Our community should be proud of the improved voter turnout in the municipal elections. It seems that almost a third more votes were cast than the previous election.
The council includes the return of some excellent people and the addition of "new blood" that should provide a renewed energy and perhaps some interesting new ideas.
I was particularly pleased to see our Mayor returned with such a strong majority. Eddie has worked diligently and enthusiastically for the residents of Windsor and his entrepreneurial approach is exactly what has been needed over the past years and continues to be a benefit in developing and maintaining business opportunities and jobs in our community.
We should extend a thank you to Ken Lewenza for his service to our community. It is not important whether we agree or disagree with each decision by each councillor but it is important to recognize that each of these individuals serves their community to the best of their ability and in accordance with their view of what direction to take.
There has been talk of a divided community during the campaign but I don't believe that to be the case. Windsorites, for the most part, want what is best for their community and while self - interest always plays a role the unions in this city have always been strong supporters of the general community and stepped up to help where ever it has been needed.
We face many challenges but will conquer them and continue to make Windsor the wonderful place to live and work that it has always been.
by Richard Rosenthal
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Go Eddie Go!
I know that the Mayor had a very difficult decision to make - lead the community and sacrifice a significant amount of time away from a young family or join the private sector and earn at least twice the money with half the hassle.
It's a tribute to his sense of responsibility and commitment to this community that he chose to continue to serve us another four years. I am confident that the majority of the electorate appreciate his efforts on our behalf and recognize the tremendous accomplishments, in a very difficult economy, that he and the City Council have been able to produce.
The arguments over style and outsourcing are nit picking annoyances in comparison to the successes achieved on our behalf. Red herring arguments about private sector delivery served up by a union trying to protect its membership dues are just that. Government should not be in any business competing with the private sector if at all possible. Its the private sector that pays the taxes and makes the government jobs possible.
The City has acted overly responsibly by not laying off the affected workers and using attrition to reduce the work force. If the company hired to do the work does not perform at the highest level they can be replaced without any long term residual labour costs. We save taxes and approximately the same number of people will be hired by the private sector to do the work so the money stays in Windsor, for the most part, and the current employees still have jobs. Talk about a "win, win" for everyone.
Now Eddie, please remember that a good leader develops a successor - you should have four more years to work on that and it will make it easier next time around.
Thank you for being there for us.
by Richard Rosenthal
It's a tribute to his sense of responsibility and commitment to this community that he chose to continue to serve us another four years. I am confident that the majority of the electorate appreciate his efforts on our behalf and recognize the tremendous accomplishments, in a very difficult economy, that he and the City Council have been able to produce.
The arguments over style and outsourcing are nit picking annoyances in comparison to the successes achieved on our behalf. Red herring arguments about private sector delivery served up by a union trying to protect its membership dues are just that. Government should not be in any business competing with the private sector if at all possible. Its the private sector that pays the taxes and makes the government jobs possible.
The City has acted overly responsibly by not laying off the affected workers and using attrition to reduce the work force. If the company hired to do the work does not perform at the highest level they can be replaced without any long term residual labour costs. We save taxes and approximately the same number of people will be hired by the private sector to do the work so the money stays in Windsor, for the most part, and the current employees still have jobs. Talk about a "win, win" for everyone.
Now Eddie, please remember that a good leader develops a successor - you should have four more years to work on that and it will make it easier next time around.
Thank you for being there for us.
by Richard Rosenthal
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Eddie Francis - the big decision
Today's Windsor Star editorial accurately reflects my view of how Eddie Francis has served his community so well during his tenure as our Mayor. There are few during my lifetime in this City who have led as well, honestly and energetically.
From a very selfish view, I would like to see him run again but from a personal view Eddie has to make a choice that suits the needs of his young family and his future career.
He will have no trouble finding an alternative career path that can earn him substantially more money than what is accorded the Mayor. He can move into the corporate world and lead a company or practice law.
But this is a choice for his family to make. There will be pressures in any other path he chooses and they may be as daunting or more so. But again, its his choice.
And what about the City? Can we survive without Eddie? Of course we can. There will be others who will come forward and while their style and philosophy may be different they will rise to the challenge and serve our community as past Mayors have.
We have had great Mayors before like David Croll and Bert Weeks who had different political priorities but led the entire community not just their political consituency.
So, thank you Eddie from this Windsorite. Make the choice you need to make for you and your family. I for one will always respect and appreciate your leadership, whatever that choice is.
by Richard Rosenthal
From a very selfish view, I would like to see him run again but from a personal view Eddie has to make a choice that suits the needs of his young family and his future career.
He will have no trouble finding an alternative career path that can earn him substantially more money than what is accorded the Mayor. He can move into the corporate world and lead a company or practice law.
But this is a choice for his family to make. There will be pressures in any other path he chooses and they may be as daunting or more so. But again, its his choice.
And what about the City? Can we survive without Eddie? Of course we can. There will be others who will come forward and while their style and philosophy may be different they will rise to the challenge and serve our community as past Mayors have.
We have had great Mayors before like David Croll and Bert Weeks who had different political priorities but led the entire community not just their political consituency.
So, thank you Eddie from this Windsorite. Make the choice you need to make for you and your family. I for one will always respect and appreciate your leadership, whatever that choice is.
by Richard Rosenthal
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Do we really need all these different chargers?
by Richard Rosenthal
I was looking for my cell phone charger today and it suddenly occurred to me that I had far too many chargers that all do the same thing. Every new cell phone, every digital camera, every portable device had a different charger. Some have a car charger as well. So why do we need all these different chargers? They all do the same thing and, for the most part, appear to be interchangeable except for the different connectors that plug into the device to be charged.
Just think of all the waste involved in this. The extra electrical garbage going into our landfills or collecting dust on our shelves. Why can't these devices be standardized like other electrical devices so we only need one, or possibly two?
Maybe its time for us to start writing letters to the government and the manufacturers to insist on a change in their approach. It could save millions of dollars and be good for the environment.
While we're at it. What about the various non-standard rechargeable batteries is laptops, digital cameras and other devices? Do they really need to all be different?
I was looking for my cell phone charger today and it suddenly occurred to me that I had far too many chargers that all do the same thing. Every new cell phone, every digital camera, every portable device had a different charger. Some have a car charger as well. So why do we need all these different chargers? They all do the same thing and, for the most part, appear to be interchangeable except for the different connectors that plug into the device to be charged.
Just think of all the waste involved in this. The extra electrical garbage going into our landfills or collecting dust on our shelves. Why can't these devices be standardized like other electrical devices so we only need one, or possibly two?
Maybe its time for us to start writing letters to the government and the manufacturers to insist on a change in their approach. It could save millions of dollars and be good for the environment.
While we're at it. What about the various non-standard rechargeable batteries is laptops, digital cameras and other devices? Do they really need to all be different?
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Windsor Elvis Fest
Windsor Elvis Fest has been held on the waterfront for the first 4 years of its existence. This has brought significant business to the downtown area including thousands of guests from outside of Windsor. The benefit to downtown merchants has been positive but there has not been a lot of support for Elvis Fest from these same merchants in terms of sponsorship money necessary to put on events of this type.
This year, Windsor Elvis Fest is still downtown but has moved to the Capitol Theatre and will be held June 18th to the 20th. Once again it is being sponsored by The Centres For Seniors Windsor, (519) 254-1108, and is designed as a fund raiser to support services for Windsor's seniors.
Many volunteers work countless hours to bring dozens of great entertainers to our city as well as build Windsor as a tourist attraction. The fans love the weekend and spend money downtown.
So, merchants, please show your support for an event that helps your business by signing up as a sponsor of the 2010 Windsor Elvis Fest. We need each other and we're staying downtown!
by Richard Rosenthal
This year, Windsor Elvis Fest is still downtown but has moved to the Capitol Theatre and will be held June 18th to the 20th. Once again it is being sponsored by The Centres For Seniors Windsor, (519) 254-1108, and is designed as a fund raiser to support services for Windsor's seniors.
Many volunteers work countless hours to bring dozens of great entertainers to our city as well as build Windsor as a tourist attraction. The fans love the weekend and spend money downtown.
So, merchants, please show your support for an event that helps your business by signing up as a sponsor of the 2010 Windsor Elvis Fest. We need each other and we're staying downtown!
by Richard Rosenthal
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Let he who is without sin...
I have been following the news about the unfortunate errors made in our hospitals that have very seriously affected the people who were wronged as well as the doctors involved and don't understand the hysteria.
It appears that out of thousands of cases over many years, a leading professional has made a very small number of errors. Yes - they are serious, and perhaps they might have been prevented. The victims of these errors are paying a high price but I am sure the doctors and medical community are as well. And what about the current patients desperately in need of the medical services now being curtailed while an investigation takes place? How much damage will that do? Delayed surgeries could negatively affect more people than the errors did.
Every human being makes mistakes. If they were honest errors and there is no pattern of repetition suggesting incompetence they have to get past these errors and move forward. I feel for the patients who suffered unnecessary surgery and the psychological fall out that goes along with it. But I also feel for those on the waiting list, who are being denied access to needed treatment and are willing to go ahead with the same excellent doctor being kept out of the hospital.
"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone" should apply in this situation.
by Richard Rosenthal
It appears that out of thousands of cases over many years, a leading professional has made a very small number of errors. Yes - they are serious, and perhaps they might have been prevented. The victims of these errors are paying a high price but I am sure the doctors and medical community are as well. And what about the current patients desperately in need of the medical services now being curtailed while an investigation takes place? How much damage will that do? Delayed surgeries could negatively affect more people than the errors did.
Every human being makes mistakes. If they were honest errors and there is no pattern of repetition suggesting incompetence they have to get past these errors and move forward. I feel for the patients who suffered unnecessary surgery and the psychological fall out that goes along with it. But I also feel for those on the waiting list, who are being denied access to needed treatment and are willing to go ahead with the same excellent doctor being kept out of the hospital.
"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone" should apply in this situation.
by Richard Rosenthal
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Thank You Alan Halberstadt
In this month's issue of BizX Alan has taken the opportunity to defend the city's purchasing policy and has referred to my blog. It really didn't matter what he said about my comments as long as he spelled my name right, which he did. Unfortunately, I am not running for public office so the publicity is of little value.
However, I must point out that my position was (and you can verify this in my previous blog): "The City's tendering rules obviously are flawed if a local contractor with a lower bid, who obviously built an excellent building, would have lost this contract."
The key is the word "if".
I have no argument with Alan's detailed explanation of why local preference could be a problem and could even be illegal. My issue only was as I stated and I relied on the Windsor Star report of the audit as did most people. We didn't read the audit and trusted the media for an accurate account.
However, now that he has tried to justify the policy, I must point out that local businesses in Windsor often have much higher costs, due to higher taxes, than some competitors whose businesses are in less expensive tax jurisdictions. This does seem unfair in that they are paying the taxes that pay the contractors who win the business with lower quotes.
There should be some way to compensate for this but I don't know what it is and if I did I would probably have to run for a seat on Council to fix it (and its way past my time to do that).
So Alan, you try to work that one out so it is fair for all concerned. I think you are a very good member of Council and know if anyone can come up with a solution it will probably be you.
by Richard Rosenthal
CLICK ON COVER!
However, I must point out that my position was (and you can verify this in my previous blog): "The City's tendering rules obviously are flawed if a local contractor with a lower bid, who obviously built an excellent building, would have lost this contract."
The key is the word "if".
I have no argument with Alan's detailed explanation of why local preference could be a problem and could even be illegal. My issue only was as I stated and I relied on the Windsor Star report of the audit as did most people. We didn't read the audit and trusted the media for an accurate account.
However, now that he has tried to justify the policy, I must point out that local businesses in Windsor often have much higher costs, due to higher taxes, than some competitors whose businesses are in less expensive tax jurisdictions. This does seem unfair in that they are paying the taxes that pay the contractors who win the business with lower quotes.
There should be some way to compensate for this but I don't know what it is and if I did I would probably have to run for a seat on Council to fix it (and its way past my time to do that).
So Alan, you try to work that one out so it is fair for all concerned. I think you are a very good member of Council and know if anyone can come up with a solution it will probably be you.
by Richard Rosenthal
CLICK ON COVER!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Greed and Obscene Demands
I, for one, am tired of hearing Syd Ryan and the other government union leaders complaining that they did not cause the current economic situation so they should not be expected to help pay for it. The taxpayers did not cause it. The auto workers did not cause it either. Certainly the seniors with fixed or diminished incomes didn't cause it either. But Mr. Ryan and his pals want them to not only bear the brunt of their own hardships but be weighed down by the obscene demands of his members.
So who should pay for it? There is no alternative when income is less than expenses but to cut expenses and the largest expense in government is the workforce. The auto workers and most people in the private sector had to to accept cutbacks to survive. Seniors have had to adjust their living because pensions eroded or disappeared. Mr. Ryan and his band of merry reality deniers are just going to have to accept the fact that there is no money to pay them. Does he really think that the rest of the world should continue to award pay increases and hefty benefits out of their diminished resources?
There was a time when civil servants were paid less than the private sector but had secure jobs in exchange. Now the public sector, for the most part, enjoy higher pay, better benefits and significantly more security than the private sector.
Perhaps it is time for unions in the public sector to be banned from striking or perhaps even eliminated. College teachers turning down a 5.9% pay increase in this economy and day care workers insisting that the private sector can't handle their work are ridiculous and they are earning scorn rather than praise from the general public.
by Richard Rosenthal
CLICK ON COVER!
So who should pay for it? There is no alternative when income is less than expenses but to cut expenses and the largest expense in government is the workforce. The auto workers and most people in the private sector had to to accept cutbacks to survive. Seniors have had to adjust their living because pensions eroded or disappeared. Mr. Ryan and his band of merry reality deniers are just going to have to accept the fact that there is no money to pay them. Does he really think that the rest of the world should continue to award pay increases and hefty benefits out of their diminished resources?
There was a time when civil servants were paid less than the private sector but had secure jobs in exchange. Now the public sector, for the most part, enjoy higher pay, better benefits and significantly more security than the private sector.
Perhaps it is time for unions in the public sector to be banned from striking or perhaps even eliminated. College teachers turning down a 5.9% pay increase in this economy and day care workers insisting that the private sector can't handle their work are ridiculous and they are earning scorn rather than praise from the general public.
by Richard Rosenthal
CLICK ON COVER!
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