Windsor Ward 8 council candidates outline plans on important issues

CTV News Windsor reached out to candidates running for Windsor council. Here’s where Ward 8 candidates fall on the issues of healthcare, including their position on the new hospital as well as mental health and addiction issues, transit service, economic development, the environment and crime in Windsor.

GEMMA GREY-HALL

Gemma Grey-Hall. (Submitted by Gemma Grey-Hall)

Healthcare

I’m supportive of the mega hospital, a safe consumption site in the downtown core and providing better wrap around mental health support for our community. I support the expansion of the Mobile health crisis response into a 24/7/365 model.

Transit Service

I support improvements to the transit system that will foster growth in the local economy, attract more businesses, and help all residents in their daily lives. These improvements include an express route in peak times to our manufacturing areas and an East /West route to help students get to classes at college and university.

Economic Development

We must continue to diversify our local economy by supporting entrepreneurship and strengthening small businesses. Consulting with local businesses to promote economic growth must be a continued part of our plan for increased prosperity. We need to consider a business improvement association for the Tecumseh Rd East corridor to address the pockets of shuttered businesses and empty storefront plazas.

The Environment

I support the implementation of a food recycling program to reduce waste and keep compostable food products out of our landfills. Future government buildings should be developed with zero emissions and LEEDs certified at a minimum. I recognize that improving the environment starts in our own front lawns; I would encourage natural species and pollinator gardens, and use permeable concrete in large mega projects. We can also design green roofs that offer open spaces for gathering and collecting rain-water for flushing toilets and watering grounds.

Crime in the city

Free up the time and resources of police to focus on “serving and protecting” and not responding to mental health crises. Increases in red light cameras and speed limit reinforcement along with regular ride programs to deter drinking and driving. Release to the public performance outcomes reports of WPS.

Other issues

Most Important Issue for Ward 8. The pending property tax assessment in 2024. With the historic rise in home prices we will need a hold on property taxes at 2022 levels otherwise, most people are looking at massive increases in value due to the higher home prices. The dollars we receive through our current tax base has to support the development of the mega-hospital, and infrastructure needed for battery and chemical plants. Therefore transparency is important to learn the exact financial support coming from provincial and federal governments to support the development in these projects.

GARY KASCHAK

Ward 8 councillor candidate Gary Kaschak. (Courtesy: Gary Kaschak)

Healthcare

Health care in our Community is underfunded. I will continue to advocate for more Health Care $$$ from Queens Park to the Windsor Community. I have been a strong advocate of the new Hospital process, location & to ensure the funding and process continues.

We are underserviced in mental health & addictions support as well and really require a place in Windsor that is open 24/7 where those suffering from mental health and addiction issues can go and not be turned away. Emergency rooms of hospitals are not the appropriate place as it only ties up EMS & Police resources for hours.

Transit

Transit service was really coming on in Windsor prior to the pandemic and a reset is now needed to get the proper routes, times and service back into place to provide an efficient transit service. I will continue to advocate for improvements to our Transit service and push for Essex County regionalization of our Transit service.

Economic development

I have been a leader and champion on Economic Development in my term as Councillor. I support our Windsor Works process to bring more jobs, economic development, diversification and our new Automobility strategy for Windsor moving forward.

As a member of the City Council who assembled & bought the land required for Stellantis/LG to agree to locate here was a huge step in securing current and future economic development. More is needed though to attract more small business's to the Windsor area as well.

The Environment

The Environment is really important. Climate change is for real and I'm pushing hard for reduced emissions and more alternate fuels to power our vehicles, buses and transport trucks.

A leader as well in trying to ensure the Ojibway/Black Oaks area does indeed become a National Urban Park. I really want this to happen sooner than later.

Crime in the city

As a former employee of the Canada Border Services Agency, public safety is really important to me professionally & personally. Some types of crimes are down in the City but it is concerning that violent and weapon crime statistics have increased.

Continued work with the Windsor Police Service upper management and the Police Services Board is needed to ensure we are doing all we can for our Community. Proactive policing & stepped up enforcement is likely our best way moving forward to hasten these type of crimes. I would like to sit on the Police Services Board if re-elected.

Other issues

Traffic calming in residential areas is probably the inquiry I get most from residents of Ward 8 & Windsor. Lots more to do on this file as I believe all residential streets in Windsor should have a speed limit of 40kmh.

Add other traffic calming methods to that first step along with increased enforcement and I believe we can calm down aggressive & speeding drivers to a reasonable level. The Police will eventually get these speeders but we need to move move the needle faster on this topic.

*The candidate submissions are not edited by CTV News for grammar or content.