As a wheelchair user who relies on an accessible ramp van, I am deeply discouraged that, after four years under the current council, it remains impossible to park in any of Amherstburg’s downtown public lots. Ontario’s AODA standards require at least one 3.4metre accessible space in every public parking area. Despite this clear obligation, our town continues to fall short. During the early years of Open Air Weekends, parking beside Caffeine’s was fully reserved for people

As National Indigenous History Month is observed across Canada, communities are encouraged to reflect on the histories, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous peoples. It is also an opportunity to consider how heritage, recognition, and inclusion are approached in local decision-making. Given that council was discussing a proposed Indigenous sculpture during National Indigenous History Month, it would have been an appropriate opportunity to formally proclaim June as Nation

As we wade through a lot of the gobbledegook at the council meeting of May 11, 2026, especially at 24 minutes into the meeting regarding the fire hall, we hear that the hall was budgeted with $11.8 million with no overruns. A debt will be issued for $11.4 million with OILC in the form of a debenture. A debenture of $11.4 million is a long-term (30-year) IOU where the borrower (Town of Amherstburg) promises to pay regular (yearly) interest payments over the term of the contrac

The delegation police strikes again in Amherstburg. We had another deputation request denied as it didn’t exactly match the criteria of our Procedural By-Law. Two deputations were denied for the April 27 council meeting. Starting to think I have lost my touch as my first deputation to a council was in 1971 involving an environment impact of a local creamery. Quite a shock having back-to-back delegations rejected. Ours was on-street parking for streets adjacent to future hig

My great grandfather, John G Mullen and family, owned Belle Vue from 1925 to 1946. My mother, Harriet Gilman Quinn celebrated her wedding in 1940 in what was at the time, a family home. My older brother remembers riding his tricyclic in the hallway. These and many other reminiscences are fondly resurrected at family gatherings of the scattered descendants of John G. Even with this personal attachment to Belle Vue, I think I speak for all those descendants that it is tim

Letter regarding “Amherstburg better frozen in time” lacked clarity. Message didn’t hit home. Especially with the Amico Belle Vue cancellation announcement. It would have been perfect timing had the message expanded. Our town is loaded with empty abandoned space. Belle Vue, Allied, Seagrams, General Amherst High School. Duffy’s is finally developed with a partial dock after sitting in rot but what will it do. Boating is dead with fuel prices. People travel by car. The the

Council’s 24-minute debate about a shorter time frame to display election signs was unnecessary. While the discussion focused on personal anecdotes and reminiscences, municipalities province-wide updated their election sign by-laws after being made aware of a 2025 court decision. Like earlier court decisions, the Ontario Superior Court determined that certain time-based restrictions constituted an unjustifiable infringement on freedom of expression under Section 2(b) of the

Growing up in Amherstburg since the early immigration days brings a lot to mind as to where we were and where we are. I remember the weekly ball games at town park, the smell of the distillery at Seagrams, the smell of the baking at Marra’s Bread, the blowing of the Brunner Mond horn indicating shift change and lunch times. Duffy’s Tavern was a buzz in the summer with American boaters. The huge Boblo Boats travelled the river from Detroit to Boblo Island resembling a m