Dilkens uses strong mayor powers to fire city engineer, lawyer
Windsor city hall in Windsor, Ont., on March 25, 2020. (Rich Garton / CTV Windsor)
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens has used his strong mayor powers to fire both the city’s top engineer and lawyer.
The city hall shake-up was announced Wednesday afternoon, with a press release indicating that Windsor was realigning its organizational structure to “better serve the needs of its residents and streamline municipal operations.”
City engineer Chris Nepszy and city solicitor Shelby Askin Hager were axed as part of the realignment.
“Their years of service are appreciated, and they are wished well in their future endeavours,” reads the release.
Retired city engineer Mark Winterton will step back into the role following Nepszy’s termination.
While such personnel matters would typically go before council seeking a majority vote, the city indicates Dilkens made the call himself, using the strong mayor powers the province expanded to Windsor this past summer.
A copy of the letter detailing the firing of Chris Nepszy, dated Nov. 15, 2023. (Source: City of Windsor)
The “realigned” corporate leadership team, under the continued leadership of CAO Joe Mancina, goes as follows:
- Community services: Raymond Mensour
- Finance & city treasurer: Janice Guthrie
- Infrastructure services & city engineer: Mark Winterton (interim)
- Human & health services: Andrew Daher
- Economic development: Jelena Payne
- Corporate services: Dana Paladino (interim)
“As we continually evolve and adapt to the changing landscape and challenges we face, we are proud to unveil a leadership structure that reflects our commitment to managing growth and innovation to achieve our goals,” Dilkens said in a statement.
He added, “This re-alignment is about strengthening city hall and ensuring a more effective decision making process.”
The city said the recruitment process for the two vacant positions will start immediately.
A copy of the letter detailing the firing of Shelby Askin Hager, dated Nov. 15, 2023. (Source: City of Windsor)
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump again calls to buy Greenland after eyeing Canada and the Panama Canal
First it was Canada, then the Panama Canal. Now, Donald Trump again wants Greenland. The president-elect is renewing unsuccessful calls he made during his first term for the U.S. to buy Greenland from Denmark, adding to the list of allied countries with which he's picking fights even before taking office on Jan. 20.
Multiple OnlyFans accounts featured suspected child sex abuse, investigator reports
An experienced child exploitation investigator told Reuters he reported 26 accounts on the popular adults-only website OnlyFans to authorities, saying they appeared to contain sexual content featuring underage teen girls.
King Charles ends royal warrants for Ben & Jerry's owner Unilever and Cadbury chocolatiers
King Charles III has ended royal warrants for Cadbury and Unilever, which owns brands including Marmite and Ben & Jerry’s, in a blow to the household names.
Quebec fugitive killed in Mexican resort town, RCMP say
RCMP are confirming that a fugitive, Mathieu Belanger, wanted by Quebec provincial police has died in Mexico, in what local media are calling a murder.
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING Evacuation order issued for Edmonton building where security guard was killed
An apartment building where a security guard was killed earlier this month is being evacuated.
U.S. House Ethics report finds evidence Matt Gaetz paid thousands for sex and drugs including paying a 17-year-old for sex in 2017
The U.S. House Ethics Committee found evidence that former Rep. Matt Gaetz paid tens of thousands of dollars to women for sex or drugs on at least 20 occasions, including paying a 17-year-old girl for sex in 2017, according to a final draft of the panel's report on the Florida Republican, obtained by CNN.
Ex-OpenAI engineer who raised legal concerns about the technology he helped build has died
Suchir Balaji, a former OpenAI engineer and whistleblower who helped train the artificial intelligence systems behind ChatGPT and later said he believed those practices violated copyright law, has died, according to his parents and San Francisco officials. He was 26.
Young mammoth remains found nearly intact in Siberian permafrost
Researchers in Siberia are conducting tests on a juvenile mammoth whose remarkably well-preserved remains were discovered in thawing permafrost after more than 50,000 years.
LIVE UPDATES
LIVE UPDATES Parts of Ontario under snowfall warning Monday as holiday travellers hit the road
Holiday travellers and commuters could be in for a messy drive on Monday morning as a significant round of snowfall moves into the region. Here are live updates on the situation in Toronto.
Kitchener
-
Parts of southern Ontario under travel advisory
Anyone planning to travel today is being urged to be prepared as 5 to 15 cm of snow could hit a large portion of southern Ontario.
-
Grand River Transit’s holiday service begins
Grand River Transit (GRT) will operate on a holiday service schedule starting Monday.
-
Must-see moments of 2024: A superstar surprise, roundabout resident and CKCO studios come down
From a WWE surprise for a Guelph superfan, to the recovery of a lost aviation artifact, to a reporter getting the story right from the goose's mouth, here are some of our can’t-miss moments from 2024.
London
-
Anonymous $2 million donation given to St. Joseph’s Health Care
St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation has received an anonymous $2 million donation from a local community member.
-
Next chapter for St. Thomas Elevated Park as it joins forces with Railworks Coalition
Canada’s only Elevated Park is joining forces with other railway entities in St. Thomas.
-
91-year-old harness driver victorious at The Raceway in London, Ont.
A 91-year-old harness driver raced his way to victory on Friday night with his horse, Willy Strike.
Barrie
-
Several collisions reported along Highway 11 as driving conditions deteriorate
Highway 11 was closed briefly in Oro-Medonte on Monday afternoon as driving conditions deteriorated, causing multiple collisions.
-
Weather warnings and advisories issued for the region
If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, you might just be in luck.
-
Firearms seized after 'violent threats' made against secondary school: YRP
Police say officers found several firearms during a search at a teen’s home after he allegedly made violent threats against a secondary school.
Northern Ontario
-
Teen passed out at coffee shop with bottle of booze on the table, northern Ont. police say
A 19-year-old from Blind River is facing several charges following incidents at a coffee shop and in jail.
-
Stolen vehicle investigation ends with sleeping driver and impaired charges
An apparent attempt to steal a vehicle in Thunder Bay, Ont., failed when the impaired driver fell asleep in a parking lot.
-
Man charged with damaging downtown Sudbury eatery
A man free on probation has been charged with causing significant damage to a restaurant on Elgin Street in downtown Sudbury over the weekend.
Sault Ste. Marie
-
Suspect charged with headbutting their parent, confining them to a chair in Thessalon, Ont.
A member of the family in the northern Ontario community of Thessalon is charged with a vicious assault and forcibly confining their parent.
-
One injured in the Sault after lithium-ion battery starts house fire
Sault fire officials have determined a lithium-ion battery to be the cause of a house fire that broke out early this morning.
-
Northern Ont. suspect charged with pointing rifle at family members
An argument between family members last week in Serpent River First Nation turned ugly when an agitated person took out a rifle.
Ottawa
-
WINTER TRAVEL ADVISORYWINTER TRAVEL ADVISORY Up to 15 cm of snow in the forecast for Ottawa right before Christmas
A winter weather travel advisory is in effect in Ottawa, calling for up to 15 centimetres of snow right before Christmas.
-
Man handed 5th distracted driving charge for using cellphone on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa
An Ottawa driver was charged for using a cellphone behind the wheel on Sunday, the fifth time he has faced distracted driving charges.
-
Brockville, Ont. cafe giving hundreds of Christmas dinners to people in need
Richard's Coffeehouse in Brockville, Ont. is handing out hundreds of free Christmas dinners to people in need on Monday afternoon.
Toronto
-
LIVE UPDATESLIVE UPDATES Parts of Ontario under snowfall warning Monday as holiday travellers hit the road
Holiday travellers and commuters could be in for a messy drive on Monday morning as a significant round of snowfall moves into the region. Here are live updates on the situation in Toronto.
-
Guns found in search after teen threatens York Region high school: police
York Regional Police say they have charged a youth after an alleged threat against his high school resulted in several firearms being seized from his home.
-
'Toronto will look like a Christmas card,' climatologist David Phillips makes Dec. 25 forecast prediction
If you've been dreaming of a white Christmas, you're in luck.
Montreal
-
Snow on the way as Montreal is put under weather advisory
A weather advisory has been initiated for the Greater Montreal area, with 10 to 15 cm of snow expected to hit the ground.
-
Quebec fugitive killed in Mexican resort town, RCMP say
RCMP are confirming that a fugitive, Mathieu Belanger, wanted by Quebec provincial police has died in Mexico, in what local media are calling a murder.
-
What's open and closed in Montreal during the holidays
Here's a list of what's open and closed for the holidays in Montreal.
Winnipeg
-
Manitoba government to make permanent cut to gas tax
Manitobans can expect to see a permanent change at the gas pump as early as next week
-
Manitoba's promised plastic health cards pushed to January: premier
The Manitoba government's plan to replace paper health cards with more durable and modern plastic ones is running a bit behind schedule.
-
Snowmobile crash leaves 10-year-old dead: RCMP
A 10-year-old boy is dead following a snowmobile crash near Rosebank, Man., on Sunday.
Edmonton
-
DEVELOPINGDEVELOPING Evacuation order issued for Edmonton building where security guard was killed
An apartment building where a security guard was killed earlier this month is being evacuated.
-
City of Edmonton to lift Phase 1 parking ban Monday evening
The City of Edmonton will lift the Phase 1 parking ban on Monday at 5 p.m.
-
2 Alberta men charged with sex crimes involving children in separate investigations
Two registered sex offenders are facing charges after separate investigations in northern Alberta.
Calgary
-
Serious crash closes part of Highway 1 near Bassano, Alta.
RCMP responded to a serious crash on Highway 1 near Bassano, Alta., on Monday morning. The collision occurred approximately two kilometres east of Highway 56.
-
2 Alberta men charged with sex crimes involving children in separate investigations
Two registered sex offenders are facing charges after separate investigations in northern Alberta.
-
Crews respond to blaze at Calgary pizzeria
The Calgary Fire Department put out a fire at a northeast business Monday morning.
Regina
-
Heavy fog descends over Regina, most of Saskatchewan
Dense fog is being reported across much of the province to begin the week of Christmas, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC).
-
Regina police asking for public's help in assault investigation
The Regina Police Service (RPS) is asking the public for help finding a suspect connected to an assault with a weapon over the weekend.
-
Weyburn police searching for suspects after copper wire, motorcycle theft
The Weyburn Police Service (WPS) is asking for the public's help after motorcycles and copper wire were stolen over the weekend.
Vancouver
-
Over $20K worth of stolen search and rescue gear found in Squamish
More than $20,000 worth of search and rescue equipment stolen from BC Parks has been recovered, say the Sea-To-Sky RCMP.
-
Several storms in store for B.C.’s south coast over Christmas
A series of storms are expected to bring heavy winds and wet weather to B.C’s south coast over the festive period.
-
Second body recovered from site of B.C. landslide
The second resident of a home that was destroyed by a landslide in Lions Bay, B.C., last weekend was found dead Saturday, officials confirmed.
Vancouver Island
-
More strong winds hit parts of B.C.'s coast as record-high temperatures recorded
What has been a windy weekend for parts of B.C.’s coast continued Sunday as Environment Canada issued a fresh set of wind warnings.
-
Drug superlabs leave a toxic mess. Some say B.C.'s cleanup rules are a mess, too
As clandestine drug labs become larger and more complex, so does the toxic mess they leave behind and the tools required to clean them up, creating expensive and dangerous situations for both people and the environment.
-
Second body recovered from site of B.C. landslide
The second resident of a home that was destroyed by a landslide in Lions Bay, B.C., last weekend was found dead Saturday, officials confirmed.
Atlantic
-
No need to dream, White Christmas all but assured in the Maritimes
An early nor'easter followed by a low-pressure system moving into the region all but ensure a Maritime White Christmas
-
Province names 2024 Order of Nova Scotia recipients
Nova Scotia has named the five individuals who will receive the province’s highest honour for 2024.
-
Nova Scotia RCMP investigating structure fire on South Shore
Queens District RCMP is investigating a fire that destroyed a home in Pleasantville, N.S., Sunday.
N.L.
-
A massive, menacing Steller's sea eagle is dazzling birders in a Newfoundland park
A national park in Newfoundland has made the unusual move of opening in the winter so people can catch a glimpse of its rare and menacing new guest.
-
Newfoundland woman washed sick patients' hair every Saturday for more than 20 years
A retired nurse and teacher in Newfoundland was honoured this week for her volunteer work, which included more than two decades washing the hair of bedridden hospital patients.
-
Newfoundland man facing more charges related to youth sex crimes
A 64-year-old Newfoundland man charged with dozens of sex crimes involving young people is facing several new charges.
