Caroline Postma on Sandwich Towne Interim Control By-Law

Olde Sandwich Towne Interim Control By-Law – To Freeze or Not to Freeze!

By Caroline Postma

There has been a lot said about Sandwich Towne in the past few years as this an area being studied for a new International crossing by the DRIC, a twinning for the Ambassador Bridge and finally frozen for development by City Council.

I lived in Sandwich for a few years before my husband and I got married and bought our house together. I always remember it as a friendly area but an area with many different styles and a mix of industrial, commercial and residential melted together. I also noticed for many years it was an area in need of attention, economic development and changes to ensure this quaint part of the City's West end survives.

The last term of City Council, which I was a part of decided to study Sandwich in an effort to not only higdhlight one of the City's oldest communities but revitalize the area. We started with a Sandwich Task Force made up of a broad range of people from residents to business owners to educators to landowners. As a result of that work (Olde Sandwich Towne Community Planning Study - OSTCPS) a vision was developed and 29 recommendations came forward aimed at guiding the community toward a stronger future. The OSTCPS is the background document for the Community Improvement Plan (CIP) we are working on right now. In conjunction with the CIP is the heritage report, studying of coarse, heritage significance in pockets of Olde Sandwich Town.

City Council as part of the CIP process decided to freeze development (Interim Control By-Law ICBL) while the study was being completed. The heritage study is also a part of the work being for Sandwich but is not why the ICBL was imposed. I supported the ICBL based on the principle that City Council would see all applications for exemption and base every application on it’s own merit. I never thought a resident who wanted to tear down a dilapidated garage to build a new better garage would be turned down.

I believed that the freeze would allow the Sandwich Community Improvement Plan to be completed without compromise. In other words the study for me is a snap shot of the area now and what we want it to be in the future from zoning areas to streetscape to correcting incompatible land uses that we currently experience (i.e. – some areas are zoned commercial or industrial and homes are on those lands now, making it difficult to do home improvement projects like build a garage).

The ICBL allows everything to be frozen as it currently sits and all changes go directly to Council. I really thought all applications would be based on merit, not for fear of setting a precedent or a possible challenge at the OMB. A garage for a lifelong resident should have been approved, however a change from a single family home to a tri-level student rental across the street from single family geared to income residential did not make sense to me until the study was complete. The CIP could provide guidance as to where a tri-level rental unit is better situated from a planning perspective for the future.
I will support the continuation of the ICBL but will also continue to support my residents. If there is an application that comes forward to improve a resident’s property (like a new garage) I will continue to support the applicant. I will continue to look at each and every application individually and make my decisions based on the merit of each application.

Entangled in all of this work being done for the future of Olde Sandwich Towne is the demolition freeze. I will repeat - I have supported demolition exemptions based on merit – a garage that was ready to fall and a home destroyed due to fire.

I have been vocal on my disgust on how certain properties were being kept especially on Indian Road and Edison streets. The homes on these streets were single family liveable houses many (at least on Edison) with numerous improvements inside like new kitchens and flooring. The houses on Edison Street were lived in until a few months after the ICBL was passed. The homes became vacant, were left unlocked, hydro and gas still on and no one in sight maintaining them. I became enraged constantly having to send by-law building and fire out to inspect the homes, only to find out that all of these homes were owned by one company. It was blockbusting at it’s best (or worst if you live there). There has NEVER been a demolition request for the homes on Edison Street and because the same company owns the boarded up homes on Indian Road it would be a bitter pill to swallow.

I feel the residents on Edison Street are being used a pawns against the City so we get so fed up we agree to demolition which in turn opens the door for the homes on Indian Road to be demolished. Why do the houses on Indian Road need to be demolished? One only needs to look at the development (which I voted against) behind the homes on the East side of Indian Road between Wyandotte Street and Mill Street to understand what is happening.

The ICBL is about improving Olde Sandwich Towne’s future while studying our present and past. It is about planning principles, compatible uses and was never designed to make anyone feel punished for living out there. I love the West end, it is where I grew up, where my heart and soul is and I would never do anything to hurt it or it’s residents. I will continue to work with residents through this difficult time, help guide them through the processes and fight for them based on the merits of applications whether it is for demolition or building.

Caroline Postma is a City Councillor for Windsor's Ward 2

Ex Roadie Lights Green from Arkansas

Ann Arbor lights by day

Ann Arbor Lights by Night

Our very own Roadie, Terry Dube, who now resides near Bentonville Arkansas sent us this link about a very green and enlightening initiative in Ann Arbor Michigan:

http://www.metaefficient.com/leds/ann-arbor-to-be-first-city-to-be-lit-with-100-leds.html

Maybe whats good for Ann Arbor can be good for all of us. Ann Arbor Planners have just committed to installing over 1000 LED street lamps which joins them to Raleigh North Carolina and Toronto Ontario in the LED City Initiative. Ann Arbor is going to be first at converting an entire downtown to LED streetlights in the U.S.A.

Here's What it Means and Here's What they get

They are projecting a full payback in less than 4 years and are shooting to cut their public lighting costs by 50%. Ann Arbor's greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by 2,425 tons of CO2 annually. This is the equivalent of taking 400 cars off of the road for one year!

These LED street lamps burn five times longer than the bulbs they replace and require less than one half of the energy. Each of these lamps draws only 56 watts and will last approximately 10 years. The current lights chew up 120 watts and only last two years.

Congratulations Ann Arbor! Something for Windsor to look at for sure.

The Other Green Initiative from Arkansas

Since Wal-Mart announced it's very aggressive Green Initiative in 2005 they have been sending huge ripples through the pond. Even though their motive is somewhat profit oriented (they are saving tons and tons of money) their efforts are having huge impacts already. The $312.4 billion retailing giant has launched an aggressive program to encourage "sustainability" of the world's fisheries, forests and farmlands, to slash energy use and reduce waste, to push its 60,000 suppliers to produce goods that don't harm the environment, and to urge consumers to buy green. For the first time, Wal-Mart reported on its carbon dioxide emissions — the "greenhouse gases" that cause global warming. Worldwide the corporation emits 20.8 million tons, an amount greater than what's released by an auto manufacturer but far less than what is released by a major utility company. Wal-Mart is aiming to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2012—the Kyoto Protocol called for a 7 percent cut by the United States by that date, while targeting 100% renewable energy and zero waste. Who wants to argue with that?

Walmart Garden Center Canopy generates 14, 585 kilowatts per year

In 2005 Wal-Mart also opened two experimental "green" superstores in McKinney, Texas and Aurora, Colorado. The environmentally-friendly buildings are powered by renewable energy—including photovoltaic solar panels and wind turbines—to reduce carbon emissions and feature water-saving and pollution-reduction technologies. The Texas store is aiming to help reduce the store's demand on the local electrical power grid. The Garden Center canopy is estimated to generate 14,585 kwh per year, which is enough electricity to power 486 single-family homes for one day and reduces greenhouse emissions by an estimated 22,100 pounds per year.

Other Impacts

Walmart has slashed gasoline use by its trucking fleet, one of the largest in the USA, and uses more hybrid trucks to increase efficiency by 25% over the next three years and double it within 10 years. That will save $310 million a year by 2015.

Walmart will buy 100% of its wild-caught salmon and frozen fish for the North American market only from fisheries that are certified as "sustainable" by the non-profit Marine Stewardship Council within three to five years. That designation means areas of the ocean aren't fished in ways that destroy fish populations.

The company will cut energy use at its more than 7,000 stores worldwide by 30% and cut greenhouse-gas emissions at existing stores by 20% in seven years. That said, Wal-Mart is the largest private electricity user in the USA.
They are working to reduce solid waste from U.S. stores by 25% within three years.

The company, second-largest in revenue in the world behind ExxonMobil, has vowed to invest $500 million a year in energy-saving technologies.

They have switched to corn based plastics which break down in landfills which impacts packaging in a huge way.

How big is all of this? The ripple effect alone from a giant like Walmart sets the stage for forced or voluntary initiatives world wide. Suppliers have to comply with packaging, manufacturing and material specs., and the amount of environmental load from the giant itself is enormous. Think of every store having a minimum of 50,000 square feet of green roof. Every manufacturer or retail institution now has a clear map to follow for reducing costs and minimizing their carbon footprint.

What could this Mean for Windsor and Surrounding Communities?

Try this. Walmart wants to be in every community(right now they are scoping out the Lasalle area). What if Planning Departments demanded a little more from Walmart? Would Walmart object to localized green initiatives? Probably not. Planners should be dictating for all they can get. What's wrong with a green roof, solar power, greened parking lots, and specific building materials? How about Arkansas Terry's LED lighting. It's all there for the asking. What's wrong with riding the big green wave? Here is more background material about how big this Walmart thing really is:

http://www.news.com/When-corporate-greening-chafes-environmentalists/2100-11746_3-6171445.html

http://www.walmartfacts.com/articles/5008.aspx

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2006/08/07/8382593/index.htm

http://www.scmr.com/article/CA6457969.html

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/10/walmart_to_use.php

http://www.bullfrogpower.com/news/Wal-Mart%20makes%20largest%20green%20power%20purchase%20from%20bullfrog%20power.pdf

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/10/walmart_to_use.php

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/05/walmart_makes_h.php

Kildare House Pipes in the Guests for Burns Night

ROBERT BURNS

TO A HAGGIS

Fair fa’ your honest, sonsie face,

Great chieftain o’ the pudding-race!

Aboon them a’ ye tak your place,

Painch, tripe, or thairm:

Weel are ye wordy o’a grace

As lang’s my arm.

The groaning trencher there ye fill,

Your hurdies like a distant hill,

Your pin wad help to mend a mill

In time o’need,

While thro’ your pores the dews distil

Like amber bead.

His knife see rustic Labour dight,

An’ cut you up wi’ ready sleight,

Trenching your gushing entrails bright,

Like onie ditch;

And then, O what a glorious sight,

Warm-reekin’, rich!

Then, horn for horn, they stretch an’ strive,

Deil tak the hindmost! on they drive,

Till a’ their weel-swall’d kytes belyve

Are bent like drums;

Then auld Guidman, maist like to rive,

"Bethankit!" hums.

Is there that owre his French ragout

Or olio that wad staw a sow,

Or fricassee wad make her spew

Wi’ perfect sconner,

Looks down wi’ sneering, scornfu’ view

On sic a dinner?

Poor devil! see him owre his trash,

As feckles as wither’d rash,

His spindle shank a guid whip-lash,

His nieve a nit;

Thro’ bloody flood or field to dash,

O how unfit!

But mark the Rustic, haggis-fed,

The trembling earth resounds his tread.

Clap in his walie nieve a blade,

He’ll mak it whissle;

An’ legs an’ arms, an’ hands will sned,

Like taps o’ thrissle.

Ye Pow’rs, wha mak mankind your care,

And dish them out their bill o’ fare,

Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware

That jaups in luggies;

But, if ye wish her gratefu’ prayer

Gie her a haggis!

Windsors Best Burns Night . For over 8 years we've been celebrating Scotlands National Bard every Jan.,25th , be it a Monday or Thursday , & every year it's been hopping . This year is no exception but its on a Friday & were ready to " Go Plaid "! Featuring a hearty Burns Supper with Haggis , Mince 'n' Tatties , Scotch Pies , Mushy Peas , Square Slice , Cock 'a' Leekie & Deep Fried Mars Bars on Special . MMMm .... Get in ma bellie ! Wash it all down with $5.00 Pints of Caledonian 80 Schilling or $ 3.00 shots of famous Grouse . Be one of the first to snagg a 16 0z Light up Alexander Kieths Glass . Live Music with Tartan Army . Don't miss Burns' Praise of the Haggis or the jiggin & reels of the Pipes . Your Heed may be cursin ya the next morn but you'll be cursin yourself if ya miss oot !

Heath

City, Walkerville BIA Brand Happy?

Do we have to keep going through this? This weeks council agenda contains an item pertaining to "Wyandotte Street Truck Route Restriction". In the Recommendations there are several references to the affected BIAs (Business Improvement Areas) but one in particular stands out like a sore thumb. "THE WALKERVILLE DISTILLERY/BREWERY DISTRICT BIA ". See here:

http://www.citywindsor.ca/DisplayAttach.asp?AttachID=9573

It seems as though the city and/or the Walkerville BIA are really bent on pushing this "Brand" through. Item 6 even suggests that consultations were made with the Walkerville Brewery District BIA. Brewery District? They can't even get their own proposed brand straight. Residents have told this city loud and hard on two former occasions that they want no part in re-branding especially when the existing brand has worked for over a century. Imagine if they had rammed it through in the first place. The Walkerville Brewing Company is now in receivership. If by remote chance that Pernod Ricard was to pick up and move shop to the U.S. there would be no footing for the proposed Distillery District brand. What will happen to the area then? Paintball! Yes...We could re-brand Old Walkerville as "The Paintball District". This is how careful you have to be when you mess with something like branding.

Looks like we're going to have to do this all over again folks. Get in touch with your councillors here:

Alan Halberstadt - Ward 3
2517 Gail Road
Windsor, Ontario
N8W 2Z7
Phone: (519) 973-8323
Email: ahalberstadt@city.windsor.on.ca

Fulvio Valentinis - Ward 3
2173 Victoria Avenue
Windsor, Ontario
N8X 1P8Phone: (519) 977-5067
Email: fvalentinis@city.windsor.on.ca

Contact the BIA here:

Phone: (519) 919-8733
Fax: (519) 973-8762
Email: walkervillebia@cogeco.ca

This is important. They have to get this right.

Ward 2 Caroline Postma Speaks to Blog Readers about 3:00 A.M. Closures

My mother always taught me that if you are out and about after 3am nothing good come of it. She is right, as seen by many who observe the streets downtown between the hours of 3-5am. Fights break out, public urination, vomiting on the streets and far too often fatalities. When you mix alcohol, (cheap due to competing drink specials with all the bars downtown), loud music, and bad attitudes all it takes is a look to invoke violence. In my days as a DJ I don't recall the level of drugs, guns and people looking for trouble as we have now. It is indeed a different time, which calls for different action.

City Council recognized before my time that we had serious problems managing all of the bars downtown and hired a consultant named Peter Belmio. Mr. Belmio studied downtown nightlife and came up with many recommendations one of them - (no surprise) to shut down the after hours clubs. It needed to be done. Closing at 3am will not solve all the problems downtown but it is a step in the right direction.

All one has to do is talk to someone who parties at an after hours club to figure out why we needed to do this. They will tell you (if they trust you) of dancing, drug dealers in the clubs (who look like anyone else), fights and serious threats (club goers will not call the police over a threat, they will fight back). They go to carry on partying and continue the euphoric feeling alcohol gives you, instead of going home to sleep it off. If you take away the places to continue partying they will have to go home.

The by-law will be drafted for review at the January 28th meeting. There are other Canadian Cities we can model the by-law after Kitchener for one, however along with the by-law City Council asked for a report outlining an exemption policy to the mandatory closing. I am concerned about the exemptions, which I believe should be debated by council similar to the noise by-law exemptions where we allow events with entertainment to go past 10PM. Exemptions should be applied for, should be for special or a high end entertainment act (example Tommy Lee as a DJ), tickets should be sold in advance of the event and most important if any establishment applying for this exemption has any infractions within the past year (by-law or liquor) they are turned down automatically. I believe this will force the bars to be more responsible with managing not only their facilities but also their clientele.

I live downtown, I shop downtown and I play downtown. I love downtown and have seen it change for the worse. We need to take action to take back downtown and make it vibrant, safe and healthy like it was when I was a teen. Closing the bars at 3am is one step in changing downtown for the better.

High Tea a Hit at the Kildare

No Liquor License, Kildare Patrons Dump Tea into the Drink

It's been a tough week for the Kildare House but resourceful management and staff managed to keep this popular pub open and in the black for the duration of their penalty. Management switched gears to run on the merit of their menu alone which proved out to be a hit.

Above, a local chapter of the Red Hat Society enjoys tea with their lunch.

The Kildare House will open again for full service on January 17th (this thursday) at 11:00am & will be having a customer appreciation day featuring $5.00 Pints of Guinness , Harp , Smithwicks & Kilkenny . The lines have all been purged and the spigots have been polished up for the re-opening.

Management and staff wishes to thank all of their very loyal patrons for supporting the Kildare during this trying week. Remember...Thursday is the big day.

CHRIS VANDER DOELEN AGAIN

Happy Windsorites Gather to Celebrate the Mayor's staying On

Written by Vander Doelen
Thursday, 10 January 2008
Re-posted here because it's so good.

Celebrating The Mayor's Hints He May Run Again In Windsor

You had to laugh at today's page one headline and story, Francis Hints At Third Term. Doesn't he read the Sound Offs here at The Windsor Star's web site?

The only crowd that will gather to celebrate another four years of Windsor's current administration will be carrying torches and pitchforks. We're about one tax or fee increase away from the scene above, (which is actually a photograph of "progressive" Parisians; their Marxists have much more savoir faire than Windsor's).
It's hard to know who is madder at Mayor Francis these days — his own citizens or the neighbours. Just as funny as today's headline was the story on CBC radio this morning about the idea of Windsor and its neighbouring governments meeting to have "talks" about regional government.

I laughed out loud while getting dressed, hearing Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara say that while the Essex County governments would not likely be willing to join Windsor, Windsor was free to amalgamate with them. Heh heh heh.

The city's dream of amalgamating with its suburbs might have made sense 15 years ago, when taxes and attitudes were roughly equal between the local communities. But that was long ago and far away. Now the idea is just a transparent attempt by Windsor to spread the ludicrously high cost of its services and its financial disasters over a larger number of tax serfs. Heck, if their own cops and firefighters won't live there to help pay the freight, why should the rest of us?

An amalgamation of city and county would also effectively silence those in the region who disagree with the increasingly absurd development stands being taken by Windsor's socialist city council — which is pretty much everybody who lives in a circle around the city.

You can't blame just the mayor for what ails Windsor. It's the fault of the entire leadership class -- all of city council, its MPs and MPPs, its public institutions and unions and movers and shakers and all the rich guys and the people who rode the gravy train without complaint, even though we could all see the headlight of the oncoming train.

We all knew this day was coming. We just hoped we'd get "the buyout" before it happened.

But Windsor's behaviour is becoming increasingly weird, isn't it? It claims to be Canada's Automotive Capital, yet it appears to hate most movement of cars and trucks and the roads and bridges which carry them.

Windsor's opposition to the widening of Manning Road this week was the latest form of this insanity -- but then, look at the city's own history of blocking infrastructure improvements. Its City Council shelved widening Cabana Road after 20 years of planning to do so; it shelved widening Dougall Road to the needed five lanes south of Norfolk; it shelved widening Howard; it shelved widening Riverside Drive to three lanes; it has neglected to even talk about widening Tecumseh Road to the needed five or seven lanes at its eastern reaches, at least two decades past the point where that was needed.

Now the place is gridlocked, and 18-wheeler trucks are wandering all over the residential arteries tring to find a way out? Surprise, surprise.

Windsor claims to be an international port, yet its civic leaders also oppose every single attempt made to improve transportation infrastructure -- unless they are done Windsor's way. And we know what way that is: 20 or 30 years late and 1,000 per cent over budget. And in the wrong place, built by somebody's cousin.

Windsor wants to be a transportation "hub," yet it shoots down every attempt to add spokes: no bridges, no rail tunnels, no trucks in tunnels, no widened roads, no nothin, nohow nowhere.

You have to laugh -- if only to avoid the alternative.

Originally posted here:

http://communities.canada.com/windsorstar/blogs/vanderblogger/archive/2008/01/10/celebrating-the-mayor-s-decision-to-run-again.aspx?CommentPosted=true#commentmessage

Read this too:

http://windsorcityon.blogspot.com/2008/01/eddie-slams-his-council-colleagues.html

FISH AND CHIPS KEEP KILDARE HOUSE FLOATING

Liquor Control Board Stems Guinness at the Kildare

Fish and Chips for Lunch and Dinner all Week

Feel like having authentic fish and chips? How about bangers and beans, a crisp salad, a home made burger or perhaps some tasty drumsticks? The Kildare House at Wyandotte and Kildare is all about food this week. Here's why, right from the horses mouth:

Last July I went out of town with my family for two days . I came back to find out that my staff were drinking after hours and committed 3 violations of the liquor license act . It was our first infraction ; they have us dead to rights . To fight it would have been not only expensive but futile . I am really disappointed . We have taken great pains to serve responsibly & have barred & refused service to people who present a great degree of liability . Regardless of what the economic consequences would be . Then this . There is never a good time , but with January being traditionally slow it was best to take the suspension now. We are still open for food service & we appreciate the support of our friends & regulars through this time . We hope to see everybody for some grub . Heath

The Kildare will be open for Food Service tween the hours of 11:00am to 10:00pm from January 7th to the 16th . A perfect time to reaquaint yourself with the Kildare's exceptional and traditional menu. Please visit us for lunch or perhaps supper with the kids. We promise an enjoyable meal for the whole family. Fresh brewed coffee with newspaper if you prefer. On Friday we are featuring High Tea.

We will open again for full service on January 17th at 11:00am & will be having a customer appreciation day featuring $5.00 Pints of Guinness , Harp , Smithwicks & Kilkenny .

We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause . We are still open for food service & hope to see our friends in for some grub during this dissapointing time. Thank you . Heath

NEW ANALYST BUMPS DESROSIERS

The outlook for Windsor just got better. On page two of today's Windsor Star this article:

Psychic sees better times in Windsor's future

Windsor Star

Published: Thursday, January 03, 2008

Psychics are predicting better things for Windsor this year.
According to seer Linda Doyle -- who will be one of the stars of the Windsor Psychic Expo taking place Jan. 11 to 13 -- three or four large companies are interested in investing in the city.
Doyle says that investment will pay off. Over the summer, a "very attractive, famous male actor," with the letters "C" and "W" in his name, will take part in an entertainment production. And if a bylaw allowing smoking in a new section or building of the casino is passed, American gamblers will return, she added.

Dennis DesRosiers was dismissed by the Mayor as an annual nuisance and mention of his address to The Windsor Home Builder's Association was relegated to the bowels of the business section of the Windsor Star. Windsor's new analyst was written up on page two of the front section. What spirited news for Windsor.

BLOGGERS TAKE A BREAK. CITIZENRY GRABS QUILL

A funny thing happened over the holidays. The local blogosphere was noticeably still. Bloggers themselves might have been absent but a whole slew of writers rushed in to fuel an information fire storm. It was sparked by Gord Henderson’s Saturday column entitled “Henderson's not buying the grim predictions for Windsor. Are you?” The ra-ra content of the article was typical of what Mr. Henderson has been scribing since he wrist-locked himself to City Hall with the DRTP debate. None the less he propounded the question: “Are you (meaning readers of the Windsor Star and Windsor Citizenry) buying into the grim predictions for Windsor?” The answers he got were quick and precise. Readers started clacking their thoughts and dialogue back to the Star with enough charge to singe the team City Hall pom poms.

The good folks at the Windsor Star along with our greatly distinguished city leaders have been given yet another reproof for assuming that their public is largely ignorant. Slowly but surely that flickering bulb has to be brightening up. So here are the words scribed by a very representative and very telling slice of the Windsor Star readership and of the Windsor electorate. Who needs bloggers anyway?



Robert F.E. Scherer
Sat, Dec 29, 07 at 03:44 AM
The main, overarching issue with the new arena is this: Windsor could've had a new arena years ago for much less than $64.9 million. Regardless, the ORIGINAL price for the WFCU Centre was around $48 million. The "defeatists" aren't just mad about the "revised" price of the WFCU Centre. The "myopic whiners" are also irritated by the "spin" surrounding the whole arena issue; a price difference of nearly $20 MILLION DOLLARS isn't paltry. You neglected to mention HOW the new arena will pay for itself in TWO YEARS. The grade separation projects are more about helping the rail companies comply with new federal/U.S. security/efficiency initiatives. Regardless, I don't think a grade separation project is something to boast about. The wording in the point about the Walker Road grade separation is cleverly-crafted and presumably designed to not credit Windsor city council for the work; it would be unfair of me to not acknowledge the nice editing. The St. Lawrence Seaway has a lot of capacity issues. The Panama Canal is being expanded partly because of the problems associated with the St. Lawrence Seaway (there was an article about the Canal's expansion in a recent edition of The Windsor Star, Mr. Henderson). I think the casino expansion, though esthetically-pleasing, is a beacon for Liberal wastefulness. However, as a person who doesn't like drinking, dancing, singing or gambling, I can't say much else, as casinos exist to entertain escapists. "Most of" the Greenlink proposal isn't the Greenlink proposal. "Most of" the Greenlink proposal is the DRIC recommendation, minus an abundance of tunnels. Geen schoner vermaak dan leedvermaak, Mr. Henderson. Misfortune? Hardly! You talk about the "intellectual capital" in Windsor like Mayor Francis never dismissed some of the most influential people in Windsor/Canada (you know who I'm referring to).

OPTIMISTIC, BUT PRAGMATIC
Sat, Dec 29, 07 at 04:33 AM
Wow...did you get lectured by Captain Eddie? What's with the Pollyanna change in attitude? Gord, of all the scribes in the city you seemed to be able to size up the reality here. And it's not a pretty reality. This winter, there will be many more foreclosures and bankruptcies. So many houses on the market further depressing prices. ( You know...supply and demand determine price). Businesses avoiding this area like the plague. (Thanks Buzz!). Perhaps in a generation things will improve. But with Captain Eddie at the helm of this rudderless ship and 1st and 2nd mates, Sandra and Dwight incapable of understanding this mess, I don't see much change. The Canadian economy is on fire. The envy of the G8. Record employmnet, rising incomes, increasing house values opportunity galore. Everywhere but here. So what could precipitate change? How about leadership? Recognition that this is a crisis, and managing it as such. This is not a cyclical downturn. The domestic big 3 party is over. We need a quantum change in thinking here, much like Ireland that went from an economic basket-case, to an econmic power-house. Do you really think the leaders we have in place can really effect change? The record so far is simply an embarassment. Or do you know of some secret plan, that you and our leaders are going to surprise us? Gord, I understand the power of positive thinking, but you've got to be kidding us about this story.

G. ROCKEFELLER McJOB III
Sat, Dec 29, 07 at 06:05 AM
Gord, your 2008 highlights are funded primarily with taxpayer money. Lots of taxpayer money. In other words it's called whistlin' past the unemployment office. Did I say words--------------- I meant worlds.

Lydia
Sat, Dec 29, 07 at 07:13 AM
Anyone remember what happened in Flint, Michigan? With it's automotive ties and not much else to offer, Windsor is a train wreck waiting to happen. The Casino, competing with the big boys across the river, Come on Gord, give your head a shake!

A Subscriber
Sat, Dec 29, 07 at 07:52 AM
4 out of the 5 projects have nothing to do with the Mayor and Council. The 5th one only took place because of Tecumseh. Does that give you an indication about what is wrong with this City? Of course Windsor will come back because of the innovators who live here, not because of the local politicians. They are in fact the hindrance to our prosperity opposing a border solution and attacking the University. Their immaturity is causing us the loss of thousands of jobs at a time when they are desperately needed. Gord's whiners and naysayers have been pointing out for years what is wrong here. If only the media had performed their function and had not acted as cheerleaders. Maybe Gord is listening now and will finally get it.

Tired
Sat, Dec 29, 07 at 09:22 AM
... Tired of Gord Henderson's contrarian drivel.

RICK
Sat, Dec 29, 07 at 09:22 AM
Gord you are seeing windsor thru rose coloured glasses.Must be nice to have a safe comfy job at your keyboard in tour office.Look out you window we have lost thousands of good jobs ,dwellings are vacant and hundreds more are hitting the UI linesin 2008.The arena is for the spits.My son plays at forest glade arena a few kms away ..why built there only Eddie knows.It dosent help windsors economy 1 iota.Are you serious talking about streets being opened and finished ...all cities get this every year ..just takes us longer.And the university's ENGINEERING SCHOOL downtown ... my son goes there as well .He takes other courses at the campus his out of town friends dont want to have to bus back and forth to courses and the library and student center.It is very inconvient to the students.They can go to most other university's where everything is within walking distance.Oh and the casino has layed off hundreds of workers as well .We can only bring some of them back not all ,even even wIth a giant expansion like that.Windsor cabinet ministers to deliver ...ya right we been waiting a long time .Call me a you sap you say?I will .Defeatists hardly... realists for sure and we love are city.We need to overhaul all 3 levels of gov't cause we are in deep sh............... and we are sinking fast.

withheld
Sat, Dec 29, 07 at 10:08 AM
Maybe ask a university grad still working part time in retail if Windsor is dying. After spending 4 years at the U, one year at St Clair, there is still no openings. And I am not just speaking for myself. My peers who have been succesful have all left the city. If we are to create a successful Windsor, start utilizing the talent that is here and hire some people instead of constant layoffs!

Unconvinced economics student
Sat, Dec 29, 07 at 10:57 AM
Dear Mr. Henderson: While I applaud your desire to see Windsor recover from the financial quagmire that besets us, the bottom line is that bear markets do not end as you have envisioned. Far from it. Any student of history and economics knows that eventually bottoms are reached but they are not called "grinding" for nothing. They take years to form and and their sina qua non is one of ultimate capitulation. We are now only in despair. There is much more downside to come. Let us take a look at your points: The Border; While you may be counting on "powerful" Windsor cabinet ministers to deliver on a green link tunnel. rest assured that that's not where the power lies. It lies in the hands of business interests that have access to funding that makes the provincial government look like the financial equivalent of the local Mac's milk. The crossing will be a twin span and you heard it here first; no green link tunnel. Oh, it's a great idea but pie in the sky. The Casino; The new building was essentially funded by non private sources. No risk to the owners. Just to the tax payers. Do you actually think that they will be able to fill those hotel rooms and convention spaces when there are huge vacancies currently in place. The Canadian dollar just closed at $1.02 yesterday. Have a look at the long term(30 year) chart of the dollar. The bull market has a long way to run. Another white elephant. WFCU center: Ok, so we just spent 65 million dollars on a new arena. Apart from finding yet another reason to avoid paying off our debt as fast as possible, do you really think that this venue is going to provide any meaningful economic boost to our region. Sorry, no go. Ask any business leader in private. Just want Windsor needs. However "button popping pride" does not provide for long term jobs and security and Windsor has been partying since 1982. The hang over is just beginning. Engineering School: As above. If you think that this is going to rescue downtown. have at it. By the way, any MBA student will tell you that the term "win;win" always means somebody loses. If I were the University board, I would have a very long look before committing. Yes, Windsor is dying. Yes, there is much more pain to come. One of the big three will exit Windsor. The rise in the Canadian dollar will see to that. Executives at the big three can read charts just as well as anybody else. The bottom will eventually come but it's a while off. Expect extreme polarization in this community between the haves and have nots before this is done. Expect extreme credit card debt and bankruptcies before this is done (Just ask any WFCU manager about credit card debt in this community). It was a nice article but superficial. We are not defeatists. We are realists. We say to our friends, families, city fathers and corporate leaders in this great city: Learn finally to live within your means. The rest will come in time. Windsor will recover but not just yet. Not even close.

Todd
Sat, Dec 29, 07 at 11:36 AM
Thank You Gord , Finally an opinion that counts. Happy 2008 to you ......and Windsor.

Peter
Sat, Dec 29, 07 at 11:45 AM
I was gonna move to South Africa and hang with Don Tait but ya convinced me this place is gonna be a lot better than third world poverty. Thanks Gord! I'll go to work, to my job behind a counter, makin' sandwiches for $8.75 an hour and let the good times roll!

joe dubois
Sat, Dec 29, 07 at 02:03 PM
You got yourself a retirement house and pension plan! I cant even feed my family and Im a tradesmen! I get a 1% wage increase annually. Prices have went up 10% in the last 3 years!

Jack
Sat, Dec 29, 07 at 07:55 PM
Long after the Big 3 and all the "Out of Job Yet?" crap are forgotten, Windsor will still be here and we will thrive doing something else. We just a need a leader with vision to lead us there.

Isa
Sat, Dec 29, 07 at 09:48 PM
I agree with Jack. We need a leader with a vision and it's not Eddie Francis or anyone else in council for that matter.

TAD
Sat, Dec 29, 07 at 11:40 PM
Windsor is a great place and will find its way. Duncan and Pupatello will continue to put provincial funding in place to upgrade our infrastructure.In the meantime,the unemployed should look beyond Windsor for career opportunities.

Windsor Escapee
Sun, Dec 30, 07 at 12:42 AM
Gordo, are you kidding me?!? in a matter of 5 short years, this City of Windsor's main export went from mini vans to people!!! (sounds like the east coast) I moved away over a year and a half ago, I have met over a dozen families that have given up on the city. I know of 5 more families that are in the process of packing up and leaving. With the way things are going in that city the only way that anybody could live there is if they are on some sort of government benefit. All of the things that you have mentioned as far as positive signs are all covered by tax payers. Now with the tax base shrinking, you're gonna have an even heavier burden placed on the retires that are left behind. Where is Super Eddie's task force to study the problem?? And a great job to Kenny and Buz and their over the cliff union mentality. Keep up the good work fellas. As long as you get paid while everyone is on the welfare line!!

Terry
Sun, Dec 30, 07 at 01:17 AM
Gord you need to get a grip also.

Louie
Sun, Dec 30, 07 at 07:34 AM
After reading these comments regarding Windsor's stage of troubling times, I must add my 2 cents to this great read. What gets most people upset at council is that issues like "banning pigeon feeding" tops council's agenda while other major issues are overlooked. Being civilized implies that every individual have a sense of worth. Windsor has been hit hard enough, that sense of worth is no longer attainable. Truckloads of money from the Federal Government providing housing/aide to illegal immigrants while families like "Joe Dubois" (above) experiences difficulty feeding his family. Being rational nowadays is a talent that very few people have, what we need is some logical thinkers in parliament and on city council. I read earlier that the police department increased their spending for the fiscal year while the city barely had enough money to keep the streets plowed with this last snow storm from its emergency account. Council came up with a plan to eliminate crossing guards in order to save money in their budget with the city of Windsor almost matches Toronto Police force in numbers (per individual), surely the option to save money is on the table. It seems the only stable job in Windsor is being a Police Officer and I bet the Academy is full of Windsorites. Reading in this current issue another shooting gathering a total of five police officers (in photo) searching a hotel room another case erupted. Although earlier I mentioned that I wished to add my 2 cents I probably added a dollars worth. My apologies. Regards, Louie

Tier 1 Supplier
Sun, Dec 30, 07 at 08:00 AM
Gord, maybe you are privy to some "fantastic" information about jobs that we denizens are not!!?? Look around!! Thousands of Automotive and Tier 1 supplier jobs have left Windsor and area!! Thousands of spin-off jobs are also gone or in the process of leaving. Why? No one seems to want to say it, but it's the fact that public and CAW unions run this city. They always have, for years! (witness past labor/NDP dominated city councils or elected Fed. / Prov. politicians) This was fine, as long as the domestic big 3 were doing good, churning out product, keeping everyone working! NOT NOW !! The automotive game has permanently changed! Go to other parts of Ontario, away from Windsor and several cities are benefiting from Toyota and Honda expansion. Toyota is getting ready to open up their huge new plant just east of London to make RAV-4's and Honda is sniffing around Ontario for a new plant and engine facilities near Alliston!! This is WHY the Liberals won re-election in Ontario - outside of Windsor, the economy of the rest of the province is on fire!! It's interesting that NONE OF THESE other cities have union leaders running around dictating to their citizens to slap ridiculous bumper stickers on their vehicles! How to fix Windsor? Start asking for MORE help from the province and federal gov't!! If Quebec companies can always get handouts, along with other sectors(forestry,farming,etc), WIndsor should benefit from some of this funding in the manufacturing area. Some postings on other articles in the Star suggest moving thousands of gov't jobs to cities like WIndsor that need it. That is the one initiative that Windsor could use to round out our cyclical economy, but we need leadership to keep pushing for this to happen.

Carlos
Sun, Dec 30, 07 at 08:20 AM
Gord; if your going to talk rubbish you'll have to go and sit at the kiddie table.

Shawn W
Sun, Dec 30, 07 at 10:34 AM
Like Reagan said, "If it moves tax it, if it keeps moving regulate it, if it stops moving subsidize it. We are now at stage three, and unless Windsor changes direction and starts to look at business as a plus to the community there will be little investment in this city. Future losses that are just a matter of time , the third shift at Chryslers, the second shift at Fords V8 line and closing of the Nemak foundries. The taxpayer subsidized make work projects presently propping up the cities economy won't last forever and there is no will on the union dominated council to make Windsor open for business. Hargrove would rather ride the auto plants into the ground than make deals that would be contrary to the socialist philosophy of the union.

Peter
Sun, Dec 30, 07 at 10:46 AM
Gord Henderson's column is indicative of the shallow and short-range (lack of) vision of Windsor's political leadership. It could have been written by Mr. Francis or some of his servants. It reflects most poignantly the uneducated, uncaring attitude of our politicos who think only about "the now" and their own pocketbooks. Nothing listed by Mr. Henderson makes for a healthy community. The Windsor Star, the mayor, and city council consistently reject any initiatives that would bring Windsor toward the path to community health, but cow-tow to lurid business interests that are motivated only by personal greed, power and exploitation. All the things that humans can do that are self-destructive and socially destructive are the things that the Windsor Star, the mayor and city council support, promote and enhance. It is absolutely disgusting. Windsor Star - it is time you did your job. You need to become a newspaper, not Eddie Francis' spin rag. Clearly clean or pure journalism no longer exists - but your consistent attempts to pull the wool over our eyes is ludicrous and an insult to our intelligence - as is Hendeson's column and the ridiculous bunch of fools that sit in council chambers on Monday nights and make asses of themselves.

Check it out
Sun, Dec 30, 07 at 11:08 AM
Based on these comments, are the fDI guys delusional about Windsor? http://www.worldbusinesschicago.com/Portals/0/CityoftheFuture2007.pdf

Tim
Sun, Dec 30, 07 at 11:15 AM
The Job fundamentals, on which all else in Windsor depends, are this. The Big three car business has been, and will be, in a long slow decline, now further exacerbated by the new fuel economy rules from Washington. Chrysler and Ford are in significant financial distress today, and either could shed a lot of factories- or go completely bankrupt, though some entity would likely emerge. The New minivan made in Windsor faces stiff competition, which will get worse as others introduce new models. The CAW has basically poisoned the well for any significant investment by other car parts or automotive related companies in this city. Buzz Hargroves future actions are largely irrelevant at this point, unless he completely botches things, and makes a bad situation worse. In addition to those private sector problems, the Canadian Dollar is now where it was in the early 70s and likely will stay there. All businesses in Windsor based on a cheap dollar are likely in real trouble, and may not have a way out. The 9-11 based travel issues and the high dollar have made little junkets to Windsor by American tourists pretty unattractive. This isn't likely to change anytime soon either, and is further compounded by hard times in the surrounding states due to the Big 3 issues above. The above are basically facts, whether one likes them or not. A wise person studies facts, and makes plans to change things where possible. These plans take time, and they take leadership to execute. And when the problem is severe, they take a lot of investment - all issues ignored by Gord Henderson The first thing to do is focus on solutions. Here is an example. All Gords discussion has been on moving the University Engineering School downtown - a completely irrelevant issue for the future of Windsor, having nothing to do with jobs at all, and perhaps even harmful. What does potentially help, is to use the Engineering school to nurture high tech businesses that can spin out of the university or at least be augmented by the University. Think Waterloo. But Windsor has no meaningful plan and no investment pool of consequence to encourage this. There is no high tech infrastructure in Windsor at all. To create one will take a lot of work, and Windsor has to compete with both Waterloo on the one hand, and Ann Arbor on the other. Is it impossible? No. Will it take planning and leadership over a long time period? Very definitely. Both those cities I might add are actively courting businesses and have lots of incentives in place and are organized for the effort. And due to their past efforts, their Universities are much better positioned to create jobs. So it's a real uphill battle.

News Reader
Sun, Dec 30, 07 at 11:23 AM
Gord, I think it's time to retire bud. I am very sure your one and only hero Eddie Francis would give you a job. Do you have any clue whats going on here? The Arena was supposed to be 48 million and now Brister and Francis mishandled it to 70 million, and put it behind a closed factory in east Windsor!!!! You just write what ever tells you! Be a journalist for once and stop being so biased. You did the same with Hurst except you hated him and that's all you would write about. I think it's time for new blood at the Windsor Star.

whats next
Sun, Dec 30, 07 at 04:26 PM
Gord Henderson, I've been reading your articles for some time now and believe you have given in to the old saying... "If you can't beat them, join them !" Well, let me send you a big congrat's... As a journalist, I feel your time would be better spent writing articles to ruffle some feathers in Queens Park or Ottawa. Not to send praise to our infamous local leaders who are in a reactive mode instead of a pro-active mode. It is going to be a sad day when we truly become a sub-division of Detroit.

whats next
Sun, Dec 30, 07 at 04:31 PM
sorry but one final comment to Gord Henderson... Its easy to be part of the problem But to be part of the solution... that takes hard work. This article lacks hard work....

hope
Sun, Dec 30, 07 at 04:38 PM
Windsor should adopt a new slogan from the past '"GOT MIKE!!!!" Guess the crybabies of city council got what they wanted. They frustrated a great leader from office and now there is someone who may have been fresh but EXPERIENCE counts. I guess it is too late for I told you so. By the way - another shooting in Windsor, I am shocked -- NOT.

Travis D
Sun, Dec 30, 07 at 04:53 PM
The Unions are the main problem in this city. They must go and at that point in time we will have a better chance of getting back on our feet. It is difficult to attract new investment with them here. I can't wait until the day I see Ken Lewenza Jr. and his father walking the plank at the river. Just wait until I'm out of school and run for office around here. This city won't know what hit them!

special Ed
Sun, Dec 30, 07 at 05:44 PM
I fail to see how any of these "developments" will help the local economy. A new bridge crossing might help our quality of life a bit but what jobs will it provide. What jobs will the new arena provide? The casino expansion might bring back a few of the couple of thousand laid off people but the glory days of Casino Windsor are over. As for the engineering school the only "win-win" ners will be some self interested business people like Horwitz et al and the mayor's buddy who owns the property next door. The major losers will be the students & faculty and in turn the University (and City). The University would do well to ignore the Boy Blunder Mayor and his hack scribes and instead listen closely to its clients i.e. students and staff.

annymous
Sun, Dec 30, 07 at 07:25 PM
travis d you wont change anything if you were in office get a life!

Steve
Sun, Dec 30, 07 at 08:32 PM
Windsor needs to diversify its economy into other industries. It should have done this years ago. While auto manufacturing is in decline, it will still be important to the Windsor economy but cannot be such a large slice of the pie. Windsor needs to invest in other areas like Education, Food Production, Finance, Insurance, Medical Device Manufacturing, etc. Yes, the University is expanding as well as the Casino. But how about using Windsor's expert machinists, millwrights and other tradespeople to make implantable medical devices, niche automotive parts for people who restore classic cars, or food processing lines. Essex county is the breadbasket of Canada, yet most of our food comes from factories in the Greater Toronto Area.

Nancy
Sun, Dec 30, 07 at 10:11 PM
unions = death of a city

Andrew
Sun, Dec 30, 07 at 11:00 PM
Change of heart Gord? Nope......I see your game.....Gord Henderson will be running for mayor in the next election. Vote for Mr. Positive Attitude!

Jim Russell
Mon, Dec 31, 07 at 12:04 AM
With all these comments and opinions, everyone has missed what has happened. Our fine Federal gov't has given our country away with free trade. No one can compete with 3rd world wages, and criminal trade practices. Windsor has always had to fight for what it gets. We are not very high on our Country's priority list, and never was. Pity. They gave our jobs away, then say we " what happened?" Windsor will bounce back, some day, some year. After they let it hit rock bottom

Diana
Mon, Dec 31, 07 at 03:26 AM
I really do hope 2008 will be a good year for Windsor. As for my self, it is too late. I'm in serious debt, about to lose my home, 3 adults in this one household looking for work. Have hope about one, but need to wait a few weeks. I would not want to see too many people undergo what we are. Let's try to stay positive and not give up hope

Travis D
Mon, Dec 31, 07 at 04:27 AM
annymous, First off, its ANONYMOUS for starters my friend and secondly if you would like to make a point back it up.

andyman
Mon, Dec 31, 07 at 08:51 AM
You sure know how to P-off the down & out.Not one of those projects you mentioned were inspired by city council or Sir Eddie.However they have thrown wrenches into just about every one of them.I'm with you'A SUBSCRIBER".If these politicians did what's best for our citizens & the City,we wouldn't be in such a mess.

Joe
Mon, Dec 31, 07 at 10:01 AM
Ever notice that the people tossing around all this hope, are the people who are making very good money and still employed, first the mayor and now Gord Henderson. C'mon fellas, join the real world in this city, it's a frickin mess and if and when it does get back on it's feet, by the time this happens, most of us who aren't already, will be buried in debt, debt which will takes years to get out of.

annymous
Mon, Dec 31, 07 at 10:04 AM
nancy are you jealous of what the big three workers earn?

To Gord
Mon, Dec 31, 07 at 10:10 AM
Are you the guy that glorified that loser Don Tait, looks like you are doing the same about the Mayor and his gang. Sound like retirement would be a good idea. Think how nice it would be to be Don's neighbour. Swimmer with the sharks sounds good to me ..........Enjoy

Bob M
Mon, Dec 31, 07 at 10:20 AM
These projects aren't much; they are more just improvements in existing infrastructure. A forward-looking project would be something like a Seaway canal from north of Tilbury to Port Alma, something like that, something to open up new options for Windsor-Detroit. If not a canal, something like it somewhere else. I think the area cities need to be "redesigned". Probably the solution to the redesign lies in the private sector activitiy in cities around Detroit than in Canadian politicians, who have always been behind the curve. Here's hoping something comes out of the private sector.

Nemak Coveralls
Mon, Dec 31, 07 at 10:47 AM
I am sitting here, after reading the piece, and trying to come up with the real reason that this article exists and has Gordies name on it. (call me a conspiracy theorist) I have read Gord's articles in the past and know that he is capable of being objective. But this...? '...this ain't Gordie'.... Who wrote this, and better still, how did Gord's name get on it? I remember a meeting I was privileged to attend at Nemak over two years ago, where the plant manager put up graphs and charts and explained how the 'future was so bright'. When I had an opportunity to speak, I explained to those in attendance how dire things REALLY were. At the time, we were still cranking out Jaguar parts and we were just off the peak in production of the most popular truck (parts) in Ford history. We were still quite busy at the time. My comments were not welcomed, but they were intelligent and the result of a great deal of reflection on the facts surrounding the auto sector. All it took was to read, mull over the facts, and remain objective. PRESTO....! Years later, section by section, our plant has turned out the lights to save energy. It's getting dark, literally! This community needs a product that we can export beyond our boundaries, so that we can get the funds to buy the raw materials that we need to continue as a going concern. That 'product' by 'n large used to be cars and parts. Those days are done. How does a community thrive? It starts with raw materials of some sort, inject hard work and expertise and finish with a product that has a value greater than the sum of its parts. That product is then sold past the community's borders to other communities who in turn produce the things we want and need. Simply taxing the community to put up a stupid hockey rink won't make the producers of lumber, pipe, wire and cement start shipping their goods here for us to build houses with. Burdening taxpayers with more debt won't cause the management at Asian electronics producers to ship their goods here. Hoping that building a bigger casino, in a time of collapsing attendance, will solve anything is beyond reason. I certainly hope, Gordie, that you get to pet the big white rabbit. And say hello to Alice for me, won't ya.

Don
Mon, Dec 31, 07 at 12:28 PM
typical Windsor attitude. Do nothing Buzz and the CAW will save he day. This has been Windsor's attitude for decades and now we're paying for it. Our city is run by amateurs because all they had to do before is what Gord is proposing. Don't do anything the CAW will save us. We get what we deserve in this area. We turned our city over to the unions decades ago and look what we got. High unemployment, very high tax rates, bad service, and a bloated overpaid city staff. Thanks unions and the media that says don't worry it'll be fine. Oh yeah they're also CAW members. Go figure...

Frankie Cummings
Mon, Dec 31, 07 at 01:13 PM
As long as the Union ideals still exsist this city will continue to die. Don't like what I'm saying...you must be employeed by a unionized company. Hopefully it's your jobs that go first...and please don't complain when it happens...it was your doing.

sault resident
Mon, Dec 31, 07 at 01:44 PM
I lived in windsor from 1993-2005. I left sault ste marie for windsor. I remember windsor as a prosperous community and now its gone down the drain. I havent been back in 2 years but i keep in touch with friends and i cant belive it. It looks like windsor is going to be another flint michigan. The goverment really needs to do something. One more thing. Remember free trade??? This is what happens!!!!! Evryone tlaked about how bad free trade would be (excpet for big business) and now windsor id living it. My prayers go out to all windsor residences. My advise is, if you can move away, do it now!!!

sault resident
Mon, Dec 31, 07 at 01:47 PM
I dont agree that unions are bad. Just take a look at the non unionized auto jobs, they barely pay $10 / hour. So before you critize the union please look around. The problem isnt the union, its the government who allowed companies to go around the union.

Right on Don!!
Mon, Dec 31, 07 at 02:39 PM
Re Posting at 12:28 PM - I couldn't have said it better myself! All of you spoiled union children used to making 30+ hr working with your hands, not your heads had better get used to a new reality! Can Windsor re-invent itself as Gord says?? Who knows? Other cities became information technology orientated.(Think Waterloo RIM) Windsor has a lot going for it. That new comapany, for example that spots ultrasonic weld defects is an excellent example of where Windsor and the higher learning institutions need to spend more of their resourses. They don't need to be bailing out "dinosaur industries" that will eventually be obsolete.

Wake up Windsor
Mon, Dec 31, 07 at 05:57 PM
The main problem with the current status quo is apparent in the phrase "four-decade quest" for an arena. Forget global warming - the glacier like movement of city administration is alive and well in Windsor. Windsor needs to diversify and quickly. We cannot continue to dither and hope that the automotive industry survives both the global competition and the policies of Buzz. Canada is already the most expensive place to build autos and, since Buzz has already pronounced the two tier system a non-starter at the next negotiations, it will only get more expensive. I work in automotive and want it to prosper here in Windsor but wake up. Even the CAW diversified into aerospace and health care and Buzz will not allow concessions in one area that will impact his other sectors. Automotive manufacturing and parts supply are not the majority of the members of CAW any more. Windsor is sitting on golden opportunities in terms of climate and location. We should be selling ourselves as a retirement community or tourism destinations. Stop telling private entrepreneurs "my way or the highway". Let the Bridge corporation build their second span and stop wasting our time and money worrying about it. The Bridge has been in private hands since it was built - how much do you think will change simply because a second privately built span exists? Worry more about developing the downtown as a residential area and destination for current residents than for a transient student population. Encourage and provide incentives for more businesses to come in. Yes, new jobs often pay less to start than the current automotive wages but a job is better than no job at all. When you have many businesses competing for finite numbers of workers, wages and benefits go up. Calgary, anyone? We need leadership that recognizes that automotive manufacturing is only one sector of what we can offer in Windsor and we need a concrete plan fast. Four decades from now is too late. The naysayers need to take the energy they are spending complaining and find ways to promote Windsor to outsiders. The current situation reminds me of passengers on a boat with a hole in it. No matter how loudly they shout the ship is sinking, it won't do any good until somebody stops complaining and patches the hole. The ones who shouted will have bragging rights that they knew all along what was happening but they will still be just as dead.

Pete A.
Mon, Dec 31, 07 at 06:00 PM
What's happened Gord? Looks like you are becomming exactly like our local elected officials. Never assume that your readers are ignorant. The comments above represent a a significant slice of readership and electorate. Time to clue in wouldn't you say?

Jack
Mon, Dec 31, 07 at 06:33 PM
Gord is usually on the mark and independent, but I, too, suspect that something is not right with this article. I expect this time next year will have seen the loss of the 3rd shift at Chrysler, the possible movement of the Canadian Chrysler headquarters to Detroit, closure of 2-3 auto dealers, etc. Sad. I hope I am wrong.

flint-sor
Mon, Dec 31, 07 at 07:51 PM
gord, the projects you talked about are not going to do nothing for the economy .The casino is so dead, that u can see the tumbleweed blowing through it, the arena, from what i can see, will add no jobs, walker road is a infrastructure improvement that should have been done years ago, the university campus well so what, and the border soap opera will continue ( i really think matty mouron will twin the ambassador bridge whether people like it or not) this city is a big 3 town, and will continue to die in 08 like flint mich did in the 80s. we need to attract good paying jobs ( $15 to $25 range) whether it be automotive, or something else. And for you people putting this solely on the unions....they are in some cases, but not all. alot of the companies are to blame too. they will stab a worker in the back to make a little extra profit by finding places where they can do business and pay people to work next to nothing.

Just me
Mon, Dec 31, 07 at 08:51 PM
Windsor is dying slowly there is no doubt of that.how many people in windsor have jobs , not many I work for a company and though our medical is going up no RAISES so how are we supposed to live ., I have health issues and finally with money getting tighter with bills i could no longer pay my student loan which i had been paying for 8 years. so where is the economy in windsor getting better , it is only better when you have a high paying job and see the world through rose coloured glasses GET REAL

LK
Mon, Dec 31, 07 at 08:53 PM
another comment , with the dollar at close to par or below and the price of gas who do you think is going to come to the casino, the high rollers go to vegas nad not to a dumpy city like windsor

abandon ship
Mon, Dec 31, 07 at 11:39 PM
Gord must be out of his gourd. Let's see; The Border; Getting Windsor's leaders to agree on what to order for lunch is near impossible. Getting them to agree on where to put a new crossing is so out of the question it defies words. The Casino; Last time I checked people without jobs don't have a lot of money to blow at the White Elephant on Riverside. Windsor ain't Vegas. The WFCU Arena: Coulda-Woulda-Shoulda taken Gretzky's offer 10 years ago for a first class downtown arena at a fraction of the cost. The Engineering School: If it ever comes to fruition, grads will be given diplomas with directions to Toronto's best engineering firms. Walker Road: Well, at least it didn't take as long as tearing down the Peabody Bridge or replacing the Tecumseh-Crawford viaduct. Dream on Gord, when you wake up Windsor will still be dying.

annnymous
Tue, Jan 1, 08 at 03:28 AM
Frankie Cummings and right on don i hope you two lose your jobs. to wish that people should lose thier jobs because it is unionized needs to grow up and get a life

KT
Tue, Jan 1, 08 at 07:03 AM
Interesting to see how intelligent these commenters are. Has the Windsor Star, like our City Councillors forgotten that?

Travis D
Tue, Jan 1, 08 at 09:15 AM
How does a community thrive you ask? One word; Education.

Gord P
Tue, Jan 1, 08 at 11:35 AM
The CAW is killing Windsor. Govt at all levels will not take it on because there's nothing to gain - economy is red-hot everywhere but SW Ontario. Industry will not take on the CAW - it simply avoids Windsor despite it's location. With no-one to take on the CAW, the city will be left to die or until the residents take on the CAW themselves and rise up against it. Those residents smart enough to understand this are moving away. No jobs for university students - they will move away also. City is dying and will be left that way until the CAW is kicked out - and that will be a long time coming.

Bob Kella
Tue, Jan 1, 08 at 01:02 PM
Normally, I don't pay much ado to Mr. Henderson's somewhat sensational writing antics, however, I beleive at least, his most important "organ" is in the right place....his Heart! Reading this article over again, it's my opinion that Gordon fully understands the huge quagmire Windsor is facing. And , agreeably, it appears as if he's caught some kind of Holiday bug, and ingested way too many cocktails with his codeine. Yet I think the true "audience" that Gord is soliciting, isn't you and I (the reader), but the actual decision makers ; a sort of positive "pat on the back , Cheeio, we're all behind you-now Get the damned job DONE!" type of article. Windsor people , are incredibly hard working , problem solving, and hands on people as a whole. We are an asset, I believe , anywhere we decide to lay our haggard heads. And, yes, we've outgrown, so to speak, most of our local leaders. Arguably, we have a much better collective "voice" through mediums such as this, than through our own politcal affiliations. But Windsorites have TONS of heart! Something beyond reason and statistics. Something that comes from the same place Mr. Hendersons article did. I only hope they're reading, Gord!

annymous
Tue, Jan 1, 08 at 04:53 PM
education doesnt guarantee a job travis d do your homework gord p i hope you lose your job soon and no the caw is not killing the city you tard

Wooof! Long read. If you are still with us here is a link to Gord Henderson's column which started this ink rush:

http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/story.html?id=88b96c2a-2082-48eb-951a-573342c319a2&k=11403

Gord Henderson did his job and readers have been doing theirs. Have some fun. Add your comments to the articles comments forum.

Here are more thoughts about the same from Windsor City Blog:

http://windsorcityon.blogspot.com/2008/01/is-mayor-now-four-letter-word-in.html