This article on City secrecy might have a shred of credibility if the actions of Council didn't demonstrate the exact opposite. Candarel leases, Spitfires lease, Council Priority Setting sessions, Arena Management Committee meetings, sidewalk trip/fall statistics, Detroit Grand Prix contribution, Ward Fund reports (1 report in 18 months?), Enwin Utilities/WUC, Tunnel Corporation, Murray/Francis session, Buskers Fest, Festival Epicure ... (feel free to add your own examples in the comments)
A scant few weeks ago Councillor Ken Lewenza was lambasting Councillor Alan Halberstadt for having the temerity of using the word "compromise" in a blog related to border issues. That same blog was the first time most Windsor residents were informed that not only had the City retained the services of consultant Sam Schwartz again, he had already been in the City for several days briefing Councillors on NEW plans for the border. The Mayor then spent most of his time on AM800 the next day chastising Councillor Halberstadt regarding his blog.
The City doesn't need a $250,000.00 dollars communication department, they have Gord Henderson. You can read all about the new TOP SECRET City strategy in today's column. The only thing missing is the graphics.
It sounds like DRIC is now proposing to meet most of the City's original Schwartz plan, although that's only a guess since none of our elected officials deem the taxpayers important enough to share any info with. Shame on Councillor Halberstadt for not knowing that Columnist Henderson is the preferred method of communication with Windsor ratepayers.
The only reason we know how much money has been spent on various border related consultants and lawyers is due to Councillor Halberstadt's constant pressure to release the details. More TOP SECRET stuff (and long overdue for an update - last report covered until February 2007).
When did the City inform DRIC that they were abandoning Schwartz in favour of another yet to be announced plan? Was it before or after Councillor Marra's tunneling motion? TOP SECRET info that.
The only reason we are seeing reports now on Public versus In-Camera time is due to the "Sunshine By-Law" initiative spearheaded by Councillor Alan Halberstadt. Passed in November of 2005, it took until October of 2006 to get the first report, and that report covered the period from January to September 2006. The first actual quarterly report wasn't issued until February of this year, a full 16 months later.
I'm sure many in Windsor will be looking forward to Administration's report on the Supreme Court case and it's implications for Windsor, that is, if it's not presented In-Camera.
