Have a Very Roady Holiday Season

Happy Holidays Everyone!

See you in the New Year.

Have Extreme fun.

Windsor Politicos Issue Chickens for Every Pot

Back in late summer when Windsor was in the throws of our undoubted, unnecessary 101 day civic strike, Mayor Eddie Francis methodically stumped that he was going to reimburse Windsorites for their time, trouble and municipal services not rendered.


At the time, the Mayor's newsbit was embraced with the dullest of enthusiasm. Windsorites interviewed by the Windsor Star used descriptives such as "political gambit", "gimmick", and "unimpressive". Councillor Halberstadt came out and said: "Yeah, I think it was a political grandstand". But Mayor Francis and his council "made it so" despite criticism that the cost to implement the initiative was prohibitive and wasteful. Commenters to the Windsor Star and other news sources such as blogs expressed that the money would better serve if it was applied against our tax base or even given up to the local arts. No such constructive advice was taken into consideration. The "best mayor in Ontario" along with "Windsor's pro business council" and "fast and responsive administrators" were hell bent on dumping a chicken into every pot.


And so we come to today. Two weeks before the start of Windsor's election season, the cheques are starting to arrive. Seventy two dollars each to every property owning Windsorite. 77,000 of us in total. All of which extends out to the questionable $5.6 million in savings that our city fathers reported as booty from the strike.


The task to issue the cheques was massive and the logistics for issuing them were reputed to be fraught with complication. The Windsor Star reported that the Scotia Bank was hired to do the mailing portion of the project at a cost of $100,000. Word is starting to trickle down that the total project cost is much higher. $500,000.00 for the entire project.

One might ask where all of that money is coming from? You have to know that every municipal department that had a hand in the project will be padding next years budget to make up for the loss. So dear Windsorites...When you sign over your municipal cheque for seventy two dollars to your bank, Applebee's or wherever you know why that chicken in your pot seems a bit odd. If only because it is a $500,000.00 turkey.

EAT YOUR HEART OUT LONDON ONTARIO

Windsor's Mayor Eddie Francis has a new friend and they are pretty serious. We learned that from the Windsor Star's own Gord Henderson. Read his column here:

http://www.windsorstar.com/travel/London+developer+eyes+downtown+core/2307094/story.html

Gord Henderson wrote with all the throb of a steamy harlequin romance novel. His leading man is the "larger-than-life London developer Schmuel Farhi" who met our vulnerable young mayor Eddie Francis at a wedding. A "larger than life developer"? That IS big. It makes Mikhail Holdings and Madycorp look like chopped liver.

Eddie and Schmuel started wooing each other immediately and in the blink of an eye they were shacking up in Windsor. And what good things were born from this tight union? In no time at all the City of Windsor transacted a land swap deal on Lauzon Road which gave us our new arena and Schmuel took back a sizeable chunk of the downtown western anchor in exchange.

Just like his new better half "he believes the proposed canal, which would run right by his property at Bruce and Pitt, would create an immediate tourist attraction and make Windsor more attractive for those considering retiring here". Hmmm...All that water must be good for reheumatism.

Schmuel is so smitten he yelped to Mr. Henderson that "Windsor benefits from having the best mayor in Ontario, a pro business council and fast and responsive administrators".
Wow! Sweet nuthins like that are bound to attract a nine iron from his better half London Ontario. Farhi "cackled" that his relationship with Eddie Francis is stronger than the turmoil in the Middle East.

Alas, Gord Henderson wrote that the relationship between Schmuel Farhi and Eddie Francis is deep and cerebral. "What they have in common is "brains and gumption. More than most of us possess." How touching after all.


Wooof! It sounds like Gord got his own spectacles all steamed up. Thats OK though. Windsorites are pretty metro about such things. We don't even have an issue if the Gordo wants to watch. After all...What are friends for?

Related stuff to read:

http://www.altlondon.org/article.php?story=20061227162004557

http://www.ul.london.on.ca/urbanweb/News/News2006/curtain_falls_on_capitol_theatre.htm

http://www.fhc.ca/NewsStories/Swap/Swap.asp

http://cgi.wn.com/?template=hellobeirut/index.txt&action=search&first=0&mode=bool&sortby=Date_Newest&SearchString=topic:beirut or topic:lebanon1 Open site and search for "Eddie Francis".

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/windsor/story/2009/12/04/windsor-lawyer-apology.html

Is the Integrity Commissioner Leaking?

"Almost as soon as integrity commissioner Earl Basse informed council behind closed doors Monday night that he's looking into hundreds of phone calls allegedly made by a councillor to a union leader during the civic strike, the news was being reported".

This bit is quoted from the Star's Thursday edition. The story commanded the Windsor Star's front page with uncanny bravado under the headline: "LOOSE LIPS, MAYOR FLIPS". The article is about a second leak that happened this last Monday right in the midst of the original leak investigation wrap up. The original leak took place during strike negotiations last June. That incident caused a near riot and pushed the strike out to 101 days. As it turned out, and to no ones surprise, Mr. Basse reported to Council that his long and pricey investigation came up empty handed. Read it here:
http://www.windsorstar.com/business/month+investigation+fails+find+source+leak/2234451/story.html
During Monday evening's in-camera meeting Mr. Basse brought the report to councillors along with a knuckle rapping about leaking confidential information. He indicated then that he would release his report to the public via the city's web site on Friday (which, by the way, is today). There was no mention of suspicious telephone calls or of a second inquiry. The book was closed with a note recommending that persuing the matter further was not advised since it would be costly and time consuming.

Viewers of A-Channel news were then treated to the second leak. This means that someone from the in-camerra meeting above immediately leaked new information. Confidential information about Councillor Ron Jones who allegedly logged "hundreds of phone calls" during the course of the strike to union negotiator Jean Fox. It was also announced that a second investigation was under way. We can deduce a couple of things from this. That Ron Jones was not the perpetrator of the second leak and that someone had to authorize the second investigation. Who had knowledge of the leak and the authority to call for another investigation at that time? You can watch it here:
http://www.atv.ca/windsor/news_70687.aspx
The interesting part is that Daryl Newcombe was the same reporter who took leaked information from whoever during the first event and now he is the go to guy for the second. This raises a few questions. Does Daryl have his own private deep throat with regards to Windsor's 101 day municipal strike? If so, who on council could be ballsy and media saavy enough to leak a second time and right under the commiss' nose? Is Daryl just a patsy? Did a higher news authority give Mr. Newcombe the play as a diversion to a larger orchestration?
The cell phone information must have been a part of Mr. Basse's report to council that same evening but he made no mention of it in his press conference nor was it reported by the Star. He had officially handed in his report. Some time between then and the next A-Channel news cast the Ron Jones affair was leaked to Newcombe. The time window to do this was very small. It's as if someone; not satisfied that the reported findings had enough media oomph decided to throw something extra in for maximum adhesion. With all of the interviews and telephone records that Mr. Basse said he combed through for the first investigation one has to know that he already had that information. The decision to leak to the press certainly appears to have been calculated and executed on the fly.
All of this brings us back to the Windsor Star article under the yellowed headline LOOSE LIPS, MAYOR FLIPS. The Star reported the event as if they were the official third party delivering the news with total neutrality. As we all know, the Star cannot be objective when it comes to the affairs of this city council. They didn't stop at merely reporting the news leak; they reported it with enough embellishment and slant to severely smear and damage the reputation of councillor Jones. Even Graston got in on the action. They went out of their way to draw a connection between Jones, the union and Jean Fox. A little gas is good for any fire. This is how they did that:
"The Star has learned from a number of sources that the phone log in question lists calls made on Coun. Ron Jones's cellphone to CUPE Local 543 president Jean Fox.
Fox, who represented inside workers during the bitter 101-day strike, wouldn't identify the caller but admitted she received many calls during the labour dispute from a councillor who is a lifelong family friend.
She said the calls were always of a "personal, friendly nature" and never dealt with any of the bargaining issues regularly dealt with by council meeting in camera.
Jones won't admit he was the one on the line or that he's the target of the latest probe by the integrity commissioner.
"I'm not going to comment on things discussed in camera," he said Wednesday. Eventually, however, Basse's findings should become part of the public record.
"Everything will come out in the wash," said Jones.
Recently released minutes of council's in camera voting record during the strike showed Jones was one of only several councillors who regularly sided with the union bargaining team's positions. He was also at Fox's side last month in court when the Local 543 leader sought and obtained a restraining order against an anti-CUPE protester she testified had harassed and stalked her."
Lets go back to the in-camera meeting and the news leak. Were media invited to the meeting? No. Were representatives of the union present? No. Were politicians present? Yes. Were city administrators present? Yes. Was the Integrity Commissioner present? Yes. This could only mean a couple of things: That either a politician (a ballsy and media saavy one), a city administrator or the Integrity Commissioner himself leaked the information. Could one be an accomplice to the other? Is the whole investigation process compromised? Maybe a crack in the case will come out on Monday. That is, unless the Mayor has returned from his unannounced trip to Germany with more news trumping and press stopping global prospects.
Some background:
http://www.windsorstar.com/business/Loose+lips+mayor+flips/2239614/story.html

http://windsorcityon.blogspot.com/2009/11/wheres-basse-report.html
http://chrisschnurr.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/integrity-commissioner-should-resign/
http://windsorcityon.blogspot.com/
http://windsorcityon.blogspot.com/2009/11/integrity-comish-who-done-it.html

Bring a Friend to an Old Walkerville Outing

Walkerville's Holiday Walk starts this Friday Evening. The Holiday Walk is a particularly fun event because it spans the entire weekend and provides lots to see and do. Walkerville features some very unique shops and eaterys. A perfect place and time to kick off your holiday shopping.

Before you leave work this Friday call a friend or two and have them meet you at any one of several fine establishments to start your evening on the right track. Enjoy a hot winter drink or perhaps some fine tea. Share a cheese platter with exceptional bite. Skewer some sea treats or maybe hunker down over an exotic sandwich or a fresh pizza made over fire. Make a toast, share a pint whatever you want. Just be sure to let off some steam.

The Holiday Walk, now in its’ 7th year, has brought thousands of people to the Walkerville neighbourhood to experience the flare of an area that is both trendy and respectful of its’ heritage. You can already feel Christmas in the air.

Visitors to the event will have the opportunity to win $500 in Walkerville Dollars by having their passport stamped at all participating locations on Friday, November 20th from 4pm to 9pm or Saturday, November 21st from 11am to 5pm.

Passport postcards are available at all participating businesses. In addition, an electronic version will be emailed to the many patrons of Walkerville’s businesses or is available on the Old Walkerville web site.

Here's what Old Walkervilles's Holiday Walk has to offer:

Friday evening:

Make a point to stop and visit friends on your way home from work. Loosen up for the weekend. Have fun, listen to live Jazz, meet new friends.

Friday evening from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm bring the kids for $5.00 Pony Rides sponsored by Blackburn Radio Group – All proceeds to benefit
St. Vincent de Paul.

Friday and Saturday, bring your letters to Santa to Davlyn Financial Services, 624 Chilver Rd.

Saturday:

Bring the kids to have their photos taken with Santa at Refine Fitness, 1623Wyandotte St. E.


Sunday:

Tour Old Walkerville. Have fun by participating in the 2nd Annual Walkerville Holiday Home Tour with a reception to follow at Refine Fitness. All proceeds will benefit St. Mary’s Food Cupboard. Call 519-919-8733 for tickets.


New this year, is our Gingerbread House contest. Submit your own Gingerbread House creation prior to Wednesday, November 18th in the Youth, Adult or Professional to possibly win $100 Cash.

The Windsor Star That Wasn't

Last Tuesday evening there was a very important councillors meeting in ward 4. It was organized by ward councillors Ken Lewenza Jr. and Bill Marra and publicized several weeks in advance. It was announced in council and the Windsor Star had full knowledge of it. Local bloggers waited for the event. Many were in attendance to gather information for their web sites. This very important news event almost didn't happen though. At least that's what your local newspaper tried to make you to believe.

The Windsor Star made one of their signature pro city administration editorial plays by not reporting the ward meeting at all. Their mission is simple. Make it a non-event. It didn't happen because the Star didn't say it did. In a town that depends upon the printed word for it's news, no matter how bruised, this was a very cheap move. On the other hand it proves beyond any doubt that the Star's editorial board has been lying all along about their cozy connection to City Hall.

As it turns out Ken Lewenza Jr. had a lot to say and he had a lot to back up his words. Important information damning the way our council and Mayor squandered 101 days for a strike which should have ended neatly and quickly. Information about how the strike settlement ended up costing Windsor tax payers much more than it should have. The Windsor Star didn't report or publish the event because they have made it their job to run block for this Mayor and council. The Star also hid the event because it was equally damning of them for all of the cover ups and pro admistration blather they pumped out during the strike. They are obviously still at it.

Bloggers filled in for the main stream. They interviewed, reported, recorded and filmed the entire ward meeting and now they are in the process of getting the news out to Windsorites as fast and effectively as they can. It won't be easy because they do not have the ready reach that a newspaper has but they will accomplish that task even if it means requesting their readers to take the news viral.

It's been just short of one week since the ward meeting took place and bloggers have been busy. They are just starting to scratch the surface of the ward meetings content. The Windsor Star failed it's readers by not reporting the event. Whats worse is that they did it purely to uphold a manipulated truth. They just gave local bloggers a very important inch.

These are the blogs you have to visit if you want to read a transcript of the ward meeting or if you want to see the video clip. Please be sure to read the current posts and the back posts and make sure to e-mail the links to everyone in your address book. Blogging is one big conversation. Talk it up.

Schnurr's Sound-Off: http://chrisschnurr.wordpress.com/

LOS: http://lineosight.blogspot.com/

Windsor City Blog: http://windsorcityon.blogspot.com/

Monmouth Cup goes to the 800 Block. Again.

2009 Monmouth Cup Champs. 12 - 6

Great weather and two great teams made for the greatest 4th Street Challenge yet. Both teams churned up the entire field until well into the game without a single score. At the end of the fourth quarter the game was tied at one touchdown apiece. The 800 block completed a long pass into the end zone to score in overtime and the 900 block came close but could not muster another touchdown. The 800 block are the 2009 champs. Here are the pics:

Great Sports. This game could have gone either way.


Post game hand shake.


Confrontation?


Zippy.


Winning catch.


Do we have any takers?


Plugged in.


Give me time!


From the skies.


Pile drivin.


Stage left. No. Right?


Scramble.


Right in the N-n-n-n-n-n-n-numbers.


No one can see me. Sneaking out of here.


I've got er.


The ballet.



Stop in the name of...


Launch one.


Take him down!


Runnin up the side


I'll have mine straight up.


Follow that ball!


Net fishing.


Pray to the great one.

Flycatcher.

At one with the pigskin.

I've got er.

Cavity Search!

No fair. Who took my leg?

Whats this thing doing out in the middle of nowhere?

Gotta get past the hands.

Through the middle.

Up and...

Too much overhead.

Playin the angles.

Any takers?

Put this on your shoe and launch it.

Great Game Everyone!

If anyone wants a pic file let us know. E-mail to MOMnews@hotmail.com

4TH STREET CUP FOOTBALL MATCH THIS SATURDAY!

MONMOUTH ROAD

FOOTBALL CHALLENGE

THIS SATURDAY, 2:00 P.M.

WALKERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL FIELD

COME PLAY, COME WATCH

PARTY AFTER THE GAME

BE THERE!

Monmouth Rocks Halloween

Halloween on Monmouth had it all. An outdoor movie, hot apple cider with buttered rum, loud, scary noises, thick autumn smoke, tailgate barbeque, cocktails and an art show. The weather was just right. Not too warm and not too cold with a few puffs of wind for effect. Kids and adults alike had some good fun. Attendance was average. About two hundred and twenty by all candy counts. Lots of fairys, sailors and superheros. The perfect evening.

RAWMEET-OIL AND WATER

MONMOUTH ROAD

ART DISTRICT PRESENTS:

OIL & WATER

Join us at RAWMEET Studio/Gallery - Walkerville, Ontario's newest gallery space -- THIS FRIDAY NIGHT -- October 30th, starts at 7PM, also Saturday, Oct. 31 and Sunday Nov. 1 afternoons only. EVERYONE is invited to bring friends, and please pass the word around!
Featured are the works of Phil McLeod and Ed Roach.

Strikingly beautiful, their works include oils/acrylics and southwestern Ontario's largest watercolours. Discover what discriminating collectors have appreciated over the years. Both Phil and Ed's work is representational, colourful and professional.

Part of Southwestern Ontario/Lower Michigan's creative landscape for over 25 years, OIL & WATER is the perfect showcase for their respective talents.

RAWMEET Studio/Gallery is located at 625 Monmouth Rd., # 6 (across the street from the new Club Lofts)
Please contact Phil McLeod at 519-982-1604, or Ed Roach at 519-324-9536 for additional information.

RAWMEET

New art in Old Walkerville

Monmouth Road Annual Football Match November 7

Its time for battle weary Monmouth Warriors to get your gear out of hybernation. The annual Monmouth Cup match is coming up fast. Saturday, November 7 is the day and game time is 2:00 P.M. Women and men from the 8 and 900 blocks have started their drills as this promises to be a gruelling match. Everyone is invited to play. All ringers from around the hood are invited. If you don't want to play, come out to watch. After party starts at 5:30 P.M. Mark the date on your calendars. See you out there.