More Interesting Stories

Writing stories on the Internet about matters that interest me is something that I have been doing for many years and what I still like to do.

I have to admit that I do want people to support the positions that I have set out in so many articles that I have written. Fortunately for me, I think that a lot of people like a lot of what I write. However, there are a number of instances where I know that people are opposed to what I am saying and that there is very little that I can do about it. No matter what I write that I think is persuasive I cannot convince certain people to change their minds.  No problem. It is fun debating with others about matters that are taking place in this area and elsewhere.

Here are some issues that interested me in writing about them.

SO MUCH FOR THIS TOURISM MARKETING PLAN

Here is what was proposed a very short time ago:

"Windsor businesses have teamed up for one of the region's largest marketing campaigns that aims to draw more American visitors to the region.

The $70,000 More Windsor campaign is a partnership of eight business improvement areas from throughout Windsor and Essex County.

Earlier this month, officials rolled out their strategy, which highlights some of the hot spots to visit, including the region's best eateries, shopping centres and tourism attractions. A big part of the campaign tries to capitalize on the low Canadian dollar.

"Windsor is not cheap, it's a bargain," said Greg Plante, chairperson of the Pillette Village BIA. "As the name states, people can get more for their dollar over here, and we want to take advantage of that." (CBC News, July 17, 2017) 

Well, that plan may now be becoming nothing more than a waste of an incredible sum of money. You won't see anyone in a tourism business saying anything about it that might be so concerning, at least not right now. That is what the big increase in the Canadian dollar may be doing to the tourism business:

"Soaring loonie could dampen Windsor tourism industry

As the Canadian loonie soars to heights not seen in two years, Windsor tourism officials will be keeping a close eye to see just how much of an impact the stronger dollar will have on the region's economy.

Officials from Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island target American travellers who keep track of the exchange rate before planning visits to the region. Though the Canadian dollar continues to gain on its American counterpart, the tourism bureau's president Gordon Orr isn't panicking.

"If it goes to par, it's a whole different ball game, but right now it's still hovering at the 80 cent mark," he said. "They're still getting 20 cents on their dollar." (CBC News, July 26, 2017) 

WERE ALL CANADIAN MAYORS ON VACATION

I saw a very interesting story where a "Binational Cadre of Mayors Throw Support Behind NAFTA."  I thought that would be very helpful for our economy except for one thing: no one from Canada participated in this session where this decision was made:

"SAN DIEGO (CN) – A coalition of mayors from both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border signed a trade resolution Thursday, showing support for continued strong economic ties and the North American Free Trade Agreement.

More than a dozen mayors from around the Southwest border gathered for the 6th annual Binational Summit of the U.S.-Mexico Border Mayors Association, hosted by San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer and Tijuana, Mexico, Mayor Juan Manuel Gastelum. The region’s mayors signed a resolution pledging support for international trade and the renegotiation of NAFTA." (Bianca Bruno, Courthouse News, July 28, 2017) 

Thankfully, someone else understood how serious the absence of Canada's mayors and those of US cities near us, was:

"Noticeably absent from the meeting – and conversation on NAFTA – were any mayors from the U.S.-Canada border, who Border Trade Alliance board of directors chairman Russ Jones suggested should be part of the conversation.

“We should do a lot more in integrating those conversations on Canada. Perhaps at the next conference, invite your northern and Canadian colleagues,” Jones said."

Clearly, there is a competition between Canada and Mexico over what ultimately will happen with whatever changes are made to the NAFTA agreement and presumably each of the 2 countries will want to have a partnership with the US to help out their position.

WILL A GERMAN COMPANY SET UP AN OPERATION IN WINDSOR

I wonder how long Mayor Dilkens was in Germany. Was it a day or 2 or perhaps even a week or so? Just curious, that's all.

It appears as if several areas are trying to get a new German plant built, one of which is Windsor.

"Windsor city council upped the ante in its bid to convince a major German auto parts supplier to expand its manufacturing operations in the region.

The politicians agreed Friday afternoon to offer up a piece of land for an attractive price aimed at sweetening the deal and making Windsor a more appealing option than two other communities vying for the same deal." (CBC News, July 28, 2017)

To be honest, I am not sure how competitive the City of Windsor is considering what at least one of the other cities is offering:

"Other regions are offering plenty of incentives, such as free land, which Dilkens has said he is not prepared to offer. Windsor already has a community improvement plan that waves property taxes for up to 10 years."

I am sure that one would support what Windsor's Mayor would like to do. Who wants to throw away so much taxpayer money for a project. Nevertheless, that may well be what has to be done considering what the competition is prepared to do to get the business in their region. 

One wonders how successful Windsor will be competing against another Ontario company and one from Alabama.

WHY DOES CHRYSLER WANT TO GET RID OF COMPANY JOBS

I saw this story which is quite amazing to me. Why would it be done at this time:

"Fiat Chrysler's second quarter profit triples to $1.35 billion

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles said today it earned $1.35 billion (1.15 billion euro) in the second quarter, up a whopping 207% over the same period a year ago as gains in several of the company's global regions helped the company overcome slower sales in North America…

Higher revenues in the automaker's global regions helped offset a slower pace in North America caused by product launches and production changes at some plants." (Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press, July 27, 2017)

One would think that Chrysler is doing very well. Yet, here is something they want to do that presumably would help them even more. But not necessarily help the people involved:

"Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has given Unifor Local 444 until mid-August to present the company with cost-savings proposals to preserve 285 trucking jobs at the Windsor Assembly Plant that had been slated for outsourcing.

It buys the union time to come up with a new proposal and “figure out how to save the department long-term,” he said.

FCA Canada has threatened to outsource the transportation of parts used at the Windsor plant where the Chrysler Pacifica, Pacifica Hybrid and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans are built.

That would affect 285 Unifor members, including skilled-trades workers, clerks, management and drivers. The company’s outsourcing plan didn’t affect the jobs of those who transport the minivans." (Tamar Harris, Windsor Star, July 30, 2017)

Was this issue discussed at all during the strike talks? If not, why not? Would this have become a strike matter issue that would have had to have been solved at that time? Is this nothing more than to get an agreement on these employees by this approach to "renegotiating" rather than settling it during strike talks? If so, one would think that the Union would never allow this to happen again next time the parties get together to discuss a settlement.