The story in today's Windsor Star about a senior lady's encounter in Calgary with an airport security person who forced her to reveal her prosthetic breast and accused her of lying is extremely troubling.
Most security people and border officers are courteous and helpful and understand that they have a job to do and it is NOT harassing travelers. However, there are a few who get carried away with their authority or who are having a bad day and take it out on the travelers. There must be a mechanism put into place to stop this before it leads to a serious backlash that could harm security at our borders and airports.
I suggest that a pamphlet be handed out at all border crossings and airports with a survey about how travelers are treated by the security personnel and a guarantee that people who complain will not be harassed in the future. There should also be large signs posted that clearly state that the security measures and personnel are there to serve a specific purpose and are required to treat people courteously and with respect. It might also be useful to occasionally have a senior staff member observing the process and correcting any unwarranted action by security personnel. All security personnel should be required to wear an easily read badge that contains either their name or other method of identifying them in case a complaint is made against them.
I applaud the work of our hard working border and security personnel and appreciate their efforts in keeping us safe, but even they must be embarrassed by some of their coworkers who are giving them a bad name.
by Richard Rosenthal
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
Happy Every Day
A friend wished me "happy every day" recently and it struck a chord. It seems that the spirit of the holidays can be short lived and sometimes hollow. Like being asked, "How are you" and not waiting for an answer. An automatic greeting without necessarily any real meaning.
I would like to think that people would be happier and more productive if they approached life like each day was a special one, after all, each day is. Each day brings new opportunities to continue to grow and serve our community. Each day brings new opportunities to learn and share our gifts of knowledge, passion and compassion.
So let us try to make each day in 2011 the special one it is.
by Richard Rosenthal
I would like to think that people would be happier and more productive if they approached life like each day was a special one, after all, each day is. Each day brings new opportunities to continue to grow and serve our community. Each day brings new opportunities to learn and share our gifts of knowledge, passion and compassion.
So let us try to make each day in 2011 the special one it is.
by Richard Rosenthal
Thursday, October 28, 2010
The people have spoken
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
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, 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
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