Tuesday, August 28, 2007

The stage has shifted

One thing that was clear from Monday's City Council meeting was that the only person setting the terms of reference is John Gerretsen, the Minister of Municipal Affairs. To date, the Minister or his office have only heard from the Mayor and the CAO.

If you want to have any input, the Minister's contact info is below. While the 'contact form' is the easiest way, typically mail or fax is a preferred method of contact if you wish to receive a response.

John Gerretsen, Minister
Municipal Affairs and Housing
777 Bay Street, 17th Floor
Toronto, ON
M5G 2E5

phone (416) 585-7000
fax (416) 585-6470
Contact Form

At the same time, we should also be contacting his cabinet colleagues and Windsor MPPs, Dwight Duncan and Sandra Puppatello. Their job is to represent the interests of their constituents, not the Mayor's office or City Council. The only way they can do that is if you make your voice heard.

Dwight Duncan
Constituency Office
4808 Tecumseh Rd. East
Windsor, ON, N8T 1B8
Telephone: (519) 251-5199
Fax: (519) 251-5299

Email: dwight@fightingforwindsor-tecumseh.com

Sandra Puppatello
Constituency Office

1483 Ouellette Ave.
Windsor, ON, N8X 1K1
519-977-7191
Fax: 519-977-7029

Email: spupatello.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org

Amongst all the other BS that went on Monday night, I found the information from City Solicitor George Wilki most enlightening, regarding the audit process that Council committed themselves to and the other options that were available.

Unfortunately, this information was delivered to Council two weeks too late. The Mayor's end-run motion was already voted on, with little or not information and absolutely no public debate allowed.

Democracy, Windsor style.

PS. - if I get a chance later this evening, I will be designing a poster that you will be able to email, fax or mail to the above recipients.

PS 2 - Don't forget to sign the Petition to Create a Windsor Auditor-General. If Monday's Council meeting taught us anything it's that the citizens need to take the initiative.
You can also download a paper version to distribute to your friends, family and co-workers.