WindsorBlogmeister2

Monday, March 29, 2010

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Is A Boycott Summer Fest Facebook Page Next

I wonder if the Facebook group "Keep Windsor's Summerfest at the Riverfront!" will now morph into one called "Boycott Summerfest at the WFCU parking lot."

Since the City owns the site, and if people get mad enough, it might be shortened to "Boycott WFCU" since this looks like nothing more than a money-grab to make the failing arena white elephant look profitable if Edgar (aka Eddie) runs for Mayor again.

Is that what this means

"I don't like the decision," said Sleiman, who hopes to spearhead other events downtown.

"I beg everyone in the downtown area and in the west end to not go to that carnival."

That might be an interesting idea since you know Summer Fest will not be coming back otherwise. As was written previously:

"Durocher said she would like Summer Fest -- which attracts 90,000 people over its three-week run -- to return to its old riverfront location next year. But she admits that decision depends on how well the carnival fares at the WFCU Centre.

"If it goes to the WFCU and it's a monumental success, it would not only be our decision, it would also be the choice of World's Finest Shows," she said. "Wherever we go, if there's more return on investment, that's where they're going to want to go."

Wow, I wonder how many downtown restauranteurs will get upset, from one-star ones to five-star ones since a lot of business would be taken away. Or will they be convinced to be quiet since there might be other goodies they will be promised say, like an urban village again.

Or, I got it, how about a canal???!!!!

How about trotting that boondoggle out already. Why it's the salvation for the downtown isn't it and just before the election too. That mind's eye vision has been too quiet for too long. What a perfect set-up for the Mayor who can set up meetings all summer for citizen conversation about a canal. Consultation he can call it like the ones he did NOT have for daycare.

Of course, if the Mayor runs, he needs the downtown voters since they can be galvanized to come out to vote so he weasel-words Summer Fest:

"But Mayor Eddie Francis, parks and recreation representatives, and Barry Jamieson, president of World's Finest Shows, all said that the move is likely only for this year -- and only makes sense."

"Likely" is the word which he can use after the election when he says it will never come back downtown.

Think I am kidding, here is what Ms Durocher said to back off what she said before, to be more politically correct:

"In any case, Durocher said she hopes Summer Fest will return downtown next year"

No commitment there to come back. Just a "hope."

And why would it? Look at all the money it will make for the WFCU and the parking lot owner next door and the people who can sell booze there:

"She said for this year, Summer Fest will offer a lot more than just a midway at the WFCU Centre. She's hoping to bring in a BMX competition to augment lots of stage entertainment, vendors, buskers, and possibly another big event.

Furthermore, the WFCU Centre, she said, may well choose to open up a licensed terrace during the festival.

"It's not just going to be a midway in a parking lot," she said. "There's going to be lots to do."

And this silliness about

"The organizer of the popular Summer Fest said Friday that after reviewing all the options, the decision is now final: the annual Windsor tradition will move to the WFCU Centre this year to avoid riverfront construction.

"We spent all morning at parks and rec," Maggie Durocher, president of Windsor Parade Corporation which stages the event, said after meeting with city officials for almost three hours. "We went through a map, we went through every possible venue that is available to the city, looking for alternatives, looking for a way to keep it downtown. But there is nothing that works."

Pure window-dressing to pretend that something was being considered

"Maggie Durocher, executive director of the not-for-profit Windsor Parade Corporation, which runs Summer Fest, said the idea to move came from Windsor's parks and recreation department late last year."

They had months to figure out alternatives.

Folks, it was a done deal. The decision was made and nothing was going to change it, not even citizen protests.

Come on people, you forgot. Mr Farhi's land is our new DOWNTOWN! Gord told us that a loooooooooong time ago.

"I can see eventually 60 acres being developed ... the equivalent of an entire downtown," said Farhi.

Now you know he was not kidding. I do hope though that the "huge piles of twisted scrap steel next door to the WFCU Centre" will have been cleared up by then.

After all, if we need an event for the downtown to help the businesses prosper there and to have a family event where it should be and which is probably most convenient for the people who want to go there, you know now whom the Mayor favours:

"Mayor Eddie Francis said it's "bittersweet news" that the plant is being demolished. "My first priority would be to have a plant open and people working." But it's better, he agreed, to have redevelopment in the Lauzon/Tecumseh area than a padlocked plant. "You want activity. You want action," said Francis. "The entire Lauzon Road corridor is going to come to life again. This just adds to and complements the activity at the WFCU Centre. Shrewd investors are already picking up properties."

Friday, March 26, 2010

Now It's NAFTA

You just know that more is coming. You can just feel it. What other big surprises does the Bridge Company have?

Why didn't Stephen call me? He should have listened to me. Now he is in a big pickle. NAFTA is in play as part of the dispute between the Bridge Company and Canada. Here is a copy of that document for you to read. http://www.scribd.com/doc/28979255/NAFTAclaim

Why oh why? His people must have anticipated this response from the Bridge Company.

Prime Minister Harper will cost the Canadian economy dearly. The anti-NAFTA legislation introduced in Congress is much more serious than Canada seems to understand

Such naïveté

"International Trade Minister Peter Van Loan said Tuesday that the groundswell of protectionism among some U.S. lawmakers is directed less at Canada than at Mexico, as well as overseas markets.

"I've been down there with the prime minister, meeting with President Obama. I met with congressional and Senate leaders and others that are key on trade files there, and what you get told again and again is, ‘Well, none of this is directed at Canada,'" Van Loan told CTV's Power Play.

"And there are understandable anxieties, concerns about loss of manufacturing to China, some concerns about the relationship with Mexico, (but) Canada always seems to be sort of the favourite son. Nobody looks at us as a bad guy."

Mind you, this is the same Mr. Optimistic guy who said a while ago in his old job:

“Canada-U.S. border review worries overblown: Minister

Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan on Monday said he's convinced early worries that the new Obama administration might impose new security measures at the Canada-U.S. border have been overblown.

At the start of a three-day visit to Washington, Van Loan said he's satisfied that a U.S. review of its northern border — ordered in January by Janet Napolitano, Homeland Security secretary — was simply a matter-of-course exercise by the department's new head to become familiar with her portfolio.

"What I thought was very positive about that is that she recognized that the northern border is very different (from the U.S.-Mexico border), that we have a very different situation," Van Loan said in an interview. "She does view us in a very different light . . . She very much understands the objective here is achieving security while facilitating trade."

Where does this guy hang out? Didn't he read this:

"Representatives Gene Taylor, Walter Jones, Peter DeFazio, Bart Stupak, Michael Arcuri, Joe Baca, Roscoe Bartlett, Bruce Braley, Michael Capuano, Jerry Costello, Bob Filner, Raul Grijalva, Phil Hare, Maurice Hinchey, Steve Kagen, Marcy Kaptur, Dale Kildee, Larry Kissell, Dennis Kucinich, Mike McIntyreEric Massa, Mike Michaud, and Ron Paul, Mark Schauer, Peter Visclosky, Charlie Wilson and Lynn Woolsey introduced legislation to repeal the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

NAFTA and similar free trade agreements have resulted in a 29% decline in U.S. manufacturing employment since 1993. NAFTA discourages investments in U.S. manufacturing facilities and accelerates the erosion of our industrial base...

Our trade deficit with Canada in 1993 was $11 Billion prior to NAFTA. By 2008 the trade deficit swelled to $78 billion and dropped to $20 Billion with the decline of the economy in 2009."

In case the name "Bart Stupak" is also unknown to the Minister, he was a key Democrat whom President Obama had to convince to help him on health care and who supported the President in the end on abortion protection. Obama owes him!

And we know that the Unions that helped make Obama President are not too happy with NAFTA either.

It cannot get worse for Stephen. And Canada!

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Windsor In Dwight's Budget

We Canadians talk a good game about spending money on the border because it is so important to our economy but it is the Americans who have actually done it.

Perhaps there is something there in the Ontario budget on the DRIC road but I could not find it.

I saw this:

"The Province is also making ongoing long-term infrastructure investments that will continue to lay the foundation for future economic growth. Expanding transit and highways will improve the movement of people and goods, helping to lower travel times and transportation."

Maybe it is hiding under "other transportation" but the sums set out are so small relatively speaking that it appears that DRIC expenditures may have been cut back.

Note Dwight did say in the Star pre-budget:

"Work on the $1.6-billion Windsor-Essex Parkway, the planned new border feeder highway, will also push forward, Duncan said."

But the Budget did not say what work how much would be spent or how quickly.

Interestingly, the Star also reported that:

"Meanwhile, the government will save money by delaying a raft of capital projects, many of them in Toronto. Several GTA transit projects will be postponed, as will plans to build a Toronto courthouse as well as a $1.4 billion office complex at Queen's Park."

The Toronto Star pointed out:

"Belt-tightening will also derail expansion of public transit projects to save $4 billion over five years, including the TTC’s planned LRT lines for Eglinton and Finch Avenues and expansion of Scarborough rapid transit."

I guess that this came from Dwight saying:

"Once our stimulus-related infrastructure projects near completion, we will slow the pace of planning and construction of some of the government’s capital projects."

Like DRIC perhaps? He is not going to spend billions in Windsor if Toronto light rapid transit lines are being cut back!

Here is what I did find on the border:

"In addition, as Ontario’s economy shows signs of recovery, and trade and traffic volumes increase, it is critical that Ontario’s borders with the United States, Canada’s most important trading partner, operate as effectively as possible. Federal investment in technology and human resources at borders is critical to ensuring traffic flows as efficiently as possible. The federal government’s recent budget commitment to invest $87 million over two years to improve border efficiency and to expand and promote trusted traveller programs is a positive and welcome step in this regard."

Gee that sounds to me like Dwight does not want a bridge since if there is no bridge, there is no need for a DRIC road. Not a word about a Federal investment in a bridge.

"Ontario is advancing its interests in Washington, D.C. by establishing an office located in the Canadian Embassy. This office will promote the linkages and interests of the Ontario/U.S. relationship affected by U.S. policies through ongoing monitoring and focused advocacy. These include such important issues as border, trade, climate change, water, air and related matters."

Hmmm, the "border." Isn't the bridge a Federal matter Dwight?

"Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation net income is lower over the forecast period, largely due to the projected impact of a strong Canadian dollar and an unfavourable economic outlook for U.S. border states. These decreases are partially offset by a higher net income outlook for the Liquor Control Board of Ontario."

Poor Sean O'Dell. There go tourist numbers and therefore car numbers down, again. No wonder LCBO income is higher as tourist operators are being driven to drink!

Under The "B" For Bridge

Bingo, now I know how to explain the traffic machinations involving the DRIC bridge.

I have always felt that some people still do not understand why the issue about traffic volumes and the DRIC Bridge is so important.

After all, supposedly the need for the DRIC Bridge arose because traffic was going to double. Even now when traffic is at the 1999 level, or worse, Transport Canada can still say with a straight face:

"Butler said the Canadian government is committed to the building a new bridge to provide additional capacity for an anticipated growth in border traffic."

You see, in order to survive financially, even with traffic doubling, the DRIC bridge would have to take a ton of Bridge Company car and truck traffic and that of the Tunnel and the Blue Water Bridge. The DRIC experts said that after all.

Presumably if traffic did not double or, if the Bridge Company, whose tolls would be lower, competed ferociously for traffic, either the DRIC Bridge would go broke or the other crossings would have financial difficulties if the DRIC Bridge was subsidized.

I thought this was an easy concept to grasp. But I think I was wrong. People should not feel too bad if they are having problems with this because even the CEO of Chrysler does not understand it. You would think he would understand numbers and what lack of numbers can do to a bottom line:

"DRIC received an endorsement earlier this week from Sergio Marchionne, the CEO of Fiat and Chrysler, when he spoke to about 500 industry representatives at a dinner Monday in Michigan hosted in part by the Canadian Automotive Parts and Manufacturing Association.

"The North American automobile industry and hundreds of thousands of employees in vehicle assembly and parts production depend on the smooth flow of just-in-time deliveries across this critical border gateway," he said. "Chrysler strongly supports the partnership between the governments of Michigan and Ontario, as well as Canada and the United States, as they work toward securing a new gateway at Detroit-Windsor."

Fortunately, the Bingo hall issue made the "traffic issue" simple for people to grasp.

As the Star story points out, just read how the proposed new Bingo Hall and the existing Bingo Halls will be fighting over a reduced number of bingo players--traffic--to understand the concept of how all of the Bingo Halls and the users could face serious problems. Apply it to DRIC and you will be much wiser:

"A group of charity bingo advocates will approach council Monday to open a non-profit bingo hall on the city's east end in what they are calling a last-gasp effort to rescue dozens of local charities on the edge of financial failure.

The group wants to reopen the shuttered Hollywood Bingo hall at 3975 Wyandotte St. E. on the corner of George Avenue. The hall closed in 2006 under consolidation of the local bingo industry.

Bingos were hit hard in Windsor by the proliferation of casino gambling, loss of U.S. customers through border restrictions and finally no-smoking legislation in 2006.

There were once about a dozen local halls, but now there are only four owned by a single operator — the Poirier family of Poirier Electric.

The operator of the remaining bingo halls — and some charities which profit from them — are fighting the move, claiming there is not enough room in the industry to support another bingo hall...

Long-time charity bingo advocate David (Red) Wilson, who used to be president of the charity operations at the former Hollywood Bingo, is leading the effort to reopen the facility. He believes dozens of local charities will be better served under the non-profit hall.

"There is no alternative plan for us," he said. "This is our opportunity...

But the concept has supporters of the existing bingo halls furious and fearful the competition will drain away what little profits are being generated for both the Poiriers and roughly 75 charities those halls support.

"The first 100 customers pay the overhead," said Phil Haddad, president of Charities of Classic Bingo IV located at Market Square on Walker Road. "The other 20 customers are the profit. We can't lose one person because that represents profit.

"For us, this is deadly. If you don't make money, the charities have to put in more money if there is a negative pool."

Should the new hall open, Haddad predicts everyone will lose.

"Even the ones going to that hall will have a difficult time," he said. "If we were all turning people away and there was a need for another business, I'd say good luck to them. But that's not the case.

"If you have another bingo hall you add free market competition and we will be fighting each other. You don't want that fight. Windsor's charities will lose as a result."

And in another story, it was put more bluntly

"Backers of a proposed non-profit bingo hall on the city’s east end say it is a last-gasp attempt to rescue dozens of local charities from the brink of financial failure.

But opponents say the move would only “cannibalize” the city’s fragile bingo industry, and everyone will lose."

See what I mean: one for-profit existing operator, huge drop in players because of the economy, new non-profit wants to open a competing hall supposedly for the public good, it would divert traffic, both operators might not have the numbers to be profitable. The result "everyone will lose" including users when traffic is "cannibalized."

Under the "O" for Ooooooooooooo do you get it now!

Ambassador Bridge Lawsuit

Oh things are getting ugly and they will get worse before they get better.

This is just the first of a variety of attacks to be launched by the Bridge Company I am sure to be met by Government counter-attacks. After all, they have been egging on the Bridge Company for years to sue. And, contrary to what the media will report, guess who is responsible for what is happening now:

Oh, no one told you this before. The media have never reported this. Gee I wonder why... perhaps because it does not fit with in the demonization campaign against Moroun. Smears and vilification are all we have heard.

Yuppers, the FIRA lawsuit was settled and now Canada wants to bring it on again but this time under the guise of using Bill C-3 which was specifically targetted to the Bridge Company. Remember I posted the other day about Canada retreating to get the Free Trade deal with the US by settling with Moroun and then starting over again.

There is the proof you needed. So much for Canada's solemn word. Now you may understand why the Bridge Company does not trust the word of Canadian officials.

You really ought to read the claim. While it is 48 pages, it is easy reading. And very enlightening. I have posted it here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/28914324/ablawsuit

Again, you can read the media for the overview of what the lawsuit is about or read the claim for yourself. I just want to point out some mattters that may be of interest that you may not read elsewhere. They are small but very enlightening and will get you wondering about what you have been told over these so many years.

Treaty Rights

Have you heard about this before? It is NOT as simple as some would have you believe. .

Perhaps the UK should be added as a party to really confuse the Americans. The Queen would be added as the Queen of the UK as well as Queen of Canada. She would be wearing two hats, I mean Crowns

Forcing the Bridge Company out of buiness

Nice to see that my theory is true after all

Note the use of the term "Central Corridor." I would suggest that this language was deliberate. I also strongly urge the US Ambassador to Canada to have his staff do their homework better and check out what the US President through the State Department has said already about that corridor before he suggests that the Administration is behind DRIC.

Coast Guard Application rejection is not that simple

Oh some things we did not know about the Coast Guard and the Bridge application. Don't you wish the Coast Guard had mentioned this in their so-called rejection letter.

FHWA and the Dubai Ports

Doesn't FHWA remember this huge political matter of foreign control of US ports either

Can anyone other than Matty build a bridge between Windsor/Detroit

Now you know why Canada tried to force him out and now wants to buy him out.

Reading the Canadian statute, I think he is the only one who can build a bridge in this area. Even the Government cannot do so. The corridor belongs to him!

The State Department agrees with Matty

The US President says so and so does Canadian law

CUBA North

Oh my, is Canada grabbing US assets like certain Latin American jurisdictions. Is the so-called Conservative Harper Government bringing into action the left-wing policy of former PM, Pierre Trudeau?

Why didn't Canada buy the shares

Actually, Canda's desire to take over the bridge started long before Trudeau. So why didn't Canada buy up the shares for a song? They were available. Hmmm maybe there is some truth to this treaty stuff after all.

Can Matty just build his new bridge now

Matty is ready to go; DRIC has barely started

Consider the huge disruption needed in the US if DRIC is to be built especially in Delray where hundreds of families and businesses ha ve to be moved. Oh, Sandwich will not be wiped out either.

I bet Eddie, Dwight and Stephen do not know this

Oh my goodness, this has to be so embarrassing. The three Canadian Governments--Canada, Ontario and Windsor--supported what was to be accomplished by the Bridge Company. No wonder they felt comfortable spending a half a bilion dollars getting ready to build a second bridge only to be rebuffed! A decade of time and effort and money being wasted by Governments not living up to what they said. Can you imagine the size of the damages claim on cost of money alone!

How are the Governments going to explain that away? Talk about bad faith!

Oh there are so many other gems like this in the Complaint but I am sure that you get the picture.

Nothing at all is what we have been told by the Governments and their cheerleading sycophants. Nothing is what it appeared to be. We have been lied to and encouraged to hate! We have been denied information and seen millions of taxpayer dollars wasted.

It is enough to make one sick!

The Ambassador Bridge And The US Ambassador

I will never be a good card player. I just do not have a poker face and would give away when I held a good hand or even worse, when I had a bad one.

In the same vein, I would never make it as a diplomat. Subtleties of language is not something I am good at. Making black into white is too difficult a job for me, even for Country.

But isn't that what US Ambassador to Canada David Jacobson did with his interview with the Windsor Star. The man is a real pro!

You would think the champagne corks would be popping in Ottawa after reading the Star headline:

"Obama backs DRIC, says ambassador"

In reality, after the Ambassdor's remarks and the Ambassador Bridge lawsuits, people are ducking under their desks to escape from the fall-out!

Why no one wants to come out and just kill the DRIC boondoggle has always mystified me. But that is what the US Ambassador did in a diplomatic way of course. Not directly but oh in such a subtle manner.

In comments very similar to how L Brooks Patterson suppported DRIC, the US Ambassador supports it because it is supposedly the only project around:

"With the DRIC project now the only bridge-crossing application still standing for U.S. regulatory approval after the Ambassador Bridge's disqualification, "my government supports the DRIC," said David Jacobson. "We think it's a good thing."

So if you want to build a bridge for capacity purposes, he is right in what he said. However, he went on to say:

"We believe there is probably demand for both crossings, Jacobson said"

So he is now supporting the Ambassador Bridge project as well. As you will see, in the US Federal mind, the issue is traffic flow, not capacity. And that is what the Enhancement Project solves.

And why is the Ambassador supportive of DRIC. He was misled. Simple as that:

"But certainly there is enough [demand ie traffic volume] for the DRIC"

No Ambassador, there is no demand. We are back to the 1999 levels.

However, forget all of that nicety of language. What the Ambassador effectively said to Canada is do not call us, we will call you someday when we can come up with a few hundred million dollars for a bridge.

"In the interview, he declined to answer questions regarding the financing of the U.S. half of the project, saying the money end was out of his pervue."

So much for Canada hoping that the US would put up Michigan's 20% of the billions required as well as its 80% of the DRIC cost if Michigan is unable to do so financially

Capacity issue, what capacity issue:

"There is no question Windsor and Detroit need far more crossing infrastructure, he said.

As ambassador, Jacobson has spent "entire days crossing the border back and forth, to experience the different border crossings. I don't recommend it" as entertainment, he said wryly.

Jacobson said he paid close attention to border traffic during his attendance at the Olympics in British Columbia. "There were no significant wait times at any point while entering Canada or the United States." And that was despite much larger than normal volumes of people crossing the border."

It's traffic flow, not capacity that is the issue. He is repeating what the Homeland Security Secretary said months before. The "crossing infrastructure" needed is not a new bridge for more capacity but the new Ambassador Bridge 6-lane bridge for adding a lane for the FAST and Nexus vehicles for traffic flow.

And when the Ambassador talked in the Star video about perimeter security, that means moving Customs away from the border as well and in effect turning the Bridge from a border choke-point into a mere road with the odd security check as in Europe. It won't happen quickly as the Secretary made clear because Canada right now is providing hurdles as with shared border management because it kills the need for DRIC.

In the end, when you ignore the headline and read what Jacobson said, the Ambassador likes the Ambassador. After all, his boss, President Obama, still does not care for what happened with NAFTA-gate. And it shows.

UPDATE

Listen to the Ambassador's latest CTV interview at around the 2:30 minute mark http://watch.ctv.ca/news/power-play/march-19/#clip278739

He was not blind-sided this time. His concern re the border is how we strike the appropriate balance between security and efficiency ie how we defend together North America rather than how we deal with the "smaller issues" at the border.

So much for worrying about a new bridge here.