First off I want to thank MOM for allowing councillors this platform to bring forward messages. I appreciate not having the worry of maintaining a site and the hassle of deadlines. My schedule doesn’t permit me much time for writing as most days I am in and out between meetings, my boy’s hockey, my daughter’s ballet and other commitments there is never enough time in a day.
I will try and tackle all of the questions posed on this site regarding the ICBL (Interim Control Bi-Law) for Sandwich. I apologize in advance if it seems I am jumping from topic to topic. Here goes!
Exemptions are allowed under the ICBL and are supposed to be based on the merit of the application. In fact there has been an exemption on Peter Street where a home burned down and the owner applied to demolish and rebuild. I don’t consider working and strategizing with residents on an exemption “hand holding” – look at the vote for Mr. Wilson’s garage – it ended up loosing by only 1 vote. I continued to communicate with Mr. Wilson after the vote was defeated to strategize next steps. I consider one of the most important aspects of my job is strategizing with residents and educating them on City processes.
I can’t speak for my Council Colleagues but I will support Maryvale.
Kdduck posted as to how I can look at each and every applicant and be effective or efficient? With all due respect that is my job as a City Councillor. Not only did I live in the area (and went to high school there) I participated in the planning Task Force for Olde Sandwich Towne and continue to participate in the Community Improvement Plan, so in short I have background knowledge to judge exemptions. I am in neighbourhoods frequently. I talk to residents, business owners and city staff before I make a decision. If that is a stretch for a politician, then don’t call me one.
I asked the planning department to explain Community Improvement Plans, why we do them and to compare Sandwich Towne CIP and others in the City (during my tenure) in terms of costs as well as Interim Control By-Laws. Below is the response:
“Every CIP is unique to a certain degree, so comparisons are tricky. There are 2 main kinds: those that address situations [like the existence of hard-to-redevelop 'brownfields' throughout a municipality] and those that address one or more matters [described categorically in s. 11.8 of our Official Plan] in a certain part of the municipality. So far, all our CIPs have been of the second kind. The main point of this second kind of CIP is to size up the specific circumstances of a specific Community Improvement Project Area Council has designated, and then tailor the plan to address those circumstances. In doing so, Council must remain aware that it is actually creating what I'd call a "planning bias" that favours a particular Area with particular privileges [investments, land-use designations changes, incentives, etc.].
In terms of having an ICBL in place for a CIP, yes, Sandwich is the only CIP with that distinction, again mainly because one of its particular issues is unusually rapid property declines/changes. Yes, the ICBL for the Entertainment Lounge District is the most recent other time Council invoked an ICBL. To clarify, the study it resulted in was the City Centre Interim Control Land Use Study which is not a CIP.
What I can say in terms of staff time & consultants fees and other associated project costs, this is the ranking of our recent CIPs completed under my watch, according to cost [highest to lowest]:
1. City Centre West
2. Sandwich
3. Little River Acres
4. Glengarry Marentette”
I like the suggestion from Robert f.e. Scherer to try and recoup tax dollars spent on the various CIPs from the senior levels of government – good one.
In terms of the Ambassador Bridge Company, the by-law was not imposed because of them. Go ahead laugh out loud – get it out of your system.
I can see why most people think it is since exemptions are turned down in fear of precedent setting, the timing of the CIP as it compares to the Ambassador Bridge work and DRIC (Detroit River International Crossing).
I can not speak for the Bridge Company. In speaking to a representative from their company they own all but 6 homes on Indian road – both sides. The Ambassador Bridge Company did tear down several homes before the by-law was even passed. They did not plant grass, they did not plant trees or bushes and they left dirt piles, piles of debris and litter and left the grass (weeds) to grow taller than my 6 year old. The track record of the Bridge Company is not the greatest.
One of my biggest concerns is what will replace all of these homes when demolition does occur? If it really is green space how long will it take and why didn’t they clean up their properties before I have to continuously send by-law, building and fire department staff out to issue work orders? They still don’t maintain the properties 100%. None of the snow is cleared.
The Ambassador Bridge Company does not have any approvals to enhance their span (build a second bridge). The EA they submitted was not accepted and further study was required. There is a roadway project occurring on the US side of the bridge, which will see a direct highway connection at the foot of the bridge – this is the gateway project. It does not mean the Bridge Company has the approvals on the US side for the enhancement project or a second span. I have yet to see any paperwork approving the second span from the US governments – a letter from a Governor does not count especially when the DRIC was continued – not folded by the Senate. It is a Bi-National process, involving 2 countries not just the US.
The project on Indian Road near Mill Street was an approval for new Canadian Customs Booths only to be opened when traffic volumes warrant. Canada Border Service Customs Agency has not even agreed to man those booths yet, in fact CBSA cited several concerns with the enhancement project. The main point is there has been an International process put in place called the DRIC to look at where to build a new bridge and plaza and the Ambassador Bridge was ruled out by that process. Although some think that process will fold, time will tell and for now the work continues on both sides of the border.
On another note Dave referred to the U of W downtown and the Urban Village. Let me be very clear – I voted to see a business plan developed for a possible campus downtown. A business plan … not a shovel in the ground for a campus. I am not aware of any talks with St. Clair College over the Urban Village site; it needs for go RFP period! Mr. Halberstadt has not put anything forward at the Council table for the Urban Village continuation so I am not sure what you are referring to. I want to see this land developed ASAP. Downtown will live again! The DWBIA is doing some excellent work and I am confident that things will get better. By the way for those who read the 3am closure posting I wrote - I frequently shop at Felix Imports and the little store beside the bank in the same block . I love their clothes and shoes!
I will try and tackle all of the questions posed on this site regarding the ICBL (Interim Control Bi-Law) for Sandwich. I apologize in advance if it seems I am jumping from topic to topic. Here goes!
Exemptions are allowed under the ICBL and are supposed to be based on the merit of the application. In fact there has been an exemption on Peter Street where a home burned down and the owner applied to demolish and rebuild. I don’t consider working and strategizing with residents on an exemption “hand holding” – look at the vote for Mr. Wilson’s garage – it ended up loosing by only 1 vote. I continued to communicate with Mr. Wilson after the vote was defeated to strategize next steps. I consider one of the most important aspects of my job is strategizing with residents and educating them on City processes.
I can’t speak for my Council Colleagues but I will support Maryvale.
Kdduck posted as to how I can look at each and every applicant and be effective or efficient? With all due respect that is my job as a City Councillor. Not only did I live in the area (and went to high school there) I participated in the planning Task Force for Olde Sandwich Towne and continue to participate in the Community Improvement Plan, so in short I have background knowledge to judge exemptions. I am in neighbourhoods frequently. I talk to residents, business owners and city staff before I make a decision. If that is a stretch for a politician, then don’t call me one.
I asked the planning department to explain Community Improvement Plans, why we do them and to compare Sandwich Towne CIP and others in the City (during my tenure) in terms of costs as well as Interim Control By-Laws. Below is the response:
“Every CIP is unique to a certain degree, so comparisons are tricky. There are 2 main kinds: those that address situations [like the existence of hard-to-redevelop 'brownfields' throughout a municipality] and those that address one or more matters [described categorically in s. 11.8 of our Official Plan] in a certain part of the municipality. So far, all our CIPs have been of the second kind. The main point of this second kind of CIP is to size up the specific circumstances of a specific Community Improvement Project Area Council has designated, and then tailor the plan to address those circumstances. In doing so, Council must remain aware that it is actually creating what I'd call a "planning bias" that favours a particular Area with particular privileges [investments, land-use designations changes, incentives, etc.].
In terms of having an ICBL in place for a CIP, yes, Sandwich is the only CIP with that distinction, again mainly because one of its particular issues is unusually rapid property declines/changes. Yes, the ICBL for the Entertainment Lounge District is the most recent other time Council invoked an ICBL. To clarify, the study it resulted in was the City Centre Interim Control Land Use Study which is not a CIP.
What I can say in terms of staff time & consultants fees and other associated project costs, this is the ranking of our recent CIPs completed under my watch, according to cost [highest to lowest]:
1. City Centre West
2. Sandwich
3. Little River Acres
4. Glengarry Marentette”
I like the suggestion from Robert f.e. Scherer to try and recoup tax dollars spent on the various CIPs from the senior levels of government – good one.
In terms of the Ambassador Bridge Company, the by-law was not imposed because of them. Go ahead laugh out loud – get it out of your system.
I can see why most people think it is since exemptions are turned down in fear of precedent setting, the timing of the CIP as it compares to the Ambassador Bridge work and DRIC (Detroit River International Crossing).
I can not speak for the Bridge Company. In speaking to a representative from their company they own all but 6 homes on Indian road – both sides. The Ambassador Bridge Company did tear down several homes before the by-law was even passed. They did not plant grass, they did not plant trees or bushes and they left dirt piles, piles of debris and litter and left the grass (weeds) to grow taller than my 6 year old. The track record of the Bridge Company is not the greatest.
One of my biggest concerns is what will replace all of these homes when demolition does occur? If it really is green space how long will it take and why didn’t they clean up their properties before I have to continuously send by-law, building and fire department staff out to issue work orders? They still don’t maintain the properties 100%. None of the snow is cleared.
The Ambassador Bridge Company does not have any approvals to enhance their span (build a second bridge). The EA they submitted was not accepted and further study was required. There is a roadway project occurring on the US side of the bridge, which will see a direct highway connection at the foot of the bridge – this is the gateway project. It does not mean the Bridge Company has the approvals on the US side for the enhancement project or a second span. I have yet to see any paperwork approving the second span from the US governments – a letter from a Governor does not count especially when the DRIC was continued – not folded by the Senate. It is a Bi-National process, involving 2 countries not just the US.
The project on Indian Road near Mill Street was an approval for new Canadian Customs Booths only to be opened when traffic volumes warrant. Canada Border Service Customs Agency has not even agreed to man those booths yet, in fact CBSA cited several concerns with the enhancement project. The main point is there has been an International process put in place called the DRIC to look at where to build a new bridge and plaza and the Ambassador Bridge was ruled out by that process. Although some think that process will fold, time will tell and for now the work continues on both sides of the border.
On another note Dave referred to the U of W downtown and the Urban Village. Let me be very clear – I voted to see a business plan developed for a possible campus downtown. A business plan … not a shovel in the ground for a campus. I am not aware of any talks with St. Clair College over the Urban Village site; it needs for go RFP period! Mr. Halberstadt has not put anything forward at the Council table for the Urban Village continuation so I am not sure what you are referring to. I want to see this land developed ASAP. Downtown will live again! The DWBIA is doing some excellent work and I am confident that things will get better. By the way for those who read the 3am closure posting I wrote - I frequently shop at Felix Imports and the little store beside the bank in the same block . I love their clothes and shoes!
55 comments:
Thank you Councillor Postma for responses.
Well - insofar as the Greenspace is concerned perhaps if councillors had actually asked questions and permitted the company more than a meagre 10 minute to discuss their project, you would have some of your questions answered.
You're absolutely correct in asking that question - and the company has acknowledged they could have done better - and now are trying, but can't seem to get the city to meet with them, including yourself.
And the enhancement project, as you well know, is different from the DRIC project. The company submitted their proposal as one of the alternatives. The company's second bridge has been in the works since the early 1990's as you know.
And as Mark Butler, Transport Canada rep. stated, the company's EA application is for their enhancement project to replace their bridge and additional capacities are still required.
One further item, councillor.
While I was out touring the area last weekend, I counted 5 other homes which are not boarded up and whose yards are not maintained.
I was able to walk upto one of the homes and snap a photo of the door wide open, windows smashed etc.
Where are those bylaw enforcement officers in that end of Sandwich Towne?
And that demolition order for the burnt down house? Why is still standing? I took photos of the order in the summer, and just two weeks and the house (and order) are still there.
I'll also add those unboarded up homes are not on Indian Road or Edison either. One of them was on the 3900 block of Baby Street. I don't remember the other homes addresses - but I'll have their photos up on my blog in the next few days.
Just a correction on the councillor's statement the EA was rejected. It was not.
On A-Channel news, in response to a Transport Canada letter from September 28th, 2007 requesting more information regarding the Ambassador Bridge’s environmental assessment, Mayor Eddie Francis stated that the company had a long way to go before “permits were handed out.”
The story itself was nothing really new, as the public was informed on September 14th, 2007 during a statement by Transport Canada spokesperson Mark Butler that, “if during the course of the environmental assessment we learn something where we may want to change the guidelines, we will.”
If you notice in the video, the letter was dated September 28th, 2007 - just little over a week from the release of the draft Environmental Assessment guidelines. These dates are important ,because the Ambassador Bridge had not even submitted their Draft Environmental Assessment yet - two very different projects.
Ms. Postma
Please continue taking your kids to ballet, soccer and wherever they need to go. But stop trying to convince yourself and your constituents that this ploy is anything but stopping the bridge. Eddie boy refuses grow up and face the realities that he has lost. He needs to negotiate an agreement with the Bridge and the governments and get on with life. Sandwich dies and Windsor dies, it sounds like Nero.
"I want to thank MOM for allowing councillors this platform to bring forward messages."
Thank goodness that he did not take Councillor Brister's advice:
"Remove my name from your mailing list and find a charity to which you might devote your time."
"I like the suggestion from Robert f.e. Scherer to try and recoup tax dollars spent on the various CIPs from the senior levels of government – good one." The tax dollars could be tied to the appraisals being made by the province for property acquisitions. I don't think Windsor city council should give tax rebates to homeowners/developers who didn't do enough research before they decided to purchase a home or develop real estate near the border routes identified by DRIC; Windsor city council needs to start communicating such information more effectively, as it is simply unrealistic to expect everyone to be aware of everything the DRIC team is doing. Who is "blockbusting" now?
Thank you councillor for replyig to our questions. I appreciate it whenever a councillor repsonds to my questions as it puts my faith back into the democratic process.
You had stated the Mr. Halberstadt did not bring forward the RFP motion about the urban village to council and the Mayor. However, approx. 3 weeks ago he did do just that. The response from the Mayor was that he would like to set up a "strategic meeting" with council about the RFP.
My question is why does the mayor think that yet another strategic meeting needs to be held about the urban village? This speaks to me that he may want St. Clair to move onto those lands.
My studies show (as do the DEGC's study in Detroit) that a school cannot and will not change the downtown of a city for the better. It may be a small piece of the puzzle but the largest piece is people with disposable incomes living in a downtown.
Can we not move forward and stop wasting time on this CIP? Not only would it be a positive for city coffers with poerpty taxes but it would also give the local construction community a much needed boost in terms of jbs and projects considering house starts are the lowest they have been in 24years!
What I am trying to get across is that we don't have time anymore. The sands are running out on this city. We need to move forward and stop all of these meetings and obstructions or lose more than we have already. Consider this, we have one of the lowest demographics of 20-34 year olds in the province. These are our movers and shakers of the near future; Our creative class; Our "chance takers" and our future families.
The time is now!
Councillor you stated that the Ambassador Bridge Company owns all houses except 6 on both sides of Indian Rd. This is not true...
Indian Rd consists of 4 blocks. For 3 of those blocks the Ambassador Bridge Company only owns enough houses on the west side to hang their bridge. And on the east side of Indian Rd they own very little, if any, in those 3 blocks. I'm sure you meant to say the block of Wyandotte to Mill, because that statement does not fit anywhere in the remaining 3 blocks... Can you clarify?
Didn't Councillor Dilkens state on Face-to-Face that it was about the bridge company?
Didn't Councillor Brister state that in approving the call centre on college avenue, it would stop the bridge company?
Dave -
Where on the DECG website does it say that? What other studies have you looked at that make that claim?
The urban village concept includes institutional, commercial and residential uses.
You need an anchor. You can't simply slap up some houses and highrises and expect the urban village to take off.
It requires an anchor of some type be it an insitutional use, or otherwise.
I'm all for sending out the RFP - BUT, after all this time, we're still trying to figure out an anchor, which leads me to believe there is NO plan.
And don't be fooled, Councillor Postma stated in the Windsor Star, no one was interested.
It is still about a CIP for me, not the bridge. By-law does go to other areas in Sandwich Town, not just Indian Road or Edison. I am down that way tomorrow and will take a drive down Peter and find out what is happening to the burnt house on Sandwich myself. Remember the by-law department is complaint driven so if no one complains an inspector will not go out.
Who is block busting now? Point well taken, communication is essential - no disagreement from me there.
Again with regard to the Urban Village I don't recall a formal notice of motion, resolution or anything about an RFP for the Urban Village. As I stated it needs to be developed ASAP and I support the Urban Village concept, now we need a developer.
Correction - Indian Road information - the bridge owns all but 6 between Mill and Wyuandotte. My apologies.
I can't control what my council colleagues think or what they say on the ICBL but I will always maintain that for ME it was about the CIP.
Anonymous, it doesn't say that on their website. You need to know the people involved and who work for the DEGC.
The site is 6.5 acres you cannot have an institution, housing and business in that small of an area. You have to pick a couple of those above only such as commercial and residential. An institution itself will not change the downtown. Students alone will not change a downtown (look at Wyandotte West for examples with 10,000 students available).
As for Councillor Postma's post in the Windsor Star, how is that possible when the city NEVER released the RFP to begin with? Also, Councillor Jones stated to me at a meeting held at the Art Gallery of Windsor that two developers were interested in the urban village. One was even from the USA.
Councillor, thank you for your response.
Dave, I disagree with you regarding the positive impact a school would have.
I heard in a IDA seminar that 9 out of the top 10 midsize downtowns in America have universities in or adjacent to them. Top example being Boulder, CO
However, to agree with you, an IDA panel also said 3 years ago that it was urgent to proceed with the City Center West RFP. Their number one recommendation was to make a decision. THey told me it was far better to go with a Plan B decision vs. Plan A (arena) if it would get a decision made.
They said that the indecision of this site was stifling investment in the surrounding areas. That this indecision was costing far more than whatever losses we would have by forgoing some grander future opportunity.
The college said it would be presenting numbers shortly, there is no reason why an RFP cannot be conducted simultaneously and any potential college proposal could be introduced during the process.
It would just drive up the bidding.
Speaking of the Urban Village West and or a possibiilty
of either post secondary schools building in the core, this is what is being proposed for Main Street in Hamilton, Ontario:
http://www.raisethehammer.org/index.asp
Hamilton Education Centre: The Dilemma and the Agenda
If we want to project an image to private investment that Hamilton is the right place to invest, then we first need to invest in our downtown ourselves.
By Trevor Shaw
Feb. 14, 2008
(Editor's Note: This article was actually published on February 16, 2008, but we wanted to include it in the February 14 issue so it would get the attention it deserves. -Ed.)
The city of Hamilton and McMaster University just proposed a multi-building development on the current Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board site at 100 Main West. The proposed development would house a new headquarters for the School Board, City Public Health staff and the new David Braley/McMaster University Family Health Centre. "
While we dither in this city, other cities are doing. First Edmonton with Enterprise Square, now Hamilton and Kitchener/Waterloo we all know.
As for Councillor Postma's post in the Windsor Star, how is that possible when the city NEVER released the RFP to begin with?
Good question, why don't you ask her?
Anonymous. I have by stating that fact numerous times since I have heard people state that before. Unfortunately Councillor Postma has either not seen my statement(s) or knows that her statement is untrue.
In fact I heard a different story by her fellow ward-mate Councillor Jones.
how many ways can you look at this:
#1. in favour of tearing down homes for a twin bridge and greenspace...
#2. opposed to a twin bridge and greenspace and wants the neighborhood back in order...
#3. can't think of another one...
I want #2. what do you guys want?
Well, indianroad, I'm one who can remember when as recently as ten years ago that street was *not* a ghetto. The bridge company made it a ghetto. Up until ten years ago, Indian road comprised well-maintained homes on a beautiful tree lined street akin to Victoria street or Walkerville's Chilver road. They argue now that these houses must come down because they are so decrepit. Well, yeah, of course they are... now... thanks alot Matty. So basically, yes I too would love to see #2 but it ain't gonna happen. Too late.
The Interim Control Bylaw will continue for another year and still no mention of the other 3 blocks on Indian Road. Is the Ambassador Bridge just going to apply for demoliton of 6 homes at a time. Thank You Councillor Gignac for your vote.
Sandwich Town has to look at this a little closer. There is a choice. Consideration (a): Twinned Ambassador Bridge which is the least invasive option OR Consideration (b) which is either DRIC or Greenlink. Both of these choices put up a new second bridge one mile west of the Ambassador Bridge. With a new approach this will chew up twice as much of the town and wedge it in between TWO bridges. Pick your poison.
Providing a new border crossing would cause travel shifts over a wide area. For example, a new Detroit/Windsor crossing could attract travellers from the BlueWater Bridge at Port Huron, Michigan. At the same time, the proposed border crossing would reduce traffic on the Ambassador Bridge and in the Detroit/Windsor Tunnel.
the Ambassador Bridge would realize a 37 to 39% reduction in car traffic and would be expected to realize a reduction of 75% of it's truck traffic...
THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT WE WANT...
a massive shift in diesel truck routes. To the outskirts of the city taking the DRIC route to Greenlink. No more trucks downtown or on Dougall or EC Row or Huron Line north of EC Row. It will be wonderful...
GREENLINK WITH A NEW PLAZA AND CROSSING FAR WEST does exactly that...
Were going to win a new World Class Border and the city will make a ton O cash,,,, and, and, and, a ton O jobs will start.
I hope this doesn't put you in a spot. Below is a direct question for Caroline, an elected ward 2 councillor for the West Side of Windsor.
Be it know that the west side is united. We do not want a twin that turns Huron Line, Dougall, EC Row, Bloomfield and others into a diesel ditch...
We want a new plaza and crossing far west out of our hair and further, you know as well as I, that the west side as well as city council wants and voted for, a TUNNELED SOLUTION.
Here is my question:
Why is Sandra Pupotelo and Dwight Duncan not helping us with Greenlink????
"Be it know that the west side is united. We do not want a twin that turns Huron Line, Dougall, EC Row, Bloomfield and others into a diesel ditch..."
It is?
Be it KNOWN: Oil is trading at roughly $100-102 dollars per barrel. I don't think any motorist/commuter is going to waste gas by driving miles just to use a taxpayer-subsidized bridge. Be realistic.
Indianroad: No one likes diesel fumes. When stating your position, you must separate trucks from commuting motorists. I imagine most commuters don't drive diesel Volkswagens or GMC vehicles or Ford 250s or 350s.
To Mrs. Postma: Lewenza and Jones have become liabilities. Don't think a disciplined lawyer or judge wouldn't overlook Lewenza's comments about the ABC. Mayor Francis is a practicing lawyer, isn't he?
To Indian Road:
With two bridges literally hemming Olde Sandwich town in you will not see less emission. You might even be seeing more and it will be falling on all sides of the area. Instead of a diesel ditch you will have a diesel cesspool. Not to mention that your horizon lines will be nothing but bridge. If you think the city is ignoring the area now, wait until that happens.
HI shane, I know it's true, but they have offered Greenlink that will use portals, they refuse tunnels. at least portals will somewhat control it... In this day and age if you believe that Canada can not build a tunnel 1 km long and clean the air, something is wrong. City Council voted for a tunnel and so did the west end. Even know Sandwick Towne will be surrounded, it is still very good for the rest of the city in keeping trucks away and in control of our own border.
If ABC twins their bridge the whole city will be effected much worse than Greenlink, Trucks on Dougall and Manning and Walker and any route they choose and none of them stopping in Windsor. ALL the International Truck traffic using Greenlink will be dirverted onto a driver friendly road to the new plaza and crossing where(and this is the best part)Winsdor will make all the money... and we need it bad, don't we...
I still want an underground plaza and crossing, put a portal to the moon if you have to...
Do you think DRIC passed their own Environmental Air Quality Assessment???
Because I don't... UNLESS YOU CALL 11X MORE NOx IN 2035 A PASS.
A tunnel is very necessry health and safety wise for this area of the world.
We cannot let an American own our border and all the access roads that he chooses... when the city can own it and keep the money.
Where are our elected MPP's to help us... Oh I forgot Sandra has been working with the ABC for 12 years...
With two bridges literally hemming Olde Sandwich town in you will not see less emission.
_______________________________
that's why the new crossing should be a tunnel since 75% of the truck traffic from the bridge will be diverted and 26% of our tunnel traffic also, will make it a moneymaker bigtime for Windsor... And it will get all the unnecessary International truck and car traffic off our streets...
we need a tunnel to Delray...
we need our elected MPP's to help us.... now...
When I said we will win a New First Class World Class Border...
There's only one way to achieve that, with a tunnel on the far west side so Sandwich Towne and Edison and Indian Road and all of the west side can rebuild.
If you remember this arguement started weather or not it was a tunnel or Greenlink, now it's all about the Ambassador Bridge Company and the DRIC...
ABC cannot pass a Canadian Environmental Air Quality Assessment using Huron Line as a ramp. period...
Look, this is black and white.
phone 311 and vote tunnel to Delra.
If our elected MPP's won't help we will do it ourselves... and deal with them later.
phone 311 and call for a tunnel to Delray so the jobs can begin and the city can start raking in the cash from tolls...
Don't let all this talk fool you...this is all about control of the border and the cash flow.
We don't want this cash leaving Canada, and we don't want an American controlling our border, Do We??? And diesel ditches all over he city...Nope not me.
What about you?
We must control and maintain our sovereighty.
"I still want an underground plaza..." An underground plaza? Are you aware that the Canada Border Services Agency is a unionized working environment? An underground plaza is completely unrealistic. Who would staff the underground plaza? Robots?
"...the city can start raking in the cash from tolls..." The city will not own the DRIC crossing. Do you sincerely believe that Windsor, as host of the DRIC crossing, is entitled to ownership of the DRIC crossing, without contributing a penny for the construction of said crossing? Sovereignty? What about the Windsor-Detroit tunnel? Windsor's portion of the tunnel is going bankrupt. Detroit's side of the tunnel is making money, but not as much as it used to. You would trust Mayor Francis, Ron Jones, Caroline Postma, Ken Lewenza and Brian Masse to operate a DRIC crossing? These are the same people who oversee the operations of the WUC, Enwin and Transit Windsor. Did you forget that?
I'm going to assume that you're an anti-capitalist. As an anti-capitalist, do you support the cannibalization of the Ambassador Bridge and the Windsor-Detroit tunnel? The other border crossings in the area? So capitalism masked as nationalism or patriotism is perfectly acceptable? That's awfully hypocritical.
It is just amazing how audaciously incorrect Ms. Postma is. Numerous points she typed in were wrong, just plain wrong. With that many errors in one blog, can anything she does be correct?
No wonder the distrust level is so high.
She still side stepped my point while making incoherent objectives.
I bet she shovels snow one flake at a time.
That is a pun my dear. Work on it.
from the Windsor Star/ Nov. 2007.
He said his sources tell him the province is the main stumbling block and that makes him wonder whether Duncan, and, to a lesser extent Economic Development Minister Sandra Pupatello, are more concerned with spreading infrastructure money around Ontario, "scattering it in the hope that it brings you provincial Liberal support."
Masse said it's obvious "Sandra has no sway with Dwight" and "what worries me to death is that it's now quite clear the province hasn't put any money in their budgets for this." If the province tries to fix the border on the cheap, warned the Windsor West MP, it will constitute a betrayal of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and a huge failure on the part of our Liberal MPPs.
Duncan wasn't available for comment
"We believe that ultimately we're going to have something that makes everybody happy and has them all on the same page," added the insider.
I might be hopelessly naive. But I still have this gut feeling Duncan and Pupatello will find a way, even if it means kicking bureaucratic butt and browbeating fellow ministers, to deliver most, if not all, of the dream fix needed to unclog Canada's asphalt aorta, the nation's most vital trade link.
Dwight and Sandra. Heroes or goats? We'll know soon enough
____________________________
Soooo, what do you guys think?
what do you think Caroline?
I guess we wait until the DRIC ruling and see...
The only reasons why the Mayor and councillors (especially ward II councillors) have dug in with the ICBL are because: (a) They honestly believe that they have a shot at salvaging Greenlink beyond the eleventh hour or (b) They do not want to divert any government funding away from the proposed Greenlink or (c) They don't want to see the whole border crossing issue fade to the backburner because the ABC might provide a remedial fix thusly allowing other government levels to shelve the whole project until it rears it's head again in the future. Shane R. is onto something with how badly Olde Sandwich Town will be impacted once it is sandwiched between to bridges. As for Indian Road's tunneling suggestion, he must want to see a revival of the DRTP solution. Now that we know that border traffic levels have fallen, maybe the DRTP is worth another look. After all it is still the shortest route out of town and already on dedicated lands. They also said that they would have no problem tunneling past the five kilometers of residential area in south Windsor.
Good evening Caroline, any info?
thoughts, speculation, rumors.
how bout something to read...
mjacq2u
PS... not only being squeezed between two bridges is true, look on a map because ABC also has plans for another access road from the 401 comming down Sandwich to Prince road to bloomfield to another new plaza behind McDonalds. ABC wants to change the west end into a swirling maze of super highways.
Seems like the ABC would like two bridges, one way in each direction, and remove street lights on Huron Line so trucks can roll right through.
How will we cross? schools and stores are on the other side.
PPS... Can we produce a Canadian Environmental Air Quality Assessment of Michigan's Impact on Windsor????
Seems to me this is required to answer some questions once and for all.
I and others would like to know what the real health and safety impact for Windsor is...
How can one apply to have something like this done?????
Th DRIC ruling has been suspended again... Until June maybe August 2008... It is almost a year late allready, only the Canadian side.
The provincial government Our highly acclaimed elected Mpp's are no where to be found. I guess they think were stupid.
We know Sandra Pupotella has been dealing with the Ambassador Bridge Company for 12 years, We have heard the things Dwight Duncan has said. We see the fight the mayor is in. It's been stated and voted on in this area of the world that we want a tunneled solution... What is it they don't get. This is turning out to be NOT ABOUT if Canada has enough money or wants a tunnel... this appears to be all about the Ambassador Bridge Company with a 10 year old plan that is not exceptable any more and no one is listening to the cries of the people anymore. The ABC wants complete and utter control of the entire border cash flow... Sorry we can't allow that. This is our city and everything in it shall be ours. You want a billion dollars leaving Windsor every year.
I have no idea of the amount but it's better Canada owns all our borders than an American billionaire. Pretty soon Windsor will be involved in setting world prices for onions and making a killing in the transport of perishable goods overseas, grown in Leamington. They say that Global type buisnesses are recession proof. Another reason why Windsor has to tap into the GLOBAL SUPERHIGHWAY running through our city. It's called diversification... Were not letting any American Billionaire take it away.
Now you know what the border fight is all about.
Control... and though who has control also controls the cash...
Everyone and their dog wants a cut... If a nickle bag goes down in the park the feds want in...
The ABC may have infiltrated our Provincial Government and that's why the mayor and a tunnel is having so much trouble...
call 311 and vote tunnel to Delray
Indianroad: Is a conspiracy being perpetrated by the ABC company and the province of Ontario? I think Stephen Harper and David Emerson would want to know about a NAFTA super highway.
Hasn't anyone noticed the striking similarities between Greenlink and the newest DRTP proposal? Windsorites are being conditioned to support something they didn't support several years ago.
They now say, the DRIC may announce the crossing location first. And the access road at a later date...
Is the provincial government going to stall until ICB lapses?
What good will that do? I heard that the demolition bylaw is for life...
whichever northern approach is going to be what makes a mess of the entire west end. From the proposed bridge crossings try and discern how they are going to link up to the proposed southern approaches. It looks like there is no way of avoiding contact with the EC Row Expressway. There is going to be some collateral damage to Old Sandwich Town and perhaps to Ojibway as well.
Any news abot the city center west lands yet?
have you abandon this blog Caroline?
Lots O questions here.
Are we getting a tunneled solution or not?????
City council voted for it, didn't they?
your on the council, aren't you?
Are you secretly allowing a diesel ditch down Huron Line to a twin???? with another diesel ditch down Bloomfield leading to another plaza???
I'm getting impatient over here...
Do I have to come to the council meeting to ask these questions directly???
In that case the questions will be alot tougher.
There are 3 blocks of Indian road that need be addressed. To be specific, the west side...
I and others are sick of the bullshit from everyone, all levels of Government seem to be playing us like a fiddle.
Is anyone really on the side of west windsor??? You proclaim to be. you say you lived here, went to Forester, hung out in Sandwich. so did I...
Mr Forester the first principal lived around the corner from me.
I used to shovel his walk and deliver him newspapers.
And you Caroline, I fear, are not being honest with us...
Windsorites are being conditioned to support something they didn't support several years ago.
if the government is involved in manufacturing "consent"...
what's one city to do?
______________________________
blogs are a tough place to hang out. you gotta have a thick skin.
this aint no news interview, you can't get away with smoke and mirrors, you will be called, every time. Aren't you going to stand up for yourself, and west windsor? Lot's O peeps are watching. M.O.M. how many hits on this blog??
please spill the beans, the blogosphere is a powerful place...
This particular post is getting and average of 28 hits per day without even trying.
well, lets talk about Greenlink...
I have investigated the difference between Greenlink and the DRIC plan.
Greenlink is far supperior and provides more jobs longer, hence the price. All you got to do is watch the presentation for Greenlink and you will be sold.
when mayor Francis went to the county mayors to talk them into Greenlink, they were not going for it... but after they saw the presentation they voted for it.
this is like a barn raising, if we don't go help him build his barn, he will never have one.
Did you read Gord Henderson's column in the Star yesterday? what a shame, to have to talk like that about our elected representatives, It's true though. I have been watching the situation for years.
from my point of view and the DRIC report about air quality, confirms that none of the recomendations can pass, but Greenlink does the best job of re dispersing pollution away from us as best as possible. The Ambassador Bridge Enhancement project which was thrown out as a recommendation by the DRIC because of that very reason, air quality.
So how is it that the DRIC throws out the ABC and if we don't get Greenlink we get the ABC from EC Row to a twin. How does that work??? Please call 311 and vote.
To Indian Road:
If I was going to do some serious fishing I'd drop a lot of shiny stuff in the pond too. It's easy to buy into flash. Ever drive by the Casino at night? All those flashy coloured lights. Makes you want to bite doesn't it? Well...By throwing over $300,000.00 into advertising and promotion that is what your civic leaders are doing. Net fishing. Did you read Vanderbloggers post today? Check it out here:
http://communities.canada.com/windsorstar/blogs/vanderblogger/archive/2008/03/28/greenlink-pork-barrel-job-creation-windsor-style.aspx
You can buy into the bait if you want Indian Road. Your Schill, your gill.
before I check that blog let me say Ssndra has been hiding from us and now appears she may be hiding from ABC also and letting the DRIC handle it with no input. Hmmmmm, that could be good. there sure has been alot O cash handed out today. and the DRIC has stated they will pay the cost of whatever the decision ends up being... Don't count Greenlink out yet. Even know Duncan would have you believe our Windsor advertisement will have no effect, lets do it anyway, nows not the time to give up...
I drive by the Casino all the time, that's cause I work there.
did you watch the presentation or not?
The cost of Greenlink has already been revised. When construction of Windsor's new border route does begin, the cost of materials will be higher, i.e. cement, electricity and gasoline. I've yet to see or read anything about LABOR COSTS. How is Greenlink or the DRIC solution any different from the DRTP proposal? This is a conditioning exercise. Why do you think the engineering consultants used "person years" as justification for building Greenlink? What about the emissions-scrubbing technology? Why isn't every motor vehicle equipped with an emissions scrubber? Greenlink won't change the fact that Windsor is DOWNWIND from major polluters. It's not like Mayor Francis and David Estrin can sue Mother Nature. Sure, cross-border travelers may be impressed by Greenlink's parks. However, regardless of any minor cosmetic improvements, Windsor will still have the same problems it has now, i.e. poor leadership, union issues, high taxes and an offsetting sense of entitlement. Fast Eddie and friends want the electorate to believe that CONSTRUCTION will solve Windsor's problems. It's not like Greenlink is a cure for cancer or a viable alternative to oil and coal. Greenlink is JUST A ROAD, nothing more and nothing less.
for those that didn't see.
http://www.greenlinkwindsor.ca/
So you think, no matter what. we will end up with DRIC and ABC's Enhancement project?
Do you think DRIC will adopt any Greenlink?
or maybe they change Enhancement project north of EC Row to Greenlink..
bottom line Robert is do you think they are ramming a twin down our throats with a ramp(no matter how they disguise it)down Huron Line?
you almost said that the government in cahoots with ABC, and together, are manufacturing "consent"...
Is that what you meant?
That theory sure does explain alot O stuff, doesn't it...
Perhaps your new collective agreement has made you argumentative.
How do you feel about not being paid for doing the work of your ward's representatives?
DECADES of government inaction has led me to believe that some of Windsor's/Michigan's/Ontario's/Canada's/the United States' political representatives NEED the border issue, if only to pass time by playing silly partisan games.
Fundamentally, this is a construction project. The "philosophical and ideological" differences between American business practices and Canadian business practices are manifested in the bureaucratic actions of the governments involved.
The ABC has created innovative solutions designed to effectively address the border problems that resulted partly from the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Given your wealth of knowledge concerning the border issue, I trust that you know about said innovations.
I think the ABC's border solutions made some bureaucrats jealous. Private enterprise developing innovative solutions? Yes, that's what private enterprises do.
Several politicians and bureaucrats shouldn't be condemning private businesses for their own lack of creativity. It seems rather obvious to me that far too many politicians and bureaucrats are wasting their brain power arguing about "Black Letter Law" and profits, you know, the things that create jobs and taxes and investments.
In case you haven't noticed, the Greenlink proposal and the various DRIC suggestions were modeled in the likeness of a report undertaken by the ABC. To be completely honest, I think much of this whole border debate is about "Canadianizing" the ideas of a few wealthy Americans.
Explain to me how support for Greenlink isn't the same as support for the old DRTP proposal. How is the "environmental impact" of the Greenlink proposal not the same as the DRTP proposal?
What about property acquisitions? Acquisitions have already begun.
The cost of Greenlink has already been revised. By next year, virtually all of the "INPUT COSTS" of Greenlink will be higher, i.e. cement prices, gasoline and electricity. Where are the estimates for LABOR COSTS?
Many supporters of the Greenlink proposal want the Canadian government to expropriate the Ambassador Bridge to reinforce Canadian nationalism. Why was the Greenlink proposal engineered by American engineering consultants? Why hasn't The Windsor Star associated PB with Boston's "Big Dig"? It's not like the "Big Dig" never happened.
If "emissions-scrubbers" were effective, EVERY MOTOR VEHICLE would be equipped with a modified "emissions scrubber". Windsor city council's "tunneling motion" was predicated on a half-truth.
The only thing Greenlink will do is hide trucks.
Well put R.P...
If you go to the GreenLink site which Indian Road has provided and look at the overviews of both the dric and greenlink footprints they are almost indistinguishable save for the tunneling difference. (Nominal in my book)
My interpretation of this dialogue is that Indian Road is trying desperately to preserve his neighbourhood. Rightfully so.
That said...Why should he care about which of the other proposals wins out? If I were he, I'd be more focused on making sure that the new crossing is as far west of Sandwich Town as possible. Brighton Beach or beyond. A wider Ambassador Bridge is not half as harmfull to the area as two bridges less than a mile apart. Think of the diesel soup that will make.
I must admit to being moderately inspired by Indian Road's persistence and seemingly strong belief in the democratic process, however unfair and "elementary" it is at times. Indian Road, when reading my comments, please be mindful of the fact that I am 25 and a product of the "self-esteem movement".
Deplorably, Mrs. Postma's blatant "tokenism" is all the evidence I need to make the conclusion that Mayor Francis and friends aren't being completely honest. Be forthcoming: Greenlink is an economic stimulus that hides trucks. Ultimately, Greenlink is JUST A ROAD.
Think of the diesel soup that will make.
Yes your right, farther than Delray, alot farther. I think they won when it comes to the neighborhood but it's like Robert said,
"The only thing Greenlink will do is hide trucks."
and that's a good thing.
Explain to me how support for Greenlink isn't the same as support for the old DRTP proposal. How is the "environmental impact" of the Greenlink proposal not the same as the DRTP proposal?
I liked the DRTP idea. We are destined to suffocate I guess. Apparently no system can pass our own laws.
The ABC has created innovative solutions designed to effectively address the border problems that resulted partly from the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
any solutions you are refering to have nothing to do with aiding or protecting residents, however I'm sure they are very innovative when it comes to squeezing more trucks through the tolls faster.
How do you feel about not being paid for doing the work of your ward's representatives?
wow, what do you think of that? It's obvious they won't come and blog. someone has to know how much if any of Greenlink will be adopted, or is it a twin to accomondate all that construction on the other side. NAFTA Superhighway... The mayor will look silly having spent 4.3 million. more and more the words manufacturing consent become available for discussion. The concept intrigues me.
I feel played like a fiddle...
those pictures above show the addresses the ABC has painted on the outside of their houses.
if those big numbers weren't on there like that, it would go along way to looking better temporarily anyways. To me it looks like graffiti and adds to the undo look of the neighborhood.
Also there is vinyl siding that has been ripped from the front of the home and is just hanging there in the wind. the 3 4 and 500block of Indian is looking like a battle zone. Why can't the city fix the street and sidewalk like they have on every other street around here... What is the reason to make us wait? Please send city workers to fix the street, come and look, potholes everywhere, big puddles on the street when it rains, and the sidewalks too. All the trees need trimming. It's dangerous in a storm as your records would show. Get with the program... that you say you have. Please...
you raised my property taxes in the last few years to an ungodly amount, you make me pay Enwin another crazy amount. I got to breath this air and listen to this noise, 24/7. I would like you to come over here and slap some serious workorders on ABC as well as repaving my street as I have paid the taxes to do this, since you raised them $600.00 in one year, in your wisdom. you've not provided maintenence for us for years. unless the ABC needed it, you fixed their end of the street. what is going on...
Throw some sidewalks in and sod the boulevards and trim the trees.
This is your responsibility, I have paid you allready, in advance...
YOU can make this street look accectable in one week.
People are at there wits end and are getting ill looking at this mess day after day... Get over here and fix it...
I don't like to be kurt, but if it's a twin that eventually gets jammed down our throats, I will see all this help your giving us as LIES...
you don't have to answer this, just send the required personnel to fix this 10 year problem... Please...
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