Windsor City Council is moving ahead with the 2017 version of Open Streets, but not without controversy.
Councillors spent the better part of an hour discussing a report Monday night outlining recommendations for September's Open Streets event, while a motion to spend $40,000 on a victory parade for the Memorial Cup Champion Windsor Spitfires passed with virtually no debate at all.
At the heart of the Open Streets debate, was a recommendation to hire a part-time manager to oversee the event. The suggestion by the city's administration took some on the council by surprise, particularly Ward 1 Councillor Fred Francis.
"Last year we had two Open Streets, and we didn't hire a manager," says Francis. "So this year, one of the questions I wanted to ask was, 'If we're able to do it last year without this position, what's changed?'"
The report said the cost would be between $20,000 and $30,000 for four months work. Council approved a motion to cap the cost at $30,000.
Open Streets is the concept of shutting down main thoroughfares to traffic throughout the city and allowing people to walk, bike, run and participate in various activities with the rare freedom of having an open street to do them in.
Last year, the city had two events as part of a pilot project, each drawing thousands of people outside. Due to the success, the city is hosting just one this year, in the fall. A $55,000 Ontario 150 grant and a surplus from the 2016 events will cover the cost.
Also Monday night, councillors congratulated the Spitfires on winning the 99th Mastercard Memorial Cup over the weekend at the WFCU Centre.
Later that sparked a Twitter battle between Mayor Drew Dilkens and Ward 3 Councillor Rino Bortolin.
my my. we just approved $40k without 1 comment for the cost of the parade for Spits yet we debated #openstreets for 40 min. consistnecy?
— Rino Bortolin (@windsor_rino) May 30, 2017
@windsor_rino You raise the Cup but don't support celebrating those who earned it. I support @SpitsHockey. #windsorproud pic.twitter.com/IEiXRnp84i— Mayor Drew Dilkens (@drewdilkens) May 30, 2017
The parade is Wednesday night along Ouellette Ave.
