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April 2008
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Categories: Photo Du JourWindsor

And another one gone, and another one gone…

Another one bites the dust…

Hey, I’m gonna get you too
Another one bites the dust

I still cannot believe the way the whole thing went down. Even beyond that I cannot believe that what you see in the photos above doesn’t violate some kind of by law for an unsecured demolition site. The little orange plastic fence does little to secure the site, and the tons of debris loosely kept off the sidewalk, I’m certain is 100% safe.

If the city had any balls, or integrity they would be down at the site with a ticket book tomorrow.

Maybe everyone should complain about the dangerous unsecured site to 311?

Call them, or visit online or email them 311@city.windsor.on.ca complaints about the site. There must be a fine of some sort that needs to be levied on the site.

***************************

As for the vigil, I didn’t get there until about 9:30, after the media had been and gone.

It seemed like there was a decent turn out, and it was great to see Councilors Halberstadt and Valnetinis at the vigil.

Kudos’s to Chris Holt @ Scaledown.ca for getting this organized on such quick notice.

In case you missed here, here was tonight’s broadcast:

***************************

Edit – As an addition, perhaps if anyone feels so inclined, a quick letter or e-mail to The Honourable Aileen Carroll, the Minister of Culture for Ontario is in order.

Let the Minister know that Windsor ignored the rules set out in the Ontario Heritage Act.

Contact information is as follows:

Ministry of Culture
900 Bay Street
5th Floor, Mowat
Toronto, Ontario M7A 1L2

If you wish to write to the Minister of Culture, you can send your letter to the above address or send an e-mail to the Minister’s attention to info.mcl@ontario.ca

Since the City obviously doesn’t give a rat’s ass about protecting our Heritage Sites, bringing the demolition and the underhanded way it transpired to the attention of the Minister can’t hurt anything.

Don’t forget to contact your local MPP’s as well:

Dwight Duncan, M.P.P.-Windsor-Tecumseh
Queen’s Park
7 Queen’s Park Crescent
7th floor
Toronto, ON, M7A 1Y7
Phone: (416) 325-0400
Fax: (416) 325-0374

Constituency Office
4808 Tecumseh Rd. East
Windsor, ON, N8T 1B8
Phone: (519) 251-5199
Fax: (519) 251-5299

Email: dduncan.mpp@liberal.ola.org

or –

Sandra Pupatello, M.P.P.-Windsor-West

Ministry of Economic Development and Trade
8th floor Hearst Block
900 Bay Street
M7A 2E1
Phone 416-325-6900
Fax 416-325-6918

Constituency Office
1483 Ouellette Ave.
Windsor, ON, N8X 1K1
519-977-7191
Fax: 519-977-7029

Email: spupatello.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org

Andrew

View Comments

  • Now let's keep in mind there is no proof there is asbestos in the building. Most century old buildings don't have it in the initial structure, it would have been added in during subsequent renovation, etc...

    While it might be in there, it also might not be...

    Sounds like there is a good rain storm brewing too... I'm sure if there is anything bad in the debris, it's got an afternoon date with the storm sewers...

  • The media has been great, agreed, and I am eternally grateful to them and to Chris Holt for getting them on board, but I am also a bit disappointed with many of the comments I've read on the Windsor Star web site indicating public support is not all we hoped it would be. Some calling us "crybabies" making a big deal over a "dilapidated building". If you want to know why it's so hard to ingrain an appreciation for our heritage in Windsor, there's the reason .... a prevailing throwaway attitude among Windsorites toward our heritage buildings. One guy even even said if he had his way they'd bulldoze the Martin house. We are vocal, but I'm afraid we are a vocal minority. Still a long road ahead....

  • John, I've seen those same comments and wrote a reply which may or may not get posted by the star. I think the issue is that people don't seem to realize that the building became "dilapidated" while under the ownership of Asscock Sood. I got the impression that people thought he had bought the property and this crumby old building had magically appeared on it, leaving him no choice but to rip it down to restore his property to its former glory. It wasn't his fault that the building was deteriorating. I'm sure these people will sing a different tune when they have a vast array of empty lots to shop at, go to for a quick bite, or meet a friend for a drink. Oh wait, you can't do that on an empty lot! Unfortunately, the type of people who are leaving those messages will not realize that until it's too late and we only have Walmart as an option and no one can afford to drive out to the middle of nowhere to shop at the Walmart.

  • Greg Heil needs to use a bit of stronger stance other than "city hall dropped the ball" and "this is a shame". Why isn't he holding the planning department accountable and demanding answers NOW?!
    No wonder our heritage is lost. Where is his outrage? Is it because funding for the Heritage come from city hall and he doesn't want to rock the boat? STAND UP FOR WINDSOR!

  • Dave - I sit on that board, and trust me Greg Heil isn't the problem. If it wasn't for his leadership, the heritage committee wouldn;t have accomplished half of what it has. He has demanded answers, the day it occured, although I suspect that we won't get too many answers. There is a culture of secrecy at City Hall, and I'm not expect the lowly heritage committee to get an answer from the politbureau.

    Your acustations are just plain wrong and terribly insulting to someone who has volunteered (the WHC is not paid) his time for decade toward standing up for and protecting Windsor's heritage. Poining fingers at the WHC and its chair is an insult to me as a board member and certainly will not accomplish anything but to weaken the state of heritage in this city, which I believe is the true intention of this administration. Wait until November when myself and Greg leave the WHC, and see how much is preserved, and how little will happen from that point forward.

    Seems like maybe you're spending too much time over at Chris Schnurr's site...

    As far as rocking the boat goes, Greg is a first class boat rocker. Don't worry.

  • As an extra Dave - The role of the WHC is stricty as an advisory body to city council.

    We are not automomous.

    Our mandate is as follows:

    The WHC advises City Council on the identification, recognition, protection, enhancement and proper management of heritage resources in the City of Windsor.

    The group that isn't tied to city hall is the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario.

  • I expected stronger language than Mr. Heil's especially because this isn't the first time it happened. Reading the paper it seemed as if he was nonchalant about it.

    I am not sure how me being upset about how Mr. Heil's response to the situation has affected you? You certainly didn't state what Mr. Heil stated and you were there for the vigil so I don't understand how you equate my accusations to personally hurt you?

    If he is as good as you say he is then that is good for Windsor. I just expected a stronger response. I am sure when you two leave Windsor will be for the worse as I know how much you do to try and keep what little Windsor has.

    By the way I don't let someone else's ideas control my own. Chris can believe what he thinks as do I.

  • I am not sure how me being upset about how Mr. Heil’s response to the situation has affected you?

    As a member of the committee, The Chair is the public spokesman for the committee.

    By you saying:

    Is it because funding for the Heritage come from city hall and he doesn’t want to rock the boat?

    Insinuates that the entire committee keeps quiet and is under the mayor's control. As a member your accusation is also leveled upon me.

    That is how your false accusation affects me.

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