Ribbon cutting held to unveil new rainbow crosswalk

By Ron Giofu

The new rainbow crosswalk has been officially unveiled in Amherstburg.

A ribbon cutting to celebrate the rainbow crosswalk was held last Thursday morning on Simcoe St, at the corner of Victoria St. S. Members of town council were joined by members of the Amherstburg Fire Department, Windsor Police Service, students from neighbouring North Star High School and the Goggin family, the latter being who paid for the crosswalk.

It is the first rainbow crosswalk in Amherstburg, though not the first in Windsor-Essex County.

Mayor Michael Prue said he was happy to unveil new rainbow crosswalk, adding he is proud to live in a community that would endorse such an initiative.

“This is a great occasion,” Prue stated.

Prue said the crosswalk is a symbol that shows Amherstburg is a safe and inclusive place for people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

“It’s a reminder that diversity is welcome in Amherstburg,” the mayor stated. “Every person deserves to be treated with kindness, dignity and respect. These crosswalks symbolize acceptance, inclusion and diversity. The crosswalk will be an important feature and key landmark geographically and socially for the town.”

Prue praised the Goggin family, noting when the issue first came up in March 2022, the family wasted little time in stepping up and offering to pay for it.

“You stepped forward to ensure this came to fruition without hesitation,”

Prue told the family.

While there have been e-mails criticizing the move, Prue believes the population of Amherstburg largely supports the move.

“If there are any naysayers, they will be drowned out by the people who are here today,” he said.

Stating “everyone has the same rights within the community,” Prue said he would tell critics “we are an inclusive community. Get used to it.”

Joanne Goggin represented her family at the ribbon cutting and thanked town council for following through on the rainbow crosswalk. She also thanked the Pride community and hopes the crosswalk will help others share their story and struggles as well as give them a “pathway” to express themselves.

“Our family wanted to contribute to the crosswalk because of the importance and progress it represents to the current generation of 2SLBGTQIA+

PUBLIC NOTICE – PESTICIDE USE WITHIN THE TOWN OF AMHERSTBURG

The Town of Amherstburg intends to control noxious weeds along the following rural roadsides within its boundaries:

North of Alma Street – 2nd Concession N, 3rd Concession N, 4th Concession N, 5th Concession N, 6th Concession N, 8th Concession N, Alma Street, Texas Road, North Sideroad;

South of Alma Street – 2nd Concession S, 4th Concession S, 5th Concession S, 6th Concession S, 7th Concession S, 9th Concession S, Lowes Sideroad, Creek Road, Malden Colchester South Townline Road, CKLW Townline Road, South Side Road, Collison Side Road,

The following pesticides registered under the Pest Control Products Act (Canada) will be used:

ClearView Herbicide (Registration Number 29752), which contains the active ingredients Aminopyralid (present as potassium salt), and Metsulfuron - methyl in combination with Gateway Adjuvant (Registration Number 31470, which contains the active ingredients Paraffinic Oil, and Alkoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfacants;

Navius FLEX Herbicide (Registration Number 30922), which contains the active ingredients Metsulfuron – methyl and Aminocyclopyrachlor in combination with Hasten NT Ultra Spray Adjuvant (Registration Number 31760), which contains active ingredients Methyl and ethyl oleate (esterified vegetable oil).

We are controlling noxious weeds under Public Works Exception of the Cosmetic Pesticides Ban for the promotion of public health or safety. Please visit the www.amherstburg.ca for more information.

Commencing on May 24, 2023 (weather permitting) and ending June 29, 2023.

For more information, call collect:

Green Stream 1-905-510-1229

Eric Chamberlain-Public Works Town of Amherstburg

1-519-736-3664 youth,” she said. “By providing a visible symbol of support and acceptance from the community, we hope all those who struggle with their identity and coming out will have a path to follow and take pride in.”

Wendi Nicholson, president of Windsor-Essex Pride Fest, said the rainbow crosswalk is also a remembrance of sacrifice and loss. She called the rainbow crosswalk “truly an amazing symbol.”

“The significance of this symbol shown in Amherstburg breaks open closet doors as communities both large and small make the invisible, and it tells members of the 2SLBGTQIA+ community they are welcome, they are included and they are valued as full and equal members of society,” said Nicholson.

Morghan Shearon, program director with the House Youth Centre, was also on hand. The House has programs including “Embrace” that are geared to the 2SLBGTQIA+ community. She estimated the House has been partnering with WE Pride Fest for over six years.

“I think it’s really cool to be part of a community focused on inclusion,” said Shearon.

The rainbow crosswalk was approved by the previous town council March 14, 2022 after they were approached by Linden Crain. The rainbow crosswalk was to recognize the 2SLBGTQIA+ community and BIPOC, the latter standing for Black, Indigenous and People of Colour.

Crain, who was elected to town council later in the year, said he was told by people on the campaign trail they wouldn’t vote for him based on his desire to bring the project to Amherstburg. That just motivated him further to pursue the project as he believes it emphasized “we need this.” He added most of the feedback he has been receiving has been positive,.

“It’s a great day,” he said after last Thursday morning’s ribbon cutting. “It shows we’re an inclusive community and accepting of one another.”