Saving Private Dilkens
Sure, sure, sure, someone will say that the Star will make the excuse that the difference between the online story and the published story is because the Star ran out of space.
Pshawwww!
The Councillor formerly known as Councillor Budget should understand now that the Star has no interest in him becoming Mayor. Even taking the hit for the Mayor on the arena file won't help him.
Obviously Dave Cooke is the leading candidate in the "Anybody But Bill" camp right now but just in case he decides not to run for Mayor or stumbles, the Star needs a back-up, someone else to rally behind. Right now that person is the rookie Councillor, Drew Dilkens.
The Councillor needs to ensure that he does not overexpose himself by being in the media too much since saying the wrong thing could be fatal even though the next election is three years away. He's in the paper again on the Zalev story with his picture too! People have long memories. Just ask the people around Superior Park what they would think of a certain person who might decide to run for office in the next election.
He may be popular right now because he introduced the Motion with respect to more openness at City Council and wanted to please his constituents by trying to end truck traffic on Dougall Avenue but that does not mean that he will always be the people's favourite. Moreover, hitching himself to the Mayor's ridiculous war over the Greenlink scheme that is doomed to failure may not be the smartest move politically either.
I'm happy to see that I am not the only one to understand this, look at that the two Star stories and try and find the name of Dilkens in the published version. Drew was saved, this time:
Pshawwww!
The Councillor formerly known as Councillor Budget should understand now that the Star has no interest in him becoming Mayor. Even taking the hit for the Mayor on the arena file won't help him.
Obviously Dave Cooke is the leading candidate in the "Anybody But Bill" camp right now but just in case he decides not to run for Mayor or stumbles, the Star needs a back-up, someone else to rally behind. Right now that person is the rookie Councillor, Drew Dilkens.
The Councillor needs to ensure that he does not overexpose himself by being in the media too much since saying the wrong thing could be fatal even though the next election is three years away. He's in the paper again on the Zalev story with his picture too! People have long memories. Just ask the people around Superior Park what they would think of a certain person who might decide to run for office in the next election.
He may be popular right now because he introduced the Motion with respect to more openness at City Council and wanted to please his constituents by trying to end truck traffic on Dougall Avenue but that does not mean that he will always be the people's favourite. Moreover, hitching himself to the Mayor's ridiculous war over the Greenlink scheme that is doomed to failure may not be the smartest move politically either.
I'm happy to see that I am not the only one to understand this, look at that the two Star stories and try and find the name of Dilkens in the published version. Drew was saved, this time:
- City to launch ad campaign to get GreenLink support
(Online version)
Dave Battagello, The Windsor Star, Published: Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Expect to see billboards, flyers, direct mailing and other forms of advertising from the city, urging residents to express their support for GreenLink, the city's preferred $1.6-billion border plan.
The city is launching this grassroots lobbying campaign just two months before final recommendations are released by a binational government team on locations for a new border crossing, plazas and roads.
"The question is simple -- do people want to see a cheap DRIC solution or better solution in GreenLink," said Mayor Eddie Francis. He said it's vital for citizens to express what they want -- the GreenLink plan that offers more truck tunneling and parkland on the border route to a new crossing, or the plan touted by the Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC) team.
"We know there is border fatigue, but we need to ensure the public is vocal on this," the mayor said. "Otherwise we will get a cheap solution we don't want."
The city is launching this grassroots lobbying campaign just two months before final recommendations are released by a binational government team on locations for a new border crossing, plazas and roads.
"The question is simple -- do people want to see a cheap DRIC solution or better solution in GreenLink," said Mayor Eddie Francis. He said it's vital for citizens to express what they want -- the GreenLink plan that offers more truck tunneling and parkland on the border route to a new crossing, or the plan touted by the Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC) team.
"We know there is border fatigue, but we need to ensure the public is vocal on this," the mayor said. "Otherwise we will get a cheap solution we don't want."
People's lives are impacted by these diesel fumes, he said. "All we want is a solution that improves our quality of life."
One of the DRIC team's recommendations will address how the Huron Church Road-Talbot Road corridor will be improved to allow for improved access for international trucks and traffic to reach the border.
Provincial government officials from DRIC released a plan last summer that shows 25 per cent of the corridor should be tunneled to alleviate impact from diesel truck emissions, while the city's hired expert Sam Schwartz delivered the GreenLink plan that calls for 66 per cent of the route to be covered.
"We are trying to ensure the solution is going to be the right one and in the best interest of Windsor," said Coun. Fulvio Valentinis.
"There are all kinds of mixed messages out there and misleading messages. The city is seen as an obstacle, so that's why it's important to get our message out there on what we are trying to do.
"We have concrete solutions, analysis, technical information, so there is no reason not to go forward (on GreenLink)."
Dave Wake, program manager for DRIC, was unavailable Wednesday for comment.
"We are at the 11th hour," said Coun. Drew Dilkens. "There is no more important time to get involved than now. The people who came up to me at the grocery store or on the street saying 'We love the plan,' we need for them to speak up."
He expects provincial government officials to counter with information on the DRIC and GreenLink plans designed to confuse local residents about which plan they should support.
"It's quite clear GreenLink is separate from the DRIC plan," Dilkens said. "It's necessary to continue full force to make sure everyone understands how (GreenLink) will benefit our quality of life for the next 100 years."
Residents should not be overly concerned about added costs of the GreenLink publicity campaign, given how city expenditures on legal and consultant fees on the border are already approaching $4 million.
"To skimp out at this point would be terrible waste of the investment we already made," Dilkens said. "This campaign is not open chequebook, but we are reaching to residents to make sure they are informed and we have their support."
One of the DRIC team's recommendations will address how the Huron Church Road-Talbot Road corridor will be improved to allow for improved access for international trucks and traffic to reach the border.
Provincial government officials from DRIC released a plan last summer that shows 25 per cent of the corridor should be tunneled to alleviate impact from diesel truck emissions, while the city's hired expert Sam Schwartz delivered the GreenLink plan that calls for 66 per cent of the route to be covered.
"We are trying to ensure the solution is going to be the right one and in the best interest of Windsor," said Coun. Fulvio Valentinis.
"There are all kinds of mixed messages out there and misleading messages. The city is seen as an obstacle, so that's why it's important to get our message out there on what we are trying to do.
"We have concrete solutions, analysis, technical information, so there is no reason not to go forward (on GreenLink)."
Dave Wake, program manager for DRIC, was unavailable Wednesday for comment.
"We are at the 11th hour," said Coun. Drew Dilkens. "There is no more important time to get involved than now. The people who came up to me at the grocery store or on the street saying 'We love the plan,' we need for them to speak up."
He expects provincial government officials to counter with information on the DRIC and GreenLink plans designed to confuse local residents about which plan they should support.
"It's quite clear GreenLink is separate from the DRIC plan," Dilkens said. "It's necessary to continue full force to make sure everyone understands how (GreenLink) will benefit our quality of life for the next 100 years."
Residents should not be overly concerned about added costs of the GreenLink publicity campaign, given how city expenditures on legal and consultant fees on the border are already approaching $4 million.
"To skimp out at this point would be terrible waste of the investment we already made," Dilkens said. "This campaign is not open chequebook, but we are reaching to residents to make sure they are informed and we have their support."
- City touts border plan
(Published version)
Dave Battagello, Windsor Star Published: Thursday, January 31, 2008
Expect to see billboards, flyers, direct mailing and other forms of advertising urging residents to express their support for GreenLink, the city's $1.6-billion border plan.
The city is launching the grassroots lobbying campaign just two months before final recommendations are released by a binational government team on locations for a new border crossing, plazas and roads.
"The question is simple -- do people want to see a cheap DRIC solution or a better solution in GreenLink," said Mayor Eddie Francis. He said it's vital for citizens to express what they want -- the GreenLink plan that offers more truck tunnelling and parkland on the border route to a new crossing, or the plan touted by the Detroit River International Crossing team.
"We know there is border fatigue, but we need to ensure the public is vocal on this," the mayor said. "Otherwise we will get a cheap solution we don't want."
The city is launching the grassroots lobbying campaign just two months before final recommendations are released by a binational government team on locations for a new border crossing, plazas and roads.
"The question is simple -- do people want to see a cheap DRIC solution or a better solution in GreenLink," said Mayor Eddie Francis. He said it's vital for citizens to express what they want -- the GreenLink plan that offers more truck tunnelling and parkland on the border route to a new crossing, or the plan touted by the Detroit River International Crossing team.
"We know there is border fatigue, but we need to ensure the public is vocal on this," the mayor said. "Otherwise we will get a cheap solution we don't want."
Residents near the border route are affected by diesel fumes, he said. "All we want is a solution that improves our quality of life."
One of the DRIC team's recommendations will address how the Huron Church Road-Talbot Road corridor will be improved to allow for improved access for international trucks and traffic to reach the border.
Provincial government officials from DRIC released a plan last summer that shows 25 per cent of the corridor should be tunnelled to alleviate impact from diesel truck emissions.
The GreenLink plan delivered by the city's traffic expert Sam Schwartz calls for 66 per cent of the route to be covered.
"We are trying to ensure the solution is going to be the right one and in the best interest of Windsor," said Coun. Fulvio Valentinis.
One of the DRIC team's recommendations will address how the Huron Church Road-Talbot Road corridor will be improved to allow for improved access for international trucks and traffic to reach the border.
Provincial government officials from DRIC released a plan last summer that shows 25 per cent of the corridor should be tunnelled to alleviate impact from diesel truck emissions.
The GreenLink plan delivered by the city's traffic expert Sam Schwartz calls for 66 per cent of the route to be covered.
"We are trying to ensure the solution is going to be the right one and in the best interest of Windsor," said Coun. Fulvio Valentinis.
posted by JoeBlog at 12:30 p.m.
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