Dhaval Prajapati Dhaval Prajapati believes Amherstburg is at a crucial point and he wants to be part of the decision-making process. Prajapati is seeking a seat as a councillor in the Oct. 26 municipal election and while he didn’t move to Amherstburg with plans on entering local politics, he now feels the need to. “This is my home,” he said. “Everyone I’m hearing from is so welcoming and has great things to say about the town.” Prajapati sees growth as inevitable and how that

Don McArthur has announced he is not seeking re-election as a town councillor. After eight years, Don McArthur is moving on to other aspects of his life. The two-term councillor has confirmed he is not seeking a third term and will focus on other aspects of his life. “Serving on Amherstburg council has been the honour and privilege of my life,” he said. “I’ll be forever grateful to the Town of Amherstburg. Outside of being a father, it’s been the most rewarding and fulfilli

The future of The House Youth Centre is in question and town council is looking for ways it can help. The future of The House Youth Centre is in question and town council is looking for ways it can help. Councillor Diane Pouget put forth a motion during the June 23 meeting that administration meet with the board with The House to “negotiate a fair and equitable agreement similar to that of the Verdi Club and boxing club for use at the hub.” The motion, which was passed, woul

Amherstburg town council had a spirited and often tense discussion on the policing matter, which included references to a meeting held between two council members and the mayor of Windsor. Amherstburg elected officials also want more information released publicly so that the public can better understand what has been discussed and why previous votes were cast they way they were. Town council voted unanimously June 23 to waive rules of order for in-camera meetings specific to

Essex County Civic Centre. Essex County councillors are pointing a direct finger at the City of Windsor when it comes to funding for the homeless. Director of health and community services Natasha Sheeler said that the county was recently notified there will be a shortfall of about $70,000. She stated that during the June 17 meeting of county council. Sheeler made a recommendation that due to the lack of funding, that the county stop operating an overnight program for the hom

When the Town of Amherstburg starts to participate in the organic waste green bin program in November, it is estimated the cost will be about $140 per household per year. While the Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority’s mandate is to have the waste collection as a diversion from the landfill, there are still those in the county who are opposed. Carolyn Crankshaw presented a 250-name petition requesting the ability to opt out of the green bin program as part of the June 17 meet

Essex County Civic Centre. While there are mixed responses locally on whether or not to apply for the Ontario-Canada Development Charges Reduction Program (DCRP), Essex County will make an application. Director of financial services/treasurer Melissa Ryan said during the June 17 county council meetings that the upper-tier of municipal government wants to move forward and upon a brief discussion, it was decided to do so. In her report, Ryan noted, “failure to submit an applica

An application under the Canada-Ontario Development Charge Reduction program will not be submitted by the Town of Amherstburg. Citing too much risk and not enough reward, town council instead unanimously passed a motion put on the table by Councillor Peter Courtney that both provincial and federal levels of government create a grant program that would see consumers directly reimbursed by upper levels of government of development charges in order to incentivize home purchasing

Minister of Natural Resources Mike Harris was in Essex June 9, where he announced an additional $7.8 million to help landowners and municipalities deal with old oil and gas wells found on the properties. Members of Essex County council were on hand as were area fire officials. The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has announced more funding to help the region deal with old oil and gas wells that are still in the area. Minister of Natural Resources Mike Harris was at the Ess