A Hot Time Blog

Yes I know it is officially now summertime. However, is it ever hot out. Oh sure, we have experienced this kind of temperature before but I can't remember temperatures this high for so many days for a very long time.

Thank goodness at least that we have air-conditioning in our house to keep the temperatures bearable.

Normally, I set out my own personal comments before I post a lot of the interesting stories which I would like you to read. This time I don't think I have the brainpower around to come up with something special at the beginning of my Blogs. Rather, I'm just going to start talking about some of the very interesting events that have captured my attention.

RUNNING FOR OFFICE

I just saw that my Tecumseh Ward 2 Councillor, Bill Altenhof, is running for re-election. That goodness for that.

I have dealt with him on a number of issues that have been concerns to me since I moved into Tecumseh. I appreciate his assistance in taking the steps to get them resolved.

So far, I have seen no one running against him and I would be surprised if anyone does. In my opinion, he has a strong chance to be re-elected.

Interestingly, so far, only in one Ward is there competition for seats on Council. It will be interesting to see if there will be competition in the other wards as we approach the deadline for running in Council. 

I must admit that I would be surprised if there is a lot of competition because residents in the area seem to like what Council is doing. Accordingly, why run against a favoured politician when the chances of losing for an opponent are high.

THE NEW GOVERNMENT BRIDGE

Interesting, I just happened to see this posting for the job to become President of the Government bridge in this area. It had a very interesting comment in it:

“President & CEO Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority 

The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA), a Canadian Crown corporation, was established in October 2012, with the mandate to enable construction and operation of a new international crossing between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan, Canada’s busiest border crossing point. The largest public-private partnership project in Canadian history, it includes four components: a six-lane high level bridge; a Canadian port of entry (POE) with border inspection and toll facilities; a U.S. POE with border inspection; and an interchange with Interstate 75. Construction will take place over four to five years, at an anticipated cost of $3.5 - $4 billion.”

I am so happy to see that "officially" the cost of the new bridge is $3.5 billion to $4 billion. That is quite a significant increase from what seemed to be the cost of that bridge quoted before. Wasn't there also a suggestion that, in fact, cost might go up to $8 billion! Interestingly, the cost today to complete the Moroun's Ambassador Bridge project is about $500 million. The new crossing is at a cost so much higher.  It is nothing more than a gigantic drain on our tax dollars.

I saw the story on June 27 in the Windsor Star announcing the appointment of Bryce Phillips as the new President of the Government Bridge Company.

You might want to read this other story if you have some time "Fall construction start eyed for Gordie Howe bridge” 

For some reason, this article was posted publicly on June 27 as well. However, the person quoted throughout the entire article was WDBA spokesperson Mark Butler. Interestingly, he also made the comment of the cost of the bridge at around $3 billion.

What a coincidence on the date that this story came out publicly. As you can tell, it is the same date as the name of the new President was announced.

I wonder, do you think that this story was written for the public to learn about the situation now or was it really written to let the new President know exactly what is going on and what he must do to move this project forward. I will let you make that decision.

MORE GOOD HEALTH NEWS

Here is some good news in the medical area that has a very positive impact on people who live in Tecumseh.  That just happens to be where my house is located:

“Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare will soon be able to provide cardiac services at a planned new satellite site as part of the expansion of the Tecumseh Arena.”

(Kevin McQuaid Jr., Windsorite.ca, June 24, 2018) 

It is interesting that what is being done is due to Tecumseh's geographical location. Here is what Bill Marra, vice president of external and government affairs for Hôtel-Dieu stated:

“The location in Tecumseh allows us to hit a catchment area, which includes east Windsor, the town of Tecumseh, Lakeshore and even draw potential patients from the town of Essex” (CBC News, June 25, 2018)

Now why would it be located as part of Tecumseh Arena? Here is what was said about that which may seem surprising:

“Marra also cited the convenience of having the rehab clinic under the same roof as the recreation centre, which will include indoor sports fields, offices and activity rooms.

"It's going to have a walking track and other amenities that'll be very complementary to our program." he said. "It's a perfect fit with the recreation facility they're building."

Congratulations for setting up something so important in Tecumseh at a great location!