From
the Desk of Al Nelman
Open
letter to Mayor Francis
It is now a little
over four years since you were elected as Mayor of this city. Despite
much fan fare and your promise of a new era, what has followed
is a record of confrontation and secrecy that clearly indicates
a profound disrespect for the citizens who elected you.
Your lack of
leadership has resulted in a bickering, dysfunctional and self-
serving City Council that plays follow my leader to the detriment
of taxpayers at large. Largely due to your example, taxpayers’ initiatives
to obtain information to which they are properly entitled have
been thwarted.
You have used
procedural Bylaws to disenfranchise taxpayers wishing to make presentations
at public council meetings. You have conducted far too much public
business behind closed doors. You have spent millions of tax dollars
on legal and consulting fees while failing to co-operate with those
who could help us through these very troubling times. You have
lost control of the Border file by initiating a vendetta against
the Ambassador Bridge Company. As an unintended consequence, West
End Citizens are being badly treated while suffering unnecessary
interference in their daily lives. You continue to fight totally
inappropriate battles with all levels of government and our neighbours
in Essex County. You have operated under a cloak of secrecy that
is exemplified by your refusal to allow concerned citizens the
benefit of a forensic audit of both the publicly owned Enwin Group
and the WUC.
The most glaring
failure to act as a reliable steward of taxpayers’ dollars
was the pre-election unplanned and non-budgeted Arena. This $65
million plus boondoggle raises far too many unanswered questions
for comfort. For example:
(1)The size of any lump sum paid to the Windsor Spitfire Organization.
(2)The details of their arena rental agreement with the city.
(3)The inexplicable land deal that positioned the arena in the questionable
location that it now occupies.
(4)The dollar value attributable to the publicly owned highly desirable river
front property that was swapped as part of the land acquisition.
You have used
confidentiality clauses, to hide information that is rightfully
in the public domain. Typical examples being;
(1)The Candarel scandal that continues to haunt us when The Keg tenancy is
a closed book to the public and certainly to the local restauranteurs who pay
market rent and high taxes only to see you initiate and support unfair competition.
(2)The cheap rental sub-leases for space in the two floors for which the City
is obligated to pay $24 per foot. Another slap in the face for tax paying owners
of rental properties suffering high vacancy rates. Necessity can be claimed
for these sub-market rentals but secrecy should not be part of these transactions.
You have initiated
secret meetings with Detroit’s Mayor that involve undisclosed
and no doubt substantial legal fees while you are attempting to
take control of Detroit’s half of the Tunnel. The cost that
you have not denied is an unbelievable $75 million tax dollars.
There have not been any ongoing public reports or meetings to discuss
the current status of this fiscal madness. The reasons given to
taxpayers are;
(1) To prevent the Bridge Company taking over the tunnel just to build a wall
to close it down. This is preposterous nonsense.
(2) The need to avoid liability in the case of terrorist activities or any
other major disaster. I do not believe that any insurance company will offer
cover for war or terrorist activity.
(3) The new private company Holdco that you have incorporated is yet another
device that you are using to avoid proper reporting to the hard- pressed taxpayers
of Windsor.
(4) You have placed the Windsor Airport under the umbrella of a second private
company over which you maintain personal control. This again denies the citizens
of Windsor any meaningful information respecting the present status and future
of the Windsor Airport and its valuable lands.
You mistakenly
seem to feel that your position as Mayor entitles you to dispose
of taxpayers’ assets without maintaining their tax producing
potential. The decision to donate the Cleary Auditorium to St.
Clair College under the guise of downtown revitalisation is an
example. The Armouries Building has not been put on sale but just
stands there year after year, a non-tax producing entity. Already,
a “Not for Profit” organization is salivating around
that building as they asked for and received financial support
from a far too generous council. Not to be forgotten is the Riverfront
property used in the arena land swap.
Looking at the
way you have handled The Enwin Group, Candarel, WUC, The Detroit
Tunnel, The Capitol Theatre and The Border File, is to see a dangerous
precedent of circumventing the public’s right to fully participate
in the management of their assets and the tax dollars involved.
It also reveals an attitude that points to a lack of understanding
of the words “Elected Representative”.
You have not
set real priorities and have failed to grasp the necessity of spending
every available dollar in re-building infrastructure. Neither do
you feel the need to reduce the very high cost of city services
that coupled with lower taxes would be the magnet to encourage
new businesses to invest in this city. You have failed to pass
the test of Fiscal prudence, transparency and leadership in municipal
affairs. All the above leads to one very obvious conclusion and
that is you should not remain as leader of this City.
What is needed
is an experienced steady hand on the tiller to steer us through
the economic storm that is impacting us all. It is time for you
to consider the future of this city and resign.
Al Nelman
March 24, 2008
Presentation
to City Council -Good Evening Mayor Francis & Members of
Council
The very limited
public input into budget deliberations exemplifies council’s
minimal respect for Windsor’s taxpayers. Too little time
to study it makes a five minute critique of the 2008 budget impossible.
This is a frustrated taxpayer’s overview.
This spendthrift
council continues to tax, spend and conceal as is confirmed by
an additional 1% capital levy and a new 1% Community Strategic
Plan levy. These levies are a deceitful way to amass huge cash
reserves while avoiding the words “tax increase”. Your
refusal to appoint an adequate number of public board members,
coupled with a reckless 10% reduction in funding to the already
hard-pressed Windsor Public Library is a slap in the face to the
thousands of its regular users and calls for an independent investigation.
How many of the departments in city hall were forced to reduce
their budgets by 10%. None! The general public will certainly understand
that by eliminating those two new additional levies and reinstating
the Library’s necessary funding, they could be enjoying a
tax decrease coupled with a full library service.
This is not the
time to increase taxation without explaining the need in plain
English. Come clean and tell us what you have in mind for the considerable
cash accumulation that will result from this & previous budgets.
You have already squirreled away more than adequate cash reserves
from the incorrectly named Debt Reduction fund that in reality
is a surplus cash accumulation fund. An honest explanation is due
to taxpayers as to why you went to such lengths to hide the real
purpose of that fund.
No doubt it was designed to partly pay up front for the Spitfire Palace, The
New City hall Annex, the overpriced & unnecessary Bus Station and the ridiculously
overpriced downtown street-scaping. All could be classed as unjustifiable extravagances.
Why do you insist on paying cash. Just to maintain credit rating? Most large
necessary capital projects can, quite properly be funded with debentures.
Explain to all
the retirees on fixed incomes, the jobless and business owners
why, at this time, they have to suffer increased taxes inevitably
leading to hardship and negative job creation. This budget contains
no enhancements to already over priced essential services and no
real priority in increasing infrastructure replacement. The scandal
of the $65 million dollar arena highlights this council’s
mis-management of tax dollars.
For too many
years taxpayers have paid for services that have not been delivered.
Adding insult to injury, successive councils have found no problem
imposing levies and surcharges to pay again for those undelivered
services. Where has all that money gone? The latest deceit is a
hike to our hydro rates and a transfer of a $4 million so called
dividend from Enwin to the City’s general fund. Why not a
credit to the individuals who pay the bills and create the profit.
Better yet reduce the delivery charge for hydro. Despite your spokesman’s
denial, it is a glaring case of double taxation.
Deliberations
began with the administration being instructed to reduce expenses
by 10% across the board but that call has been ignored. This budget
trumpets the failure or unwillingness of council to control a bloated
and defiant administration and is an economic black eye for this
community. The public interest would be far better served if you
set real priorities and exercised fiscal prudence. Remember that
the combination of high taxes and utilities coupled with a crumbling
infrastructure drive away potential new businesses.
A lack of leadership
and this budget are a testament to the need for citizens to have
the power to recall their elected representatives in such blatant
cases of poor representation.
Thank you,
Al Nelman - 26th February 2008
Presentation
to City Council - Good evening Mayor Francis & Members of
Council
The area involved
in the existing By-law is, although of historical interest, in
reality, just a portion of the West End of this city. It deserves
no more extraordinary treatment than the other towns and townships
that comprise the historic mosaic now known as The City of Windsor.
During the many years that I’ve lived in this city I cannot
recall any significant attempt by municipal government to upgrade
the area designated as Olde Sandwich Towne. Only individual property
owners have attempted to do so.
It is your ill-advised opposition to the Bridge Company that is the root cause
for the infamous By-law 19-2007. Very slow or even deliberate inaction has
done nothing to enhance the lives of the citizens affected. Ask the property
owners who have attempted to enhance their property and have been denied.
It has been in the hands of the administration for a year, but all that has
happened is the formation of a steering committee without a place for a representative
of one of the area’s largest taxpayers. That committee has managed a
last minute, December 2007 appointment of a consultant, adding nothing but
extra taxpayer expense. Knowing there was a one-year time limit why was the
consultant not appointed in the first three months of 2007? I am not persuaded
that the timing was not planned.
Now a member of council has put forward the ridiculous proposition that some
or all of the area involved be designated as a Heritage district. This is a
ploy that will not succeed and will further negate all property owner’s
legal rights. I have to tell you what I hear from the circle of taxpayers in
which I move. It is a general understanding that Report # 13249 z/8581 is just
an example of this council’s attempt to continue an obstructionist policy
that makes no friends and is entirely without merit.
This whole Sandwich
Town exercise has the appearance of being nothing more than a foolish
attempt to delay the construction of a new and vastly superior
replacement for the aging Ambassador Bridge without the need for
any government financing. This is something I and many taxpayers
can really applaud.
All the high sounding references to the history of the area have, so far, been
just empty talk. For one year, nothing of substance has been achieved while
causing maximum inconvenience to all property owners in that area. As our representatives
you have a responsibility not to deliberately obstruct any taxpayer without
proper cause. This council has adopted a position that is to say the least,
unworthy of a public body.
The Bridge Company being one of the largest taxpayers in the city deserves
to be part of the dialogue and as long as it is not admitted to the party,
all the lofty rhetoric amounts to just piffle. Piffle, loosely translated means
Bovine Manure.
This contentious
By-law serves no useful purpose and is certainly not in the best
long-term interest of the citizens of this city. It should not
be renewed.
Thank you,
Al Nelman - 25th February 2008
THE
FRANCIS FOLLIES – NEW SEASON
The 2007 season
of the Follies ended with a finale that included the systematic
exclusion of citizens from any worthwhile debate and a budget that
could only have been produced by the mirth makers in city hall.
The loudest laugh in the 2007 version was the $70 million dollar arena that
left the 96% of non-user citizens rolling in the aisle. They thought it was
just hilarious as their hard-earned dollars were shoveled into the voracious
arena jaws. They roared with uncontrollable laughter when water rates were
hiked 86%.
The real highlight of the 2007 show was the rare appearance on stage of the
show’s producer, who delighted the crowd with his clowning act using
only a white board and crayon. It was a magical presentation that only our
Ed could pull off.
January 2008
kicks off the new and improved city hall show. The show is not
for the squeamish as it continues to follow the original comedy/horror
theme. The story line remains, with the excitement of secret meetings,
making enemies, higher and higher legal fees coupled with overpriced
services and consultants. All retained for your entertainment.
Rumours have
it that the show is hampered by the size of the stage and could
be improved by a smaller cast of players.
To this end, Chartwell, a new and expensive star has been added to the cast
to anchor the latest version of the follies. Contracted to remain with the
show for 30 months, Chartwell will assist in choreographing all the show’s
routines while reducing the escalating production costs. It is a hope that
the changes will make the production even more appealing to the hall’s
paying customers.
Meanwhile, patrons
were remembering the 2006 version of the show when the Public Library
was undergoing a similar revamping by the super Star, KPMG, who
left the cast after failing to find improvements to the library
scene. At that time the whole show was supposed to have been subjected
to a rewrite but nothing ever came of it. Whether the addition
of a new star will succeed in bringing a better and less costly
version of this extravaganza is not certain. However, the present
Principals and Cast can breathe a sigh of relief, as they will
not face layoffs similar to those being planned for the Cast members
in the Library scene.
Well, the show goes on. We can only wish them success with the age-old show
biz greeting, Break a leg!
Al Nelman
Windsor
Public Library - Funding Cut
I served on the
Windsor Public Library Board for Two and a half years till 2007.
I am appalled at the obvious bias of the Mayor and Council. During
my term, the Board was constantly under pressure to find operational
synergies between the administration of the city and the Library.
It was suggested that, in fact, the Library should become a department
managed by a city appointee. I must admit that at first I agreed
that such a change would yield significant savings in costs. After
my first year as a board member I was unequivocal in my opposition
to that proposition. It became clear to me that changing the status
of the library would not yield any real savings. Unfortunately,
The Mayor and City Council have decided that if the Library will
not agree to be managed from city hall then they will employ bully
tactics to try and accomplish their goal. This is really the reason
for the ridiculous reduction of $800. 000 in the Library’s
funding. Further, they insist that there be no cuts in service.
This is entirely unrealistic and they know it. They also know that
under the Provincial Public libraries Act they do not have the
authority to tell the board how to operate nor can the city appoint
the Library’s senior management.
The Library is
an autonomous entity that operates under the Ontario Public Libraries
Act. The city’s role is twofold. First, it has the responsibility
to appoint suitable members of the public to the board with a MINORITY
of city councilors making up the total. Secondly, they supply the
largest portion of the funding required with a supplement from
the Provincial Government. The Act stipulates that once the board
has been appointed, it is the board that will be responsible for
the Library’s day to day operations. It is the board’s
responsibility to ensure that the citizens of Windsor receive the
best and most economical service possible. To this end, the Library
submits its proposed budget to the City’s budget committee
each year. The Library’s CEO appears before the committee
and has to justify his budget and does so with supporting documents.
The committee has to make a judgement as to whether the budget
is well founded.
During my term,
the city remained insistent that there were serious inefficiencies
in the Library’s administration. The board was the subject
of adverse publicity with the scuttlebut being that not only were
we remiss in our duties but there were unspecified financial irregularities.
A joint committee was formed to discover and implement the so-called
synergies yet the rumours continued. However, after two years it
was the city that, without consultation with the library board
abruptly disbanded the committee because the magic synergies were
never found. However, the volunteer board members were still being
subjected to malicious innuendo. At this point, the Library board
agreed to an Operational Audit by a professional third party. The
accounting firm, KPMG was appointed, and in October of 2006 the
audit took place. The result was entirely positive and the Board
and management received a clean bill of health and the whispering
was finally silenced.
During 2007,
the board has been reduced from seven to five members. Of that
five, two are city councillors, a new setup that favours the City
and its never-ending quest to diminish the Library Board’s
autonomy.
The $800,000
reduction in the Windsor Public Library’s budget is absolutely
unconscionable and can only result in reduced services to the public.
Any suggestion to the contrary is utter nonsense. The initial call
for a 10% cut in all departments was just smoke and mirrors. I
want to see the result of that request, department by department.
I havn’t yet seen the cuts to non-essential bodies such as
the $450,000 for the Art Gallery and $300,000 for the Windsor Symphony.
Why are the millions of tax dollars being spent on streetscaping
downtown, taking precedence over the funding of The Windsor Public
Library. Let us compare the number of regular patrons who visit
the Library as compared to both the Art Gallery and the Symphony.
Which of these services is essential to the majority of this city’s
population?
Its about time
City Council recognises the need to draw up a list of real priorities
that conform to their true mandate. Too many members of the public
are suffering from layoffs and permanent job loss. Seniors on modest
fixed incomes are finding it difficult to remain solvent and stay
in their homes. Increased taxes, 86% increase in water charges,
increased hydro charges are playing havoc with the lives of a large
numbers of citizens. I refuse to believe that the fat in the city’s
administration at all levels has been cut to the bone while the
Management Empire in city hall has just grown and grown under this
Mayor.
Why is it that
only the Library has been sorted out in this fashion? Where are
the 10% cuts in all departments? The loyal and highly skilled personnel
in the library and the taxpaying public deserve better treatment.
This city is
rudderless and adrift in a raging sea of economic change. In my
opinion, what is needed is a Government appointed trustee to take
control and steer it to safety.
Al Nelman
20th December 2007
Crumbs
from the Council Chamber
When the Boxing
Day edition of the Windsor Star was delivered to my home one headline
was so startling that only a supreme effort prevented a regurgitation
disaster. However, I feel no pangs for decrying crumbs from the
Councillors’ table. These are the same people who imposed
a massive increase in the cost of utilities, higher Realty Taxes
coupled to various levies (Taxes). They now have the nerve to pontificate
on their “grand gesture” of forgoing a $560.00 planned
annual cost of living increase. Naturally, they do not publicise
their huge Fee increases for sitting on boards and commissions.
This crude method of quietly increasing their total compensation
needs to be subjected to a public enquiry. The present level of
Councillor remuneration begs the question, what ever happened to
PUBLIC SERVICE?
Who recommended
the planned cost of living increase in the first place? It appears
to be the Council Support Services Committee. Questions arising
are the identity of committee members, who appoints them, do they
receive financial compensation and what exactly is the committee’s
function? These are important questions, as it must be assumed
that they deal not only with councillors’ salary scales but
also those of the senior administration executives. Have the growing
number of individuals who receive salaries in excess of $100,000
been asked to forgo any planned cost of living increases? Will
an official request be made to all unionised city staff to do the
same? If not, why not?
Since the budget
deliberations have become more contentious, Council has been asking
what service cuts will the citizens accept in order to avoid tax
increases. The real issue is not to cut but to reduce the cost
of services that are far too high, when compared to the private
sector.
Grand gesture!
Bah Humbug!
Al Nelman
27th December 2007
Self
Serving Culture
When are the
special interest groups in this city finally going to get the message?
Many citizens are now jobless, property values are plummeting,
infrastructure is rapidly deteriorating, tax increases and excessive
service costs are causing hardship to a large segment of the population.
When everyone is being adversely affected by the downturn in our
base automotive industry, the culture vultures are circling.
It is the height
of self-serving ignorance when the Conductor of the Windsor Symphony
Orchestra comes calling at city hall with a request for $60,000.
A contribution towards a feasibility study to convert the Armories
building into what he claims will be a world class concert hall.
He obviously
aced the exam in popular culture studies, “Insensitivity
101”. Those who so enthusiastically support his “Vision” should
pull out their own cheque books and stop trying to open ours.
His request comes
as City Council is labouring over a crucial budget dealing with
drastically reduced revenues, a circumstance of no consequence
to this gentleman. He wants this blue-collar city to spend tens
of millions of tax dollars to go into direct competition with the
world class symphony just across the Detroit river.
He does not acknowledge
that without the hundreds of thousands of tax dollars he now receives,
he would have to fold his tent and move on. Let’s be real
and send this culture vulture a message. We can’t afford
you now, so if you feel that your organisation is worthy of better
things, I urge you to seek funding from the private sector. Failing
success there, I suggest that you “Go west young man” and
participate in the booming oil economy.
The majority
of Windsorites have far more important things to worry about.
Al Nelman,
11th December 2007
Whose fault is it?
In recent days
the Mayor has been telling us how wonderful it is to live in the
great City of Windsor and to look
on the bright side
of things. We, the citizens are not doing enough to tell the world
that this is the place to be. Hip! Hip! Hooray! I can’t understand
why we should be so negative. After all, what’s not to like?
When we have a new overpriced $70,000,000+ arena that will serve
only a minority interest group and significantly increase the cost
of services to the general public.
When we are jolted with an 86% increase in water rates.
When we ruin our cars as we drive over third world roads.
When we have the second highest per capita cost of police service
in Canada.
When all the important issues that impact us are discussed in secret.
When our Mayor wastes hard earned tax dollars for expensive legal
fights and high priced consultants achieving nothing.
When we can claim to be one of the highest taxed communities in Ontario.
When we are bracing for yet another increase in taxes and levies.
When city councillors pad their incomes with totally unjustifiable
increases in fees for sitting on boards and commissions.
When the mayor ensures that concerned members of the public are excluded
from making presentations at public council meetings.
When the mayor deliberately uses his office to frustrate the citizen’s
request for a forensic audit of the WUC.
When many citizens are losing their jobs while city council baulks
at the necessary shrinkage in this city’s bureaucracy.
When the gift of an important downtown taxpayer asset-The Cleary
Auditorium- to St Clair College has not revitalised downtown.
When millions of taxpayer dollars are wasted on an unnecessary downtown
bus depot that is proving more nuisance than its worth.
When this city’s automotive base is shrinking, requiring an
unlikely serious reduction in taxes to persuade new business to locate
here.
When the only local newspaper’s leading columnist derides and
insults the motives of concerned citizens by describing them as whiners.
I’ve come
to the conclusion that I can be forgiven if I borrow a few words
from the King of Spain and respectfully
request both
the Mayor and the locally vaunted columnist to PLEASE SHUT UP!
Al Nelman
November
11th
As a veteran
of WW2, I attended the Cenotaph ceremony last Sunday 11th November
2007. I was very impressed by the number of citizens who braved
a damp chilly morning to come out to remember those who made the
supreme sacrifice in the cause of freedom and justice for all.
As I stood there with my comrades, I and I’m sure, all of
us were overwhelmed with thoughts of our experiences in those times
of danger, hardships and tragedy. I listened to members of the
three levels of government as they thanked us for our service and
promised to ensure that veterans of all wars would never be forgotten.
It was then
that I couldn’t help thinking about the present difficulties
that face this city. The word “Service” kept coming
to mind and how local politicians seem unable to comprehend its
meaning. Concerned citizens who have been inspired to help their
fellows, not for personal gain but as a conscientious act of service,
have been thrust aside and ignored by the very people they trusted
and elected to be their true representatives.
Abe Lincoln’s
closing to his Gettysburg Address comes to mind and I quote: “That
government of the people for the people by the people shall not
perish from this earth”. I have come to the conclusion that
we are being deprived of the freedoms that were bought in blood
on battlefields worldwide.
I ask that politicians of all stripes to look inwards and think
of these words that I reluctantly write today. I particularly ask
our municipal representatives
to give up the adversarial posture that they have adopted towards those who
trusted and elected them. I demand that the freedom to “SERVE” and
participate in municipal affairs be restored to the citizens of Windsor.
Al Nelman,
Windsor, Ontario, Royal Air Force 1942/47
A City
In Turmoil - November 4, 2007
With the city’s
revenue in steep decline, and an unrealistic over ambitious Mayor,
the citizens of Windsor have been told to pay up and shut up. The
Mayor believes that he can literally dictate to us without bothering
to listen to our concerns. His clever political manoeuvre that
circumvented the full forensic audit of the finances and business
practices of both the WUC and the Enwin Group of companies is a
disgrace. It begs the question, what is it that evokes such a determination
to keep it from public scrutiny? City councillors with the exception
of Councillor Halberstadt, are no longer representing their constituents
while supporting the Mayor without reservation. We are living in
a virtual dictatorship.
The massive 86% increase in water charges should have been enough to trigger
the detailed enquiry that is being requested by concerned citizens. The Mayor
obviously feels that the whitewash that he has so cleverly orchestrated will
be enough to silence all opposition. He is foolish to think so and he can expect
a growing opposition from citizens who will not be pushed aside!! The new organisation,
WEACT, (Windsor Association of Concerned Citizens) is the catalyst that will
make sure that pressure will continue to be applied to the non-performing city
council until they give us the diligence and transparency that is presently absent
from their governance.
Remembering that the word “Levy” is just another name for “Tax”,
the increased revenues resulting from such levies serve to cover up the mismanagement
of this city’s financial affairs. No effort has been made to balance existing
revenues with real priority expenditures, just keep spending and increase taxes.
Thus we are being saddled with an unplanned arena complex, serving at best 4%
of the population that will cost in excess of $70,000,000 while we are told that
there are insufficient funds to maintain roads, water lines and sewers.
The cost of continuing to maintain the non-performing Windsor Airport is yet
another example of gross financial mismanagement. It should be closed until there
is a clear case that there is enough revenue for it to be self-supporting. Taxpayers
should not be subjected to higher taxes to maintain a losing commercial entity.
Now is the time for the citizens of this city to join together with the members
of the WEACT organisation to apply the utmost pressure on the Mayor and council
to listen to us and react accordingly.
Al Nelman
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