Friday, December 22, 2017

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: 


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.

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