The MediaPlex Examiner - Jan. 25, 2019

VOLUME 1 ISSUE 7

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FRIDAY, JANUARY, 25 2018

News

News

Sports

Entertainment

Students weigh in on a potentional tax increase, Page 3.

Amazon products raise alarms with local Muslims Page 2.

A21 Academy reaches for higher hockey education, Page 8.

Circus performers came to Detroit and put on a show, Page 7.

JULIANNA BONNETT/MediaPlex Examiner Women and men alike took to the streets of Windsor and Detroit for the Woman’s March on Jan, 17 2019.

Windsor, Detroit unite for Women’s March

By Lauren O’Brien MediaPlex Examiner

Women and men united on both sides of the Detroit River last Thursday.

The Windsor Women’s March held a vigil in honour of women victims of violence. For the first time, the two border cities of Windsor and Detroit marched in sync, determined to cross international barriers and unite for women globally. Canadian participants met at the Great Canadian Flag. After a short meeting, they marched to Festival Plaza.

Women’s March Global originated on Jan. 21, 2017, the day after president Trump’s inaugura-

tion in the United States. Women and men alike took to the streets of Washington D.C. to protest the ideas coming out of the new government. Among them was Michelle Mainwaring, one of the organizers of the Windsor chapter of Women’s March Global.

Since then— the global movement has continued to evolve.

Mainwaring said it is now about keeping women’s issues around the world in the forefront of people’s minds.

“We’re kind of transitioning from a women’s march to a women’s wave. There’s a lot of talk about walls and between Detroit and us tonight, there aren’t any. There are no walls between

us and waves are stronger than walls.” Mainwaring said. There’s this feeling of unity and knowing we are stronger together. The waves of women who are coming are making change and that’s what we have always done since the days of the suffragettes. You know, we fought for the right to vote and imagine if we hadn’t.

Where would we be?”

For Christine Dilworth, an annual participant, the Women’s March is about supporting young girls everywhere.

“It’s important to recognize that I’ve had a very fortunate life and that’s not necessarily the case for all of the women in our community and certainly not all

of the women globally. We join together to make sure our young girls feel supported and connected to the community,” said Dilworth, gesturing to her daughter as she spoke.

Dilworth held up a homemade sign with more than 12 names listed on the front along with the outline of a dress. The names are those of missing and murdered indigenous women. She considers this a major issue in our society.

“I think (the march) speaks for the fact that arbitrarily drawn borders are not enough to keep people apart and we stand with women and girls around the world.”

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2018

Tax increases concern downtown businesses

By Kamryn Cusumano M e d i a p l e x Ex am iner

Downtown Windsor business owners have mixed feelings about the impact of possible tax increases.

A new city budget will be deliberated for 2019 and some council members are proposing an increase in property taxes.

Mayor Drew Dilkens remains opposed to tax increases. Some small business owners say they are concerned about the potential detrimental impact higher taxes will have, while others are in favor so long as frivolous spending becomes checked.

“Yes, small business owners are pinched as it is,” said Tom Lucier, owner of Phog Lounge.

“But if you want money spent on things like services or programs that’s where it comes from, from taxes.”

Phog Lounge is a tenant of their property. If taxes did increase Lucier said he might expect an accumulative effect on his rent which “would get worse as time went on.”

According to Simon Yared, an articling student at the University of Windsor, commercial lease contracts will say how much a tenant will pay depending on their lease. Changing this agreement would depend on the agreements set out in individual contracts.

A cafe just around the block from Phog Lounge is concerned about tax increases in a neighbourhood which is seeing a lot of economic hardship.

“Everyone on my block is bankrupt,” said Ryan Smith, owner of Pause Cafe. “Closed down, boarded up. I’ve been here for 14 years and just within a two-block radius, 63 restaurants have opened and closed.

That’s just two blocks.”

Both Lucier and Smith echo similar concerns for responsible tax spending, especially when it comes to the downtown core.

“For 30 years downtown has been neglected and city council has been promoting urban sprawl,” said Smith. “They spent $3 million on Christmas lights … I have no problem with

the Christmas lights as a concept, it’s the placement. When you put millions of dollars of Christmas lights in Jackson Park there is no economic benefits to any neighbourhood ... .”

According to Smith, an increase in taxes would also force a small business like Pause Cafe to take an economic hit and potentially raise prices.

“It would be hard,” said Smith.

“Downtown is pretty depressed economically already. We’ve got a lot of problems with opioid epidemic and the homeless already, so things are pretty bad downtown and an increase in property taxes would be detrimental. If downtown was successful then it wouldn’t be so painful.”

Lucier is less concerned about a financial hit his business may take and believes this increase is a long time coming. He said charging even half a per cent more could benefit the community.

“Ultimately, to not have taxes go up for the last eight to 12 years and they brag about it,

there’s a lot of services we don’t have,” said Lucier.

“There’s a lot of things especially we are seeing it now.

We have 12 years of unchecked meth addiction and so on and so forth. So now we are like ‘Oh we can’t afford to have any of these crisis workers.’”

According to the city of Windsor’s official website, 20.7 per cent of tax dollars are allocated to police services and 10 per cent to community development and health services.

Lucier said he trusts the new city council will spend it wisely and make decisions that are good for the collective whole.

For those opposed to the increase, Lucier asks; “What’s your priority? Save $100 a month or $1,000 a year?

Give me a break. That’s selfish thinking that communities need to overcome to be better. Go ahead charge me a bit of extra money because it’s going in the right place, it’s not going into another Christmas light display.”

Homeowners concerned council will up taxes

By Madeline Mazak Mediaplex Examiner A young couple is concerned property taxes in Windsor may see another increase as council members set out to begin deliberations over the 2019 budget.

Some members of Windsor City Council have already expressed support for a property tax increase. Windsor has previously seen a rise in property taxes under Mayor Drew Dilkens in January 2017. The 1.73 per cent jump brought an eight-year streak free of increases to an abrupt halt.

First-time homeowners Brian

Filipowitz, 25, and Joanie Leblanc, 22, said higher property taxes would have made them reconsider their decision to purchase a home in Windsor.

The couple recently received the keys to their new east Windsor home. They said affordable taxes made Windsor an attractive city to purchase their first home.

“It would definitely affect my decision if the taxes were going up by a substantial amount,” said Filipowitz. “I would consider renting instead of buying.”

Leblanc said purchasing a house in Windsor is cheaper than renting, which was a decid-

ing factor in her decision to buy.

“The cost of renting in the area I was looking for was more expensive than a mortgage,” she Leblanc. “I also felt that money towards an apartment was a waste when I could put money toward a house we both own.”

The couple said low property taxes in Windsor draw on young people from other cities in Ontario where purchasing a home is not so budget friendly.

“It allows younger people to own their own house, as well as save money,” said Filipowitz.

“Other cities don’t allow that.

I don’t think as many people would be coming to Windsor

if the taxes were substantially higher.”

The first-time homeowners said they pay $1,900 in property taxes annually. They said their budget will be tighter to cope with expenses if Windsor sees another property tax increase.

In 2017, Dilkens said the increase in property taxes was the only sustainable option to avoid cutbacks to city services and programs.

As deliberations at city council over the 2019 budget continue, it remains unclear whether Windsor will see an increase in property taxes yet again.

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2018

Tecumseh residents fear tax hike

By Eleanor Dhillon Mediaplex Examiner The proposed tax increase in Tecumseh is raising concern for some residents who are worried about their future and businesses.

The draft document, proposing that a 1.9 per cent rise in taxes was tabled Tuesday evening at Tecumseh town council. Residents are worried that the increase will affect not only themselves but their family, friends and small local businesses.

Karmjeet Sidhu is a Tecumseh resident and project manager at the YMCA. Sidhu has lived and worked in Tecumseh for over 11 years.

“I think everyone gets upset

when there is a rise in taxes,” said Sidhu. “It’s less money in their pockets.”

Sidhu said that citizens should have the right to know where their taxes are being spent. Sidhu has always paid taxes. When she heard the news it worried her about her financial stability and future.

“I think we pay enough and I don’t see where my taxes are going,” said Sidhu.

Jora Singh is a Tecumseh resident and property manager. Singh heard the news and at first he was taken back, but as time went on he realized that the increase could benefit him in some ways.

“I personally think it’s unfair,”

said Singh. “But at the same time I recognize that more taxes also means more services for the area.”

As a property manager Singh said he will feel the effects of the tax increase and these effects may cause his income to decrease.

“It won’t affect my properties,” said Singh. “However, it will affect my profit margins and I cannot raise the rent as I have long term tenants.”

Singh said he is more concerned for others who do not earn enough money to provide for themselves.

“I think those who earn a good wage won’t be affected at all, however those on lower wages that struggle to pay rent and keep up with the costs of living will

struggle,” said Singh .

Singh said he understands what it is like to provide public services but believes in order to move forward successfully as a city, people should be taxed in other ways.

“I would try to tax people differently according to their income.” said Singh.

Singh said he also knows that living costs are always increasing.

“The cost of living is always going up,” said Singh. “Increases are inevitable.”

According to AM800, the increase will add around $50 to the tax bill of a home that is within the $250,000 price range. A public town hall meeting will take place Jan. 29 to discuss the issue.

Famed astronaut performs at local fundraiser

By Suraj Sasi

MediaPlex Examiner

On Jan.19 the Canadian Historical Aircraft Association held its fundraising concert called Climbing Away with Dave Hadfield.

While many may recognize his name – Hadfield is a wellknown pilot and his brother is a famed astronaut – his talent on the ground, behind a microphone may come as a surprise to some Dave said it is an absolute delight to be able to perform at this historic building and have the chance to play a con-

cert of songs about aviation.

During his concert, Hadfield mentioned how music has helped him so far in his journey.

“Music has helped me encapsulate a lot of things if you’re trying to write a song that speaks to specific time, place, life or story you got think about it and put the words together and it becomes more meaningful,” said Hadfield.

Susan Hummer came to attend the concert with her grandson and said you could not find a concert more Canadian, more authentic and

fresh.

“I knew about the Hadfield family but never knew that they were musically gifted,” said Hummer.

The event organizer Mary Guthrie was surprised to see so many people on a day when other events were being cancelled due to weather and people were being advised to stay indoors.

“We really enjoyed the concert and even though the weather was horrible, we had a lot of people here and I believe everyone enjoyed it.”

Hadfield has a vast repertoire of music. His work as

a singer-songwriter has celebrated and documented the passions in his life — people, wilderness, flying, sailing, and anything that takes his fancy. In 2018, Hadfield had a new album Climbin’ Away, a collection of aviation-related songs.

The Canadian Historical Aircraft Association (also known as the CH2A) is a non-profit organization based in Windsor, Ontario, which is committed to preserving aircraft which have significance to the history of Canadian aviation.

YOUR CAREER IN JOURNALISM STARTS HERE

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PAGE 4

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Cirque Du Soleil performers rehearsing before presenting Corteo at Little Caesars Arena.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2018

JULIANNA BONNETT/MediaPlex Examiner

Cirque Du Soleil performed in Detroit ahead of Windsor

By Matt Flood

MediaPlex Examiner

The circus came to town to clown around. in May. Corteo brings a variety of high-flying stunts, acrobatic feats, music and a flurry of emotion as it tells the life story of Mauro, The Dreamer Clown.

In Corteo, Mauro is at the end of his life in a mysterious place between heaven and Earth. As angels watch over him, he imagines his own funeral and revisits memories throughout his life in the circus. Corteo, which means cortege in Italian, seeks to celebrate Mauro’s life joyously rather than mourn solemnly.

“We’ve created a vehicle to sort of explore people’s emotions around their friends, around their loved ones and yet we’re doing that in a circus performance,” said artistic director Mark Shaub. “At Cirque we combine acrobatics with music, with choreography, with lighting, with

Cirque Du Soleil stopped in Detroit to perform their show Corteo at the Little Caesars Arena from Jan. 10 – 13 ahead of the upcoming Windsor run costume to create something really new.”

Originally premiering as a Big Top show in 2005 with Shaub as artistic director, Corteo broke spectator records for Cirque premiere’s in Montreal and has moved across 19 countries to be seen by over eight million people.

The show briefly ended in 2015, but re-emerged in arena format on March 2, 2018, allowing it to reach small scale cities as well as large ones.

According to aerialist Erin Cervantes, arena format means more time on the road and can make life hectic for the Cirque Crew.

“I think with this particular show being an arena tour, I think the hardest thing for me personally would be the traveling every week and trying to time manage your training with your rest, with how

JULIANNA BONNETT/MediaPlex Examiner Cirque Du Soleil performers rehearsing before presenting Corteo at Little Caesars Arena.

tired you are from constantly moving,” said Cervantes.

Corteo is filled with highs and lows both physical and emotional as the show

aims “to hit people in their emotions,” and will be performed in Windsor May 15 – 19 at the WFCU Centre.

HEALTH

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2018

TAMAS MIKO/MediaPlex Examiner Jayce Carver, Executive Director of WE Trans Support provides information about their services at the Bounce Back open house.

CMHA offers BounceBack to control depression

By Tamas Miko

MediaPlex Examiner

The third Monday in January – Blue Monday – is said to be the most depressing day of the year, but with the appropriate help people can bounce back and take control of their depression.

The Canadian Mental Health Association hosted an open house to educate people about their services, as well as how to deal with depression and mental illness. Attendees were able to speak with community service providers and what support services are available for them.

The Bounce Back program is for people who are suf-

fering from depression, low mood or anxiety. Through this program adults and youth ages 15 and up can learn how to manage anxiety, combat unhelpful thinking and become more active.

Karen Gignac, mental health promotion and training coordinator presented the BounceBack program at the open house.

Gignac said CMHA wanted the community to come and see what is available when it comes to mental health. According to Gignac, BounceBack is just one of the services that can be accessed by Ontario residents.

Gignac said the program comes with two types of

Windsor muslims concerned over Amazon products

By AbdulRaheem Alhusami MediaPlex Examiner

Muslims in Windsor feel offended by some Amazon products which include religious symbols.

Windsor Islamic Association members noticed the products a few days ago. Women wearing hijab and niqab were pictured on bathroom rugs and shower curtains. Indoor and outdoor rugs with a

Quranic verse are also being sold on Amazon.

Mohamed Mahmoud, the imam of Windsor Mosque gave a short speech on Monday after prayer, criticizing the products and encouraging Muslims to send emails to Amazon and report them.

“These products show disrespect to our Islamic values and symbols and to the verses of the Quran,” said Mahmoud. “Let’s advocate for our

help. The first is called BounceBack Today online videos which help people learn practical tips on managing mood, sleeping better, building confidence, increasing activity and maintaining healthy living.

The second type of help is called BounceBack telephone coaching. This program includes three to six telephone coaching sessions. The coach helps clients to develop new skills and monitor how the clients are doing. Also, this program uses workbooks best suited for the clients.

“It is not therapy, but it is building on skills of cognitive behavior therapy so it enhances your ability to look at what we are feel-

ing, thinking and how are we behaving based on the thoughts we have,” said Gignac.

Jayce Carver, the executive director of Windsor Essex Trans Support gave information about their services at the open house.

Carver said they support Trans identified people and their families. They also provide psychotherapy supports, food bank, clothing exchange programs.

“We are Canada’s first and only trans specific drop-in center,” said Carver.

According to Carver, bringing community service providers together allows everyone to find out about other agencies and their services.

rights and we go all of us and write complaints. Email them, tweet them and your voice, I’m sure, will have a weight.”

Earlier this year, the Council on American-Islamic Relations complained to Amazon about bathroom and outdoor mats which carried verses of the Quran and the word Allah in Islamic calligraphy. CAIR spokesman Ibrahim Hooper said the retailer assured him that the links to those products had been removed, according to the New York Post.

This incident has prompted individuals outside the Muslim community to express

their unhappy feelings. Rebecca Mickle, a professor at Detroit Institute of Music Education thinks these type of products should not be sold.

“I think it is disrespectful and in bad taste. A bath mat is something when you’re getting out of the shower you’re drying your feet off on it, it’s so disrespectful to wipe your feet off on a woman and a shower curtain is just as bad too,” said Mickle.

According to Amazon, all sellers must follow Amazon’s selling guidelines and those who do not will be subject to action.

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2018

Protestors gather by Windsor’s riverfront in support of the Women’s March movement. Seen here signaling to their sister protestors in Detroit. (Below)

KAITLYNN KENNEY/MediaPlex Examiner

On Nov. 11, 2018, Windsorites gathered at the Windsor County War Memorial to honour Remembrance Day. (Left)

PRANAV PATELMediaPlex Examiner

PRANAV PATEL/MediaPlex Examiner

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2018

TRAVIS CONANT/MediaPlex Examiner

Windsor Bands Ignore The Evidence (Below) rocked with Saving Abel (Above) at local venue Rockstar Music Hall on Jan. 16, 2019.

TRAVIS CONANT/MediaPlex Examiner

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RYAN PERCY/MediaPlex Examiner Holly Ortiz works with her husband Santos to keep Mi Casita diners happy and full in the cold weather snap during Winter Bites.

A Week of Winter Bites

By Ryan Percy

Mediaplex Examiner

Windsor residents have taken advantage of a local event to get a three-coursemeal for a low price.

In 2019 WindsorEats celebrated two anniversaries, the 15th year of operation and the 10th year of Winter Bites.

Winter Bites takes place in January and multiple restaurants across Windsor-Essex take part. Each restaurant offers at least one menu at a set price where diners get a

three course meal, generally with a choice between one to four dishes per course.

Pina Ciotoli, 45, is the co-owner of WindsorEats along with her brother Adriano. She said while WindsorEats hosts a number of events to work alongside and raise awareness for restaurants, the idea of Winter Bites was designed primarily to help Windsor-Essex restaurants during the January slump.

“You have just gotten off Christmas, people are keeping their money in their

pockets and they are taking a break from spending,” Ciotoli said. “We came up with this restaurant week at the slowest time for a restaurant and it became a great event as an influx of economic development for those restaurants. They were seeing people coming in their doors at a time normally they would not.”

This year, 18 restaurants took part with menus ranging from $13 lunches to $38 dinners, but the majority of menus were between $18 and $28.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2018 Santos Ortiz, 39, is the owner Mi Casita where he serves traditional Salvadoran food. He offered an $18 lunch and $28 dinner menu.

He said his goal when designing the menus was to give some familiar options, but also offer diners lesser known authentic dishes such as chile relleno, a Latin dish of pork stuffed in a poblano pepper and then fried.

“People love our tacos, burritos and enchiladas, so we always want to have those on the menu,” said Ortiz. “We have been able to introduce chile relleno, carne asada and pollo encebollado, which is very authentic for us and has become popular slowly. You always want to give people something a little bit different.”

The event may be for the benefit of the restaurants, but the consumers are given a deal too. All of the three course meals are at a discount compared to their regular menu prices.

For the $18 lunch at Mi Casita one could choose flautas, enchiladas and a deep fried ice cream dessert. The flautas and enchiladas alone would cost $21.75. Diners essentially get their meal at a discount and a free dessert.

Getting Prep-ared For Hockey

By Tate Harris

Mediaplex Examiner

The head coach of a local prep school hockey team believes the school’s program offers a new route for Ontarians to reach higher levels of hockey.

A21 Academy is a Windsor prep school that offers sports development combined with university-based education.

Students on the U18 hockey team begin their school day with an on-ice practice with head coach Robb Serviss.

“A program like this is really geared towards development,” Serviss said. “Kids are getting 500 hours of on and off-ice development with SAT prep on the academic side.”

The majority of players in Ontario play minor hockey at the AA and AAA levels before making a jump to a junior league like the OHL. Canada’s west coast has seen the opposite where prep schools

have become a top option for players. Serviss said locals are wanting the same option.

“People are looking for something different,” said Serviss.

“There are different pathways whether it’s the OHL or NCAA and I think people are starting to think long-term.”

A21 plays in the Prep School Hockey Federation, a league with 14 teams from schools in Ontario and Quebec. Meanwhile the Canadian Sport School Hockey League in British Columbia and Alberta (provinces with only 40 per cent of the population of Ontario and Quebec) has 22 teams.

Andrew Sykes, owner and Director of Scouting for thescout. ca, said the growth of hockey prep schools in Ontario comes with their success.

“It should definitely continue to grow as each one (school) that comes along finds success, granted it is well run and gets a positive word-of-mouth going,” said Sykes. “Those with

the financial means to attend will certainly welcome the notion of getting on the ice with the frequency that these prep schools provide, along with the educational benefits.”

The idea of success breeding growth is evident when looking at the CSSHL which has had 29 students from their league drafted to the NHL since 2012 including Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba.

Sykes however said he still believes AAA is the best option for players in Ontario during their OHL draft year. He finds prep schools will be beneficial the year after the draft for players who did not make it to the OHL. “With fewer places left to play at a high level when you are 16 and 17, a prep school becomes a great option,” said Sykes.

“With the addition of the OHL Under-18 Priority Selection, Midget AAA remains the top option for 16 and 17-year-old players, but the

well established prep schools, such as St. Andrew’s in Aurora, attract high-end talent in those age groups.”

The academy’s U18’s hockey program is only in its second year and still building as an establishment. Riley Pawluck, a student at A21, said the program is great and looks up to the players in the NHL that have taken the same route.

“It’s inspirational,” said Pawluck. “You see all the people that have moved on and have great careers in the NHL and you hope you’ll be able to pull it off some day.”

With continued growth, A21 may one day produce a NHL player, but even for the students who do not make it to the next level their education will still provide them with many opportunities.

“Anybody that is coming in realizes it’s high academics in combination with elite athletic development,” said Serviss.

“It’s an all-in package.”