Windsor Star Tickles

Just one of those days again with me and the Star. Here are some things that I found interesting in the paper today that tickled my fancy:

Where's Bill Marra

Did you read the story the other day about Al Teshuba running in Ward 1? Compare it with the story about David Cassivi running in Ward 4 today. What do they have in common? Not a peep about Bill Marra at all, not even in the Ward 4 story.

A Master Political Communicator At Work

Mark Butler of Transport Canada, who is their spokesperson on the border issues, wins the prize today for the "quote of the month". It says nothing but makes it appear as if he is saying a great deal. It is a wonderful example that journalist students should be forced to memorize!

Dealing with the situation in Detroit with the fight between the Mayor and Council he states unequivocally:

• "It would be inappropriate to comment on actions involving Detroit's council and the mayor," Mark Butler, spokesman for Transport Canada, said Wednesday. "But we are watching very closely to what happens in regards to the ownership of the tunnel."

I love it! Can you imagine if he was handling Eddie's PR! Even I would have believed that the Mayor had done something over the past 3 years if Mark was speaking to the press for him!

Councillor Budget, Hero Or Goat

I am sure that my friends Debbie and Kevin will be happy with Gord Henderson's column today about saving Superior Park. Even more delighted will be Councillor Budget. He is being portrayed as the hero in the piece.

I guess Gord did not read my BLOG of the other day [August 08, 2006 Who Is Killing Bambi] where I stated who moved the motion to negotiate the sale of Superior Park:

• "Here is the Council agenda item where approval was given for Administration to negotiate the deal:
  
  Moved by Councillor Brister, seconded by Councillor Cassivi,
  
  M132-2006 That the Report of the special In-camera meeting held May 29, 2006 BE ADOPTED as presented.
  
  Carried"

If the Ward One Councillor is so concerned about the park now, why did he want it sold then? Why didn't he kill the negotiations from going forward in the first place? It's interesting who was consulted. And who was not----the public!

Oh well, at least it appears so far that Bambi has been saved by Gord's column, and perhaps Councillor Budget too!

Another Pro-Toldo/Rosati Arena Letter

I believe that this may be the fourth letter published in the last few days in favour of this deal. There may be more but I only just started counting the other day.

What interests me is whether this will be one of the few times when the Mayor and the Star will be on different sides on an issue. Eddie and Council seem to favour an East End arena or perhaps some might even want the status quo. I ran a not-so-recent Star editorial supporting a Raceway site. Administration is to do a Report on the 3 options.

It would be hilarious to see a Star/Francis disagreement just before the election wouldn't it! Can you imagine Eddie's Chief of Staff holding a media briefing explaining why the Mayor was right and why the Star's Editorial was wrong. I would demand media accreditation as a Blogmeister, just for that session alone!

The Detroit/Windsor Tunnel deal

Oh please, did you read this silliness:

• "Windsor's city leaders also voiced opposition to the Kilpatrick-Moroun agreement, requesting a rare joint meeting in February with Detroit's council on the tunnel issue."

I wish the Star also reported why the City did so---The City was not acting as a protector of the interests of the people crossing the border but as a possible competitor to the Bridge Co. at that meeting.

There's that inherent conflict of interest again.

The City is trying to negotiate a deal with Detroit as I blogged a few days ago [August 01, 2006 Tunnel Mystery Revealed]. The Star has not seen fit to cover that item yet.