Presentation to WUC Board – 25th June 2009

Good morning Chairman Lewenza, Board members, Ladies & Gentlemen

Thank you for this opportunity to talk to you today. Without beating about the bush my appearance here and my assistance in making those five ward presentations can be summed up in one word. Information. I believe that information is my best friend and that notion applies to the population at large. It is that thought that is the theme of this presentation.

I have long maintained that the unholy alliance of the WUC and Enwin is an abomination that has been mired in some deception and much secrecy.

Why was Enwin appointed to take over the main administrative functions of this body? The service they supply is now costing taxpayers close to ten million dollars. That extraordinary expense cries out for in house staffing or competitive arms length bids.

There appears to be an overlap in the management of both bodies. This state of affairs raises questions of undue influence by senior management of Enwin, a private for profit Company and WUC a department of the City of Windsor. The General Manager of WUC holds a senior position in Enwin. This cross- pollination raises serious questions.

Why has the practice of electing WUC board members been scrapped in favour of closed-door appointments? This has certainly removed a considerable measure of control from the electorate.
All these queries have raised the question of motive. You may raise your eyebrows at that comment but I make it because I believe that this questionable association of the WUC and Enwin has led to a method of reducing Realty taxes by increasing the cost of Utilities. Quoting from a recent administration report dated 6th May 2009, headed
“Windsor Canada Utilities Ltd- Shareholder Considerations”

Page 3 Final sentence of Paragraph 3 reads,
“These annual dividends have been included within the operating budget estimates of the City thereby reducing the amount required to be levied via property taxes”.

This leads me to wonder what element of profit is involved in the price of utilities charged to the public.
I believe that an open debate on the future structure of both Enwin and the WUC is an absolute necessity. The proposal to sell WCUL to the highest bidder begs the question as to whether Enwin Utilities Ltd is to be included removing entirely the public control of the price of utilities.
Joan Rivers has it right. Let’s talk

Al Nelman