My Last Article This Year

It has been quite a year for me. I have spent a lot of time preparing and then writing an article for this Website. I hope that you, dear reader, have enjoyed reading the various pieces that I have written. I expect to keep on writing in the new year because I feel so happy doing so. I even enjoy the fact that many of my readers are on my side on many of the matters about which I have written. For those who are opposed, don't worry. I respect your opinions as well.

I hope that you will understand why I am going to write this particular article. To be direct, it is one of my personal ones. If it is not something that you would want to read, then I would not be upset if you chose to leave and come back in the future for a different type of article.

You see, dear reader, this time of the year is a very difficult one for me. Although I feel much better, mentally, I am still taken aback by what happened just about 3 years ago. Unfortunately for me, the thought is still there about what happened then and what it meant at the time. Even though everything has changed positively for the better, what still lingers are some horrible thoughts.

I am sure that you remember this Facebook post that I made on Christmas Day in 2014. When I checked it out again before posting this article, I noticed a couple of comments I made that were troubling. Here's what I mean:

It is exactly how I felt at the time. Nothing serious after all, just the usual kind of feeling that arose because of inclement weather.  I was certain wasn't I that I would get over this "flu" shortly because I was feeling better already.

You know well, dear reader, that I did not have the flu. Rather, it was probably the second day of the illness that could have resulted in my death in about 10 days in total unless immediate medical treatment was started. As you also know by now, that illness is virtually unknown by the medical practice in Windsor so that my recovery is amazing.

I was quite ill on December 31, 2014 and went to hospital but left after a number of hours because no one could figure out what was wrong with me, I was in the Emergency section in the hospital for quite some time already and I was positive that I felt better. Unfortunately, on New Year's day on January 1, 2015, I felt even more sick and my wife insisted that I go back to hospital immediately. I did and was admitted within 2 hours into the Emergency Section because I was in a horrific condition. I was completely sick and lost rather quickly a great part of my mind, between 90 to 95% of my mental ability.

Miraculously, I survived this horrific illness and started a process that lasted for over 2 years to get myself back as close to normal as possible. Many people who had my disease either died right away or had such an extremely poor recovery to eventually wind up in a nursing centre for the rest of their life.

If you want all the details about what I went through during this time-frame, then please just go back to my regular articles on the Website. I don't intend talking about them again in this article. There is no need to do so because you should know by now that I did so well.  Not completely, obviously, because I am still suffering from certain matters from which I will never recover. However I have done extremely well in getting back to my former normal life.

Notwithstanding how much time has passed since I first suffered this illness, how much I have learned and my great recovery, I am never going to be completely well again.  I have suffered certain losses that impact how my life is run. There is nothing I can do about it other than work around the negatives by picking up new functions to assist in trying to replace them. To be direct, that is what I am attempting to do now.

This reality does cause me concern and worries me. I know that I will suffer from some of these negatives no matter how hard I try to overcome them. I have learned that what I must do is try to put into their place whatever alternative options I can find and try to learn from them.  

Just to give you one example. Previously, I rarely put in writing the information I needed to remember in an issue in which I was dealing. My memory was that strong. Now, however, I have difficulty remembering some of the matters in which I participate. Accordingly, as required, I have to make notes of it and, more importantly, make sure that other members of my family are dealing with it as well so they can remember the facts involving the matter. I rely now upon my notes, their memory and their memos for which they are so good at writing to help me out as required.

My worry also has a role in my handling of issues in which I am involved. My role today is to solve a problem, whatever it is, in one day! I am serious: ONE DAY. I do not allow it to last any longer than that. It truly must be solved before I go to bed at the end of the day it first arises because I am afraid of what I might lose mentally if it lasts longer.

Yes, that may seem extreme or even absurd. However it is my reality, no matter what that issue is. Surprisingly, it has worked very well during this period of time from which I recovered from my illness. I had a number of very serious matters arise that I had to settle with outside parties quickly especially arising after our move to our new location in Tecumseh. And I did, all within the same day the problem arose in the first place! I was able to speak to the appropriate person on the other side and was able to resolve the situation virtually immediately in the best interest of both parties. It helped me stop worrying!

I do worry about how long I will be living. Could something happen right away now once again from what I suffered? That is a concern that I have that still gives me difficulty even if medically I am supposedly in a good condition now.  I always assumed before that I was going to live for a very long time. I don't rely upon that assumption today anymore.

I have no idea how long I am going to be alive but I now look at my life differently. I am just hopeful that I will wake up in the morning after I go to sleep the night before. I have made that my objective and hope that I can achieve it. I really am happy when I wake up and can turn on my recorder to listen to some of my favourite music. I know that I have survived for one more day.

To be honest about it, I do believe that I have a role to play although, not surprisingly, I am not sure what that role is. I do assume that one of my objectives is to make certain that each of the members of my family does very well while I am still around. I expect that my function is to help them out as best I can in what they are required to do.  

I do not know if I am also supposed to help others who may have a concern or even what my task might be.  However, I truly believe that I am to do so in return because of the great recovery that I have been given.  I believe that this duty has been "assigned" to me and I am to carry it out.  Yes, that may seem to be very peculiar to you, dear reader, but that is exactly how I feel today after what I have gone through.

Put together my personal concerns and what my duties may be with others and you will understand, dear reader, a little bit about how I am living today. Perhaps you may now understand how in this time period I still have worries as in the past even though I am very grateful that I have been recovered so well with the help of others.  But you also may understand as I do now the reason I  have been allowed to live!

Getting Closer To The End Of The Year

The temperature in this area is getting quite bizarre isn't it. When I looked recently at a 10 day forecast for our weather, I saw that it could go up to 7°C and then down to -8°C a few days later. I must admit that I wish that it stayed at 7°C or higher for a much longer time but unfortunately that doesn't happen. 

I understand that some of my readers don't mind this chilly weather. It doesn't seem to bother them too much probably because they have the proper clothes to wear that will keep them nice and warm. Regretfully, that is not something that I really have even though I have some clothing for this time of year. Oh well, I just will have to stay warm inside the house, do lots of exercising here to keep it and then wait for the spring to come back. 

Naturally, of course, I will have an interesting story to tell you, dear reader, before the end of the year.  I hope about doing that soon. In the meantime, let me tell you about some matters that I have read that I hope will interest you as well. 

A NEW BRIDGE AUTHORITY LEADER 

Well, a new one was appointed but I am not sure how long he is going to be around. Andre Juneau has become the interim Chief Executive Officer of the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority.  Here is what I saw: 

"In order to maintain progress on the Gordie Howe International Bridge project, Mr. Juneau will be taking on the role of CEO on an interim basis until the position is permanently filled…," the government’s announcement stated.  

The government will appoint a permanent CEO. The selection will be “open, transparent and merit-based,” the statement said. Details about the position and the closing date for applications will be released “in the coming weeks,” bridge authority spokesman Mark Butler said." (Anne Jarvis,Windsor Star, December 15, 2017) 

I am sure that you will recall that Michael Cautillo, who was in the position of President and Chief Executive Officer previously, had a rather strange ending of his career there. 

Here is what the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, wrote: 

"As Minister responsible for the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, I have accepted Michael Cautillo’s resignation from the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, effective December 8, 2017." 

He also added in: 

"[Mr. Cautillo] had been on a leave of absence since August 24, 2017 before tendering his resignation." 

I wonder how long Mr. Juneau will be around: 

"Mr. Juneau will be taking on the role of CEO on an interim basis until the position is permanently filled through an open, transparent, and merit-based selection process led by the Government of Canada." 

The whole thing just seems so strange that I just don't get it. Juneau apparently had his job for the last few months even though he didn't have his position:

"The Board of Directors delegated the equivalent responsibilities of the CEO to him as COO." 

What is even more peculiar as far as I am concerned is that the new appointee is only going to be an "interim" CEO. Nevertheless, here apparently is what he is supposed to do. It makes no sense to me given that he is not the new Head: 

"We look forward to working with Mr. Juneau during this critical stage of the procurement process to select a private-sector partner." 

Presumably they are looking for a new CEO but who knows when that person is going to be appointed. I must admit that I would have thought that everything should be in limbo for a while. Does it make any sense for the short-term leader to make long-term decisions and then have a new leader appointed who has no say? I have difficulty understanding the rationale for that. 

Oh well, let us just hope that the Ambassador Bridge Company can build its new bridge ASAP so we don't have to worry about this nonsense. 

MORE BORDER FILE STUFF 

I really should not be doing this article but I'm going to do so anyway. It is just so nice to see some writers effectively doing some smart research into why it makes no sense for the Government of Canada to spend billions on building a new bridge.  

I will just give you a reference to the articles that I have seen recently so that you can read them yourself. You will easily understand what I mean: 

"Do we really need a $4 billion bridge to Detroit?" by Alan Freeman" 

https://ipolitics.ca/2017/10/13/do-we-really-need-a-4-billion-bridge-to-detroit/

"Michael's essay — Do we really need to spend $4-billion to build a new bridge to Michigan?"  by Michael Enright 

http://www.cbc.ca/radio/thesundayedition/the-sunday-edition-december-17-2017-1.4448153/michael-s-essay-do-we-really-need-to-spend-4-billion-to-build-a-new-bridge-to-michigan-1.4450282

Sure, it means that the Ambassador Bridge will build the new bridge but what it means is that the Government should be negotiating with the Bridge Company right now to be involved in its new construction program.  Of course, there is a logical agreement that should be undertaken immediately between the parties. And I have talked all about that before.

Time For Another Comments Article

This cold weather is good for one thing for me. It is a good reason why I should sit by my computer and do another News article for you, dear reader.

It must be the new location where I am located in my townhouse in Tecumseh. It just seems a lot colder here in this Town now than it did while I lived in Windsor. I don't know if it is because of geographical location or just the specific area where I now live. We used to live behind a golf course here so all of the land behind me would have been open spaced. As you know, dear reader, it seems, just after my wife and I moved in several years ago, that the land became redeveloped with huge, massive and expensive new homes. 

I would have thought that these new homes would block winds blowing so much on us. Unfortunately, they don't. The cold winds just keep on coming! Moreover, the speed of winds these days is so much higher for so much longer than I can remember in the past.

Oh well, it just means that I stay indoors more and have the opportunity to spend more time doing research so that I can write more articles. That's okay with me even though it means that I will have to exercise more inside as well. Here are some stories that I have researched. I hope that you enjoy them.

FORTUNATE WINDSORITES

How fortunate residents of Windsor are.  Here is some good news for Windsorites.

"New co-generation systems that generate electricity and also capture byproduct thermal energy to help with heating are projected to shave $1.1 million annually from the energy bills at three of the city’s biggest facilities.

Huron Lodge long-term care home, the WFCU Centre and the Windsor International Aquatic and Training Centre have either recently had the systems installed — each costing around $3 million — or are just about to." (Brian Cross, Windsor Star, December 8, 2017) 

I would have thought that this was a terrific opportunity for the Mayor and Councillors to give interviews to all of the media on this project for the interest of the public.  I wonder when they will start talking about it and taking some of the credit too.

The huge amount of savings that will last for years which will reduce taxes is certainly something about which to make citizens aware especially before the election campaign starts. It is pretty good publicity I think with all of that money saved.

"All of this lowers operating cost,” Sergio Grando, [manager of energy initiatives] said of the projects…

Anything we can do to wear our green hat to reduce energy consumption and hence create operational savings is essentially what we do,” Grando said."

Who knows, perhaps surprisingly, tax savings may not be considered that big a deal by politicians in Windsor.

THE REAL STORY BEHIND THE GORDIE HOWE BRIDGE THESE DAYS

Can it really be that it makes much sense for the Canadian Government to spend $4-$5 billion or more some time in the future to build, if it is at all legally allowable, a new bridge between Windsor and Detroit. This is long after the Ambassador Bridge Company built their bridge and after a multiyear lawsuit started by the Bridge Company to prevent the Government bridge being built was decided in the Government's favour.

Of course it does not make sense. Yet, here is an article that I saw recently:

"Federal officials have been on a months-long campaign to surreptitiously slip the name Gordie Howe into conversations with top-level American counterparts to promote the new border crossing that will bear the hockey player’s name." (Jordan Press, Canadian Press, December 9, 2017) 

Wow, it would seem initially that the Canadian Government wants to spend so much money to build a bridge even though traffic seems significantly lower and the likelihood of it getting its money back quickly, or even ever at all, seems quite poor.

Wait a minute, there might be another reason, the real one, why this story is coming out even though the Ambassador Bridge Company has started building its new bridge already. It might be that there is no real expectation that the competitive Gordie Howe Bridge will ever be built. There are some interesting comments at the end of the news story. It seems to me that one must always go to the end of key news articles to see if there are other factors involved. It seems that there is a hidden motive for talking about the Gordie Howe Bridge:

"The May presentation, obtained by The Canadian Press under the Access to Information Act, suggests the Gordie Howe bridge project became part of Liberal efforts to keep NAFTA from falling apart. The presentation and accompanying briefing note for a meeting of deputy ministers repeatedly stresses that Trump sees the bridge as a strategic piece of cross-border infrastructure…

The constant reminders about the bridge are also likely part of efforts to get the U.S. to commit to providing enough border guards at the new and existing border crossings to avoid bottlenecks, said Lydia Miljan, associate professor of political science at the University of Windsor...

Stuart Soroka, a professor of communication studies and political science at the University of Michigan, said national governments regularly lobby neighbouring jurisdictions on large infrastructure projects to maintain support and avoid a counter-movement."

In other words, the Canadian Government needs to protect its key elements of border crossing and is merely using the thought that a Gordie Howe Bridge needs to be built to help it out.

YOU MUST SEE THESE PHOTOS

The photographs taken of Lake Erie 2 years ago by Dave Sandford are truly awe-inspiring. Please go here and take a look at them: 

"Liquid Mountains: I Captured Lake Erie On The Day It Came Alive And Showed Its True Power 2 years ago by Dave Sandford"

Here is just one of them that is so unbelievable so you will understand what I mean when I tell you to go there:

 BORDER TROUBLE

Oh, it has nothing to do with building another bridge in this area. Rather, it has to do with bridges all across Canada.

I just cannot believe that contract negotiations between the Canadian Government and the Union representing border officers is so ridiculous that negotiations have been going on for 3 years and nothing has been resolved. Does that make any sense to anyone!

It seems that the Union is finally upset, another absurdity to me. If I was a member of the Unit, I might wonder why the officers have been unable to achieve a resolution after so much time and why they have not taken action long before this.

The President of the Union seems to be concerned now and here is what he is saying:

"The union representing Canada’s border officers is promising “disturbances” and demonstrations at international crossings after bitter contract negotiations have dragged on more than three years.

Jean-Pierre Fortin, national president of the Customs and Immigration Union, said officers will likely also stop collecting taxes as a tactic to pressure the government if the dispute isn’t settled by early 2018.

“The members are getting really angry,” said Fortin. “It’s to the point right now where there are some local initiatives that we’re trying to explain to our members that we’re not yet in a strike position. Until then we’re trying to calm them. But when we cross that bridge into legal strike action, rest assured there will be a lot of demonstrations.” (Trevor Wilhelm, Windsor Star, December 7, 2017) 

Oh, great. Make it horrific for citizens on both sides of the border in Windsor/Detroit, especially those that have jobs on the other side, to go across the river here. Nevermind that there are also problems at other border crossings in other regions across the country.

Here is what is going to happen:

"We will never compromise the safety of Canadians,” said Fortin. “But we will be making a lot of demonstrations. "

I wonder what that means. Hmmm, how about strictly enforcing the border law rules, all of them, so that it takes very much longer for a person to receive approval to cross. I wonder how long the backup time will become then considering that it can get very long for many people who are coming over before and after their work as just one example.

I am sure that the Government can figure out how much money they will lose if the Customs officers follow this technique:

"Border enforcement is considered an essential service so most officers can’t actually go on strike. But Fortin said they could stop doing some duties.

“One of the duties we will no longer be doing will be collecting taxes,” he said. “That duty is not part of ensuring national security.”

I wonder if that sum approaches the amount that the Government would pay to its workers in wage increases.  Just expect there to be discontent shown over the next little while even though there cannot be a strike vote until March or April.

This stoppage naturally will impact citizens who will be suffering rather than the Government.  All of this makes it seem quite absurd doesn't it. Why there cannot be a proper resolution of these type of employer/employee issues in a very short time period makes no sense to me.

My New Life

Can you imagine, a man as old as I writing about his "new life" in this article.

That is exactly how I feel today almost 3 years from the day that I almost died on December 31, 2014/January 1, 2015. I truly believe that my life has completely changed since that time. Hopefully, into a much better one.

You might find my comment somewhat strange but to me it is not. My reason for making this remark is rather simple. Compared with what I was experiencing for so long before, my life is so different today.

As I am sure that you remember, if you have been reading my articles on here since I recovered, because of the horrific illness that I was suffering, I was being examined and treated by so many doctors and other medical and home care people who helped me get better.  I will always be grateful to them since they treated me so positively!

I am not going to go into great detail once again about what my treatments were and what they did to make me feel so good now. All you need to do, dear reader, if you want to know about that, is to do some searching on my articles which I published previously to gain that knowledge. Moreover, I just do not want to keep repeating it because part of what I am doing now is being so pleased to have recovered so well from this horrible illness. I have not recovered 100%, and never will, but I certainly have done a lot better than many of the people with this illness who have not been as fortunate as I.

I needed to write this article for other personal reasons.  No, I am not going to write now about matters going on in this geographic area or elsewhere as I do in my regular articles on here. Instead I felt a need to write an article about myself personally about how I am feeling about my life now and what I am hoping to do in the future. Again, this could help others who are living in a similar position to mine.

Sure, it is very close to 3 years from when this all started. However, from my perspective, my life only became better several months ago when effectively I took it back from near death.

What do I mean? Well, it is rather simple. I am not treated any longer by any of the medical specialists who made sure that my recovery went as well as it did nor by the people who came to my house so often to treat me and look after me. They did their jobs so well already in helping me come back to normalcy that there was no need for them to keep on seeing me after the middle of this year. Of course, if there ever is an issue in the future, they have let me know that all that I need to do is give them a quick phone call to set up a session to deal with my problem.  Since the summer this year, I have not had to have any care any longer from any of these people. While I was so pleased about that, I have to tell you that I was upset when it all came to an end even though I was so much better. I am forever grateful because of their efforts.

Everything that I do now has changed quite a bit from how I lived before. I cannot afford to live a poor life but must look after myself in the most positive manner I can to keep my health up. That means that I am very careful in what I eat and how much I eat. I have to make sure that I exercise properly and enough times to make sure that I am healthy. If I do have a problem as everyone does in life, I have to try and solve it as quickly as I possibly can and in a manner that is a positive one for me but does not cause significant difficulties for the person on the other side, if possible. In passing, I have been very successful in handling a number of very negative matters with solutions that are advantageous to me and my family and still deal now with those people on the other side who agreed with my solutions.

At least for myself, I am acting in a much different way compared with how I lived before. Perhaps all the number of years of my age are part of the reason for it but I think my illness caused a good part of how I am looking at life now. Believe it or not, I rarely look at what my "future" will be. The main reason clearly is because I do not know how many more years I will have on this Earth. I always feel so happy when I wake up in the morning after a good night's sleep.  It means that I will be going through another great day in the world.

I am hoping that I will be around for a good many years and looking for ways that I can do so. However, my prime purpose in living now is to make sure that each of my family members is experiencing a successful time today in dealing with their concerns and then being assisted in ensuring that his/her life will be fantastic in the future when I am no longer around.

Just to repeat the obvious, my years of "rebirth" have made my wife, Marsha, an even better person.  She looked after me then and is looking after me now so very well. The reality is that she is just a phenomenal woman who has improved her life unbelievably higher even more after I became so ill.  As for my children, well, I am not going to talk a lot now about them on here. There is no need for me to do that since you should know so much about them after reading my articles.

I really am a different person now.  I just do not have the same needs that I had in the past. I have new ones and, I believe, important ones and expect to achieve resolution of these matters as quickly as possible. I just feel that I do not have the alternative to wait around before reaching a satisfactory conclusion. Those people that I deal with understand that quite well I am certain because they are dealt with quite strongly if they do not act properly and in time.

Will I help others with their issues and if so how? I believe that I will. However there are still matters for which I need resolution if I am to do so. While I want to do so in the best possible way I can, I don't really have an answer for this. Again my view is that something significant will happen in an unexpected way. I will have a role to play in that matter whatever it happens to be. What I mean about "significant," does NOT mean that it is only an issue that is important for the community around me. Rather, it may well deal with an issue that is a concern of one person only whom I meet. My role will simply be for trying to help out to resolve a problem for which I become involved.

I do expect that I have a different life to lead now with a significant part of it to be involved more with others in helping them with what they are experiencing. That is why my life was saved so well. Not just for myself or my family with our issues, but for whatever else happens in the future for which I am to be chosen.

Winter Is Coming

Officially, winter won't be here until a few more days. I don't know what you think, dear reader, but it has been so cold for me that I think that winter has arrived early this year. Fortunately so far we have not received very much snow at all. I am hoping that we won't receive too much this year but who knows what will happen once winter has arrived on the calendar.

I must admit that what is going on for me outside the house walls is a bit strange for me. All those years before, when I had a formal job, I spent most of my time in the office where I worked for many hours each weekday and extra time on the weekend. After I started working for myself, I developed activities that took up a good part of the day as well. Even then for many years, I rarely experienced what was going on outside because I just had too much day-to-day work to do. And so I carried on my life.

This is the month of December after all and by now I am certain that you know, dear reader, what happened to me at the end of this month in 2014 and the start of 2015. The reality is that my life has changed quite dramatically and I have so much more free time where I can enjoy what is going on around me. Oh sure, I had this time period after December, 2014 where I was able to effectively enjoy a complete "New World." In other words, I wasn't "working" anymore but enjoying my life in a different manner. But even until this year, I did not seem to have the freedom I have now. I still had a lot to do to overcome my illness and get back to a much more normal life. That was what my work was all about at that time. Now, thankfully, I have achieved a lot to get back to "normal" and can try to take a look at what the world is now and to live it.

I am sure that I will be writing about new and different matters as time goes on based on the new way that I am living. However, I still enjoy setting out my opinion about the news events that are taking place now. Here are some of the stories on that subject.

OUR MEGA-HOSPITAL PROJECT

Seriously, do you really think that we have accomplished anything after the announcement by Eric Hoskins, the Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care that we are getting a new hospital many years from now. Oh sure, there was an announcement from him but here is what I thought was rather funny that came from Windsor's Mayor:

"Whatever they need to move forward, we’ll be there to help,” Dilkens said. “Now we know we probably have nine years before that (necessary support infrastructure) will have to be built. We’ll go after provincial and federal funding.

“We’ll work out the details over the next eight or nine years.” (Dave Waddell, Windsor Star, December 1, 2017)

9 years!

In other words, more political games can be played for so many more years before anything is done. At the least, before the next provincial election that is coming up relatively soon, the Government will be able to say that they accomplished so much for this area that their candidates ought to be elected for office. It just seems to me that, if there is a need for a new hospital, it ought to be started relatively quickly.

And speaking of $2 billion which is supposed to be the cost of the new hospital, how much will it cost years from now? Just take a look at how high the costs for the new Government Border-crossing Bridge have escalated if it ever gets built. One wonders if the money is even available to pay for this hospital project. I thought I saw in one of the articles that the costs for the new hospitals that are supposed to be built will be around $20 billion. I wonder from where all that money will be found.

Oh well, we are going to see all kinds of interesting things happening with respect to this project that will fill up space in the media outlets for so many more years. Who knows what the final solution will be.

MORE MASSE RE-ELECTION EFFORTS

Good to see how much work MP Brian Masse is doing these days to try to make sure that he will be re-elected. That is, if he is re-elected in the end.

In case you did not notice, Brian had a very nice dinner set up for a cost of a mere $125 per person on December 1, 2017 for the hours between 6 PM and 11:59 PM. The new NDP leader attended as well:

"BRIAN MASSE MP 15th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION on December 01, 2017

The Windsor West Federal Riding Association will host a dinner on Friday, Dec. 1 celebrating Brian Masse’s 15 Year Anniversary as Member of Parliament for Windsor West. Brian was first elected to the House of Commons in 2002 and is now Dean of the NDP Caucus…

Brian Masse MP (Windsor West), Cheryl Hardcastle MP (Windsor Tecumseh) and Tracey Ramsey MP (Essex) will host Leader Jagmeet Singh’s visit to Windsor and Essex County." (OttawaCommunityNews.com) 

How lovely I am sure.

But here is what is even more exciting. Another project that the MP has concluded. He just works so hard doesn't he for the good of his riding. Another one of his awesome letters:

"Given the price already paid by the community of Sandwich due to hosting border traffic and thousands of big rig trucks rolling towards the Ambassador Bridge, funding support to offset the impact should start flowing now, said local MP Brian Masse (NDP — Windsor-West)…

Masse wants to see funds flowing now and remain ongoing, he said in a letter to the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority which oversees the Howe project." (Dave Battagello, Windsor Star, December 1, 2017)

Here is what the MP did:

"conducted a recent survey and hosted a town hall meeting ."

What an accomplishment!  Here is how it was described in a bit more detail:

"Masse will be asking residents and community leaders in Sandwich — including a rally at MacKenzie Hall he will host on Saturday, Nov. 18, at 10 a.m. — for feedback on how they would like to see the funds allocated to best help the community. He will report the results to the federal government." (Dave Battagello, Windsor Star, November 11, 2017) 

With that  "feedback," I bet that is a pretty tough letter that was written that should really scare the Government, right!  I can just imagine how much work that they will do so soon to make sure that MP Masse is satisfied. I suspect that you, dear reader, can also figure out what the Government will do. Or not!

SHOULD THERE BE ANOTHER BID

CGC Concessions won a bid with the City of Windsor for the supply food at City arenas. The bid was long-term either 5 years for most arenas or 3 years for just one. Unfortunately, here is what is going on now:

"With the ink “barely dry” on contracts between a private firm and the city to run food concessions at arenas and  the downtown aquatic centre, that firm is warning it will walk away unless it gets a better deal.

CGC Concessions is asking for a reduction in the fees it pays the city, from a total of $80,000 annually to $36,000, citing lower-than-expected revenues. Without the reduction, city administration believes the company will “likely cease to operate,” according to a staff report going to council Monday that  recommends agreeing to the price reductions." (Brian Cross, Windsor Star, November 28, 2017) 

I have to admit that I found these comments strange:

"Executive director of parks and recreation Jan Wilson said that maybe Razaiy was “overly optimistic” when he originally bid on running the concessions. But she added: “We know this is a challenging business and we didn’t think his request (for reduced fees) was unreasonable…”

The preferred option of reducing the fees for CGC by more than half is “a bit of a drop,” said Andrew Daher, manager of arenas and the WFCU Centre. “But our position is it provides the least financial impact for the city and allows (CGC) to stay financially viable and continue to provide those goods and services to our community users. So that’s the most important.”

I must admit that I don't understand how the City can renegotiate the winning bid. I would be upset if I was with one of the companies that lost out because of a higher bid. This seems to me to be the biggest problem for CGC not one for the City. Why aren't the City officials saying that the contract should be terminated and a new bid started immediately if new rates are being asked for? 

If this is not done, then perhaps bidders in the future on multiyear agreements will learn that all that they need do is to just provide one rate for the first year of a long-term agreement to become the winner and then renegotiate it later to get more money.

More News Stories For My Readers

This cold weather that we are experiencing these days is not all that helpful for what I like to do. 

As you know, dear reader, I like to go out several times a day for a nice stroll to make myself feel better. Or, at least that is what I have done so many times over so many months recently. Unfortunately, that is not what I have been doing for the past little while. In fact, I have not even gone outside at all to go for walk. It is just too cold for me to do so. 

I do exercising now inside the house on our elliptical trainer.  I will usually do it once or twice a day. Obviously, I do this much more in the winter months than I have done in the spring, summer and early autumn. During that time of the year, my walking outside, sometimes for a long period of time, is the exercising that I do. It is because the temperature is so cold now that I do the exercising inside.  I really have no other choice. 

It is quite interesting for me to go to the basement and to go on our exercise machine to do the exercise work now. In all honesty, the amount of time I spend on the trainer is a lot less than the time I spend walking outside. I just get so much more tired doing the tough work inside.  To be honest, while I have to do it, it is just not as much fun as walking outside. 

On the machine that I have, there are all kinds of different exercise programs that I could possibly undertake. Unfortunately, I don't do any of them. All I do right now is the basic program that I assume everyone does when they first start out on the machine. I just find I get so tired so quickly on this basic model that I have no idea how well I would do on the other ones if I had the courage to try them out. 

No problem though. It does help me out quite a bit. It helps keep my weight down and burn off any excess weight that I have. That is the purpose of buying this piece of electrical equipment and then using it to exercise in this terrible cold weather in winter. 

Here's something else that I do rather than going outside. Publishing some stories about interesting events that I saw recently in our media. Here are some of them. 

FLOODING IN TECUMSEH 

As you may recall, dear reader, and as I know quite well because I live here, the Town of Tecumseh suffered rather badly with terrible rainstorms this year and last year that gave rise to widespread flooding that impacted many homes in our area. 

Last year, as an example, for the first time that I have ever experienced in my life, my condo house had flooding in the basement that resulted in my insurance company sending in people to fix up the mess that was caused.  Fortunately for me, most of the loss was paid for. This year, we again had some flooding after the rainstorms with only a bit of water in the basement. We again called the Insurer. A representative came to our condo but fortunately not much damage was done so there was no insurance claim that we had to file. 

I saw this in the Windsor Star in an article by Julie Kotsis on November 22, 2017 

"Capital projects include road rehabilitation work, bridge repair and other infrastructure improvements. 

“One of the big ones is we continue to upgrade our storm sewer and sanitary sewer project,” McNamara said. “We’ll be spending some capital dollars but also grants from the provincial and federal governments." 

It would be interesting for me to know exactly how much money was spent before, what was achieved and what the results would be if this new sum was spent because I am quite worried that we might see some more horrible storms next summer. It really doesn't seem that a lot of money is being spent on ensuring that we never have another flood again.  

But who knows. The last thing that I want is more damage especially after the problems we had for 2 years now in our condo. I think I might do a bit of research on this subject and do another note on it shortly if I find out anything interesting. 

IMPROVING DOWNTOWN WINDSOR 

I just read the Anne Jarvis story in the Windsor Star and appreciated it. (Anne Jarvis,Windsor Star, November 22, 2017) 

I just remember how exciting downtown Windsor was for so many years, especially after moving to this City for my new job so many years ago. However, unfortunately, the City experienced several times terrible economic problems that resulted in the last few years with many businesses closing down and the sites not reopening. 

Anne's column was quite exciting about what may be starting out in Windsor downtown finally soon. There is a three-story apartment building that is supposed to be built, a new building might be set up with up to 5 floors of commercial and residential units and then another building is supposed to be upgraded by spending “multimillions” restoring it for commercial or office space, high-end lofts and student apartments." 

Perhaps Windsor finally has the money that it can spend to improve itself. I am sure that you recall, dear reader, how many millions have been spent by the City of Windsor on so many huge projects in the past.  If taxpayer money is finally available for other purposes, then perhaps we can see some of it being used to help Windsor Downtown revitalize. Perhaps also, many others will see the Windsor downtown growing and decide to invest there as well.

Just to give you my point of view from an ex-resident of the City, I do hope that Windsorites will be serious about the need for improvements in the City to help it grow. After all, the automotive industry hopefully will be active for a number of years now and we can see other businesses growing. That means that the City can be economic again and encourage people to move and then work here.   

What all this means to me though is that the City needs new politicians to assume the political power to help achieve this goal. I truly cannot believe that the members on this Local Government can do much to help the City prosper again. I am hoping that the election in 2018 will result in good people being successful by being elected and that they will be able to make Windsor prosperous again. 

Moreover, I am hopeful that these people also will be prepared to work with politicians in the County because I believe we will see an "Amalgamated" City of Windsor and the Local towns arise as a "Metropolitan unit" with that process starting immediately after the next municipal election.

A Lot More To Write About

Is it ever cold these days! I know technically that it is winter but seriously, it is only the early part of November. Should we really be setting records for cold weather as was done recently! 

This kind of weather is scary as far as I am concerned. I wonder if it means that the reality is extremely harsh weather as winter continues. Will it be so much colder in the months that follow with lots of snow as well? I don't know but what it does mean for me, at least, is that I will be remaining inside and will do lots of exercising here to keep my health up. I have a very nice elliptical trainer in the basement that I will be using as much as possible.  It is a piece of equipment that I am told is really good for the needs of a person like me so I will be using it to stay well. 

Naturally of course I will have more time to write articles on my website to help pass the time. So let me start by writing about some matters that I saw recently that I trust will be of interest to you as well. 

IS THIS HOW TO HELP STUDENTS 

I just saw some comments from Deb Matthews, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development that I found rather troubling. 

I have to admit that I am not particularly pro-union. However, I can hardly state that I am particularly pro-management either.  Oh sure, I understand how important unions have been in the past and what they have accomplished. I also know how much they achieve today. Just the same, I understand how much management has been able to achieve for their businesses and the people who work for them.

To be direct about what I am saying, I really have never been very much in favour of "labour relations" and all of the difficulties that I have seen between management and labour for so long. There have been very many horrific fights between the two sides for so many years and they are still around. 

I am sure that you know, dear reader, that St. Clair College and other Colleges in Ontario are in the midst of strikes for about 5 weeks which means that classes have been cancelled. As far as I am concerned, that is catastrophic for the students who may have lost, by the time this is over, a good part of their education career.  That means that their lives have suffered because it means that they will be unable to apply for a job which many of them desperately need as soon as possible. They may have to delay it for a number of months which will postpone their graduation time and the time when they can start working. 

So why am I talking about the Minister? Here is what I saw in her "Statement Regarding the College Strike and Support for Students" published on November 10, 2017. Support? For students? Really? You tell me what you think. Here is what the Statement said: 

"Since the strike began, I have been clear that my focus is on students and their learning. I have had the opportunity to meet with a number of student leaders and their provincial associations. I have heard from them about hardships students are experiencing as a result of this strike. Students have been in the middle of this strike for too long and it's just not fair." 

Wow, did it ever start off well! So why should I be concerned about the Minister? Read on, dear reader, about what the Minister is doing: 

"That is why I am requiring that colleges establish a dedicated fund with all the savings from the strike. The fund will be used to support students who have experienced financial hardships as a result of the strike…  

So, in the coming days, I look forward to working directly with student leaders and colleges on how we can lessen the impact of the strike on students." 

Huh, the strike is allowed to continue! Nothing there about how to end the strike? Nothing suggesting that this strike is hurting the students' future and something needs to be done right away to help get the students back into school? What kind of nonsense is this! 

I honestly do not understand why the Government is acting the way it is. Gee, how can anyone be angry considering how nice the Minister is to the students. Come on, one knows that certain Government organizations are not allowed to strike because of the importance of their work. The police department is a prime examples. How can this be allowed to happen in the education world! 

Why are teachers allowed to go on strike thereby negatively impacting their students? Why are the Colleges not forced to sit down and resolve their differences with their employees so that students will not be suffering? Why are both sides not treated like other Government officials and prevented from going on strike but forced to resolve their differences through binding arbitration if required? 

I am sorry, dear reader. That may not be your position but it certainly is mine. The parties have been unable to resolve their differences for so long and who knows how much longer it will take to achieve it. 

I don't really care what the differences are between the parties. All I know is that so many students' lives are being hurt by this. As far as I am concerned, that is completely unacceptable. 

I am so disappointed that what the Minister set out in her statement is so insignificant that it is disgraceful.  It is time that she delivered an ultimatum to both sides to resolve their differences. Or else! 

Moreover, in my opinion, the Government ought to consider changing how Unions and Management act when there are labour differences. In other words, do we really still need a striking system? 

HOW OUR LOCAL MP IS ACTING 

Wow, is MP Brian Masse really working hard to get such important information. It might even provide him with some other assistance as well: 

"Brian Masse is planning to knock on doors in Sandwich Towne to hear first-hand from residents about how new border crossings could impact their community.  

The NDP MP has launched his campaign because "international truck traffic has had a devastating impact one of Canada's most historic neighbourhood," according to a media release." (CBC News, November 10,2017) 

He is going to have a rally on November 18: 

"I want to make sure that we collectively do everything we can to secure a bright future for everyone." 

Now isn't that lovely of him? Mind you, I think that this probably gives him some work to do because he did not seem to know very much about what was happening recently with respect to the Ambassador Bridge: 

"The NDP member for Windsor-West — where the bridge is located — said he is among those in the dark as to why the twin-span project was approved after more than a decade of planning, meetings and preparation for the government-backed Gordie Howe International Bridge." (DaveBattagello, Windsor Star, September 8, 2017)

What will the MP really accomplish? Who knows because it does depend after all on how many doors he knocks. Presumably, it will get lots of publicity coverage about what he does even if he accomplishes little. After all, when he does knock on doors, he might hope that people will remember him when he runs one day soon to be re-elected.