Local resident believes the “delegation police” has arisen in Amherstburg

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 high density property developments within the Heritage Conservation District and other settlement areas as outlined by our Official Plan.

We had also sent a very detailed pro-active motion which included the why, how, what where and when, all the requirements of a complete motion with the hope it would be introduced during new business. 

Even without my deputation, under new business, parts of the motion were brought forward and received a seconder for discussion. Thank you, councillors.

Unfortunately, council has again chosen the reactive method of governing Amherstburg instead of investigating pro-active initiatives through an administration report, findings evaluation policy/bylaw, followed by those famous words, “I move administration recommendations”!

 Instead, we will be facing another future embarassment and the blame game.

The motion does remove any deniability for due diligence by town officials. 

With the questions directed from council and answers received, it became apparent quickly, the majority of council and administration hadn’t bothered reading the potential motion and were not planning to.  

You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink!

Those who remember the suggestion put forward to council on financial investment, their inability to implement a financial strategy is now costing Amherstburg $175,000 monthly in financial growth equivalent to a six per cent taxation increase, not an assumption, all based on comparative data from One Investments.  

Imagine a 23 per cent rate of return for the first three months of 2026, a return other Ontario communities are enjoying, but not Amherstburg. 

It is going to make a great community comparator for the beginning of Oct. 2026. 

I created a simple practise portfolio with $20 million of reserve funds, approximately 25 per cent of our current cash on hand balance. Imagine if we were aggressively supporting financial growth.

I will now go back into my cave dwelling and crawl under my rock and have sweet dreams of past decades, when residents positive opinions and proposals were welcomed in  the municipal chambers. 

—Gary Bowerman 

Amherstburg

Local resident believes the “delegation police” has arisen in Amherstburg