Jones & Postma responsible for Maryvale oversight

Councillor Jones to support Maryvale

Ron Jones claims on A-Channel news that Maryvale started their site approval plan process before the interim control bylaw was passed in January 2007.  If this is the case,  why was Maryvale included in the Sandwich Towne Community Planning Study Area to begin with?

Frankly, its seems very foolish of ward two councillors, in particular, to pass with full knowledge of the plans for Maryvale, bylaws that could have a potential negative impact on this fine facility.  

Clearly, these two councillors were asleep at the wheel.  Afterall, these councillors approved the bylaw to amend the interim control bylaw that would allow the city to construct a parking lot adjacent to Felix Avenue.  You think they would have fought for Maryvale then since Maryvale sought approval for their site plan one week before the bylaw was amended.

Maryvale applied for Site Plan approval April 23, 2007 and received their $2-million grant January 11, 2007 as part of the Ontario government’s plan to improve child and youth residential services.

Jones, who has come under fire by residents as of late for casting the deciding vote in denying Norm Wilson’s application to demolish his garage, will vote to support Maryvale’s application for exemption.

But recall that yesterday, I posted Ron Jones’ justification to deny the Wilsons’ request:

“Certainly these are good people, but we have to look at the big picture. We cannot cherry pick who is worthy and who is not,” said Jones, the acting mayor, who cast the vote that resulted in the deadlock. “Someone mentioned our high-priced lawyers. Certainly we will need more if we create a crack in the interim control bylaws.”

Jones claims that all the other applicants requests were “wants” and Maryvale’s is a “need.”   Tell that to the Wilsons who feared for their grandson’s safety because of Jones’ deciding vote.

Yesterday I commented that councillors fully understood the impact of the interim control bylaw.  Clearly councillor Postma did not, who stated on A-Channel, “I think council may end up refusing this one as well.  I don’t feel that council should be denying everything for fear that someone may appeal.”

It is unfortunate that residents and now support services have to endure the impact of these bylaws.

Jones claims that Maryvale did the right thing.  Perhaps it’s time councillors did the right thing for the public good of all in Sandwich Town by repealing the interim control bylaw.

Posted below is the transcript of the A-Channel newscast.

Daryl Newcombe:  A multi-million dollar expansion to Maryvale Adolescent and Family Services will treat children with mental health issues who are in crisis.

But this report to city council says the centre could lose the $2-million provincial grant if construction is delayed because the site is in Sandwich Town.

To build, council must exempt Maryvale from an interim control bylaw that restricts construction or demolition in the area until after a heritage study is complete. 

Ward two councillor Caroline Postma fears that some councilors will feel compelled to be consistent with several other applications that were denied earlier this year.

Caroline Postma:  I think council may end up refusing this one as well.  I don’t feel that council should be denying everything for fear that someone may appeal.

Daryl Newcombe:  It’s here on the other side of Sandwich Town that the decision to grant Maryvale an exemption could have further ramifications.

Just a few months ago the Ambassador Bridge Company applied to have these houses torn down to make way for its enhancement project.  But that application was denied based on the interim control bylaw.

City administration recommends giving Maryvale the exemption, in part because of the urgency and because the services Maryvale provides are clearly in the public interest.

But the Ambassador Bridge Company also claims that its requests were also in the public’s best interest.

Susan Whelan:  We believe the project that we have will be a benefit to the community.  It will remove the vacant houses.  It will assist in providing more secure area for the border crossing that carries 25% of Canada’s trade and commuters and business people on a daily basis.  It will provide a green buffer zone that will enhance the neighbourhood.

So we’ll certainly be watching on Monday night.

Daryl Newcombe:  One of the bylaw’s strongest supporters, ward two’s Ron Jones says he’s willing to make an exception for Maryvale.

Ron Jones:  I think that other people have wants.  This is a need for the community.  And once again, they’ve done the right thing. 

Jones also believes that because Maryvale began its site approval process before the control bylaw was enacted, the agency should receive an exemption. 

The report goes to council Monday night.

Councillor Brister claims tax rates “lower” than average

All those folks commenting on the Windsor Star regarding the city’s proposed tax increase from anywhere between 2.2% to 3.6% – don’t worry – Windsor is slightly below the average according to Councillor David Brister (Ratepayers Irate, Windsor Star, November 19th, 2007):

Coun. Dave Brister also viewed the Star website remarks and pointed to a 2006 tax comparison of various cities by an independent consulting firm,  which showed that Windsor was slightly below the  average.

“I would never tell anybody how to feel, but we are very early in the budget process,” he said.

I don’t know which “independent consulting firm” Councillor Brister was referring to, however, according to BMA Management Consulting’s 2006 tax comparison, courtesy of the City of London, Windsor’s overall tax burden was ranked as “high.”

Insofar as tax burden, Windsor is not alone – Toronto, Hamilton, Guelph, Dufferin (Orangeville), St. Thomas, Thunder Bay, Windsor and the City of Kingston have some of the higher tax ratios resulting in higher relative tax burdens.

Tax burden refers to the changes in peoples’ after-tax incomes after all the economic adjustments to the tax have occurred throughout the economy as consumption behavior, resource use, and incomes shift to their new patterns.

More simply, tax burden is the measure of the tax rate compared to a constant such as income levels.   Windsor’s tax rate, therefore, places a greater financial burden on ratepayers here than in other municipalities. 

According to the report, the provincial average property tax rate for a detached bungalow was $2,630 with a median of $2,595.  Windsor’s average rate was $2,834.

In terms of tax rates for cities of 100,000+ Windsor’s rate of $2,834, was indeed slightly below the average of $2,940, but Councillor Brister’s claim is somewhat misleading without this background information.

Windsor also ranked above average for mill rates.  The average mill rate is in brackets.

Residential 1.6738% (1.3468%); Multi-Residential 4.1268% (2.3946%); Commercial Residual 4.6161% (3.4797%); Commerical Office Building 4.6935% (3.4797%); Industrial Residual 5.7736% (4.6907%); Industrial Large 7.9238% (4.9793%).

Education mill rates also exceeded the provincial average.

But don’t fear Windsor, Councillor Brister’s comment suggests that we can afford more.  Afterall, we are “slightly below” the average.