Water, Water Everywhere

Our Mayor has such strange priorities. Take a look:

MIND'S EYE VISIONS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN CONTROLLING SEWAGE OVERFLOWS

• "While ignoring the canal project, council approved adding a $60-million item for a waterfront underground retention treatment basin to end sewage overflows into the Detroit River, an item for which the city was already in the process of seeking senior government funding.
  
  “Other cities are putting forward massive projects with vision. Today, here, instead of such vision, we have a receptor sewer project … how does that diversify our economy,” Francis said after the meeting.”

Here was interesting comment about the plant in relation to the basement flooding this weekend:

• "Flood victim Frisch questioned whether the city's storm water system is adequate. "As a taxpayer, I just raise that question: are we being looked after?"
  
  Sonego said the $60-million retention treatment basin under construction at Glengarry Avenue and Riverside Drive may have helped prevent the basement flooding. It is due to open in March."

PLAYING POLITICS IN AN ELECTION YEAR....A REPEAT OF THE 86% SHOCKER TO COME?

• "Water rate hike decision on hold
  
  There were two options under consideration. One is to increase water rates by 10 per cent in each of the next three years. The other option is to raise the rates by about 5 per cent in each of the next six years.
  
  Mayor Eddie Francis, who is a member of the commission, doesn't support either option. He suggested a rate increase should be less...
  
  The utilities commission needs money to upgrade the city's watermains."

ANOTHER $35M FOR AN EDGAR (AKA EDDIE) LEGACY PROJECT

• "Francis to seek kids' games for Windsor
  
  Is Windsor ready for a $35-million swimming pool?
  
  The big question mark remains the lack of a competition-sized swim facility.
  
  Backers are hoping the Windsor games can serve as catalyst for a 50-meter competitive pool facility, something Francis said could serve as a “legacy” project for the games.
  
  Preliminary costing peg such a facility, including seating for up to 2,500, warm-up pool and diving well, at between $28 million and $35 million, said Don Sadler, executive director of Windsor’s parks and facility operations. Another ballpark figure is the estimated annual operating cost of $1.5 million, he added.
  
  “The key is, it’s going to cost dollars to operate year after year after year — is this community willing to accept that cost?” said Sadler.
  
  While an Olympic pool would be great — “everybody knows we need a 50-metre pool” — Francis said his proposal also has a “Plan B” that wouldn’t require such a facility in order to host the 2013 games. He said Friday he couldn’t divulge details before the Bahrain bid."

I wonder if Councillor Gignac will vote to spend that kind of money on a swimming pool

• "City councillor Joanne Gignac, who lives on St. Rose Avenue, was among the east end residents who woke to find a pool of stagnant water in her basement and a lake in her backyard. "What a day. It's a heartbreaker," she said.

AND HERE IS PLAN "B"...SWIMMING POOLS IN RESIDENTS' BASEMENTS!

• "Widespread flooding in Windsor
  
  Hundreds of Windsor homeowners are cleaning up Sunday after widespread flooding in the city's east end.
  
  City engineer Mario Sonego said hundreds of homes in the eastern downtown, Riverside and Forest Glade neighbourhoods were flooded when the city's storm and sanitary sewage system was overpowered by severe thunderstorms on Saturday and Sunday."