Am I Right In This Analysis

Oh my goodness. Everything has changed dramatically for me when starting to write another Blog. You will notice that by the shorter length of this one and that I am only writing about one subject in it. To me, this is such an interesting issue to deal with.

I am trying to write the best that I can once more. I have to admit that I am really trying hard to think about what I should say when the temperature is so high. I probably should have a nice cool drink made, with lots of ice of course, and have it while I am dictating. That would make my task so much easier to do. Of course, that is not going to happen. I would be too concerned about spilling it all over my computer!

I have started writing this BLOG on a day when the temperature outside will reach into its mid-80° or even higher by the end of the day. Moreover, the humidity makes it seem even warmer than that. Oh yes, I do have an air-conditioning system in the condo unit but I have to admit that I rarely turn it on. It just seems that much cooler inside.

When my wife and I first moved down here about three years ago, I think we only turned on the A/C system a few times even though it was quite warm. That seems to have been the model we have followed subsequently and one we may follow again this year.

However, last year, I believe I turned on the system a little bit earlier and ran it on more days than before. Who knows, I might be following that model again soon if the temperatures stay so warm. I am surprised that the weather has gotten so hot so early on because I expected it to take a lot of time to do it this summer because winter started so late last year. I can remember that it seemed like an eternity before the leaves fell down from the trees last year and we had our first snow storm. 

Accordingly, I expected that the warmth would not hit here until much later than now. Well, Mother Nature has her own plans which she is now following. 

Whew, writing this introduction is quite difficult when it is this warm at this time of the year. I think that I had better stop dictating for now and just relax a bit. That cup of something cold just seems to make a lot more sense at this time.

There, I am finished relaxing. Now it is time for me to write that story. 

IS THE MOROUN ASSET REALLY SOLD NOW

There. That rest and the drink I had were very satisfying. They were both needed given the new situation that may, or may not, have taken place. Let me start that important story now.

Obviously, the biggest story for me at this time is whether the Morouns have sold their big asset, the Michigan Central Station, to someone else. Here is what I have just read:

"One of the Moroun family's real estate companies quietly transferred ownership of the Michigan Central Station to a mystery company last week as all signs point to Ford Motor Co. purchasing Detroit's long-vacant train station in Corktown.

A warranty deed dated May 22 was recorded May 23 by the Wayne County Register of Deeds, transferring ownership from the Moroun-owned MCS Crown Land Development Co. LLC to New Investment Properties I LLC, property records obtained by Crain's show.

On the same day, the Moroun company also transferred ownership of the former Detroit Public Schools book depository building next to the depot to a separate entity called New Investment Properties II LLC.

The deed records list the address for both New Investment Properties entities as the New York law firm Phillips Lytle LLP; there's no record to suggest the entity receiving the property is another Moroun-owned real estate holding company.” (Chad Livengood and Kirk Pinho, Crains Detroit, May 30, 2018)  

Duh, of course that has been done! What else can one say with this information also available in the story:

"A spokesman for the law firm did not have immediate comment Wednesday morning. Phillips Lytle has done legal work for Ford in the past, touting an award from Corporate Counsel magazine for its work on behalf of the company, among others.”

Clearly, what I believe is that some deal has made between the Morouns and Ford, probably a sale, even if not reported yet officially. 

To me what is interesting is, first of all, when will the official announcement be made that such a deal has been completed.

That day should be an interesting one considering who will be in attendance at that session. And who will not be invited to be there!

Of course, there are other interesting matters that need to be provided for which announcements have to be made. Here are just some of them that I have thought about:

1) seriously, is anything going on now or is this just another story that means nothing. That has happened before
2) has there really been a sale or has a different corporate structure been set up. If so, what is it
3) how much money will be involved if there is a sale, when will it be paid and to whom by whom?
4) do the Morouns still have an involvement in the property and its future or will they be out of it completely once a sale takes place
5) can Ford really afford to pay for this property or do they have some other partner involved? If so, who is it.

Do you see what I mean? Lots of interesting subjects that have to be dealt with if a some deal is really taking place.

This event, if there is a sale, really means that the Morouns will have some respectability now. It demonstrates that they are clearly capable of doing significant and important business these days involving various levels of governments and major corporations. 

Moreover, this is a very important transaction for Detroit. It has been the Moroun property for so long and they have kept it "alive." It will become a symbol I am sure of the big start of Detroit's future and its prosperity. Something else started in the auto industry!

To me, it also means that we ought to be seeing something happening very quickly with respect to the second Ambassador Bridge. Without knowing anything about it, I still suspect that the construction of the second bridge and how it is to be done had a bit of a role in completing the deal with the Michigan Central Station if, in fact, we see a deal going through. We will just have to wait and see.

Another Set Of Stories For You

I have to admit that my life these days is busier than I thought it would be with someone who has finally "retired" in the way I carry on.

I have spent a lot of my time building myself back up from the terrible sickness I possessed just over 3 years ago. Of course, I have not been able to overcome all of the negative issues that impacted me. However, I recovered remarkably well compared with so many people whose life ended because of the illness or the number of people who recovered so poorly and are living in a very difficult situation these days.

Fortunately, I was able to deal successfully with many personal issues that required a resolution in the past. Naturally, these days, I partner well with my wife, Marsha, to handle whatever issue happens to arise now. I am sure that you have read the many stories I have written on here to come to a conclusion quickly and successfully with so many matters.

Just to make sure that you understand, I still do have difficulties handling many issues these days because my mind does not work as well as it did in the past. This happens whether these matters are "problems" or not. As an example, it just seems that I cannot handle as many negative problems in the relatively short period of time as I did before because the people that are with me now may not be as cooperative as others that I had negotiated with the past. Moreover, as you know, I do not want any difficulties lasting more than a day either. I want problems solved right away, right at the time when the matter arises. Unfortunately, some of these people on the other side just cannot handle a situation as quickly as I want to do so

Let me give you a short list of interesting matters with which I deal in this way so you will see what I mean. I need to:

-- Figure out some very old taxation issues that arose in the past which gave me credits then. I do not understand why they do not apply today based on what I have read. Accordingly, I have to pay out now what could be considered to be extra money for me. It means that I may have to meet with the tax authority to try to convince them of my point of view and to get them to go back and support my old taxing system.

-- Handle some issues that may cause serious problems in my household and would then have to deal with a number of outside people who are the ones personally involved.

-- Act in this manner:

·       consider what is going on in the events municipally in this area that have to be considered before one can make a decision about for whom to vote in the coming-up election,

·       understand that the Provincial Government parties are having a horrible time these days with all the political nonsense that has been going on that will impact the election taking place shortly,

·       remember that the US every two-year election is taking place in the fall and its results could impact the Canadian relationship with them in a very tough manner, and finally,

·       do not forget that a Federal election will take place next year as the parties are trying to place themselves in the most favourable position for the future right now.

I trust now, dear reader, you understand that a person, especially one in my position, has a fair number of matters that have to be handled. I have to figure out as best as I can how to deal with them but, more importantly, have to handle the situation as best as I can even if I cannot act as well as I did before. 

Sure, my life is more difficult than I thought it was previously. However, I have no choice but must deal with any concerns as best that I can and as quickly as I can.

I am hoping though, dear reader, that you enjoy reading what I have written on here. Moreover, I hope that I am helping you understand what difficulties can arise in a matter that impacts you, how to handle these situations and how to achieve a successful answer as quickly as possible.

Now, let me point out some interesting stories that I have read recently so that you can consider my perspective.

NEW ELECTION INITIATIVES

Wow, I don't think I have ever seen something like this in other elections recently and certainly not something like this when the election first starts. Seriously, how many more times do you think it will happen and against whom will the applications be made? Here is what I mean:

"A sudden string of integrity commissioner complaints against city councillors — the latest against Mayor Drew Dilkens — is partly their own fault, says political scientist Lydia Miljan.

The three complaints in less than a week have come in the wake of integrity commissioner Bruce Elman’s report on a complaint made by council itself against Coun. Rino Bortolin. Council voted Monday to reprimand Bortolin and seek a public apology for a comment he made to the Windsor Star in October about a rape in an alley.

“The initial complaint against Bortolin, given the fact he had apologized for his statement already (last fall) … seems to have opened up a whole can of worms, and so in some respects you can say they started it,” Miljan said Wednesday, referring to two complaints made this week against the mayor and Coun. John Elliott, who were both critical of Bortolin at Monday’s meeting. Council critics, said Miljan, are now giving councillors a taste of their own medicine." (Brian Cross, Windsor Star, May 9, 2018) 

I really have no intention of discussing any of these complaints in my article right now, certainly not who may be responsible in a negative way or not. I just wanted to point them out to you, dear reader, in case you have not seen many of the various stories that are talking about them these days. And all of which I believe need to come to a conclusion before the next municipal election.  Seriously, though are these issues all that serious so that in the first place they require a hearing to take place?

Am I ever glad that I have never decided to run for election nor am I helping out anyone who is running. Who needs to deal with this kind of a situation that just seems so difficult for me to figure out why what is going on is happening in the first place!

WHO IS RUNNING FOR MAYOR IN WINDSOR NOW

I wish I knew the answer to this question. I  mean that I am speaking about the people who are the serious ones running for this office, not just anybody. Let me just talk about 2 people

For example, I would have thought that the former Mayor's brother who is now a Councillor would be a natural in doing what his brother had done. As you may recall, Eddie Francis ran for Mayor and was successful. However, he ran only after he had been in office as a Councillor for just one term.

Interestingly, I saw this comment that Councillor Fred Francis made some time ago:

"Ward 1 Coun. Fred Francis had a similar response. “As of right now, going into November, it’s too early to talk about re-election,” he said." (Brian Cross, Windsor Star, November 1, 2017)

Again, he never mentioned anything but I must admit that I thought he wanted to run again when I saw this comment he made about never wanting to appear to be negative and not on everybody's side:

"Francis, who prefers to not go public with his list of “asks” because he knows he won’t get everything and he doesn’t want residents to get their hopes up.

“I’d rather deliver on a project than promise to deliver on a project and not get it,” he said Tuesday." (Brian Cross, Windsor Star, January 10, 2018)

How wonderful to try never to appear to be against anyone to maintain and even to earn more support for the next election.

Interestingly, he appeared, as far as I can see, quite recently and suddenly and then made a Motion at Council as reported in the Star. The Motion was effectively against a major player on Council, someone who might run for Mayor as well if he lost out in the Provincial Election:

"Coun. Fred Francis made the motion to accept Elman’s report, which called for an apology from Bortolin, but stopped short of any sort of suspension from council. Council passed the motion 7-1, with Coun. Chris Holt the lone dissenter. Coun. Bortolin couldn’t vote due to conflict, and Councillors Irek Kusmierczyk and Bill Marra were absent from the meeting.

“I think the integrity commissioner’s findings were very clear, I agree with them, I think words do matter,” Francis said during the presentation.

“A statement was made and it was either known to be false, or it was made in hyperbole,” said Francis. “At the very least, of whatever else we agree or disagree on, can we all agree that we should not use rape as hyperbole?” (Rich Garton, CTV Windsor, May 7, 2018) 

Was this telling us that he was going to run for Mayor? It was quite a slap against a possible mayoral appointment with a tremendous amount of voting approval on his side!

Now let me deal with the 2nd person, the present Windsor Mayor. I am not so sure that Fred is going to run against him for the Mayor position now. 

If Fred did, supposedly he would not run until after Mayor Drew Dilkens announced that he was not going to run. To be honest, I did not expect Dilkens to do so until very close to election. Accordingly no one serious would want to run against him when that person had very little time to campaign. Accordingly, that would make it a lot easier for Fred Francis to announce that he was going to run at that time. It probably would be too late for anyone else to run against him on such short notice since he has publicity and fame in his name. Moreover, who do you think would help him run----perhaps a former Mayor who ran for office successfully for several terms?

As you know, dear reader, I expected that Dilkens would be appointed to run "Metro Windsor." That appointment would be made before the election and therefore he would not run. However, I don't think that is going to happen. I don't think that an announcement will be made until after the next municipal election which will be several months after the next provincial election. Accordingly, I expect Dilkens to run for Mayor and he could always resign afterwards if he received the new job.

If that resignation happened, obviously, someone will have to be Mayor of Windsor to fill his position. And I have pretty good idea who that will be! Depending on the time, a new election would not have to take place but Fred could be appointed as Mayor!

Am I correct in what I am saying? Who knows! The answer may come after the next municipal election is finished and more actions are taken. I am merely going to say that this is what I think will happen based on what I have seen to date. 

But then again, dear reader, it may all change completely another time.

The Wedding And Other Stories

Yes, probably just like you, dear reader, I watched the Royal wedding in England on my computer or on my television set as it happened. That early in the morning as well! It was truly amazing how sunny it was in England at the time without any risk of rain.

I am sure that by now you have seen lots of videos about what happened and read I don't know how many stories about what took place in England. It seems that a ton of information was given out that allowed the media to publish about all kinds of events and about the people who were the guests at the various ceremonies.

Of course, the entire wedding ceremony itself was quite spectacular. However, what made the most sense to me was how "simple" everything was involving the Royal couple. I am sure that is what they needed. The cameras followed them around as they travelled on their carriage pulled by the horses after the ceremony. Their pathway was marvellous. I was quite surprised by the number of people who were standing there for hours just so they could see and wave to the Royal couple even if it was only for a very seconds.

There is no doubt that everything was planned brilliantly.  Sure there had to be a huge number of police authorities in the area protecting the Royals and all of the other famous people who were present at the time. Of course, we saw many of them on video especially when the Royals travelled around in their area where they provided crowd control and protection. However, nothing really seemed overly protective to me, for example with police and military people standing around with massive weaponry. The Royals used a roadway to travel around for several miles after the wedding ceremony yet nothing really seemed overly protective considering that they were wide-open without any protective covering. I am sure that they were there but that certainly made the whole event seem so wonderful.

Yes, I watched it and enjoyed it. Sure, it is unlikely that Prince Harry will ever become the King. However, the coverage suggests to me that this couple will play a very important role in what I believe the British Royals are structuring. Just consider as an example how different this couple is from just about any other Royal couple in the past and from many other non-Royal couples as well. I am sure you know some of the most obvious differences that make one wonder frankly why this marriage was allowed at all. However, yes it was quite an event and it was promoted brilliantly also.

Accordingly as is the usual comment to make in England for a very important ceremony, "God Save The Queen!"

Now let me talk about some other matters that have interested me over the past little while.

WHO IS SUFFERING FROM THE STRIKE

You ought to take a look, dear reader, at some of the stories that were published after the last vote which turned down approval of the offer to workers at Casino Windsor. You might want to wonder about what some people are concerned and about what they don't seem to be all that caring.

Here is what the CEO of Tourism Windsor-Essex Pelee Island Gordon Orr said:

"Although he can't say an exact economic impact to tourism, he says it's a hit because Caesars draws people to the region which aren't coming now." (CTV News, May 19, 2018) 

Two politicians made similar comments:

"Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Percy Hatfield says he's surprised and disappointed to hear the membership shot down the second deal…

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens says he's very shocked the membership voted down the second tentative deal."

Obviously, the Union members must be doing something wrong according to these people and must immediately do something right, whatever that is, to end the strike. After all, it is the members who don't like what has been offered to them.  That must mean that others can say that they are the ones causing all of the problems. 

WRITTEN 2 YEARS AGO

I really should be quite embarrassed. If you go back and read my January 15, 2016 Blog "I Have Had Enough With The Border File,"  I wrote the following at the beginning:

"There is no reasonable alternative to what I am going to suggest.  If that is so, I am going to set it out here and then, unless there is some significant issue that comes up, I am not going to write anything more about the border file. I have had enough of this topic and am not going to waste any more time on it."

Unfortunately, as I am sure that you know now, that position did not last for very long. I started writing again more and more about the border. Honestly, as I have written recently once again, I hope that I never again have to write very much about what happens with the border file. I will try very hard not to do so, dear reader.  I want to keep my promise with my family as well.

I will try one more time to set out what I think should be done with the border file NOW! It works easily especially for the Federal Government that would otherwise have to spend so many billions of dollars on its bridge when it makes no sense for it to do so. Just take a look at this which I wrote 2  years ago and see how much real sense it makes now:

• - The Bridge Company and the Governments of Canada and United States will join together to form a relationship in a border crossing company, either a new one or the Ambassador Bridge Company, in which the Bridge Company owns 90% of the shares and each of the Governments owns 5%. I believe that the structure is much better for the Governments because I believe that they are not entitled legally to build anything with respect to border crossing in this area.

• -That Company will own, build and operate the new river border crossing between Windsor and Detroit that will now be a dual bridge operation.  Each of the Bridge Company and the Governments will be involved because of their shareholdings.

• -For this new deal and given the shares that are going to be provided to them, the 2 Governments will pay significant sums of money that should be close to the cost of building the new bridge.  Right now, that money is a mere fraction of what was identified recently as the $5 billion plus cost to build the Governments' new bridge.

• -The new Bridge will be built immediately and as quickly as possible. All 3 parties will agree on its construction solution. Once it is finished, then the old Ambassador Bridge will be closed down, updated and repaired. However, the old Bridge will generally not be used once fixed up except in emergency cases or if the traffic increases so dramatically that a 2nd bridge is required.

• -If traffic increases very dramatically in the future, then it may well be necessary to build a bridge as the Governments were supposedly going to do so. If so, then the Ambassador Bridge Company will be responsible again to build it and it will form part of the existing company. The likelihood of this happening is quite remote.

• -There will be a detailed agreement signed between the Ambassador Bridge Company and the 2 Governments that sets out the terms of their relationship and the manner in which they will be operating the new border crossings. It will also require their settlement of their ongoing litigation to end those battles satisfactorily and to prevent them from happening again.

• -There will be terms in the agreement that cover if a party wishes to sell its shares or to buy some of those of the other parties. This would be of particular importance primarily if the Bridge Company wished to sell out or to buy out the Governments."

Here is also what I said toward the end of that article:

"Of course, there will have to be very detailed agreements signed between the parties but the important parts of it will be as set up above.  I hardly think that the contracts would be all that complicated to do. Nor do I really think that they will require a very long time to negotiate a settlement. What I have set out is relatively easy to accomplish and is absolutely consistent with what I believe the Law between the parties requires as a settlement."

So do it already! It works wonderfully well and is very easy to accomplish now in my opinion.

My Comments On Interesting Topics

There just seem to be lots of interesting topics these days about which I can write. I certainly am not going to write long articles on these topics but rather will try and pick out what is interesting about them and then give you, dear reader, my perspective.

It will be interesting to see what happens with the election that we are going to have later on this year. Here is a headline that should give you an idea of what I mean. Does the story really exist or is it something new for a Councillor who is running first to be elected as an MPP and only, if he loses, will he run presumably another time for his municipal seat:

"Jarvis: Alley lights are the municipal election's sleeper issue" (Anne Jarvis, Windsor Star, May 10, 2018) 

Here are just some of the interesting issues and stories which I have read over the past little while.

MORE MONEY FOR NEWLY ELECTED POLITICIANS

It must be that the City of Windsor has to be getting in more money these days. Whether it is because of higher taxes or Government grants or fees charged, lots of new things are happening in that City these days for which this money can be used.

Of course, there is something that the politicians are extremely interested in having a decision being made even though this is an election year.  It all has to do with a change in THEIR SALARIES! 

Some people who are on Council now or who may be elected to become a Councillor may want more money since what is being received now is fairly low. Accordingly, get a decision made now, before the municipal election in the fall, but have someone other than a Councillor suggest what should be done afterwards. Let those others take the "blame" for whatever decision is being which may give the Mayor and Councillors more money if a larger salary is ultimately decided. And that's quite a good approach don't you think.

Here is what Mayor Dilkens has said as well:

"And he added they aren’t deciding what councillors will be paid. It’s up to council to accept their recommendations or not. “Of course, if they come back and say there needs to be a 50 per cent increase in city council pay, well, council will look at that and decide if it’s reasonable or not.”

This compensation review committee’s mandate is to “examine the current workload and level of responsibility and commitment required,” compare their pay to council compensation in other comparable cities, seek public input and determine the adequacy of the current pay scale." (Brian Cross, Windsor Star, May 10, 2018) 

Gee, do you really think that Council members, especially if they think that they are going to run again and be re-elected, are going to turn down any suggestion that this Committee might propose? I would only think that this would happen only if the increase that the Committee thought should be granted was too tiny or if no increase is given at all.

Seriously though do you expect the Committee members to turn down a significant increase especially because:

"council compensation has been basically frozen for at least a dozen years... During much of that time, council was adamant about holding the line on taxes and controlling costs at city hall."

Could it be that there is a really a very interesting story behind all of this? Could it be that some people want others to run for Council because some of the people who are Councillors now are not very good? Consider this remark that came in the story:

"But now, the review is necessary because the city wants to make sure it’s attracting good candidates.

“We want to make sure we can get good people who want to be part of running a $750-million organization,” the mayor said."

Hmmm.  I wonder who these new people might be and who might be backing them when they run for office. Presumably, these people want more money than is being given out now to elected individuals. Moreover, will we know who they are supportive of having as Windsor Mayor. Just as interesting might be who is NOT going to be running for office and why they are not going to do so.

WILL A NEW HOSPITAL REALLY BE BUILT

Let's get real. I am starting to doubt considerably that we are really going to get new Hospital built in this area.  The best that we are going to get as far as I am concerned now is that the 2 existing hospitals are just going to be upgraded. It is there before the election to have everyone excited but it could well disappear afterwards because there is not enough money to go around for all the hospitals the need to be built in this Province.

I should have remembered this from what was said before but I did not. Oh sure, I have seen a suggestion several times that the proposed new 500 bed hospital in our region should have an extra couple of hundred of them added but this bigger number of beds is not being paid for in the hospital that is being proposed now. At least, I don't think it is.

Here is what I saw recently that was written back in 2016:

"Windsor Regional Hospital President and CEO David Musyj is looking to clear the air when it comes to the new mega hospital.

Musyj says there is a lot of misinformation and he wants to correct it with a new campaign that will include a stronger social media presence, pamphlets and community outreach.

“Inaccurate information; that’s terrible to make a decision based upon that,” says Musyj. “It’s resulted in, historically outside of our organization, some bad decisions.”

Musyj says the most common misconception is that the new hospital will have fewer beds than the current hospitals.  He says that’s false.  The new hospital will have the same 500 beds that are in the city now with a 200 bed expansion also planned." (Adelle Loiselle, Blackburn News, November 4, 2016) 

I would assume that this additional number of hundreds of new beds would take years to be added to the new hospital. I also wonder who pays for these new beds. The cost would be many hundreds of millions of dollars extra. I just don't see Windsor and the other small towns in the area having that kind of cash.

Accordingly, how can those extra beds be built in a reasonable period of time or even during the construction of the new hospital in the first place? If that is true, I do not see how it makes sense to build such a small hospital in this area at all considering that the population could grow substantially and that even the 2 existing area hospitals cannot handle all of the patients properly now.

Just A Few New Stories

I have to remember to try and write my new kind of Blog story.  As I expressed, I want to try and do things a little bit differently now. Don't worry though, I will still write about what I think is important and give you my opinion on each subject.  It is just that I am going to be more cautious about what I write and try and write about as broad a network of articles as I can.

Accordingly, here are some articles that I will let you know about today.

BEST WISHES TO ME

I received a number of friendly emails from companies whose websites on Facebook I have joined giving me happy birthday wishes.  I have received quite a number both on Facebook and off-line from people whom I know. Now that is something for which I am grateful.

Just to let you know, I was treated by a few of the companies quite nicely since they offered me presents. As a few examples, I received a note from an ice cream company offering me a free "ice cream cone." Now that is something I like. Another one offered me a free drink (perhaps including an alcoholic one) or a "food item."  I have eaten at this place before so you know that I'm going to be buying a meal!  And naturally, something new for me, a huge chicken sandwich except it is from a company that does not have a local outlet here!

Family members of course were gracious in how they treated me.  They know that I am a bit awkward at this time of year considering that I keep letting them know not only that I am still alive and well but I hope that I am treating them in the best way that I possibly can.  Naturally, I don't let them do very much for me since I am much older than they are but they never listen and give me special treats.

Just to be a bit personal, since I should not be talking about this anymore but I cannot help myself, I am just so thrilled that I am still alive and, to be honest, in such a good condition. While I do have difficulties that I know I never will be able to overcome because of conditions of my illness, I am so thrilled that I have done so well especially because of the help my wife and children and many other good people have given me to recover. 

It is all over now. I just added another year to my birthday numbers and am hoping that I will be able to add a lot more over the many years that I trust that I will be around.

UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS

I believe that this is the 2nd month that I have written a note such as this. I just am doing it because I am not so sure that when one does the math the unemployment answer is as good as the story suggests.

Here is what I mean by the "good" suggestion:

"Windsor’s jobless figure rose by a fraction of a percentage for the month of April, according to the latest numbers from Statistics Canada." (Dalson Chen,Windsor Star, May 11, 2018) 

Our unemployment rate went from 5.2% to 5.5%. In other words, an increase of .3%.

However, when one looks at the numbers from a different perspective, the percentage increase is rather significant. Using a formula, the unemployment increase from month to month is actually at the rate of about 5.8%.

I would rather see please a decrease in the next month if that can be done!

CATCHING A BUS

I am sure that it is my fault that I never knew this. I don't remember reading a story about this matter before. I always thought that it made more sense from an economic perspective not to use diesel buses anymore. Rather, one should be buying a lot of hybrid buses. Just so you know:

"A hybrid electric bus combines a conventional internal combustion engine propulsion system with an electric propulsion system." (Wikipedia)

Here's what I mean about the fact that I have just read:

"Hybrid buses use less fuel but Delmore said the 29 buses they already have in the fleet already cover the routes with stop and go driving - where the hybrids save fuel.

He said buying additional hybrid buses - at a cost of $750,000 per bus - wouldn't be cost effective because they would then run on long run routes where they are not any more fuel efficient than the diesel buses." (CBC News, May 11, 2018) 

I have to admit that I don't remember seeing this information before. It tells me that I would have known that Transit Windsor saw no sense in transferring the purchase of more diesel buses to hybrid ones.  Oh well, now I have the correct information.

HOW POSITIVE IS OUR UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

I should be positive about our unemployment rate in our area. Sure, as I said above, the unemployment rate increased from 5.2% to 5.5%. However, in a story that I just read, I saw this:

"A month ago, I wrote that Canada was close to full employment, or the state at which everyone who wants a job has one.

I only was echoing the central bank governor, and all Stephen Poloz had done was remark that the lowest unemployment rate in at least four decades — 5.8 per cent — suggested there probably weren’t many jobs left.

Statistics Canada confirmed Friday that Canada continues to edge closer to the theoretical version of economic nirvana. The jobless rate was 5.8 per cent for the fourth time in five months in April, cementing Canada’s recent hiring bonanza as one of the most impressive in the country’s history. Before this year, the unemployment rate had touched its current level only once, in October 2007." (Kevin Carmichael, Windsor Star, May 11, 2018) 

Presumably then, everything should be fantastic in our area because our unemployment rate, even with the recent increases, is lower at 5.5%. Yet, does it feel that way to you? It certainly does not to me.

Labour matters just seem to bother me so much here. One minute something seems to look very good and then, in the next minute, it just seems to be in trouble.  Here are some of the employment matters that bother me:

•    --What is the real unemployment rate in our area? Oh sure, I know what is reported but how many people have not found jobs for a very long period of time so that they have stopped looking and dropped out of the process. Effectively they are excluded when new unemployment numbers are determined so the percentage may seem to be better than it really is.

•    --Here is a statistic that is interesting also: "Another “pocket” is younger workers; about 57 per cent of Canadians aged 15 to 24 are working today compared with about 59 per cent before the crisis." Sure it's only a few percent difference now but how much bigger is it going to be in the future.

•    --Let us assume that the numbers are good ones. Except, what are the jobs that people are getting these days? Are they the jobs that one should expect people with their educational background have with the pay rates that they should be receiving with these jobs? Or are they low paying jobs at the minimum rates that people are taking because they cannot find anything better?

•    --Is Ford going to have a good future with the vehicles it is going to be manufacturing and those that they will no longer produce? Or will it face an economic mess if the economy changes significantly and people want fairly small vehicles? Interestingly, at one of the Ford dealers the other day, I saw a relatively smaller SUV than I had before, an EcoSport. Perhaps, this vehicle is meant for smaller families or just for just a husband and wife or 2 people who live together who don't need the larger SUVs.

To be direct about this, to me, all of the good news that seemed to suggest that we are going to pick up economically very significantly and very quickly just seems to have disappeared. I hope that I am completely wrong and everything will turn out well very quickly.

Some New Stories

Now it is time for me to set out some articles that I have read over the past little while and give you my opinion on them.

IS FORD CANADA STILL ALIVE 

I just do not understand the automobile industry anymore. It seemed to be doing so well. Negotiations with their unions seem to be fine also. Profits seem to grow fantastically upwards. Unions seem pleased. Everything just seemed so spectacularly wonderful. That is until one reads that the auto companies are going to be changing the nature of their business and getting rid of many of their passenger cars:

"Ford’s decision to discontinue almost all of its car models in North America within two years will leave its Canadian operations intact, since they are focused mainly on sport utility vehicles and light trucks.

The car segment of automotive sales has been shrinking since 2012, while sales of sport utility vehicles have grown over the same period — a trend that’s expected to continue.

“So, we are focusing our efforts on vehicles customers prefer,” Ford Canada’s Lauren More said in an email Thursday." (Canadian Press, April 26, 2018) 

I don't know what will happen if gas prices keep increasing much higher. Will people be able to afford sport utility vehicles and light trucks given the need for larger amounts of gasoline than cars? If not, what happens then if cars are not being built any longer? In other words, does it really matter what users prefer if they cannot afford the price of the new vehicle?

Other auto companies are also looking to eliminate cars from their sales portfolios. What will happen to them in the future also with the kind of vehicles that they will be producing?

FORD'S NEW WORLD

However, in spite of all that was mentioned in the story above, Ford seems to be changing rather dramatically across the river which could very well have an influence on our side:

"With the abandoned Michigan Central Station as the campus' anchor, Ford is also nearing deals to buy properties ranging from small retail buildings and slivers of land to large warehouses, according to a half-dozen sources who have been briefed on the discussions with property owners.

The Dearborn-based automotive giant, which employs 48,000 in Michigan, is expected to reveal its intention to buy and redevelop the dilapidated Michigan Central Station in Corktown next month, according to four other sources familiar with the campus discussions.

An announcement of what could be the most transformational Detroit development plan in more than a decade may come May 10..." (Kirk Pinho, Crains Detroit,April 28, 2018) 

Such an announcement would be quite a significant move there for young people looking for jobs in the area also. It could provide a major move as the industry changes with the new technology in car building:

"One source familiar with Ford's pursuit of the train station said the move is aimed at building a workplace in an urban setting that can attract younger workers to the automaker.

Ford officials, including Executive Chairman Bill Ford Jr., have said talent attraction was a driving factor in the company buying The Factory building and embedding a team of employees focused on developing the business strategy for selling electric and autonomous vehicles of the future." (Kirk Pinho, Crains Detroit, March 25, 2018)

Moreover, it could well provide quite a view of what may happen in Detroit that could be used by other areas as a precedent for their growth:

"Former Detroit City Council member Sheila Cockrel, now on the Corktown Business Association, said the station's redevelopment is a fascinating possibility.

“This would take resurgence to a whole new level," Cockrel said. "Whoever does that, they will become an iconic name for rebuilding American cities."

All that I can say is to keep reading the various media outlets to learn what may happen here and hope that it applies as well in Canada so that we can prosper. Who knows what the next big announcement may be!

TECUMSEH MAYOR'S ELECTION STORY

What a strange story written by CBC News with respect to some comments made by the Mayor of Tecumseh, Gary McNamara:

"The election of Doug Ford as leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative party is yet another sign provincial leadership is too "Toronto-centric," according to Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara...

"He's very ingrained in Toronto. Interestingly enough, we have three candidates that are basically in the GTHA area. We've been saying all along that the province of Ontario is bigger than Toronto." said McNamara.

McNamara questions Ford's comprehension of provincial issues outside of the Toronto area. He added Ford has a short time to get up to speed."

Now that was brave of him to take that position with respect to the person whose Party seems to have a good chance of being the new Government of Ontario, winning a huge majority of the seats in Queen's Park.

Strange though, the story missed out on one important detail. While the Mayor did not seem all that friendly with respect to Doug Ford, the story never mentioned his background that could help explain that attitude:

"Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara, a long-time Liberal party member." (Dave Battagello, Windsor Star, February 28, 2016)