Town council approved new tennis courts, sports courts and trails for H. Murray Smith Centennial Park during its meeting last Monday night. New amenities are officially coming to H. Murray Smith Centennial Park. With the $1,060,000 that accumulated through the last two town budget cycles, Amherstburg town council agreed Monday night to fully construct two basic community use fenced tennis courts, two basic non-fenced sports courts with simple line painting and a 10-foot wide

Town council discussed controversy investigation as resident resigns from town's licensing committee. A member of the town’s licensing committee has resigned amid controversy of an integrity commissioner’s report into a complaint over language the member allegedly used in relation to town staff. The investigation from Principles Integrity came before town council last Monday night and states that the person started sharing concerns about municipal operations to town staff at

Essex County Civic Centre Amherstburg residents will be participating in the Essex County-wide organic waste green bin program beginning this fall, but just when they will start to pay for it is still unclear. Lakeshore Mayor Tracey Bailey brought forth a notice of motion as part of Essex County council’s meeting last Wednesday night that the cost for the program this year be paid out of reserves and that the cost to the taxpayers be phased in over the next three years. “Wher

There are mixed opinions from Essex County councillors whether or not boards and committees should have their meetings broadcast. At the Feb. 4, county council meeting Essex Mayor Sherry  Bondy brought forth a notice of motion requesting that county administration request from boards and committees, in which a member of county council serves, videotape and post their meetings online. “I have talked to the CEO of the Essex County Library Board and they’ve been taping their boa

Staff and board members with the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) are expressing thanks for the support they are getting relating to them remaining a standalone conservation authority. Additional letters were received by the board at last week’s ERCA board of directors meeting in Essex.  Letters are opposing regional consolidation of conservation authorities, a move that if passed by the province, would see 36 conservation areas become seven and Essex County and Win

Representatives from Windsor-Essex County Crime Stoppers were at the most recent meeting of town council to give an update on the organization. Rick Surette and Greg Rumpel addressed town council Feb. 9 and gave background on the organization. Surette said it is a program that “encourages individuals in their community to report crime leads anonymously.” “We promise a cash reward if their tip leads to information that helps us solve a crime or a seizure of things like drugs o

Amherstburg Municipal Building. Amherstburg town council members who attend a conference, seminar “or similar event” on the town’s dime may soon have to give a report to their colleagues on what was learned. A notice of motion by Councillor Molly Allaire dating back to Dec. 15 was brought forward as a regular motion this past Monday evening and council approved a policy be drafted. The wording of the motion caused some concern but after the clauses were shuffled, the motion t

Residents of Essex County will know later this month just how much the organic waste collection’s green bin program will cost. Amherstburg Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb told the River Town Times last Wednesday night that while the precise cost is not yet known, he estimates it will be about $150 a year per residential household that will be receiving the collection service. “This is a brand new program for the County of Essex so there are going to be bumps in the road,” said Gibb,

County votes to implement charges after lengthy debate Essex County Civic Centre. The County of Essex will go ahead with a development charge which will be added to new builds in the next couple of years. Following over an hour-long discussion last Wednesday night, which included comments from the president-elect of the Windsor-Essex County Association of Realtors (WECAR), the charge will begin in 2028. “Development charges are about one core principal – growth paying for gro