Arts for Parks co-organizer expresses thanks for support

decision and solve whatever issues come up as a result of the decision. Allow businesses and residents to plan for whatever decision is made, whether that be to stick with the status quo or to adapt to any alterations.

A group called “The Core” is putting up $20,000 to add to Open Air activities, so that is commendable. Those with concerns should be listened to also, and those should be addressed to the best of the town’s ability.

•An issue I found interesting during the budget deliberations was that of the Libro Centre, the turf field and how to best use the amenities there. I would love to see improvements made to some of the facilities, including the outdoor turf football/soccer fields and premier baseball diamond.

If I had my way, I’d like to see bleachers set up along the football/ soccer field similar to that of St. Thomas of Villanova Secondary School or Essex District High School with light standards pushed back.

Somehow finding a way to expand the distance between home plate and the backstop at the baseball diamond is something I would also like to see, as I’m sure many others also would like to have happen.

All of this comes with a cost, of course, but it doesn’t hurt to at least put the ideas forward and see what comes of them.

•The last time I wrote something here, I included something about my shoes and the fact they were quickly disintegrating. Holes in the soles and other parts of the shoes had developed and the shoes were becoming quite problematic.

There were people who have been asking and checking my feet to see if I had new shoes.

For those of you who were wondering (and yes, there have been a few), I do have new shoes. I can safely walk outside in wet weather again.

These are just my thoughts, take them for what they’re worth.

On behalf of the Art for Parks committee, a big thank you to our sponsors. Gibb Insurance, Unifor Local 1959 and Burger 67.

Also, thank you to major donors including Royal Canadian Legion Br. 157, the Essex ATV club.

Thank you to all those that generously donated gifts, and those that donated art.

And of course, this didn’t happen without a great group of volunteers that hustled like crazy to make this event successful. We had a very successful event. Money is still coming in.

We are still selling art. We are looking forward to hosting our next event – same cause, our parks, but a different type of event.

Special mention to the AMA Sportsman Club; they were so friendly and accommodating, they made our job so much easier.

Thank you all!

—Kurt Reffle Amherstburg

Taxes form basis for questioning come next election season

It’s time to file your 2022 tax return. Time to pull out all of your receipts and your 2022 property tax demand. Take a moment to write down on a separate sheet of paper the total amount of property taxes you paid in 2022.

I would itemize it by municipal levy (noting that this includes a capital reserve levy and a capital replacement levy), county levy and education levy.

Next, write down the things you feel were the advantages and disadvantages to living in Amherstburg. For example, parks, hotels, the downtown core, the street(s) in front of your home, recreational amenities, marina, housing, policing, economic development etc. Next year do the same thing.

In four years there will be another municipal election. Pull this sheet out and take a look at the amount your taxes have increased and then ask yourself “What have I gotten for this additional cost”?

I would recommend using this document as part of your decision making process for the next election. This will also prepare you for questions you can ask any candidates that come to your door at election time.

—Sue Hudson Amherstburg

Residents offer their suggestion for Open Air Weekends format

Re: Open Air Weekends

Now that COVID-19 appears to be under control, we feel closing the streets every weekend for Open Air is excessive.

We know business in the core remain split on supporting it, and many of us who reside in the downtown area are not happy with the increased traffic and traffic noise it produces each weekend on our normally much quieter streets (due to road closures and traffic being re-directed).

We are not opposed to Open Air Weekends, but perhaps every other weekend would suffice. That would make it fair for both sides of this divisive debate.

Respectfully,

—Joanne & Wayne Jackson Amherstburg

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