If They Cannot Afford WUC Water...

...Let them drink champagne instead.

Mayor Eddie Francis thinks nothing of spending money like water on the Detroit Grand Prix: US$80,000 worth. I wonder what Windsor will get out of it. Remember the hype over the Super Bowl about how much money would flow into Windsor and the reality.

I listened to Eddie on his interview show on CKLW last Tuesday. What an embarrassment that show is. With the lobs he is fed, he would hit more home runs than Barry Bonds! He did a terrific job of trying to sell tickets to the Grand Prix on the show. Fortunately he had just enough time to mention the announcement of the University Engineering complex before he ran out of time. I guess I know what his priorities are.

Heck, who needs to have a "family destination" function for Windsorites and their families like the Buskers Festival for a paltry CDN$40,000 when you can THINK BIG and spend twice the amount in Detroit! Seriously, do you really think that Roger Penske would go to a buskers type of function.

I read the article about Roger in Windsor Life magazine. I wonder if Eddie will take over a copy to give to Roger, along with his CV. I note the quote in the article:

• "He [Roger] has an inate ability to place the right people in the right jobs."

Right about now with this WUC fiasco which seems to be getting worse every day, Eddie may want to keep his options open. I wonder in which job Roger would put him. Sports sales is a distinct possibility since Eddie did such a great job on CKLW. I would think a communications position might be doubtful however if Roger got a copy of today's Star Editorial.

Who knows, Roger might even want some of the taxpayer paid "shovel ready" land at the airport for his businesses one day too. Perhaps Eddie could sell him an acre or two at pre-construction prices while the race is on.

For our $80,000, Eddie gets to take his wife out for dinner. She needs to get away I am sure after that very long labour in childbirth. Eddie Francis and "First Lady" Michelle Prince, as she is described in a US press release, will be rubbing elbows at the Grand Prixmiere, the official kick-off party for the 2007 Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix with Governor Jennifer Granholm and First Gentleman Daniel Mulhern. Eddie is one of the honorary chairs you see.

Remember the last time Eddie met Mulhern at Super Bowl meetings. After that, the City of Windsor gave the Governor's hubby a contract to make the Councillors less dysfunctional. Taxpayers paid him "$3,000 to dispense leadership advice."

Geeez, I hope Eddie buys Dan's book instead for the Councillors this time around. It would be a lot cheaper! Perhaps Dan could autograph the book covers too if there is a volume purchase.

You know, the Grand Prix race and Windsor Council have a lot in common...they both keep going around in circles and get nowhere fast.

I wonder if Jen and Eddie will make small talk about border issues too as they enjoy the food at the reception. I wonder if she can persuade him to allow the road to the Ambassador Bridge to be built. You know, as one Canadian-born American politician, the Michigan Governor, talking to another Canadian politician, the Windsor Mayor. Perhaps she could also give him some tips on which country to go to for new jobs for Windsor. She has been doing some travelling I believe, 5 out-of-country trips by the time they meet.

The party is a nice one...it benefits the Belle Isle Conservancy and the Henry Ford Museum. I am sure that Eddie and Michelle would have chaired a gala over here too for local organizations except few Windsorites with our high unemployment rate can afford the ticket prices like those in Detroit of $250 or $500. And why get all dressed up to go out for a lesser function.

It's a good thing that the Transit Windsor bus service to the Grand Prix race is NOT running on the 30th, the day of the Gala. I am sure that Eddie would have booked a seat to show unity with his fellow race-fans. However, with the poor experience of the Tunnel bus and US Customs with the very long waits, Eddie could have been late for his own party!

I hope that our Mayor enjoys the outing. As the racers say...."Gentlemen, start your engines!"