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Vol. 12, Issue 17
DR. STEVE
SCHIEFER
LATE NIGHENTTS APPOINTMBL AVAILA EILS! TA
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Wednesday, May 26, 2021
Council turns down policing bid from Windsor
By Mark Ribble LEAMINGTON — The Windsor Police Service bid for policing in Leamington was unanimously rejected by Leamington Council at a special meeting last Tuesday, May 18. Although it brings the Request for Proposal (RFP) process to an end, “This is just a first step,” according to Leamington Mayor Hilda MacDonald. The issue goes back to the 2018 municipal election, when residents expressed disappointment with the level of service from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). “A couple of years ago, we heard from residents that they weren’t happy with the level of service,” said Councillor John Hammond. In late 2019, council commissioned a report on the RFP process from Michael Mitchell of MPM Consulting and at that time, they heard about different options available, should they decide to terminate the contract with the OPP. Mitchell’s report, at the time, concluded that the OPP were providing service in compliance with all mandatory adequacy standards, but lacked flexibitilty in customizing its service delivery model to the specific needs of the municpality. Council had reached out to OPP leadership with hopes of opening a discussion on that flexibility and were told that the policing model was adequate. In June of last year, council voted to terminate the contract of the OPP and give the required one-year notice to do so. That contract expires on June 9, 2021. “We have no issues with the boots on the ground,” said Councillor Paul Tiessen. “There needs to be change from the top.” The RFP process began last fall, with specific levels of service outlined in the request. Documents were sent to Windsor Police Service, LaSalle Police Service and Chatham-Kent Police Service, as well as the Solicitor General, who oversees the OPP contracts. Only Windsor and Chatham-Kent responded with proposals and administration viewed only the Windsor proposal as meeting the standards set out in the RFP. However, due to a large increase in cost over the current policing, they recommended council not accept the Windsor proposal. “This decision was originally not about the money,” said MacDonald. “It was about level of service.” “Now it’s coming down to money,” she added. “Do we subject our residents to an enormous tax increase?”
SEE POLICE BID — Page 2
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WHEATLEY — With last week’s announcement allowing golf courses to open on Saturday, May 22, it didn’t take long for the local links to fill up. Talbot Trail Golf Club was quickly booked full-up for tee times. Among those enjoying a round of golf this weekend was Mack Marshall, 6, of Wheatley, teeing off on the first hole at Talbot Trail on Saturday. He was out with his dad Steven, for their first round of golf this season. Mack was excited to be out and said he has actually been golfing since he was four years old. Sun photo
5,&&, (116 52//,(5 6(77(5,1*721 //3
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