Latest news with #AngeloMarignani
CTV News
a day ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Windsor adopts new rules for flag raisings
Windsor city council has approved a new policy that changes how requests for ceremonial flag raisings will be handled at city hall. The revised rules mean the city will now largely follow the lead of the federal and provincial governments — only approving flag raisings tied to nationally or provincially recognized days of awareness, or organizations that have a direct partnership or funding agreement with the City of Windsor. Alongside the updated flag policy, council also voted to eliminate the city's proclamation and illumination programs — which allowed residents or groups to request official proclamations or to have city hall lit in specific colours to mark causes or events. The changes were approved Monday, with councillors Kieran McKenzie, Fred Francis, and Angelo Marignani voting against. 'I've participated in many of the flag-raising ceremonies, and the sense of pride that you get and the feeling the residents have that they are part of our team, I think is really important,' said Marignani during the meeting. 'We need to represent the people, and that is 100 per cent of the people.' Francis argued he saw no need to change the current policy. City administration brought forward the updated policy citing the time and effort staff spend reviewing each request — and the reputational risk if one slips through, that later causes controversy. The proposed changes first appeared on council's agenda in May, prompting concerns from members of Windsor's 2SLGBTQIA+ community who feared it could impact the rainbow flag being raised during Windsor-Essex Pride Fest — a city-sponsored event. Derrick Biso, Director of Education and Operations for Trans Wellness Ontario, attended that May meeting, where the matter was ultimately deferred so administration could clarify its intent. When the revised policy came back this week, it made the allowance for special flag requests tied to city-funded organizations or recognized civic events clearer — something Biso acknowledged. 'I do appreciate the change in direction. I don't think [a new policy] is necessary per se. However, I can understand the reasoning, the logic, the rationale that they're going with,' he said. Mayor Drew Dilkens said the new approach adds clarity and brings Windsor in line with other levels of government. 'Recognizing that our city clerk's office — they're not diplomats trained to be working in diplomatic affairs and understanding all of the international relations that our country or province would have,' he said. He added that it also reduces the risk of the city inadvertently making the wrong call. 'I think this is a sensible and appropriate policy change that at least allows us to be in a defensible position and not offside with our nation.' According to city data, 425 requests have been made for flag raisings, proclamations, or illumination since the current policy was first adopted. Of those, 345 were approved, 79 denied and one withdrawn. Going forward, residents wishing to request a flag raising can apply online or pick up a form at city hall.
CTV News
a day ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Windsor city council passes new flag policy
Windsor city council has passed a revised flag policy for the ceremonial pole outside City Hall. The new rules defer largely to federal and provincial recognition. Going forward, flag-raising requests will only be approved if they are either tied to a recognized national or provincial day of awareness — or if the organization has a direct partnership or funding relationship with the City of Windsor. Staff say the changes are meant to provide clarity and consistency, while reducing the administrative burden of reviewing individual requests. Councillors Kieran McKenzie, Fred Francis, and Angelo Marignani voted against the policy. More to come.
CTV News
19-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Humming noise ‘dealt with' NextStar Battery Plant
A helicopter hovering near E.C. Row Expressway and Banwell Road is helping install equipment at the new battery plant in Windsor, Ont., on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. (Bob Bellacicco/CTV News Windsor) A city councillor has confirmed that the humming noise coming from NextStar Battery Plant has been 'dealt with'. Ward 7 councillor, Angelo Marignani said he was getting complaints from Forest Glade residents about a 'tonal hum'. An investigation revealed the noise was coming from an air purification system. The plant installed insulating blankets around the exhaust vents, dampening the sound. In April, the plant discussed the sound, turning off the air purification system to temporarily stop the sound. At that point, they discussed the blankets, awaiting a report from consultants before moving forward.
CTV News
17-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
City moves forward with no access to water at Sandpoint Beach
Fence posts were hammered into the ground Tuesday morning. 'I never thought, and those big posts,' said a startled Pam Morley Cooke as she spent time at Sandpoint Beach with her grandson. 'The post they're putting in, scaring him (grandson) so we have to leave.' Morley Cooke was at the beach when workers started installing fence posts. 'It's really sad to see that going, but they have to do something to keep people safe right now. But there's other solutions to this, and they didn't look at that,' said Morley Cooke, who feels the city could have acted years ago. City Councillor Angelo Marignani dropped in to see what was going on. 'What we're really missing here is the quality of life that we kind of gave up to our residents,' Marignani said. 'What we're missing here is the investment, the development, the tourism.' A 15-year-old drowned in May. Two men in their 20's fell victim in the same area in 2024. The issue is the dangerous current. The Windsor Port Authority estimates the current flow pushes downward at 10-15 km per hour. Just up the shore at Stop 26, the Port Authority estimates the current is half the speed with no under tow for at least a couple of hundred metres straight in from that beach area. That is why Marignani feels the beach should be moved. 'We know this information. We can engineer it so that it is safe. We could do our best as a city, and we can make this area, this park, a gem that it should be carrying.' City officials say Stop 26 will remain open for kayaks and canoes, but there will be signs discouraging swimming in the river. 'There's nothing to stop a swimmer once they enter that area of traveling west and finding ourselves in the same situation that previous swimmers have, where there's been a tragedy,' said Michael Chantler, commissioner of community services. Installation of the fencing is expected to be completed on Wednesday. Lifeguards will remain on site until the end of the week. 'They're going to continue that process of educating the public as they arrive to the beach and let them know that they can enjoy the sand, enjoy the park,' Chantler told CTV News. He's hopeful residents don't decide to hop the fence. 'They're taking their lives into their own hands if they do that, and all we can do is educate them that they should make the choice not to enter the water.' Marignani hopes the fencing is a quick temporary solution, but the embattled beach is at the mercy of a coroner's inquest into the latest drowning. The timing of a report is unknown.
CBC
09-06-2025
- CBC
Council votes to close Sandpoint Beach following drowning death of swimmer
Social Sharing Windsor city council has decided to close Sandpoint Beach following the drowning death of a 15-year-old last month. Councillors say they want to wait until a coroner's investigation into this death is complete before deciding next steps. "Before we make any decisions on this, I'd really like to see that report and see some of the recommendations," said Coun. Gary Kaschak. On May 19, OPP divers recovered the body of a 15-year-old who disappeared in the water near the beach the previous day. Police said two teenagers were swimming just west of the beach when one went under the water and did not resurface. The Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario has confirmed it will be investigating the teen's death. Coun. Jo-Anne Gignac, who agreed with Kaschak on the need to look at the recommendations, put forward the motion to close the beach pending the outcome of the report. "We have to stop and take a sober second look at whether or not the area will be ever be safe. And I'm not convinced of that," she said. 9 deaths in 4 decades Nine people have drowned while swimming in the beach area since 1986. The western edge of the beach, which has signage and fencing to deter swimmers, drops off sharply in depth and there is a strong undertow. The city has approved a $15-million long-term plan to relocate the beach a short distance to the east and make other enhancements to the area. Coun. Angelo Marignani, who represents the area, put forward a motion to accelerate that plan, which failed. Kaschak said that he appreciates Marignani's intent to keep the beach open, but without knowing if the area is ultimately safe, he suggested council could be "throwing good money at a bad situation." The city hasn't said when the closure will start, and it's unclear if the entire beach will be shut down, or just access to the water.
