When you consider what the economy has done to most families and cities things are not great but none as bad as Windsor. The border city that by all accounts needs binoculars to see the light of day, when you travel to the border it appears as a bustling city with enormous numbers crossing both directions of the Ambassador btidge and car traffic in the tunnel. If you look a little closer you see boarded up retail stores and warehouses and thanks to some short sighted polititions they tied there financial future to the big 3 auto makers way back when and did so because across the Detriot river were the head offices of the auto makers .
The productivity was great till free trade came along and the auto agreement was scraped and NAFTA took over as then auto's no longer had to be built here and parts took over the plants, again the city leaders didn't pay heed to the coming storm. In 2008 we watched the big 3 almost become the bankrupt 3, and as they went into free fall so did the spinoff jobs at all the suppliers as well with high unemployment taking over. The polititions in their wisdom again tied theirhopes to the Wndsor Casino and all the well paying jobs as well as entertainment winfalls that would follow, and of course nothing was created as the hoards of visitors did come to Windsor except they went directly to the casino spent their money and left town, not stopping anywhere to drop a dime.
I tell you this as i still have family there and i hear about whats going on and thankfully as CBC-TV which was the local station left town as well, something like rats jumping ship. Now like a defibulator giving CPR the Windsor Spitfires are about to play for the memorial cup on sunday as they just finished the 4 team round robin 3-0 advancing directly to the finals and as defending CHL champions they stand a good chance and with a little luck they will return home from Brandon Manitoba with the Memorial cup in hand.
So hooray for the people of Windsor as they truly needed this as it's one step forward for the city and maybe its just a baby step but at least these young men won't stub their toes.
See you soon....
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Glenn,
ReplyDeleteI suppose I should have let you know that CBC, once again, returned our local news to us, a while back. Well, at least now, you are updated!
You're right about the ailing economy, here in Windsor. As a widow of a retiree from one of the big 3, I am not happy at the cutbacks that have affected me, financially. Especially since, the one I receive a survivor's pension from, has now (so quickly!)repaid the government. Isn't that nice!
Seriously, I'm glad they have made repayment. However, what do you think the chances are of having my cutbacks, restored?
Slim to nil. Doesn't this say it all?
I have to wonder, if the whole scenario wasn't just a way to achieve a better economic situation for the company, who is in the process of opening plants and creating jobs in other areas of the world.
Well, at least our area is one of the most affordable areas to live in, in Ontario! With great weather, too!
Keep up the good work! I enjoy your blog.
Your loving sister,
Lynnie xoxoxo