It’s a “total waste of time” advocating for fiscal responsibility and competitiveness

It’s been a total waste of time advocating fiscal responsibility and the importance of staying competitive. Raising property taxes without a balanced budget is not a success story. Having high water and wastewater rates in this area diminishes our ability to compete. We are losing 160 industrial jobs. The imminent closing of Diageo will create new challenges, affecting consumer spending, the driving engine of a local economy. The possible loss of rail line service after Diageo will be a death sentence for our hope to redevelop in the future. We have been set up for total failure. The numbers tell the story. 

The slowdown in local economy will affect small businesses, including new builds such as food franchises and outlets. Jobs in the service sector are totally dependent on consumer spending. Our leaders have shown total indifference and lack of understanding of how our resources should be managed and accounted for.

Windsor is our main competitor. They froze development charges for five years, with zero tax increases and a balanced budget. They are attracting new investments and creating new jobs. Essex and Kingsville are the preferred choices for new investments in the county due to lower costs and easier accessibility with the new Highway 3 expansion.

We have been left behind in more ways than one. New residential construction in Amherstburg has fallen followed by revenue and development charges affecting reinvestment in infrastructure. Projects already approved have been put on hold or possibly cancelled in the future. Belle Vue redevelopment is on hold. Non-essential real estate holdings should be sold. We are not in the property management business. A new library and municipal building is a want, not a need. They can be remodeled at a fraction of the cost, using local contractors in phases as we can afford it. We do not need consultant reports. We are building a Taj Mahal for the fire department – nothing but the best. Totally unnecessary. 

Balancing our budget in future years is the cure. This is not complicated; it should be easy to understand. One of our big accomplishments – we are soon to be one of the largest employers in our town. Going forward, it will take strong leadership. A new election in 10 months is our only hope. 

—Frank Cerasa

Amherstburg

It’s a “total waste of time” advocating for fiscal responsibility and competitiveness