WindsorBlogmeister2

Monday, August 24, 2009

You Are Sooooo Rude

I wonder if the City of Windsor human relations approach and one of the City's Departments were the source of this story. The timing is so interesting as well

"Rudeness may cause toxic workplace

Study finds its damage spreads 'like fire'

Rudeness aimed at just one person can spread its damage "like fire" through a workplace, causing large numbers of workers to do a lousy job and even to harbour dark, murderous thoughts.

Psychologists knew a blast of rudeness would distract the immediate victim.

But second-hand rudeness...

"Managers should be very concerned because the negative consequences of rudeness on the job are not limited to the person who happens to be the victim," he said. "If five other people are watching, the effects are going to spill over into the rest of the organization."

Here is what is most interesting

"All this stunned Erez, though now that he has published the results, everyone he talks to says: "Sure, I've seen that happen at work."

"Everybody recognizes that it happens all the time," he said."

So the real world is away ahead of the psychologists who are now trying to explain the phenomenon.

Here is some food for thought for them. The City and its workers have just finished a very nasty, and for the workers, a financially distressing 101-day strike. Have we seen an approach to try and build bridges between staff and management? Consider this:

the line in the pay cheque stub to show amounts lost during the strike to rub it in the workers' faces
Brister's outsourcing comment re garbage right after the strike ended
making outsourcing of garbage a possible election issue
keep the public mad at CUPE with streets still not cleaned up with garbage and red and blue boxes and the parks still a mess
now we are going to talk about outsourcing parking enforcement
continued demonization of CUPE and boosting CAW
City worker being fired right after the strike.

Mere rudeness or something more? Building respect back or psychological warfare attacks in preparation for the next strike! Time will tell.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Friday, August 21, 2009

Someone Actually Wrote This

Even more emails from readers for you to savour

1) Here is a thought. Take a picture of the yard waste at the curb, that has been cancelled till Sept. Mine will not be picked up till Sept 24 if they are on time LOL

The phrase to be "Councillors can make this go away"
Why do they want the strike to drag on?

Why do they think giving overtime is a reward to the strikers who have lost approx $15,000. $500 is not a reward at this time.

Keep it up

2) Four years in the making and available in November!

3) You’ve probably already been given this figure but I thought I would pass it on just in case.

I was recently talking with a reliable source in [Name of Dept.] who told me the amount the city paid the contractor for the Mic Mac cleanup was in the ballpark of [several hundreds of thousands of dollars]. Keep in mind this was for one event.

Now would anyone believe the city actually made the Red Bull people or anyone else for that matter incur the costs of cleaning up city property during the strike. I think not.

Just another one of Eddie’s my way no matter what the cost decisions.

I can tell you on a personal note that I work in the [Name of Department]of the city and since I have been back and with all the people I have encountered I have only heard one negative comment. In fact most people I run into have a fair understanding of who was to blame for our unfortunate summer and are appreciative of the job we do. I, like the others here have found signs welcoming us back, I even had a person run out to greet me with a thank you card.

Thanks again for all you have done to keep our spirits up over the course of the last several months.

4) [RE CAW] Interesting article Ed. I can remember blogs by CAW members actually pitting themselves AGAINST CUPE, for their poor tactics, for struggling to keep PRB's in these harsh times, and not taking concessions. They were even openly declaring that they would cross the lines for Spits games, events, etc. I'm sure I'd find lots of examples if I searched back aways in the Windsor Star's strike articles.

Would we have come out ahead? Most definitely! We would have maintained public support and settled the strike much sooner. That's a win-win situation no matter what, reducing the losses. The CUPE leaders simply were not equipped to deal with the slick Mr Mayor. I think CAW would have had a better chance.

5) I can hardly wait until you tackle Eddie’s “fishbowl”. I had a good chuckle when I read that this morning.

6) How would the city manage if the non union walked out? Just fine if not better!

CUPE front line do a great job and most non union dump their duties onto us anyway.

7) Keep up the good work on your blogs. You are a great alternative to the Windsor Star.

8) [Re Bridge Company letter] I find your column today very interesting and I hope you can dig out that letter some how so that we can see how we are being buffaloed this time.

Living in the west end provides me constant access to Indian Road and the bull that keeps these eyesores from being torn down. I think everyone in the city should drive down this street once just to see what this street looks like and just to see for themselves that these homes don't meet any heritage designation. The sign should ready "Welcome to Indian Road where B.B.B."(Bullshit Baffles Brains) This was a deliberate child like manoeuvre to shop Moroun.

And, HELLO the Ambassador bridge already goes right through the west end. The city wouldn't give a damn about Old Sandwich Town if Moroun hadn't started his construction.

Until the CUPE strike I didn't realize that the Star only printed when they wanted you to ready. Last Tuesday morning my friend called me to say she couldn't find anything about Kenny Lewenza in the paper, surprise, surprise.

Last Monday two young lifeguards (CUPE members) pulled a lifeless child from the pool at Adie Knox arena, performed all the right moves and saved the childs life. Guess the CUPE designation keeps it from becoming news. Sad isn't it, they deserve a huge pat on the back. Wonder what else they choose not to print. Is that called manipulation of the press?

9) Lewenza spending $1 million for up to 400 workers to unionize which means
Eddie must have really pissed him off.
The CUPE unions are going to have to switch over now.

So much for the union crying poverty. That's a $2500 signing
bonus for each new member.

Recession, what recession?

10) ---I'm local 82 and we didn't get our check stub yet due to a
"malfunction with the printer". I'm wondering if they are going to
include the lost wages line as they did with the local 543.

----I finally got my cheque and the lost wages line was not included.
Surprise, surprise!

11) Just finished reading your latest on the Moroun-DRIC-Duncan discussions about the new bridge, if it's ever built.

I say let everyone have their cake and eat it too. As for the DRIC bridge, whether the US has agreed to build their half or not seems to depend on whom you talk to. Likewise Mr Moroun has started construction on the US section of his Ambassador Bridge and been opposed, I guess, by Canadian authorities for the section crossing into Canada. What to do?

A solution exists and please don't laugh. What I propose is possible in light of today's advanced engineering techniques. From the Canadian side, The DRIC bridge would be constructed to the halfway point on the Detroit River by the Canadian government. Mr Moroun's half bridge bridge does the same thing on the American side up to the imaginary boundary that runs down the middle of the river. A mile or so separates them. Both half bridges stop at the border and imaginative engineering takes over.

Connect them! Sink large supports deep in the river bed for the two kilometres or so between the two spans. Install towers and a roadbed four or six lanes wide. (I can never figure out how many lanes a bridge is supposed to have.) The Moroun-Canada International Bridge lives!

Truckers will love it. They'll drive up the Canadian side, make a sharp right turn along the connector span and then a sharp left turn, down the new Ambassador Bridge to US Customs. Reverse route for Canada bound vehicles. Admit it, Ed. This proposal is pure genius. Can any bridge in the world boast that it runs along an international border?

Even the ships going up and down the river will have an excellent new landmark to guide them. People from all over the world will flock to Windsor to see this modern marvel. The mayor can put aside his dream of peddling air lifted fresh fruits and veggies from Germany and really have something to show off. Tourism will become Windsor's greatest asset.

Remember, all it takes is money, talent and the will to succeed. Our governments have all three in spades!

12) Governmentium (Gv)

Recent research has led to the discovery of the heaviest element yet known to science. The new element, Governmentium (Gv), has one neutron, 25 assistant neutrons, 88 deputy neutrons, and 198 assistant deputy neutrons, giving it an atomic Mass of 312.

These 312 particles are held together by forces called morons, which are surrounded by vast quantities of lepton-like particles called peons. Since Governmentium has no electrons, it is inert; however, it can be detected, because it impedes every reaction with which it comes into contact.

A minute amount of Governmentium can cause a reaction that would normally take less than a second to take from four days to four years to complete. Governmentium has a normal half-life of 5 years; it does not decay, but instead, undergoes a reorganisation in which a portion of the assistant neutrons and deputy neutrons exchange places. In fact, Governmentium’s mass will actually increase over time, since each reorganisation will cause more morons to become neutrons, forming isodopes.

This characteristic of moron promotion leads some scientists to believe that Governmentium is formed whenever morons reach a critical concentration. This hypothetical quantity is referred to as critical morass.

When catalysed with money, Governmentium becomes Administratium, an element that radiates just as much energy as Governmentium since it has half as many peons but twice as many morons.

13) SPANKED! And in public! He, Spanky, must be or could be smokin' from
this spanking!

14) [Re jobs plan of inaction] To cancel this scheduled meeting is absurd. This is why so many people are pissed off in this region and LEAVING.. There is nothing accomplished for the unemployed, no hope for progress by our so called leaders. There better be a damned good excuse for this but I suppose tomorrow the Star will have an incredible headline about some amazing feat of progress by the Mayor.

15) I know you've decided to cancel the Star, and who can blame you. But remember that you are the biggest pain in the sac-o-riliac that they face almost daily. I'll bet they're dancing in the streets, thinking that you will no longer call them up on their one sided reporting and mistruths.

If you don't want to pay for the paper, go to the library and read it for free. In any case, keep up your good work.

16) Eddie is directly responsible for some of the unemployment increase for July over June. He has quite a few CUPE employees on layoff with unknown dates for call back. Force a strike during harsh economic times and this is the "gift" you give to your municipality. Worse economic times.

Thanks Eddie! Next time just send regrets.

17) The first scenario would be that the Can gov’t will purchase land in Delray themselves so that both ends are in Canadian hands, much like Eddie wanted to do with the tunnel. Very costly considering they are bidding against themselves by paying so much for Brighton Beach.

The second scenario sees the Brighton Beach lands being used as a Canada Customs inspection site to replace the Ambassador and Goyeau facilities. As well as a US Customs pre-crossing inspection/clearance for continued travel to the US over the Ambassador Bridge twin. I don’t know if they need 200 acres for that, I’m not an engineer, but $34 million is still way too much to pay to bring that about if the 3rd crossing goes Moroun’s way.

As Toe Blake once said, “Predictions are for gypsies”.

18) Shoot! There goes the 26 dollar rebate from the strike. With the 800,000 shortfall at the Windsor Solid Waste Authority, the city may be on the hook for some of that money. Darn, I was looking forward to the check that costs about 18 dollars to send out. So I guess I won't even get the 8 dollars.

I wonder if the conservatives will bring out the big guns and get the bridge done when Santos goes up against Watson?

19) Ed good blog. Can't build a bridge to no where? Windsor Wyandotte east. It's beautiful. They should have fixed College Ave same money.

Windsor doesn't run the Tunnel well how can they think they know anything about the bridge. You are on the money Ed. The USA will back out and not double their plazas etc. Take care.

20) http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/679668

Where are the shovels, the jobs, the stimulus?

21) Thank you Mr. Arditti for the Whitehouse briefing.

It is true that our Provinces never signed on as they were always waivers. The states only have 37 states that have also signed on. With such an intergrated economy it should be resolved. The states are now hurting as many water projects are on hold because GE cannot bring in the water filters as they are made in Oakville and Toronto.

It is my understanding that Congress has even widened the net from water and waste water to hospitals and schools. Hopefully and new deal will come through to benefit both sides.

My comments about the President is the first time I have read that he acknowledged there is an issue at least publically in Canadian papers. The Chamber of Commerce of America, NY Times editorial have asked the President to come intervene.

Thanks again for the transcript.

22) http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2009/08/10/ottawa-insurance-sewer-flooding.html

if the twist and turns of sewer infrastructure isn't enough these days, now insurance companies are seeking larger sewers, full story above.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Politics, Politics, Politics

Who the heck advises these people? Mistake after mistake. They need strategists to help them avoid putting their feet in their mouths. Don't they want to be elected?

The Eminence Greasie cannot do it all by advising everyone. Eddie himself takes up so much time!

DWIGHT DUNCAN

What the dickens is wrong with him? Is he thinking of running for the Conservatives federally now instead of the Liberals? Has Dalton decided to be nice to Stephen Harper because he thinks IGGY cannot do it?

Why would Dwight Duncan mouth off about the DRIC bridge, something of which the Provincial Government has NO jurisdictional authority and something about which the Feds told the Province earlier to buzz off?

If Dwight wanted to say something, he should have acted as a good Liberal. He supported IGGY didn't he. He should have attacked Harper for failing on the border as evidenced by the fact that he was snubbed by President Obama. He should have condemned Harper for failing as well in not being able to get the President to end protectionism against Provincial companies who are desperate for business.

If he really had big kahoonas, he should have demanded as our local MPP that the Feds and Province build the DRIC road to the Ambassador Bridge to prevent 20 years of litigation and tell the Feds to work on a resolution with the Bridge Company already! We need the jobs now.

As I Blogged before, he is an HONOURABLE man!

Poor Dwight, he looks like nothing more now than a tool for the Conservatives. What a glorious political opportunity lost. Nelson needs to remember this huge faux pas when Dwight comes a-knocking.

NELSON SANTOS

Speaking of Nelson, can I believe anything he says now?

I met him for coffee a few months ago and we had a very delightful conversation. I thought he would make a very credible candidate for a senior position. I thought at the time that he might be thinking of running for the Liberals provincially.

Now I am not so sure. It's sometimes the small things that count with me.

You remember what he promised me a week before his coronation (as someone in the County called it) errrr nomination:

"I will have an i[n]vitation sent to you shortly re: nomination meeting--putting final touches on it this morning!"

A promise not kept.

Nothing came so I cannot BLOG about what happened, who was there and who was not there, who said what etc. I had to learn instead from the Echo who was scheduled to be there. I was not going to crash the party so to speak.

A small and unimportant matter really. Oh well, so much for ever expecting him to get answers to some big and important questions posed about the WEDC.

JEFF WATSON

I would never vote for him for a variety of reasons. Nelson should have been able to beat him hands down. Instead, in the first days of the next campaign, Nelson gives him election issues such as a broken promise and lack of answers to the WEDC concerns and the big issue:

"Watson wants Santos to run as private citizen

Called to step down as mayor, warden

Essex MP Jeff Watson called for Liberal candidate Nelson Santos to immediately step down as Kingsville mayor, warden of Essex County and as editor of the Kingsville Reporter newspaper.

Watson said Santos' new boss is Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff and it is not in the town's best interest to have an election called and bring grant applications to a halt."

Not a word of response in the article by Nelson either. Does he think it is going to go away? The stupidity of it all: Nelson made it an issue in the first place in an earlier article hoping it would diffuse the situation I guess:

"If an election is called, Santos said he will continue to serve as warden and Kingsville’s mayor as he campaigns, something former Kingsville mayor and county warden Pat O’Neil did when he ran provincially in 1999 and 2003. Santos said he could reduce his work as a real estate agent and as editor of the Kingsville Reporter. The next municipal election is in 2010."

It did not and instead, Nelson is on the defensive already.

MORE ON JEFF

I am sure that he is enjoying the heady days of getting Windsor Star support. Heck, Eddie did not even send Nelson a nice letter of support as he did for Sandra's nomination.

Jeff can sit back now and enjoy the summer. Who needs to campaign when a Star columnist can say such nice things about you:

"Watson's credibility growing"

But Jeff should understand that this support can turn instantaneously if Eddie decides not to run for the Conservatives federally or the Feds stop sending Eddie goodies. After all, Jeff has his support as Anne Jarvis mentioned because:

"Once dismissed as a hapless pipsqueak, lately he has delivered the goods...

It all changed a few days before the election was called last year, when Prime Minister Stephen Harper flew to Windsor and, with Watson at his side, finally announced $80 million for the plant.

The tap has been flowing ever since, with Watson announcing millions of dollars for this area, including Windsor, which isn't even his riding.

With every announcement, his stock has risen:

- $34 million to buy 94 acres in Brighton Beach for the new bridge

- $45 million for infrastructure projects in Windsor..."

Watson even met with Windsor's city council to make sure its applications for government grants met the criteria. The Conservatives, it appears, have become unlikely champions for a region that was a Conservative wasteland for decades."

See how taxpayer money can be used to ensure re-election.

Who said near-Depressions are bad!

FULVIO VALENTINIS

He has been hit with the don't look back pandemic as well.

"Late ward tweak draws fire
Valentinis accused of cherry picking

Ward 3 Coun. Fulvio Valentinis "played politics" and resorted to "cherry picking" when he introduced last-minute boundary changes to a consultant's latest proposal for a new 10-ward electoral system for Windsor, says Ward 1 Coun. Drew Dilkens...

Dilkens, who vows to appeal the new ward map to the Ontario Municipal Board once council approves the required bylaw later this month, accuses Valentinis of orchestrating the changes to improve his chances running in a new ward in next year's civic election...

Valentinis denies he was playing politics, arguing his proposed changes followed boundary lines in one of the earlier suggestions by consultant Robert Williams. He said the latest plan introduced Monday by the consultant "makes no sense" because the proposed Ward 2 offered "no room for growth."

I think the "political" word that should have been used is not "cherry-picking" but rather "gerrymandering" which is defined as

"a form of boundary delimitation (redistricting) in which electoral district or constituency boundaries are deliberately modified for electoral advantage."

Did Councillor Valentinis take offence? Not at all.

"The community wants to move forward," said Valentinis."

EDDIE FRANCIS

How to be a lame-duck Mayor and not be a lame-duck Mayor. Don't let anyone know what you are going to do. Keep them guessing. After all, who would want to run against the E-Machine in a last second campaign.

Except by raising the issue when there was no need to do so, Eddie just told everyone he is running provided the Conservative nomination does not work out.

Listen to this as Eddie tells us that he has too many things to do---his election issues mind you---and wishes that opponents would not set up their campaign teams to try to oust him:

Stop with the rumours already. It's a disservice and selfish for Councillors to think about running against our Mayor when there is soooo much to be done to meet his re-election platform needs.

Why should they do what he did when he ran for Mayor! Heck, even if he runs for higher office, his former bestest buddy, Nelson, gave him the excuse why he should NOT resign as Mayor either.

Ferries Cross The River

Gerry & the Pacemakers would be in heaven if they lived in Windsor.

For those of you who are too young to remember who they are, one of their big hits was "Ferry Cross The Mersey." Imagine what they could do with songs about the Detroit/Windsor ferry and the proposed ferry service to Detroit.

Aren't you tired of Gregg Ward Ferry stories? I sure am. At the least, it was not about him moaning about his lawsuit with the Feds again. I had read enough about that a long time ago.

One good point: he again answers the question about security and redundancy issues at the Ambassador Bridge:

"This is an important safety and security project for the border,” said Ward, noting the alternative his truck ferry provides in the event of a shutdown of the Ambassador Bridge."

How long has this issue been going on re that piece of land for the ferry? The project has dragged on for ages. Just like the DRIC project itself. And some want the Governments involved in border crossings! Ridiculous!

It's strange, no one seems to talk much about the privately owned cross-border service provided by the Ferry. Oh I know it is NOT a huge operation like the Ambassador Bridge but it is interesting to note how much the Governments are prepared to help out this private border operator and then throw roadblocks in front of another.

Can you say double standard?

Why the Ferry project is even needed if a new DRIC Bridge is built surprises me because it would take most of Ward's business away. Another sign that the DRIC bridge is delayed indefinitely perhaps?

However, this is NOT why the story is of interest. There is a lot more going on behind the scenes.

Why are Dwight and Sandra talking about a super-duper bridge in Windsor when it is not within their area of authority? Why did the Star just do an Editorial? Simple...sucker the Feds. Get them to commit huge sums to Windsor so that when the DRIC road finally has to be built, and everyone knows that have-not Ontario cannot afford to finance it, then the Feds will have to kick in more cash. My sources tell me that Ontario has been trying to get them to pay 70% of the cost for years rather than the 50%.

That is why the Feds are stalling over the payment of a few extra bucks at the Truck ferry. Heck, they overpaid at Brighton Beach by 7 times so why not for the Truck ferry.

Precedent.

"The Canadian government has committed $2.9 million toward improvements to the Detroit-Windsor Truck Ferry based on the original estimates determined by the provincial government, said Mark Butler, spokesman for Transport Canada.

“The issue was there was significant difference,” Butler said. “The government of Canada’s contribution is capped at the approved value — which in this case was $2.9 million based on the original estimate.”

The ferry estimate was just as poor an estimate it seems now as will be the cost of the DRIC road prepared by the Province for which the Feds have to contribute 50% of the agreed costs. The Feds have to decide if they will pay more because the actual cost down the road is significantly higher than the billion dollar plus estimate

Paying more for the ferry may stick them with a precedent when the DRIC road actual cost comes in.

And now our equivalent of the Staten Island ferry. Hardly a good time to be thinking about this when

"Cross-border travel slows in June, report shows."

Fogetting the practical issues like Customs clearance costs and once one gets to the other side, how does one then get to one's final destination if you are one of the 5,000 commuters or a day tripper especially when Detroit transit service may be cut?

Do you really think that the City of Windsor can allow this to go forward? It cannot. The reason is simple----it could bankrupt the City-owned Tunnel.

If other empoyers did the following for commuters, then why drive one's car through the Tunnel:

"some Michigan hospitals have already offered to shuttle Windsor commuters to and from a river ferry."

Can you imagine what would have happened to Windsor if Eddie's $75M Tunnel deal had gone forward since one of the reasons for doing it according to the Mayor was to protect the 5,000 commuters. Another reason why the Tunnel vision of the Mayor was a complete bust.

What then is the purpose for the Ferry story? This story has been around for a long time. Back in November I saw this:

"In time, the $15.25 million riverfront investment ["Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority (DWCPA) Public Dock & Terminal building will soon be a fixture on Detroit's East Riverfront. Once completed, the 21,000-square-foot facility will become the new headquarters of the DWCPA, as well as the premier Detroit River site where visiting ships of all types dock"] will also become the Detroit nexus of cross-river ferry service, if Detroit and Windsor port officials have their way. Early stages of talks are underway with an established East Coast ferry operator who is anxious to add Detroit-Windsor to its portfolio of cities served.

Just over a year ago, we read in the Star:

"Mayor Eddie Francis will today unveil an ambitious water and boardwalk concept for the Western Super Anchor properties he believes can finally help transform the downtown dead zone...

"Now that the casino (expansion) is open people have been saying 'What can we do to spur people and attract them to the city?'" Francis said.

"This provides a sense of community, identity and mixed use we have desired for the Western Super Anchor. It all translates into economic benefits. The time for this is right.

"This project is not going to be up and running tomorrow, but it's a plan for the future. We get asked to make a decision and that's what we are doing..."

There are also early ongoing port authority talks about launching a new Windsor-Detroit ferry taxi service which also could be tied to the proposal, the mayor said."

A Star story also at the time said

"Thousands of Windsor workers who commute daily to Detroit may soon be able to leave their gas guzzlers at home and take the ferry instead.

The Windsor Port Authority is holding preliminary discussions with the largest commuter ferry operator in the United States, which is seeking to begin a commuter service across the Detroit River.

WPA chairman Charlie Pingle said the proposed inland marina for Windsor's downtown west side would make a perfect terminus for such a service."

Of course you remember that the Windsor Port Authority was one of the contributors to the cost of the Canal feasibility study.

By the way the Port Authority announced this new appointment:

"The Windsor Port Authority has two new members on its board of directors.

On Thursday, federal Transport Minister John Baird announced the appointments of...George Sandala...

Sandala is described as a member of the City of Windsor's audit committee and vice-chair of the Windsor Utility Commission."

Have you noticed all of a sudden all of these canal stories in the Star. Just the other day we had one about an Aquarium and now about a ferry service. If one did not know any better, one might think that someone is trying to justify a canal.

Oh my gosh....do you think that the Mayor is NOT following his own advice. Could this be the start of his next mayoral campaign with the canal his main platform (or pier) plank. That would force us to move forward and to ignore all of his past failures. After all, as the Star quoted him today:

"Asked for a Windsor example, he pointed to the proposed canal project in the city's core and the programming that would accompany it. "Something as simple as a children's amusement park, like they have in London -- Storybook Gardens."

A research aquarium, which is still only in preliminary discussion stages, would also figure into Francis's vision.

Francis said such attractions would generate as much business from people in the region as they would from U.S. visitors.

"It will never make up completely what we're losing in tourism traffic, but it would at least mitigate that loss," he predicted.

Development of such things remains years away, but Francis said years away is the way people should be thinking...

But five years ago, that decision was made, and that helps us mitigate against the challenges we're facing now.

"We have to have the same vision, the same foresight for the next five years, and five years after that.

"We've got to stop looking at reasons why people aren't coming, and start focusing on reasons why we want people to come."

DUH...forget how I have failed as Mayor to get tourists coming here and buy into my next future failure after I am elected!

PS. Oooops, I should have mentioned the other Port Authority appointment: Rocco Lucente, president of R. Lucente Engineering, Inc

He has a canal connection:

"The Project Team was lead by Landmark Engineers Inc., who drew assistance from four multi-disciplinary local engineering and consulting firms including:
• R. Lucente Engineering Inc.

He must know Mr. Sandala well since he is also a WUC Commissioner

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Is The March 13 Letter Bad Luck For Councillor Jones

I feel sorry for the Bridge Company. They are abused more than one suspects.

That letter above, read it carefully. I Blogged about it several months ago on May 25, 2009 "Postma's Demolition Notice of Motion" to be exact.

I wrote at the time:

"Here is a copy of the letter to the Bridge Company. If you received it, would you have the faintest idea what you were to do with it other than file it in the garbage can!"

Councillor Jones raised an issue at Council recently in the following terms and that letter was brought up again. Wow, the Clerk has a great memory to remember this specific letter, its date and its contents just like that:

Listen closely to what his questions were and how the Clerk answered them and then read the transcript. You decide if it says what the Clerk says it does:

"COUNCILLOR JONES: Thank you Your Worship. And I guess through you to the Clerk. Madam Clerk, have we or have we not sent out invitations to the Bridge Company to reveal their plans in terms of what they term greening, over the last little while?

CITY CLERK: Your Worship, Members of Council, yes on March 13th, a letter was sent to the Canadian Transit Company with that express invitation.

COUNCILLOR JONES: And in that…did you indicate to them that Council cared to meet with them so that they would in fact have opportunity to show Members of Council, the Mayor and the citizens their plan?

CITY CLERK: Yes it did.

COUNCILLOR JONES: Alright then, Your Worship, I’m wondering whether through your office or through the CIO, that we would send a letter to the Bridge Company asking them to make a presentation to Council, to the Mayor, on any site that they choose to make their presentation, for as long as they care to make their presentation and that the Council and public-at-large be invited.

Perhaps there was a different March 13 letter that was sent out, a separate Letter of Invitation, that somehow got lost in the mail since all that I can see is a letter enclosing a copy of a Resolution.

I wonder if the newest letter suggested by the Councillor will ever be sent out since no one on Council agreed to do so.

Of course, this is nothing but a bridge game. Other parties merely have to tear down a house and agree to put in grass and their applications for demolition are accepted on consent at Council ie NO debate needed. The Bridge Company is being treated in a much different manner to prevent them from doing what the neighbours in the area asked for in a petition.

As Councillor Mom expressed it so inelegantly but so honestly, for the Bridge Company

"The Grass Ain't Going To Cut It."

In fact, nothing ever will.

A Reader Said This

Here is what some of my readers have sent me over the past few days. Did your email get lost in cyberspace or did you forget to send it?

1) Of course Windsor is in position to take advantage of cargo. So is every other friggin airport on the planet.

Mind you IF they would have said no it's not (truth hurts) they would lose
out on future considerations or studies.

The new taxiway the airport is getting (paid by the feds) will have over 10% of the
money eaten up by studies alone, then design, build, press release, and so on.
See the pattern?

If the airport gets the go ahead for more development of course more studies and fees
will follow.

So what is the incentive to tell Windsor Airport the reality? none.
Give them hope, priceless.

The money that would have to go into Windsor Airport for support equipment alone is more than the Ontario budget. no kidding.

Runway development and environmental studies. millions just to talk about it.
We're talking 2020 to be shovel ready.

Greenlink is a the perfect example of wasted money and effort.

2) $220,000 for a consultant's study to tell the city they need to promote the airport to businesses so they can learn about YQG. What a joke !!! Maybe we should give the next part of the study to the business class at the Odette School of Business as a class project.

There is no possible way you are going to get US Customs located at the airport!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Canada doesn't need to spend any more money regarding space exploration... just interview the Mayor. He has to be from another galaxy proposing his idea.

3) Did anyone else see the FRONT PAGE Windsor Star article today written by Craig Pearson?
POINTS:
The State of Michigan has NOT
a) done the required studies and environmental assessments;
b) nor acquired (or attempted to buy) even one property for roads to such a bridge;
c) passed any legislation supporting it;
as regards a new International Bridge...

The Republican leader of the opposition in the State Senate states that
> no one wants a new bridge;
>they didn't want to spend the $2million they did studying the proposal 18 months ago;
>International traffic over the present bridge is down 34% in the past 2 years (55% since 2001) so the present Ambassador Bridge is more than adequate;
>the private owner of the present bridge (Matty Maroun) is willing to spend his own money to build a new, second span, and (the suggestion is) "let him do it! - forget a new bridge." as well, he says: the State of Michigan has just contributed hundreds of millions of dollars to improved acess to the old bridge.
Does anyone REALLY think a new International Bridge is ever going to be built?
(all those 20,000 jobs, guys building a bridge-really??)

4) Well I know you take your reputation seriously and won't be manufacturing anything not as true at the time you release it. But if you could find some place someone to quote that would give you cover I think the most fantastic story would be, No Problem, Canada will go it alone, buy the land on the other side and put her up.

5) Don't underestimate the self-reliance of Windsor" by Gord Henderson, was the last straw for me. I wrote a blog, then said it was my last one, as this would be the last time I read the Star. He sensationalized that ugly, painful strike and gave the public the credit for crushing the union stronghold on the city.

"Now that the dust has settled and the wailing and gnashing of teeth has subsided, please stand and take a bow for doing your part to help Windsor win a historic, ground-shifting victory over forces determined to keep city taxpayers forever in chains."

Unbelievable! I was livid.... I have not, nor will I ever, read the Star again.

6) very well written article Ed. The more you dig, the more that strike seemed to be part of a conspiracy. For the workers, everyone I've spoken to has said the strike was the most horrible experience of their lives. The CUPE leaders were uneducated and unprepared to deal with Eddie. Members could not look to union nor our employer for support. We were lost, forced to collect our $200 per week, with no hope in sight. There was no glamour in this strike. And let's not forget the damaging effects of public versus CUPE. I'll move away before I ever do that again. At least you do not sensationalize the situation. You look for all the hidden factors that contributed to the strike's dynamics. I think that helps us strikers reconcile the negative effects it had on us. Thanks again Ed.

7) Stupid paper! Great video

Glad i got 2 see it as i cant watch council

8)Glad you came out and said it about the star! I tell everyone I know to cancel the star.

9)[Re moderated comments] Thanks--I am a new reader, just since the strike so I'm not up on all of the previous problems with the blog. But I can understand why you do it this way. Thanks--it's nice to have a different slant on things.

10) Re: You Held the Line

One sentence jumped off the page in the open letter to CUPE. It was "Strikes are momentous life changing experiences" How very true this is. I don't know if I am naive or gullible but the strike made me realize that I no longer feel the same about my councillors or mayor, realized that the Windsor Star only publishes one side of any story, their side and that many of us have lost the sense of community we once had. Thank you to whom ever wrote the open letter. Those of us who walked the picket lines for 14 weeks know how much support we had out there, it was incredible and surprising.

11) As charismatic as Obama may be, he is sadly out of touch with reality regarding his own buy US policy under the "stimulus project."

All you have to do is ask the 2300 workers at Stelco in Hamilton how the buy US policy affected their jobs when Canadian steel was virtually disallowed from use in all US government stimulus projects. Stelco is now mothballed and the 2300 employees are now out of work. The steel came from US Steel (the current owners of Stelco) plants in Indiana and Pennsylvania.

Why is it politicians (of whatever party) find it difficult to tell the truth anymore. Do they really think that we the public are stupid?

12) I was always dubious of the fantastic job numbers. The only way to use 15000 people on a project is to dig by hand and wheelbarrow.

I think you and I both know that Greensink was dead long ago. Only the Monty Python denial that it really isn’t dead, just resting.

13) Penny for your thoughts on the article in todays star on jobs and the new bridge - headline 15000 jobs in the story less than 2000 actual jobs.

Windsor Star mistake? Strategic move to sour the public? Tactical decision to hurt someone’s credibility? Or to lessen the blow of actual jobs lost when the project is scuttled?

14) The Windsor Star has a Blog today on CUPE Garbage Collectors' being behind and no overtime to catch up. I know a CUPE worker who has been working overtime. Without going into details, there would be huge consequences if they did not put in this overtime and Management is extremely thank full of cooperation in this. No overtime ordered by Council should have added "if in the eyes of the public."

My point is that there is lots of CUPE overtime going on behind the public exposure. In submitting this info to the Star's Blog, it was not posted.

15) I just read your blog it is great. I find it funny that certain councilors love to say the strike is over time to move on. I'm sure they are afraid that they owe the workers a lot of money. [Name of Councillor] loves to say time to move on. In other words we hope you all just forget about it.

16) Thank you for a great blog today, so much information, some facts I am sure none of us thought of. Your writing gives pause for thought.

Taking it all in.

You are like a Robin Hood, Superman, Lone Ranger etc, all rolled into one.

Thanks again, I hope these union officials have the guts to do the right thing.

17) If you get your hands on that CUPE list of CFIB members, that you
state in this morning's blog, could you or would you publish it?

18) I'd like to accidentally come across this list, I was searching the net but came up with nothing.

19) do you read halberstadts blog?

one of the comments "Be a gent and hold the door for mr. Arditti when he ousts you
Cheers"

HA!!

your blogs are printed out and placed in the lunch room at City hall!!!! Famous! Reconsider running for MAYOR!!!!!!!!!!!

20) well, I agree with your opening comment today - everyday there is a new shocker on the border file! Could Matty ever have imagined the entire Ca. gov. would conspire to get rid of him just because he owned a bridge? It is unbelievable. I book I think in the making...hmmmm, who could write this book??

Think about it!

21) I started reading your Blog at the start of the CUPE strike and am hooked.

It’s refreshing to read an alternate and more realist point of view.

I can’t for the life of me figure out who “Greasie” is? I can’t seem to recall you identifying him since I’ve been reading.

On a separate note, I know many CUPE members have asked about hiring a lawyer and am prepared with some of my fellow colleagues to take action to hold the Mayor and his flock of sheep accountable for creating a strike that didn’t need to happen or drag on far too long.

22) You have a great blog I love reading your articles.

23) I thought you might like to read this. It's pretty cool

-----Original Message-----
Subject: RE: Act of Kindness

I know of several managers who donated to us on the picket line and I heard there was a food drive by the managers that was brought to the union hall for our food bank. I just am overwhelmed by the generosity and kind words of the citizens in our city.

-----Original Message-----
Subject: RE: Act of Kindness

I agree without the support of my picketing group I don't know what I've done to cope with the stress of the strike. I now understand why we are union brothers and sisters.

-----Original Message-----
Subject: RE: Act of Kindness

I too would like to say thanks to the people who had me in their thoughts with Zehrs/President's Choice gift cards, Mastercards, groceries and monies, it is all overwhelming to know there are so many who care. I would also like to say a special thank you to my picketing group for everything! You guys were wonderful, couldn't have gotten through it without you, you made a difference.

-----Original Message-----
Subject: RE: Act of Kindness

I also received a Gift Card from anonymous. It was much appreciated.
It was heartwarming to know that someone was thinking of me and cared about my welfare. Thanks a million.

-----Original Message-----
Subject: RE: Act of Kindness

Dito, I received a gift card also. Our community really does come together when needed. Thank-you.

-----Original Message-----
Subject: RE: Act of Kindness

I would also like to jump on this band wagon as well. I received a gift card for Zehrs/President's Choice as well, words cannot express how gratefull my family & I were in receiving this special gift.

A sincere thanks for the ones who wanted to remain anonymous!!

Take care,

-----Original Message-----
Subject: RE: Act of Kindness

Wow, that is awesome! Kudos to the one who cares. I too have been the recipient of financial help from colleagues when I really, really needed it. One day, when you need it the most, I will be there for you. (You know who you are)

Many thanks,

-----Original Message-----
Subject: Act of Kindness

Greetings,

During the strike I received a gift card for Zehrs/President's Choice from a person who wished to remain anonomous.

Now that the strike is over, I wish to thank that person for this gift. Your act of kindness shone light on a dark moment.

You did good.

24) Ed, do we know who owns the other 100 acres at Brighton Beach?

Come on - are you withholding information?

25) [RE Jr vs the Brister] LOL This is hilarious! I would so enjoy watching that debate. But this issue needs to be kept within council walls. Let 'em go at it with the Rock 'em Sock 'em Robots! Work off the testosterone level, leave the pride in another room. All better..

And these are the people running the city?? No wonder the strike went on for so long.

Honestly Ed, I must thank you for introducing me to politics. I hated politics before you came along; now it's my entertainment....my Joke of the Day :)

26) It is not right that misbehaviour has no repercussions other than elections 4 years down the road.

Here is the website to ask why not and also to request "Right of Recall" be put into the Municipal Elections Act.
http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page6302.aspx

Or you can contact the Minister directly to ask about it.
http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page350.aspx

Let's not go 4 more years with people like we wound up with as mayor & council this time. The time to act is now.

27) Thanks for still being the positive voice for us. As a CUPE member (and the girl who emailed you about becoming mayor, and yelled it at the meeting) LOL! I value your continued information!! Your blog has become a part of my daily routine. I would, as many others did, print out your blogs and we would read them at the meeting at the start of our picket shift. It always gave us a laugh, or some hope or even helped us to remain strong during those weeks out on the line.

You rock sunshine!!

28) Ed good blog. Can't build a bridge to no where? Windsor Wyandotte east. It's beautiful. They should have fixed College Ave same money.

Windsor doesn't run the Tunnel well how can they think they know anything about the bridge. You are on the money Ed. The USA will back out and not double their plazas etc. Take care.