserve) one of Canada's most endangered ecosystems- Tallgrass Prairie.
I've attached an article providing details and disappointment of the plaza location for the new proposed bridge crossing
"The Ojibway Prairie Complex (Windsor, ON) is a rare and unique five park system that represents some of Canada's most endangered ecosystems... a new 80 acre plaza for the proposed bridge crossing, directly adjacent to Black Oak threatens to compromise these ecosystem’s natural features and ecological function with traffic, hydrogeological changes, garbage and light/air/water/noise pollution.
The Ojibway Prairie Complex represents half of the remaining natural areas in Windsor. It removes 66 600 lbs of pollution, filters 15 million gallons of water and cools our air like 180 000 air conditioners working 20 hours/day. The Parks are also visited by over 100 000 people from all over the world/year and provides habitat for over 4000 species of which 160 species at risk. It has similar bird counts to that of entire countries. Jamaica for example, has 300 recorded birds with breeding evidence for 100. The Ojibway Complex has 233 bird species with breeding evidence for 71.
The Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Reserve represents “the largest protected” remaining 0.5% of Tallgrass Prairie in Canada. It is an “important ecological refuge” that once covered a large part of North America. Prof. Lamb at Waterloo says it has more biodiversity then Algonquin Park and the Bruce Peninsula. The Royal Ontario Museum has interpretive centres educating other Canadians on Tallgrass Prairie. It has more rare species than any other Ontario provincial park, having 91 species at risk, of which are 5 endangered, 5 threatened, 1 unique to Canada, 1 unique to the globe...
A more distant threat is the new custom’s clearance plaza for the new bridge crossing (Adjacently north of Black Oak Park on map). If this bridge is built, the proposed 80 acre customs clearance centre is to be built directly adjacent to Black Oak Park. This Park has a G1 rating. That means that this type of ecosystem occurs less then 5 times on the globe. Why build this plaza directly adjacent to an ecosystem that is so rare? Is this planning for the future? I am not anti development, but let’s plan with future generations in mind...
I find it hard to believe that Windsor has a Canadian, and in Black Oak’s case, global rarity. One always assumes these places live in more exotic places. But we do and proper planning principles must be applied today to ensure that this “Garden of Rarities” survives for future generations.
3) so since Windsor is a "leading" green community then I guess there really hasn't been an issue with all those trucks on Huron Church Road after all ....and we don't need tunnels ... and we should just get on with building the new road to the Ambassador Bridge.
4) Yes, but a ROSE by any other name would still be as Machiavellian….
5) [Re CIBPA] If this gets traction, it could be the beginning of the end for
Eddie... "Eddie's way or the right way???"
6) [Re CIBPA] I know this group. I am a member. They are frustrated and tired of what is coming out of City Hall...they > can make a difference. They have many influential and successful business people as members.
7) Count up the number of chairs Eddie sits in now and the projects he is working on.
It's no wonder he can't close a deal.
8) BC Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon and Partnerships BC CEO Larry Blain both admit that building these projects is cheaper if they're financed publicly than as a public-private partnership. This brings into question why are they using P3s at all?
9) [Re If You Can Find A Better Car Company...] I love ya my friend ...
10) [Re Mobile road paver] I'm pretty sure they did all 4 lanes of EC Row between Banwell and Lauzon about 6-7 years ago using one of those....? It took about a week and that part of the roadway is still in decent shape. The big machine chewed
up a couple inches of asphalt, a lane wide, did whatever to it and laid it back down followed by big rollers.
Maybe I'm nuts but I remember being impressed about how quick and good the job was done
11) The comment titled “Audit and Rebuild WEDC” copied below is supportive of your own call for a WEDC autopsy as a best practice measure.
It was originally posted as a comment on the guest column written by Gary McNamara and Tom Burton titled “Full audit of commission is essential” and published in the February 27, 2009 edition of the Windsor Star.
Hopefully, it will be helpful to you in illuminating the facts behind the extreme wall of secrecy in WEDC.
"Tecumseh’s Mayor McNamara and Deputy-Mayor Burton are showing exemplary leadership in advocating for the necessary actions that will ensure the Development Commission becomes a transparent, accountable, professional and results producing economic development organization.
This begins with the immediate and complete dissolution of the WEDC board... and the commencement of a real audit that empowers the auditors to ask all the necessary questions to get to the truth, not the whitewash variety like the WUC.
For over two years, this new development commission has chosen to operate in a highly clandestine fashion...
[There are] more questions about what else might be hidden behind this Board’s firewall.
Who is the anonymous consultant that advised $1200.00 per day was reasonable? Is the $12,000.00 or so he collects as Board Chair additional to the pay Mancini receives for being Acting CEO? How much more is being paid for other services, per diems and assorted expenses? Why wasn’t one of the Commission’s Vice Presidents elevated to act as the interim CEO, which is the normal practice and more cost effective for the Commission?
Another pressing question concerns the links between the Development Commission and the Schumacher Research and Leadership Group.
And what about the CAOs for the city and county who were appointed to the board as guardians of the public interest? Instead, our CAOs have resigned on the specious grounds of political interference.
Our region is in an economic crisis. Just ask taxpayers. The current Board claims it has to finish its work. We do not need work that adds high cost but little value...
It does not radiate the trust and confidence that binds government to its taxpayers and must be replaced. McNamara and Burton are right; the time is long overdue to put the region first and on track to a better future.
12) [Time for a WEDC/Tunnel Deal Autopsy] Ed: We all know and hate to think about how much has been wasted on just these two business fiascos. Eddie Francis will not disclose anything, because now, especially now, people are not going to tolerate the excessive waste of this Administration. Eddie [is] involved in too many ventures. He cannot run the City effectively while sitting on so many Boards.
13) You've been busy this week Ed. Tons of news to address.
In regards to this new proposed DRIC bridge, I believe most of us know that it is not needed or wanted any longer. Moroun runs a good business and has for years. No sense of spending billions of taxpayers dollars on this side of the creek in hopes of increased future business. I think your P3 blogs have been extremely informative. I don't believe that the border traffic is ever going to return to the heights of the days of prosperity we once experienced. This is really sad but a reality in today's market. That money would be better spent in reinventing our economy by diversification. If we only had a worthy WEDC addressing "our" needs with the Feds. Windsor/Essex has the most talented tool and die companies and machine shop operators in the world. We have an incredible pool of skilled trades and factory workers. Why can we not find something to get us kick started? An overpriced bridge to the U.S. is not going to save any of us.
The only thing that really disturbs the border is the U.S. Customs Service. Why do people blame this on Moroun? Extensive interrogation by border guards, even with the proper documentation is excrutiating. To most people, we just can't be bothered anymore with the hassle. No more quick crossovers for a nice dinner or show. It's too invasive. I have nothing to hide but I hate the fact that we are treated like terrorists for just crossing into the States to spend some money. God, things have changed so much in the last 20 years...What a total turn off. I find the tunnel experience far worse than the bridge. I will not use the tunnel again.
Anyhow, great week in the news. Keep on blogging and informing.
14) Why didn't Gord stay in Windsor and cycle around the city.........it's going to be our next big tourist attraction don't you know!
15) This city's attitude has pretty much convinced me not to expand in Windsor. I run a little [business] that has been well-received throughout the province..and I'm looking at expanding into a physical plant next year...But after all this, I think that I will open in [names of other locations]
16) Okay, the Mayor went flying out of this conference like he had a more important function to attend... Let me guess, like this Green Conference was not on his agenda and it was not important. 800 registered business people strong and Eddie had more important business too attend...
it was a really informative conference and personally a breath of fresh air (no pun intended). Kudos to Sandra and Dwight, Bruce and Pat. There are still many things to look at but you know what, at least it's something to consider for this region besides automotive. The innovators of this community will be jumping at the opportunities. I have a ton of respect for most of our local business people and I think that is the reason why Sandra will not quit with her commitment to this region. She knows that the expertise is here.
Side Note: Downtown Windsor was exceptionally busy and it was like the good old days. From 5:00 we went to Jakes Joint for a cold beer, the Pour House for one more and then to Tunnel BBQ for dinner. We were back at the Casino for the George Thorogood concert at 9. What a long day but we certainly had a great time. I slept until 9:00 (really late for me) Saturday morning. I woke up thinking about how great it was in "my" old days; how much I loved growing up and working in this City and about how we made great money for what we were doing with our lives and putting that nest egg away for the Freedom 55 (and not a union worker either). Now, at 50 years old, my investments are in the toilet, I work for someone else for half the money I made in the early 90's and the City I love is being run into the ground by punk management. Am I angry? A little - but more disappointed than anything else. I hate the waste, the grandstanding and unproductive mismanagement.
My dream is to become a retired lawyer and blog all day. Take care and keep on.
17) I always read your blog. Even when it p***es me off. :-)
18) Ed I don't understand why you are not able to cover these dozen or so stories at the same time??? or I forgot you are a one man shop and the WS has a few hundred working in their shop. Keep up the good work.
By the way, have you told your family, friends and colleagues to come to this BLOGsite to read the latest inside stuff about Windsor. Subscriptions are still at no cost to readers!
1) Great column this afternoon Ed. [Re CIBPA]
I am glad to see another group of business leaders step forward and demand action! I am glad to see as well that you are being more direct with this administration...
I say off with the gloves and let's fight for the survival of our city! I think the citizens should go on the attack and make damn sure that council and our mayor understand that we are not a bank, we are not going to roll, we are not going to ask how high we have to jump. No! The time is now to tell THEM what WE believe the way the city should be run and that their schemes and shenanigans will not be tolerated any longer!
Bring on the jobs!
2) [Re WATTGREENLINK] Thanks for reporting on this. How does Ojibway and the approval for a Big Box establish Windsor as a leader? Council approved a Big Box beside (Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Reserve) one of Canada's most endangered ecosystems- Tallgrass Prairie.
I've attached an article providing details and disappointment of the plaza location for the new proposed bridge crossing
"The Ojibway Prairie Complex (Windsor, ON) is a rare and unique five park system that represents some of Canada's most endangered ecosystems... a new 80 acre plaza for the proposed bridge crossing, directly adjacent to Black Oak threatens to compromise these ecosystem’s natural features and ecological function with traffic, hydrogeological changes, garbage and light/air/water/noise pollution.
The Ojibway Prairie Complex represents half of the remaining natural areas in Windsor. It removes 66 600 lbs of pollution, filters 15 million gallons of water and cools our air like 180 000 air conditioners working 20 hours/day. The Parks are also visited by over 100 000 people from all over the world/year and provides habitat for over 4000 species of which 160 species at risk. It has similar bird counts to that of entire countries. Jamaica for example, has 300 recorded birds with breeding evidence for 100. The Ojibway Complex has 233 bird species with breeding evidence for 71.
The Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Reserve represents “the largest protected” remaining 0.5% of Tallgrass Prairie in Canada. It is an “important ecological refuge” that once covered a large part of North America. Prof. Lamb at Waterloo says it has more biodiversity then Algonquin Park and the Bruce Peninsula. The Royal Ontario Museum has interpretive centres educating other Canadians on Tallgrass Prairie. It has more rare species than any other Ontario provincial park, having 91 species at risk, of which are 5 endangered, 5 threatened, 1 unique to Canada, 1 unique to the globe...
A more distant threat is the new custom’s clearance plaza for the new bridge crossing (Adjacently north of Black Oak Park on map). If this bridge is built, the proposed 80 acre customs clearance centre is to be built directly adjacent to Black Oak Park. This Park has a G1 rating. That means that this type of ecosystem occurs less then 5 times on the globe. Why build this plaza directly adjacent to an ecosystem that is so rare? Is this planning for the future? I am not anti development, but let’s plan with future generations in mind...
I find it hard to believe that Windsor has a Canadian, and in Black Oak’s case, global rarity. One always assumes these places live in more exotic places. But we do and proper planning principles must be applied today to ensure that this “Garden of Rarities” survives for future generations.
3) so since Windsor is a "leading" green community then I guess there really hasn't been an issue with all those trucks on Huron Church Road after all ....and we don't need tunnels ... and we should just get on with building the new road to the Ambassador Bridge.
4) Yes, but a ROSE by any other name would still be as Machiavellian….
5) [Re CIBPA] If this gets traction, it could be the beginning of the end for
Eddie... "Eddie's way or the right way???"
6) [Re CIBPA] I know this group. I am a member. They are frustrated and tired of what is coming out of City Hall...they > can make a difference. They have many influential and successful business people as members.
7) Count up the number of chairs Eddie sits in now and the projects he is working on.
It's no wonder he can't close a deal.
8) BC Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon and Partnerships BC CEO Larry Blain both admit that building these projects is cheaper if they're financed publicly than as a public-private partnership. This brings into question why are they using P3s at all?
9) [Re If You Can Find A Better Car Company...] I love ya my friend ...
10) [Re Mobile road paver] I'm pretty sure they did all 4 lanes of EC Row between Banwell and Lauzon about 6-7 years ago using one of those....? It took about a week and that part of the roadway is still in decent shape. The big machine chewed
up a couple inches of asphalt, a lane wide, did whatever to it and laid it back down followed by big rollers.
Maybe I'm nuts but I remember being impressed about how quick and good the job was done
11) The comment titled “Audit and Rebuild WEDC” copied below is supportive of your own call for a WEDC autopsy as a best practice measure.
It was originally posted as a comment on the guest column written by Gary McNamara and Tom Burton titled “Full audit of commission is essential” and published in the February 27, 2009 edition of the Windsor Star.
Hopefully, it will be helpful to you in illuminating the facts behind the extreme wall of secrecy in WEDC.
"Tecumseh’s Mayor McNamara and Deputy-Mayor Burton are showing exemplary leadership in advocating for the necessary actions that will ensure the Development Commission becomes a transparent, accountable, professional and results producing economic development organization.
This begins with the immediate and complete dissolution of the WEDC board... and the commencement of a real audit that empowers the auditors to ask all the necessary questions to get to the truth, not the whitewash variety like the WUC.
For over two years, this new development commission has chosen to operate in a highly clandestine fashion...
[There are] more questions about what else might be hidden behind this Board’s firewall.
Who is the anonymous consultant that advised $1200.00 per day was reasonable? Is the $12,000.00 or so he collects as Board Chair additional to the pay Mancini receives for being Acting CEO? How much more is being paid for other services, per diems and assorted expenses? Why wasn’t one of the Commission’s Vice Presidents elevated to act as the interim CEO, which is the normal practice and more cost effective for the Commission?
Another pressing question concerns the links between the Development Commission and the Schumacher Research and Leadership Group.
And what about the CAOs for the city and county who were appointed to the board as guardians of the public interest? Instead, our CAOs have resigned on the specious grounds of political interference.
Our region is in an economic crisis. Just ask taxpayers. The current Board claims it has to finish its work. We do not need work that adds high cost but little value...
It does not radiate the trust and confidence that binds government to its taxpayers and must be replaced. McNamara and Burton are right; the time is long overdue to put the region first and on track to a better future.
12) [Time for a WEDC/Tunnel Deal Autopsy] Ed: We all know and hate to think about how much has been wasted on just these two business fiascos. Eddie Francis will not disclose anything, because now, especially now, people are not going to tolerate the excessive waste of this Administration. Eddie [is] involved in too many ventures. He cannot run the City effectively while sitting on so many Boards.
13) You've been busy this week Ed. Tons of news to address.
In regards to this new proposed DRIC bridge, I believe most of us know that it is not needed or wanted any longer. Moroun runs a good business and has for years. No sense of spending billions of taxpayers dollars on this side of the creek in hopes of increased future business. I think your P3 blogs have been extremely informative. I don't believe that the border traffic is ever going to return to the heights of the days of prosperity we once experienced. This is really sad but a reality in today's market. That money would be better spent in reinventing our economy by diversification. If we only had a worthy WEDC addressing "our" needs with the Feds. Windsor/Essex has the most talented tool and die companies and machine shop operators in the world. We have an incredible pool of skilled trades and factory workers. Why can we not find something to get us kick started? An overpriced bridge to the U.S. is not going to save any of us.
The only thing that really disturbs the border is the U.S. Customs Service. Why do people blame this on Moroun? Extensive interrogation by border guards, even with the proper documentation is excrutiating. To most people, we just can't be bothered anymore with the hassle. No more quick crossovers for a nice dinner or show. It's too invasive. I have nothing to hide but I hate the fact that we are treated like terrorists for just crossing into the States to spend some money. God, things have changed so much in the last 20 years...What a total turn off. I find the tunnel experience far worse than the bridge. I will not use the tunnel again.
Anyhow, great week in the news. Keep on blogging and informing.
14) Why didn't Gord stay in Windsor and cycle around the city.........it's going to be our next big tourist attraction don't you know!
15) This city's attitude has pretty much convinced me not to expand in Windsor. I run a little [business] that has been well-received throughout the province..and I'm looking at expanding into a physical plant next year...But after all this, I think that I will open in [names of other locations]
16) Okay, the Mayor went flying out of this conference like he had a more important function to attend... Let me guess, like this Green Conference was not on his agenda and it was not important. 800 registered business people strong and Eddie had more important business too attend...
it was a really informative conference and personally a breath of fresh air (no pun intended). Kudos to Sandra and Dwight, Bruce and Pat. There are still many things to look at but you know what, at least it's something to consider for this region besides automotive. The innovators of this community will be jumping at the opportunities. I have a ton of respect for most of our local business people and I think that is the reason why Sandra will not quit with her commitment to this region. She knows that the expertise is here.
Side Note: Downtown Windsor was exceptionally busy and it was like the good old days. From 5:00 we went to Jakes Joint for a cold beer, the Pour House for one more and then to Tunnel BBQ for dinner. We were back at the Casino for the George Thorogood concert at 9. What a long day but we certainly had a great time. I slept until 9:00 (really late for me) Saturday morning. I woke up thinking about how great it was in "my" old days; how much I loved growing up and working in this City and about how we made great money for what we were doing with our lives and putting that nest egg away for the Freedom 55 (and not a union worker either). Now, at 50 years old, my investments are in the toilet, I work for someone else for half the money I made in the early 90's and the City I love is being run into the ground by punk management. Am I angry? A little - but more disappointed than anything else. I hate the waste, the grandstanding and unproductive mismanagement.
My dream is to become a retired lawyer and blog all day. Take care and keep on.
17) I always read your blog. Even when it p***es me off. :-)
18) Ed I don't understand why you are not able to cover these dozen or so stories at the same time??? or I forgot you are a one man shop and the WS has a few hundred working in their shop. Keep up the good work.
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