Letters To The Blogmeister
Here are some more notes that readers sent me recently:
MARRA'S TUNNEL MOTION
I find some humour in the resolution in the fact that two of the "whereas" reasons are that Lasalle endorsed a tunnel, and Tecumseh endorsed Lasalle's endorsement, so why not let Windsor get in there and the ring-around-the-rosy too? Windsor should endorse Tecumseh's endorsement of Lasalle's endorsement of a tunnel.
The "$3.2 billion is a drop in the bucket compared to $100 billion in trade every year" argument is kind of fallacious... it is sort of an infantile cost-benefit argument, except, the benefit is there already isn't it? If they don't spend the $3.2B is the $100B going to go away? No. If they build a new bridge and highway, and say that this will increase trade between the US and Canada by an additional $100B per year (and that depends on soooo many other factors) then the cost-benefit ratio actually scores better for a cheaper below-grade freeway, because really, does industry care whether it's a tunnel or not? No.
Teshuba was, I think, on the right track if you are going to argue cost-benefit in trying to index health costs agains the costs of the project but, of course, once you factor in that air problems are regional and not route related, and that new diesel emission standards will clean things up and on and on... that cost-benefit argument falls apart too. But whatever happened to Al and his big economic benefit study? Still, the city had its chance to document all of its perceived impacts and decided no need for hard facts in hand.
AM I OUT IN LEFT FIELD
It seems to me that since the US side opened up the extra customs booths, the border problem is, if not solved, at least greatly reduced! I frequently drive on Huron Church Road, and - yes, there a trucks - but they are moving smoothly and expeditiously. They are no longer on Wyandotte West. E.C Row is moving along just fine. Where is the problem? I'm obviously missing something significant, because I no longer see a problem. However, with all the hoopla and millions spent, surely I must be wrong. Please set me straight.
(BTW - years ago, when NAFTA was initiated, Windsorites whined to get the truck route to go down Huron Church.)
Is this - what Stewart/Colbert call - a "phantom problem"? A strategy to divert attention from real problems? Has anyone noticed the dismal state of the streets of Windsor? Do people know that one of the reasons that professional don't come to Windsor is because of that? ... they even stated that with such a lack of diligence in doing what the city is supposed to be doing, they have no confidence in this city.
WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON
Ed, I have the pleasure of reading your posts daily at work, as well as Chris Schnurr, the Windsor Municipal Shadow, and Alan Halberstat. Enlightening to say the least, the views of normal everyday taxpayers, who have the stones to say things like they are.
With the way things appear to be spiraling out of control regarding the border issue, I fear the worst for this city. Watching council this past Monday night, I wonder why the Bridge Company even bothers trying to deal with the City management. They want to spend a BILLION DOLLARS, and all we hear is from the NIMBY residents.
The Bridge Company needs to totally bypass the municipal level of government, due to their inability to get ANYTHING done. Deal with the Feds direct. Same goes for DRTP, and any other projects that might benefit society in general, but might inconvenience someone. Granted, I live in Riverside, so the Bridge does not affect my property or it's value, but there is NO incentive for any development in Windsor and/or Essex County, due to this issue, and as well the militant unions that scare off so much potential industrial investment, it's scary.
Personally, I'd rather have private enterprise spending their money, and if the taxpayers aren't on the hook, so much the better. The $300,000,000 slated for the border issue will go a LOOOOOONG way towards improving the infrastructure between the 401 and the Ambassador bridge(and it's un-named twin).
I casually met Mayor Francis when he ran his Pita business, and he seemed like a level headed young man, lots of ambition, well organized, need I say more, but butting heads with Provincial and Federal Government levels, as well as anyone that questions or opposes his agenda, whether it's personal or professional, is a troubling sign that should have every taxpayer in this city concerned. There also appears to be several city councilors that do not necessarily have all the facts about what is really going on, and the repercussions of dragging their feet and fighting a no-win situation can not benefit anyone.
Thank you for the space to express my opinion, hoping to read more on a daily basis on your forum.
BINGING CONSULTANTS
This is the tip of the iceberg, … But it speaks to the nature of leadership: Leadership by public opinion vs. leadership by vision/agenda.
There is nothing wrong with surveys to determine priorities – as long as they are objective and provide the pulse of the residents. The city should know what services are priorities and how departments are performing, and respond to improve those services. That’s legit. It is the “push polling” and cosmetic citizen involvement that provides cover for a predetermined result that is the issue. I’m sure you can think of dozens of examples.
When City Council doesn’t even know the extent or purposes of all of the contracts, then there is a problem. Out of the $5.2 million, the Star article is a valid inquiry, so far as it probes. But looking into surveys that U of Windsor Students facilitate are not the problem. It’s the Schwartz’s, Estrin’s or Mulhern’s contracts that should be probed. WHO brought them to the table? WHO crafted their scope/agenda? WHO do they report to and WHO edit their recommendations? What results have been produced and how measured? To Whom are these fancy consultants accountable? Certainly not the citizens who pay their tab and have little to do with the publicly stated (i.e., outside of incamera council meetings or closed door briefings) purpose.
Yes, look at the student facilitated surveys, but don’t ignore the whistle of the train load of consultants.
BUT WE ARE GOOD SNOWCLEANERS AREN'T WE
It was recently brought to my attention that the Detroit Metro Convention & Vistior Bureau has revealed a new, hip, branding campaign. After our partnerships in Detroit with the Two Nation Destination campaign, last year's Superbowl festivities and the upcoming Wrestlemania, Windsor is conspicuously absent- not even a dot on their map as a geographic locator. How could this happen when we have spent money to partner together? My impression was that we were marketing as a region, whenever possible. Hasn't our CVB been working with the DMCVB? This is certainly not apparent in Detroit's new bid to bring a younger market into the Detroit Metro area with a cool new identity program and icon...
If the Windsor region is to proceed with any branding awareness, in an attempt to reach our U.S. neighbours, it is now apparent that a multitude of local money is going to have to be spent to reach the market audience that DMCVB has targeted. If you put Windsor in the search box on their website, our CVB website and various hotels and attractions are available. But, first one has to know that Windsor Ontario is the name of the city across the river in order to garner any of that information!
It seems a shame to me that this has occured, and I am baffled as to why. Perhaps someone will be able to provide that answer to me. At a time when we are experiencing a decline in our border traffic and local economy, all the hard work and dollars spent on past initiatives seems very counterproductive at this point in time."
A NEGOTIATING TOOL
Your Blog has quite a fascinating insight. The opinions here are pretty good.
Concerning the Bridge fiasco, if I was Dan Stamper I would close the bridge for a day and gridlock Windsor. Drastic but effective.
Could Eddie handle the music? Doubt it. Maybe then could political childishness go by the wayside.
Disasters are all over the place. I still think the pressure on the bridge is slight of hand for something else that is going on. Take your pick as to what it is.
TAKE A LONELY BLOGGER TO LUNCH
Did a quick search of all the Canada.com newspapers. The Lonely Bloggers story appeared in the Calgary Herald on the front page (no wonder as the story was written by one of their staff reporters) but no pic on the front - it was on the following pages. The Montreal Gazette also carried it on the front page (again no pic there - it was on a subsequent page). Seems that the only paper to find it newsworthy enough for the front page with a picture is the Star.
PS - I didn't check the other Canada.com papers to see if they carried the article - just if they carried it on the front page
MARRA'S TUNNEL MOTION
I find some humour in the resolution in the fact that two of the "whereas" reasons are that Lasalle endorsed a tunnel, and Tecumseh endorsed Lasalle's endorsement, so why not let Windsor get in there and the ring-around-the-rosy too? Windsor should endorse Tecumseh's endorsement of Lasalle's endorsement of a tunnel.
The "$3.2 billion is a drop in the bucket compared to $100 billion in trade every year" argument is kind of fallacious... it is sort of an infantile cost-benefit argument, except, the benefit is there already isn't it? If they don't spend the $3.2B is the $100B going to go away? No. If they build a new bridge and highway, and say that this will increase trade between the US and Canada by an additional $100B per year (and that depends on soooo many other factors) then the cost-benefit ratio actually scores better for a cheaper below-grade freeway, because really, does industry care whether it's a tunnel or not? No.
Teshuba was, I think, on the right track if you are going to argue cost-benefit in trying to index health costs agains the costs of the project but, of course, once you factor in that air problems are regional and not route related, and that new diesel emission standards will clean things up and on and on... that cost-benefit argument falls apart too. But whatever happened to Al and his big economic benefit study? Still, the city had its chance to document all of its perceived impacts and decided no need for hard facts in hand.
AM I OUT IN LEFT FIELD
It seems to me that since the US side opened up the extra customs booths, the border problem is, if not solved, at least greatly reduced! I frequently drive on Huron Church Road, and - yes, there a trucks - but they are moving smoothly and expeditiously. They are no longer on Wyandotte West. E.C Row is moving along just fine. Where is the problem? I'm obviously missing something significant, because I no longer see a problem. However, with all the hoopla and millions spent, surely I must be wrong. Please set me straight.
(BTW - years ago, when NAFTA was initiated, Windsorites whined to get the truck route to go down Huron Church.)
Is this - what Stewart/Colbert call - a "phantom problem"? A strategy to divert attention from real problems? Has anyone noticed the dismal state of the streets of Windsor? Do people know that one of the reasons that professional don't come to Windsor is because of that? ... they even stated that with such a lack of diligence in doing what the city is supposed to be doing, they have no confidence in this city.
WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON
Ed, I have the pleasure of reading your posts daily at work, as well as Chris Schnurr, the Windsor Municipal Shadow, and Alan Halberstat. Enlightening to say the least, the views of normal everyday taxpayers, who have the stones to say things like they are.
With the way things appear to be spiraling out of control regarding the border issue, I fear the worst for this city. Watching council this past Monday night, I wonder why the Bridge Company even bothers trying to deal with the City management. They want to spend a BILLION DOLLARS, and all we hear is from the NIMBY residents.
The Bridge Company needs to totally bypass the municipal level of government, due to their inability to get ANYTHING done. Deal with the Feds direct. Same goes for DRTP, and any other projects that might benefit society in general, but might inconvenience someone. Granted, I live in Riverside, so the Bridge does not affect my property or it's value, but there is NO incentive for any development in Windsor and/or Essex County, due to this issue, and as well the militant unions that scare off so much potential industrial investment, it's scary.
Personally, I'd rather have private enterprise spending their money, and if the taxpayers aren't on the hook, so much the better. The $300,000,000 slated for the border issue will go a LOOOOOONG way towards improving the infrastructure between the 401 and the Ambassador bridge(and it's un-named twin).
I casually met Mayor Francis when he ran his Pita business, and he seemed like a level headed young man, lots of ambition, well organized, need I say more, but butting heads with Provincial and Federal Government levels, as well as anyone that questions or opposes his agenda, whether it's personal or professional, is a troubling sign that should have every taxpayer in this city concerned. There also appears to be several city councilors that do not necessarily have all the facts about what is really going on, and the repercussions of dragging their feet and fighting a no-win situation can not benefit anyone.
Thank you for the space to express my opinion, hoping to read more on a daily basis on your forum.
BINGING CONSULTANTS
This is the tip of the iceberg, … But it speaks to the nature of leadership: Leadership by public opinion vs. leadership by vision/agenda.
There is nothing wrong with surveys to determine priorities – as long as they are objective and provide the pulse of the residents. The city should know what services are priorities and how departments are performing, and respond to improve those services. That’s legit. It is the “push polling” and cosmetic citizen involvement that provides cover for a predetermined result that is the issue. I’m sure you can think of dozens of examples.
When City Council doesn’t even know the extent or purposes of all of the contracts, then there is a problem. Out of the $5.2 million, the Star article is a valid inquiry, so far as it probes. But looking into surveys that U of Windsor Students facilitate are not the problem. It’s the Schwartz’s, Estrin’s or Mulhern’s contracts that should be probed. WHO brought them to the table? WHO crafted their scope/agenda? WHO do they report to and WHO edit their recommendations? What results have been produced and how measured? To Whom are these fancy consultants accountable? Certainly not the citizens who pay their tab and have little to do with the publicly stated (i.e., outside of incamera council meetings or closed door briefings) purpose.
Yes, look at the student facilitated surveys, but don’t ignore the whistle of the train load of consultants.
BUT WE ARE GOOD SNOWCLEANERS AREN'T WE
It was recently brought to my attention that the Detroit Metro Convention & Vistior Bureau has revealed a new, hip, branding campaign. After our partnerships in Detroit with the Two Nation Destination campaign, last year's Superbowl festivities and the upcoming Wrestlemania, Windsor is conspicuously absent- not even a dot on their map as a geographic locator. How could this happen when we have spent money to partner together? My impression was that we were marketing as a region, whenever possible. Hasn't our CVB been working with the DMCVB? This is certainly not apparent in Detroit's new bid to bring a younger market into the Detroit Metro area with a cool new identity program and icon...
If the Windsor region is to proceed with any branding awareness, in an attempt to reach our U.S. neighbours, it is now apparent that a multitude of local money is going to have to be spent to reach the market audience that DMCVB has targeted. If you put Windsor in the search box on their website, our CVB website and various hotels and attractions are available. But, first one has to know that Windsor Ontario is the name of the city across the river in order to garner any of that information!
It seems a shame to me that this has occured, and I am baffled as to why. Perhaps someone will be able to provide that answer to me. At a time when we are experiencing a decline in our border traffic and local economy, all the hard work and dollars spent on past initiatives seems very counterproductive at this point in time."
A NEGOTIATING TOOL
Your Blog has quite a fascinating insight. The opinions here are pretty good.
Concerning the Bridge fiasco, if I was Dan Stamper I would close the bridge for a day and gridlock Windsor. Drastic but effective.
Could Eddie handle the music? Doubt it. Maybe then could political childishness go by the wayside.
Disasters are all over the place. I still think the pressure on the bridge is slight of hand for something else that is going on. Take your pick as to what it is.
TAKE A LONELY BLOGGER TO LUNCH
Did a quick search of all the Canada.com newspapers. The Lonely Bloggers story appeared in the Calgary Herald on the front page (no wonder as the story was written by one of their staff reporters) but no pic on the front - it was on the following pages. The Montreal Gazette also carried it on the front page (again no pic there - it was on a subsequent page). Seems that the only paper to find it newsworthy enough for the front page with a picture is the Star.
PS - I didn't check the other Canada.com papers to see if they carried the article - just if they carried it on the front page
posted by JoeBlog at 6:26 a.m.
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