|
Your Ideas For Windsor
|
February 2009
|
Written by Windsor Shadow
|
|
Saturday, 28 February 2009 05:24 |
It's so refreshing to open the Windsor Star now that the Windsor Cheerleader (TM) has been sent to the locker room. Don McArthur's column today, Political Cover, should put a smile on the face of the local Maytag repairman as the City and WUC spin machines get ready to go into overdrive.
Over the next several days I'm going to be re-posting (with updates) some of the original blogs I did on water rates when this issue began two years ago. Not much has changed. This single biggest issue with Windsor water bills is that the majority of the cost resides in fixed rate meter charges. The sewer surcharge and additional levies are all based on the the artificially high fixed meter charge. Even if someone wanted to reduce their water usuage to save money, it's an exercise in futility. The WUC has had two years to study this and formulate a plan to begin moving towards more of a user pay system. You use more water, you pay more. It doesn't have to be done overnight. It can be phased in over five to ten years, but it needs to be done.
Below are some quick calculations that I did on my old blog in 2007 regarding a User Pay system of charges:
User Pay
The single biggest issue with our water system as it currently stands is that revenue is mainly based on fixed charges. There is absolutely no incentive to conserve.
This is an example of the rates as they will be on August 1st, and what I could save if I reduced 3 cubic metres per month:
| Windsor 2007 |
21cm |
18cm |
Savings |
| 1. Meter Fixed Charge |
$16.84 |
$16.84 |
$0.00 |
| 2. Water Usage @ $0.266/cm |
$5.59 |
$4.79 |
$0.80 |
| Water Main Replacement Levy (45% of 1 and 2) |
$10.09 |
$9.73 |
$0.36 |
|
|
|
|
| Lou Romano Plant Upgrade and Expansion Levy (10 % of 1 and 2) |
$2.24 |
$2.16 |
$0.08 |
| Sewer Surcharge (150% of 1 and 2) |
$33.64 |
$32.44 |
$1.20 |
| Total Per Month |
$68.40 |
$65.97 |
$2.43 |
| Total Per Year |
$820.79 |
$791.58 |
$29.21 |
Reducing my water usage by 3 cm (14.3%) produces a savings of $2.43 (3.6%).
Next, lets look what happens if we leave the Fixed Charge where it is now - at $9.56 per month and raise the Water Usage rate to $0.613 from $0.266.
Windsor 2007 User Pay 1
|
21cm |
18cm |
Savings |
| 1. Meter Fixed Charge |
$9.56 |
$9.56 |
$0.00 |
| 2. Water Usage @ $0.613/cm |
$12.87 |
$11.03 |
$1.84 |
| Water Main Replacement Levy (45% of 1 and 2) |
$10.09 |
$9.27 |
$0.83 |
|
|
|
|
| Lou Romano Plant Upgrade and Expansion Levy (10 % of 1 and 2) |
$2.24 |
$2.06 |
$0.18 |
| Sewer Surcharge (150% of 1 and 2) |
$33.65 |
$30.89 |
$2.76 |
| Total Per Month |
$68.42 |
$62.81 |
$5.61 |
| Total Per Year |
$821.05 |
$753.74 |
$67.31 |
The bill is virtually the same, I've simply shifted the money from the Fixed Charge to Water Use. Now that same 14.3% decrease in usage saves me 8.2% or $5.61 per month. Things are getting better.
Next let's take a look at what happens when you make the Sewer Surcharge user pay:
Windsor 2007 User Pay 2
|
21cm |
18cm |
Savings |
| 1. Meter Fixed Charge |
$9.56 |
$9.56 |
$0.00 |
| 2. Water Usage @ $0.613/cm |
$12.87 |
$11.03 |
$1.84 |
| Water Main Replacement Levy (45% of 1 and 2) |
$10.09 |
$9.27 |
$0.83 |
|
|
|
|
| Lou Romano Plant Upgrade and Expansion Levy (10 % of 1 and 2) |
$2.24 |
$2.06 |
$0.18 |
| Sewer Usage @ $1.602 |
$33.64 |
$28.84 |
$4.81 |
| Total Per Month |
$68.41 |
$60.76 |
$7.66 |
| Total Per Year |
$820.96 |
$729.08 |
$91.88 |
The same 14.2% reduction is now worth 11.2% a month. We're making progress.
Let's get rid of the Fixed Meter Charge:
Windsor 2007 User Pay 3
|
21cm |
18cm |
Savings |
| 1. Water Usage @ $1.068/cm |
$22.43 |
$19.22 |
$3.20 |
| Water Main Replacement Levy (45% of 1) |
$10.09 |
$8.65 |
$1.44 |
|
|
|
|
| Lou Romano Plant Upgrade and Expansion Levy (10 % of 1) |
$2.24 |
$1.92 |
$0.32 |
| Sewer Surcharge @ $1.602 |
$33.64 |
$28.84 |
$4.81 |
| Total Per Month |
$68.41 |
$58.63 |
$9.77 |
| Total Per Year |
$820.86 |
$703.60 |
$117.27 |
Wow! A 14.3 % reduction in water usage now gives me a 14.3% reduction in my bill. The special levies now work properly. They are also based on your usage. Once the reason for the levy no longer exists, your bill can be further reduced.
(Note: the various rates I used are not exact to the last penny, I did this really quick in a spreadsheet simply to demonstrate the value of user pay).
Under the current system my bill at 18 cm is $65.97. Under a User Pay system it would be $58.63.
Why should people be forced to subsidize someone elses higher use? Use more pay more, use less, pay less.
Now people will be motivated to disconnect that downspout from the storm drain and collect water for their garden and flowers. Low flow faucets and toilets will become very popular. Do you really need to do that 1/4 load of laundry or can you wait until you have a full load? Better yet - what will happen to sales of front end loader washers, which use far less water than top loaders. Same goes for dishwashers.
Suffice it to say, there are numerous ways to reduce our water usage and save money. We simply have no incentive to do it.
|
|
Last Updated on Saturday, 28 February 2009 06:32 |
|
Written by Windsor Shadow
|
|
Friday, 27 February 2009 10:31 |
A belated thanks to Councillor Ken Lewenza for his little blog diatribe yesterday. Every time he or one of his fellow Councillors goes on one of their little anti-blog rants, traffic usually spikes significantly. Yesterday was no exception. After several days of increased visits, traffic usually levels off with a 20 to 25 per cent overall increase. The bonus this time was his efforts helped two community initiatives coalesce and begin moving to the next level. (See Quick Hits #5)
Bonus: Councillor Ken continues his disinformation campaign on behalf of the Windsor Utilities Commission. In the space of several paragraphs yesterday he managed to contradict himself, backtrack and generally muddy the waters. Discussion of a proposed WUC water rate hike has only just begun and he's already making the WUC's last effort on the subject look positively intelligent.
Another water rate hike?
The board plans to solicit the public's input through a hired consultant, who will confer with 150 residents invited to participate in a focus group in March and April, said chairman Ken Lewenza Jr.
Coun. Alan Halberstadt said it's imperative WUC communicate and consult the public, but he objected to a focus group of 150 people representing the wishes of 200,000 people.
"I'm nervous about handpicking people," Halberstadt said. "I would make sure all of the public is invited. I don't know why we'd need a consultant. The members of the commission are paid and they shouldn't need the buffer of a consultant.
"They should meet with the public head-on and save some money."
Lewenza said the focus group was a "hypothetical" idea.
"Maybe it will be 250 people," he said. "Even if people aren't selected for the focus group, they can still comment."
Councillor Ken could give Laurel and Hardy a run for their money all by himself.
When pressed about how WUC would regain the public's trust, Lewenza blamed the media for spreading misinformation about the water rate increase and WUC. He did acknowledge that "there are things we could have done better."
Yes Ken, it's all the media's fault. There's never a mirror around when you need one.
|
|
Last Updated on Friday, 27 February 2009 11:41 |
|
Written by Windsor Shadow
|
|
Thursday, 26 February 2009 07:50 |
Councillor Ken Lewenza spreading his unique brand of cheer:
Unlike Ken's "constituents" from the Boom Boom Room and other downtown establishments. We know Ken, we should be ignoring what's going on in Council and dedicating more time to charitable works in the city. The last thing you and your council mates want is an engaged electorate that actually asks questions and demands accountability.
A side note to Ken, Ron Jones, Percy and Dave Brister. We're not your average union lemmings resigned to being pushed around, we're long past any nostalgia of past media glories and your claims to fiscal responsibility went out the door two days after the last election.
|
|
Written by Windsor Shadow
|
|
Thursday, 26 February 2009 06:07 |
There couldn't be a more apt title published in the Windsor Star than this:
Phog - a testament to what can be obtained when the community rallies in this city. It didn't take a multi-million dollar marketing campaign or big-buck multimedia extravaganza, simply a bunch of dedicated fans showing their love for a place anchored in their dedication to their city. In true David versus Goliath style, Phog bested venues three to four times their size from across Canada. After the win today, I received a few emails from friends asking "what the F%$k is PHOG? My answer was "come on down to Windsor and find out" ! Phog rocks!
Now the worst, best nightmare of the bar begins - who should we invite/who should play at the CBC Radio 3 Live extravaganza? One of the best suggestions last night was RUSH.
Why not. All they can do is say no. Time to reach for the stars. Phog and Windsor deserve it.
Congratulations to Tom and Frank for having the courage to build and support a place that's just a little bit different. This award is just the first of many good things to come. It's just karma as far as I'm concerned and long overdue.
PS. I'm 43, single and a die-hard fiscal conservative and have never felt more welcome than I have at Phog. If you're able to leave some pre-conceptions behind and pop in for the night - you won't regret it!
|
|
Written by Windsor Shadow
|
|
Thursday, 26 February 2009 04:23 |
Mayor Francis's recent appointment to the Airport Board will enhance his salary in the range of $10,000 per year. Give up that stipend along with the Tunnel Corporation, Enwin and the WEDC and you could probably save two sorely needed front line workers. It's not often that I agree with union workers, but I'm steadfast in my believe that the fat to be cut in Windsor resides in the middle and upper management of the City, exactly the same staff who make the budget recommendations to Council. No conflict of interest there, right! The 211/311 Call Centre is a good case in point and will form the basis of several good posts over the next couple of weeks
Mayor Eddie Francis said nobody should be surprised council is looking at job cuts in light of declining municipal revenues and assessment.
"Difficult decisions need to be made," he said. "This corporation is at a point where once and for all we need to address the structural deficit we have. The services we provide need to be evaluated. We need to determine which areas to stay in, then align those with the public expectations. We have little choice. [I'm on pins and needles awaiting for the much vaunted multi-million dollar Service Delivery Review to provide political cover to allow this Council to make a fraction of the decisions they should have been making 3 years ago]
"Job losses -- nobody takes pleasure in doing that. If anybody has other alternatives we would be interested to listen." [Council could start with giving up their back-door pay raises via committee and board payments. Council hasn't had a "pay raise" in years, but why would they when they can back-door all the money they wish, in effect doubling their salary without public scrutiny,]
Contracting out of the city's parking enforcement -- an annual debate by council -- is also being considered.
Does this City need to approach bankruptcy before we finally start taking a good hard look at things? [Realistically, yes] By-law enforcement, garbage collection, recycling, whatever the case may be, it should all be on the table.
PS. BTW Mayor Francis, we're still waiting for that "21s century fireside chat email newsletter" you promised so long ago. I understand that it's hard to do without a $250,000 dollar a year communications department, but given many of the disparaging email communications that I've seen you fire out over the last year I'm left with the opinion that you're not without at least some basic Web 2.0 skills. For someone who advocates for being positive all the time, we're all in the need for some "positive" loving on your part. At least something that doesn't include sole-sourced hundred thousand dollar contracts.
|
|
Last Updated on Thursday, 26 February 2009 07:01 |
|
Written by Windsor Shadow
|
|
Wednesday, 25 February 2009 16:08 |
Phog wins!
Congrats to Phog and all it's supporters
Windsor rocks!
|
|
Last Updated on Wednesday, 25 February 2009 16:20 |
|
Written by Windsor Shadow
|
|
Wednesday, 25 February 2009 06:23 |
Unfortunately, it's the London Economic Development Commission's idea
LOCAL FOODS FARMER/FOOD BUYER SPEED NETWORKING EVENT
Connecting Farmers and Food Buyers to tap into the Buy Local food market place
March 31, 2009
Western Fair London, Ontario
8:30 am – 12 noon
Who should attend? Farmers, Chefs, Food Retailers, Food-Service/Institutional Food Providers, Food Processors, Food Distributors
While our development commission runs around in circles and our politicians sputter and bluster, the rest of the Province is moving ahead.
An event like this would be perfect in the old Armouries downtown.
H/T 40 Wonderland
|
|
Written by Windsor Shadow
|
|
Tuesday, 24 February 2009 03:08 |
Janet Gasparini of Tecumseh hits the nail on the head with her recent Letter to the Editor in the Windsor Star:
Public sector insulated from economic downturn
Government employees work fewer hours, earn more money, and have more gold standard benefits and pensions relative to private sector workers. They also appear to be insulated from consequences associated with economic downturns and receive multi-year wage increases when workers today are lucky to preserve their incomes and pensions.
Sure, public sector people work hard and do a good job, but so do those in the private sector. With many taxpayers suffering during these tough times, politicians appear loath to boosting productivity and cutting employee-related costs and seem intent on reducing services and letting the infrastructure degenerate. In lean cycles, the first thing the private sector does is to protect its products and services by reinventing itself by doing more with less. Tough decisions are made. It's the opposite in the public sector. The customer, aka taxpayer, is punished and made to feel every ounce of pain in down times by having their services cut, maintenance reduced and improvements delayed. This is wrong and highlights the double standard that exists between running a business and managing a government entity.
Janet Gasparini
Tecumseh
Related: Public sector
|
|
Last Updated on Tuesday, 24 February 2009 03:36 |
|
Written by Windsor Shadow
|
|
Monday, 23 February 2009 04:42 |
Regarding the WEDC and all the controversy surrounding it recently, I've received several anonymous and cryptic emails alleging many things. While they are intriguing, they are nothing more than allegations without proof. As I've noted in my replies, provide me with verifiable documentary proof and I'll be more than happy to publish the whole lot here. I'm specifically interested in some particular articles of incorporation that have been referred to along with some alleged grants. While I'm a big fan of open and transparent government I'm also attached to my bank account and possessions and am not looking to invite a lawsuit. The proof is in the pudding, as they say. Now's the time to pony up if you really want to affect some change.
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
- mailbox open 24hrs a day!
|
|
Written by Windsor Shadow
|
|
Monday, 23 February 2009 03:12 |
1. In case you missed it, WE Speak TV will be launching soon. If you have any input, ideas or show content, drop me a line.
2. Wrap it up any way you want - Sid Ryan and CUPE continue to support anti-Semitism in Canada. That's why I'm such a big fan of free speech. Don't ban things, because the bigots do a better job of exposing themselves than anyone else ever could. Craig Pearson has his take on the situation. Congratulations to Locals 1001 and 1393 of the University of Windsor for refusing to support this motion.
3. It's Roll up the Rim time - Yayyyy!
4. A timely Letter to the Editor that should make the Mayor and Councillors sit up and take notice.
5. A note of warning to the Mayor and Windsor City Councillors - WE Speak now aggregates over 108 blogs on it's blogroll. For those that wish to dismiss this as nothing more than idle chatter, they should recognize that the demographic of the people blogging and those who read the various blogs is very diverse and actually represents a significant amount of people who are not only locally engaged but have the disposable income and activist mindset to actually do something. Looking forward to 2010!
6. Have you voted for Phog yet today?
7. Another "just in case you missed it" - Graston's Political cartoon rocks! My related WEDC post - just what are taxpayers getting for the million plus a year they're spending on the commission?
8. Special Olympics Windsor Games 2009 - Victoria and the Games need your help! It's only a couple of clicks.
9. Any you wonder why they call it "Clowncil"? A report dated February 6th, coming to Council on the 23rd of February, after the Mayor and two Councillors have already had their jaunt to Germany. Either this has already been discussed in-camera at City Council, to the exclusion of taxpayers, or our Council continues to be the lemmings they have evolved into since their 2006 election. One has to wonder when they are actually going to develop an independent spine? Related: read about it in the Windsor Star last week - why even bother putting this on the Council agenda?
10. What happened to the "Buy Canada" motion? It was supposed to come back before Council on the 23rd of February. It's not listed on the current Council agenda, Order of Business or Notice of Motions. The firrst attempt to pass this motion was bad enough, with the public having little or no notice of the motion itself and not having access to the report provided to Council by the Labour Council/CAW. Try to sneak this one by us again and trust me, you'll hear about it right up until election day 2010.
|
|
Last Updated on Monday, 23 February 2009 04:40 |
|
Written by Windsor Shadow
|
|
Sunday, 22 February 2009 23:00 |
Here are some events that I found on Facebook recently. Most of them came from the Advertise Windsor Ontario group.
► Mastronardi Estate Winery cordially invites all Brides and Grooms for an informative evening on how to select the perfect wine for your very special day. Atttending the event automatically qualifies you for a chance to win your wedding wine.
During the complimentary tasting, we will discuss: matching your dinner menus and wine, the importance of purchasing wine from a professional winery in Essex County, permit information, and the green trend away from the use of private labels.
Limited seating available. Reservations required so please RSVP.
Join us on Wednesday evenings at 6 pm- 7:30 pm by selecting one of the following dates:
March 18, April 15, May 13, June 17, July 15, August 12, September 16, October 14, November 18, and December 16.
Call 519-733-9463 or email
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
to register.
► DANCING WITH THE LOCAL STARS BENEFIT FOR THE BWTA
Tuesday, March 24th @ Caesars
Doors open at 7pm and show starts at 8pm
$10 per ticket.
On sale at:
Walkerville Trade Centre
1055 Ottawa St, Windsor, ON
519 254 7360
Open Wed - Fri 10 - 6pm & Sat 9-5pm
► Bridal Idol
Know someone engaged or soon to be engaged? Tell them to enter
Bridal Idol, presented by AM 800 & Bluesfest and brought to you by The Wedding Guide Windsor/Essex County.
You don't even have to sing! Nominate someone you know to sing for you. Come out and bring your family, friends and wedding party to root you on.
Listen to AM 800 starting Thursday, January 15 and register @
www.theweddingguide.ca, www.AM800CKLW.com or www.kingsizeent.com and click on the contest button
|
|
Last Updated on Sunday, 22 February 2009 03:42 |
|
Written by Windsor Shadow
|
|
Sunday, 22 February 2009 05:11 |
The Sam Roberts band, Detroit and the Ambassador Bridge.
Recorded and filmed in Detroit.
|
|
Written by Windsor Shadow
|
|
Saturday, 21 February 2009 22:27 |
I've been kicking around the idea for a while now about launching some sort of local internet TV channel. There have been some technological hurdles to overcome along with time restrictions on my part. The recent upgrade of WE Speak from Joomla 1.015 to Joomla 1.59 has overcome some of the tech problems and a module I found the other day gave me the last piece of the puzzle that I was looking for. Rino's post at the BKBlog yesterday got me looking at the idea again in a serious way.
 I'd like to integrate a TV channel of some sort without having to radically alter either the look and feel of the site or the ultimate purpose, which is to give people an open platform for their thoughts. The module I just found is a timed module that will appear as required when a show is scheduled to play (Sample at the right). I still have to play with the css for the module to make it look pretty. The module will allow me to program a shows time, a logo and link and will only appear when that particular show is scheduled. If it's a live show, the link will lead to either a show page on WE Speak with an embedded player like UStream.tv or to a video archive that will display a show's latest pre-taped episode that could be hosted on Google Video, BlipTV or any other hosting service. To start, each show will have it's own "home" page where they will be able to post details, upcoming episodes, links or any other info they wish. Eventually I'll be able to integrate commenting and other social features around each show's particular page.
I think there are endless possibilities for content in the community. Many people already produce content in one form or another, this would simply be another avenue for them to distribute it. For example, many shows on CJAM record their content and provide it as podcasts or download. A simple video or webcam would allow them to live stream their show, archive the video for later replay as well as recording the audio as they have in the past. Many venues in the city host open mic nights. Again, a simple video camera, a line-in to the sound board and an internet connection and they're now broadcasting the show live! The recent Pecha Kucha event at Artcite would make a great live special. I understand that live may not be feasible or practical for many people, but this model can easily incorporate pre-recorded shows as well.
I'm looking forward to testing this out over the next several weeks. The first thing for me to do is gather a few shows to use as a sample schedule to test things out. Murphy's Law dictates that there will be glitches and problems along the way but as far as I'm concerned it's no reason not to plunge in. A lot of the architecture and organization is still swimming around in my head so I have to start putting things together on the site.
I welcome people's ideas and input on the concept, implementation or shows. It's your community!
|
|
Written by Windsor Shadow
|
|
Saturday, 21 February 2009 03:25 |
and it's still only February. Windsor CAO John Skorobohacz is the lastest to trot out the "independent consultant" message to justify paying WEDC interim-CEO Remo Mancini $1200 dollars a week for three days per week.
Mancini still earning $1,200-a-day as acting CEO
Board member John Skorobohacz, the city of Windsor’s chief administrative officer, said Mancini’s pay was recommended by an outside consultant and the board approached Mancini about filling the position.
Update: Graston nails it with a great political cartoon today!
There are almost too many holes in this to list in one blog post. First off, hiding behind the "independent consultant" excuse when you're the ones drafting the terms of reference for the contract leaves enough loopholes that even a City of Windsor bus could manage to drive through. How about releasing the terms of reference and resulting report, complete with costs? I'm sure once you add in the cost of the independent report the cost of having Mancini as interim-CEO will vault past the $190,000 mark.
Second, the issue isn't with Mr. Mancini filling the role, it's his eyebrow raising compensation and subsequent appointment to lead the candidate search committee for a replacement CEO. If the Board members can't see the conflict of interest apparent in that, the United Way offers excellent seminars in governance for directors.
Since the inception of this hands off governance model we've had one CEO terminated under mysterious circumstances with who knows what as severance and the Vice-President hired at the same time leave for another position at the University of Windsor. I can't remember seeing any details on Matthew Fischer's severance, but I'm guessing we're stilling paying him for the termination, in addition to interim-CEO Mancini's generous remuneration. On top of that, we have the Board's monthly payments. The Chair is paid $974 per month for a total of $11688. The Vice-Chair is paid $708 per month for a total of $8500 and members are paid $600 per month for a total of $57,600. Grand total - $77,788. If any commission members travel past Chatham on development business they are also entitled to a $500 per diem in addition to any hotel, mileage and other expenses. A blog post by Councillor Alan Halberstadt back in June of 2008 lists many of these and other details.
On May 6, the Councils also learned that the current 11-member board is not static. Four or five members will be rotating out every two years. Mancini said he will be leaving in eight months.
Councillors received audited financial statements for 2006, showing that the WEDC is fighting a law suit from former CEO Paul Bondy for $490,000. Collins Barrow also reported that, subsequent to the 2006 year-end, WEDC incurred reorganization costs estimated at $415,000.
These costs presumably include the severances of former acting CEO Roman Dzus and two other employees terminated when Matt Fischer took over as CEO. The costs of severing Fischer, fired in April of this year, should show up in future financial statements.
For those Councillors unhappy with the flow of communication, WEDC was directed to provide quarterly reports to the two Councils. There will be an annual meeting, plus other joint meetings, as required.
Three members of the board – John Skorobohacz, Dr. Albert Schumacher and Alan Conway – plus staffers Michael Burton and Rakesh Naidu, head to Europe for an international expo June 23-26.
How much of the commission's budget is being eaten up by legal fees, board payments, per diems, salaries and severance? Are the taxpayer's of Windsor receiving value for their money with this current commission? Only Windsor's yet to be hired Auditor General will ever be able to tell us.
Alan's post also reveals another wrinkle in the appearance of conflict of interest by interim-CEO and Board Chair Remo Mancini. If he did report to Council in May of 2008 that he was due to leave in eight months, that would make his departure date January 2009 at the latest, if you didn't include May. Obviously the lack of a CEO and the recent departure of the Vice-President will be cited as reasons why he stayed, which brings us back full circle to his $1200 per week payments and leadership of the search committee.
The only ray of sunshine in this whole debacle is the revelation that former Mayor John Millson has thrown his hat in the ring for the CEO position. That's the best news I've heard in a long, long time. Millson has already been acting as his own one-man development commission and would make a natural from both a business and political perspective. With the DRTP scaling back their operation in Windsor, maybe we can add former Mayor Mike Hurst as the new board chair and then just sit back and watch the fur fly.
|
|
Last Updated on Saturday, 21 February 2009 10:11 |
|
Written by Windsor Shadow
|
|
Friday, 20 February 2009 07:24 |
The blogroll continues to grow and, with this latest group, has now gone over 100. Today's additions make a total of 108 blogs now aggregated by WE Speak. I guess all these people don't agree with Councillor Hatfield's opinion that only 5 or 6 people read blogs in Windsor or Councillor Brister's suggestion that they should spend more time doing charity work instead of blogging.
Welcome to:
Aleksander Estate Winery
Valente Real Estate Blog
Drink Coffee and Destroy
Renewable Energy Geek
Baseball Canadiana
Jamie Greer
CJAM Music Review
Nimby's CJAM Blog
Shane and Tom's Squeezebox
Essex County OPP
Smash The Glass
Blogrolling has finally announced March 2nd as the release date for Blogroll 2. Once this upgrade is rolled out I'll be able to update the WE Speak blogroll. At the same time I will be turning on the site banner feature again. The banners will be for all the blogs on the WE Speak blogroll. They will be displayed randomly at the top of the page and will rotate with each page load. This is a great way to promote your blog to others. I usually grab the header from a blog to create the banner with. If anyone wants to send in their own, the only requirements are a maximum size of 468 x 100px and gif, jpg or png formats only.
|
|
Last Updated on Friday, 20 February 2009 08:33 |
|
Written by Windsor Shadow
|
|
Friday, 20 February 2009 06:14 |
1. If the Mayor can't figure out that 10 times $20,000 equals $200,000 and 10 times $200,000 equals...., maybe this Windsor Star editorial will help him. Time to join the real world with the rest of us.
2. Lost in the details of this year's budget is the final death of the Ward Funds. Pared down over the last several years, it's about time that these funds were eliminated. This was nothing more than a pork barrel fund to be spread around as Councillors saw fit with little to no criteria. Ward funds were especially popular with Councillors in Election years. Hopefully the $250,000 surplus currently in the fund is returned to either operations or capital and not saved for next years election cycle.
3. "Arms length" is starting to take on a whole new meaning in Windsor. Prediction: the true meaning won't be known for years, but it will eventually be known.
4. How's that Auditor General search going? At the rate they're going, the Audit Committee should be giving the WEDC a run for their money soon. "Once the list is narrowed down to a remaining few, a selection team will be assembled to make a final decision. It is expected the process will be completed in the fall." I guess since they didn't specify 2008, that the fall of 2009 would fit within the stated timeframe.
5. If booking future sales of property against a project's budget has been deemed a no-no in the 400 Building Audit, what does that do to the balance sheet of the Arena project?
6. H/T to the Windsor Star's blogging staff of late. A distinct improvement over the last six months. The scathing review that I was planning has been put on hold for a while.
7. Don't forget to vote for Phog today!
8. Help support the Windsor Special Olympics 2009
|
|
Last Updated on Friday, 20 February 2009 08:32 |
|
Written by Windsor Shadow
|
|
Thursday, 19 February 2009 21:27 |
I came across the Essex County OPP's site through a Google Alert on Windsor. A great site with current information and even a map of break-ins for the County. I was also surprised to find a blog, which has apparently been running since January of 2008. The OPP use it to post overnight occurence reports, safety tips, road closures, alerts and media releases.
A great job by the OPP. This is a good example of using free services, like Blogger, to enhance and expand public services at little or no cost to the taxpayers. I've added their blog feed to WE Speak.
|
|
Written by Windsor Shadow
|
|
Thursday, 19 February 2009 16:00 |
Here's the story from the Windsor Star. Posted below is the text of the letter sent to the two Mayors along with a .pdf of the original. This is starting to look like a good first audit for Windsor's new Auditor-General, that is if the City's own search committee ever gets around to hiring one. (Note: the bolded text was bolded in the original letter)
Warden Nelson Santos Mayor Eddie Francis
County of Essex Mayor's Office
360 Fairview Ave W. 350 City Hall Square West
Essex ON N8M 1Y6 P.O. Box 1607
Windsor. ON N9A 651
Dear Warden Santos and Mayor Francis:
The members of the Board of Directors of the Windsor-Essex Development Commission have indicated their intention to resign having passed the following resolution at their February 12, 2009 meeting:
Recognizing that the County of Essex and the City of Windsor have indicated their intent to reform the current governance structure of the Windsor-Essex Development Commission, the current Board, by way of this motion, will support this process by agreeing to remain in place as a transition governance body, for a period not exceeding 90 days.
The current Board recognizes the need to provide continuity for the existing staff, clients and other third parties and agencies receiving support from the Commission. It believes that this period will allow sufficient time for the City of Windsor and the County of Essex to establish a new governance structure.
In addition, the Board passed a motion to add both Mayor Francis and Warden Santos to the CEO Search Committee effective immediately.
The recent decision by the two councils to add a political dimension to the Board alters the original conditions through which the current directors were recruited.
The mandate that was provided to the current Board and the Commission was one that approved a structure governed by a business-led, business-driven organization with no elected officials on the Board. The City and County Councils approved this as to allow the Commission to conduct the community's business retention, attraction and new investment activities without political interference. The Board recognized the unique opportunity this mandate provided. Both the City of Windsor and the County of Essex reaffirmed this governance model, in May of 2008, following a joint public meeting with and convened by the WEDC Board. It seems unfortunate that this regionally based economic development model is being changed at a time when the investment in the current structure is providing significant value to the community that it serves.
The current Board believes that given the new set of circumstances and the change in the governance structure, WEDC would be best served with a set of embers who would be comfortable serving on a body that may now more closely resemble a committee of your respective councils.
We wish to ensure that the many projects in progress including the Memorandum with the Province of Saskatchewan, the International Multimodal Conference, the recently started long-term strategy development process and the CEO Search are not further put at risk through this transition.
In addition, we wish to thank the staff of the WEDC who continually demonstrates a level of professionalism exceeding our expectations. The Board is proud of the development of the WEDC organization and staff. It is our firm belief that the activities and processes put in place to carry out this year's strategic plan are serving the organization and the community well. We, the Board, are confident that the staff is in a position to carry on their excellent work through and past this current transition. We regret that as we move forward we will no longer be working along side this excellent team of people.
Yours truly,
Remo Mancini
Albert Schumacher
Anthony Cervini
Allan Conway
John Fancsy
Robert Feldmann
Bob Renaud
John Skorobohacz
Angela Snary
Original Letter (.pdf)
|
|
Last Updated on Thursday, 19 February 2009 16:23 |
|
Written by Windsor Shadow
|
|
Thursday, 19 February 2009 01:34 |
 Congratulations to Phog on making the Top 10 in CBC Radio 3's Best Live Music Club contest.
Vote today and everyday until the 24th of February to help Phog win. (you must create an account on the site in order to vote - it only takes a minute).
Help spread the word. Blog about it, send the link by email to all your friends, post it on Facebook, MySpace and anywhere else you can think of. There are no clubs from Toronto, Vancouver or Montreal on the final list so if you know people in those cities it's time for some campaigning. If they have a blog - even better.
The winner will be announced on Wednesday February 25th.
|
|
Written by Windsor Shadow
|
|
Tuesday, 17 February 2009 06:11 |
After a VERY long wait, today's the day the taxpayers of Windsor finally get to see the audit they paid for, the 400 Building Audit. There are a couple of things specifically that I'm looking for:
1. an explanation for the forgotten and rarely mentioned "independent review" commissioned and paid for by Council PRIOR to the 2006 election that declared the 400 Building was completed under budget. Was this review missing the same crucial 11 boxes of information that the Dunbar audit was? Council expressed their unanimous acceptance of this report, coming as it did before the 2006 election. Was this report an expensive, self-serving review paid for by the taxpayers to assist incumbents in dodging a controversial issue during the election? What is the reason for this report's positive conclusions versus subsequent audits showing the exact opposite?
2. a release of the original Dunbar audit - unedited;
3. an explanation for why the 11 boxes of "newly discovered" information was never provided to the original auditor;
4. were the true initial costs of the building disclosed to Council prior to approval or was the project "lowballed" in order to obtain approval with the inevitable improvements added later;
5. considering the oft demonstrated inexperience of City staff in negotiating and supervising projects of this nature, what if any corrective measures are recommended for the future.
Unfortunately, I'm predicting that at least four if not all of my questions will remain unanswered after this report is released. The City has demonstrated a penchant for secrecy in the past and I'm not inclined to believe anything has or will change.
|
|
Written by Windsor Shadow
|
|
Wednesday, 11 February 2009 23:00 |
 Lots of changes to WE Speak recently. I finally had the time to update the site to Joomla 1.5. This has allowed me to take advantage of several new features, although many of them are only visible in the backend admin of the site. One thing you will notice on the front end is that pictures will no longer show up in posts. I needed to be able to filter out pictures and other html code in the various feeds as it often broke the site template, skewing how everything was displayed.
I've added a new #wespeak Twitter hashtag tracker on the right hand sidebar of the site. If you want to share tweets about anything, just add the #wespeak hashtag anywhere in your message and the site will automatically display it. (Note: please use TinyUrl.com or another shortening service to display urls. Long urls can break the template of the site. )
The top left corner of the site will feature Community Events. If you have something you'd like to highlight, just drop me a line with the details. The only requirement is that pictures most be no larger than 150px wide. I've set these ads up to rotate and each one can contain a brief description along with a link to a specific site. Currently the maximum number of ads that can be displayed is ten.
The Video Centre is back. I've left it open so that anyone can add their own videos. I have created several categories for sites that were previously on WE Speak. If you would like to add videos, just let me know and I'll create a category for you. To add videos you simply need to click on the add button and paste in the link to the Video on YouTube, Google or any other video sharing service. I will also add the feed for your videos to WE Speak. In the near future I'll be adding a "Featured Video" module to showcase user's submissions.
January and February has also been plentiful for the addition of new blogs. Welcome to:
BKBlog
bikeSABBATH
Comic Book Syndicate
Strummin' Through the Smog
The Green Rule
Wake-up-GRRL
Two and a half takes
It's Not Pizza
People, Politics and Sports
WAMM Online
Lionheart Sailing and Photography
and a special Welcome Back to Vanderblogger!
PS. don't forget to share some Link Love with WE Speak. It helps the site and all who are on it. The blogroll should be working again in the next several weeks. One it is, I'll post the new code. Displaying the blogroll is a great way to help spread the word about all the various blogs in Windsor.
|
|
Last Updated on Thursday, 12 February 2009 09:16 |
|
Written by Windsor Shadow
|
|
Monday, 09 February 2009 03:40 |
Now that the Windsor Cheerleader (TM) has been put out to pasture (almost), we're starting to see some independent thought grace the opinion pages of the Windsor Star. Don McArthur's piece today is a thoughtful example. I don't agree with his entire premise, but at least I get the sense that he's coming at the situation from a neutral, skeptical position. The one thing I think he left out of his column is the City's hope that at the end of the day, when the border route is finally settled, that our legal costs will simply be rolled into the overall "cost" of the process. The Mayor and Council's entire strategy rests on the assumption that we will be re-imbursed for all of our legal costs related to the border. This has never been officially stated, but I've heard it often enough from different sources at the City to believe it.
The Tooth Fairy, Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny were all favourites of mine in times gone past, but at least I didn't stake my financial future, and that of others, on their existence and largesse.
|
|
Last Updated on Monday, 09 February 2009 07:27 |
|
Written by Windsor Shadow
|
|
Monday, 09 February 2009 02:13 |
Last Friday's post got me thinking. Where else but Windsor can you be a de-facto employee, still be in charge of the committee to replace yourself and not be in a conflict of interest? If anything, we already have an established precedent regarding the same situation. With the City's Audit Committee, Chairman Max Zalev tried to have himself appointed as part of the selection process to choose an Auditor-General for Windsor. It was only after a vigorous disagreement with other Board members that Zalev was finally excluded from the process. As an employee of the City, even at an arms-length distance, he was someone whose actions or organization could potentially come under the scrutiny of the Auditor-General. The ultimate determination was that it wasn't appropriate for Zalev to be part of the hiring process.
I have to admit, after reading last weeks Windsor Star article about the WEDC, I was pissed. Ten months later, $3600 a week and we've only managed to conduct ONE interview? This got me into "curious" mode. These days, you've gotta love Google!
I entered "Sandstone Strategies" into Google and the very first link that showed up was not for Sandstone but for Schumacher Research & Leadership Group. When I clicked the link, the page I ended up on was a bio for Remo Mancini as an SRLG "presenter" (screenshots and .html files have been saved for posterity in case of disappearing pages). What I found curious was that Remo's bio page at SRLG was very complete, but nowhere to be found in the actual navigation of the site. If you visit the "Faculty" page of he site, Remo's not even listed. While the page has been removed from the menu system of the site, someone forgot to remove the page itself.
As far as I'm concerned, this leads me to the "things that make you go hmmmmmm" category.
I've heard several other rumours regarding the WEDC, but haven't been able to confirm them independently as yet. I say YET, as the process is still under way. Once I receive the documents that I'm looking for, I'll be blogging about them here.
Stay tuned!
|
|
Last Updated on Monday, 09 February 2009 05:41 |
|
Written by Windsor Shadow
|
|
Friday, 06 February 2009 04:11 |
First we have the $30,000 paid to a head-hunting firm for a CEO search that has lasted 10 months and produced one candidate and one interview. I actually believe WEDC Chair Remo Mancini that the search is extremely difficult, I just differ in the reasons. While the economic challenges that face Windsor are daunting, the political challenges that face any new appointee are akin to climbing Mount Everest with no oxygen in the middle of blizzard season. Five CEOs in five years does not inspire confidence. The size of the task facing the new CEO is impressive, but when you throw in the obvious political problems it simply becomes oppressive.
The jaw-dropping moment of the article comes with the revelation of Mancini's salary as interim CEO:
Arrested development
As interim CEO, Mancini's consulting firm Sandstone Strategies receives $1,200 a day. "Sandstone Strategies typically bills the WEDC for three days per week, sometimes 2.5 and on occasion 3.5 days," says Mancini. "The rate paid to Sandstone Strategies is within the range recommended by an outside independent consultant."
That's $3600 per week or $187,200 per year for an interim CEO at 3 days per week versus a full time CEO at $160,000 per year.
I guess the interim CEO heading the candidate search while drawing a years salary for three days per week work for the same position doesn't raise any questions of conflict of interest for the current board or the councils providing the funding.
At the end of the day, arms-length or not, the responsibility for this whole fiasco lays completely with the Mayor and City Council. They created this secretive unaccountable organization and no amount of finger-pointing will absolve them of their responsibility for ensuring tax dollars are used wisely.
By the way, how's that Auditor-General search going?
|
|
Written by Windsor Shadow
|
|
Wednesday, 04 February 2009 10:44 |
From the City of Windsor News Releases:
CITY OF WINDSOR
APPLICATIONS FOR APPOINTMENT TO BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
Windsor City Council is currently undertaking a review of all Agencies, Boards and Committees as part of the Service Delivery Review Project, which is scheduled to be completed by the fall. Since the review may have an impact on Boards and Committees, Council agreed to extend the term of office of current appointees for the year 2009. Since some members have chosen to not extend their term for an additional year, the following vacancies exist on Boards and Committees for 2009:
BOARDS, COMMITTEES & COMMISSIONS, MEETING DATE & TIME(subject to change), REMUNERATION
Audit Committee Call of Chair – 8:15 a.m. Nil
Community Public Art Advisory Committee Call of Chair Nil
Court of Revision re Local Improvements & Drainage Once annually Chair - $30.00 (per meeting
Members - $30.00 (per meeting)
Environmental Planning Advisory Committee Call of Chair Nil
Housing Advisory Committee 3rd Thursday, every other month – 9:30 a.m. Nil
(consumer & tenant representative)
Licensing Commission 3rd Tuesday, monthly – 9:30 a.m. $60 per meeting
Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee Call of Chair
(NOTE: Must be between the ages of 14 and 24)
Museum Advisory Committee Call of Chair Nil
(NOTE: Newly established Committee whose primary role will be to advise Council on matters concerning museum development)
Planning Advisory Committee 3rd Thursday, monthly – 5:00 p.m. Chair - $125.00 (per meeting)
Members - $100.00 (per meeting)
Roseland Golf Club Board of Directors At call of Chair – Wednesdays Nil
Seniors Advisory Committee 3rd Wednesday, monthly – 9:30 a.m. Nil
(NOTE: vacancies for 1 senor and one senior service provider)
Town & Gown Committee Call of Chair Nil
(NOTE: Newly established Committee to deal with student housing issues – residents within proximity of University and St. Clair College)
Windsor Accessibility Advisory Committee 3rd Tuesday – 3:30 p.m. Nil
Windsor Bicycling Committee Tuesdays, monthly 6:00 p.m. Nil
Windsor Citizens’ Crime Prevention Committee 3rd Thursday, monthly – 3:00 p.m. Nil
Windsor Essex County Environment Committee Thursdays, monthly – 5:30 p.m. Nil
Windsor Essex Community Housing Corporation At Call of Chair Nil
Windsor Heritage Committee 2nd Wednesday, monthly – 6:00 p.m. Nil
Application Form(pdf)
|
|
Last Updated on Wednesday, 04 February 2009 11:00 |
|
Election Countdown
left until the 2010 Windsor Municipal Election
|
