Latest news with #MichaelPrue
CBC
21-07-2025
- Politics
- CBC
You might not know 97-year-old star citizen Jack Edwards — but here's why you should
At 97, John (Jack) Edwards is a star citizen of Amherstburg, Ont. He doesn't miss a council meeting, sits on the local economic development advisory committee, and every two to three weeks has lunch with the mayor. "I like people. I've always loved being with people," Edwards said, explaining his passion for political volunteerism. "I have always enjoyed being on small committees, very intimate, and that's what this is all about." Passion for local politics Edwards is a beloved member of the community and a close friend of Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue. "Jack is a character. Jack is lovable. Jack is fun.... He's just a good, good guy," Prue said. "I'm so proud he's my friend." Edwards's passion for local politics began many years ago when he lived in nearby Windsor. He joined committees when Bert Weeks was the mayor in the 1970s. Throughout that time, he also went on some exciting "twin city" visits to Europe, including a 1977 trip to England, during which time the group from Windsor in southwestern Ontario was invited to attend a celebration at Windsor Castle for Queen Elizabeth II's 25th anniversary of her coronation. "It was a sensational trip," he recalled. He eventually moved to Toronto to work in the pharmaceutical industry and his political volunteerism was put on pause. Twenty-five years ago he eventually made his way back to Windsor-Essex in retirement and settled in Amherstburg. Appointed every year Meeting Prue drew Edwards back into politics. Prue knocked on Edwards's door while campaigning when he was running for town council (he was elected in 2018). That meeting marked the beginning of their friendship and Edwards's return to politics. "He is such a regular, and the town and the council love him," Prue said. "He gets appointed every single year to serve on the [development] committee because he's a fountain of knowledge. He knows everything that has happened around this community for the last, I don't know, 50 or 60 years." During their lunch meetings, Edwards offers advice and helps inform the mayor on what's best for the town. "It's like listening to a whole bunch of really good ideas of what I should do, what the town should do and what he wants to do for economic development. It's just a joy to come with him," Prue said. "Some people don't like modernization, or movement or the town to change, and Jack is steadfast in saying this is what the town needs." Won a special award His efforts haven't gone unnoticed. The mayor explained that earlier this year, the town chose two individuals to receive the King Charles III Coronation Medal, given to someone who has made a significant contribution to their community. Prue said the town made sure Edwards was a recipient. "It was humbling," Edwards said. "I'm so proud of it." The mayor also said he believes Edwards is the oldest contributing member to any council committee in all of Ontario. "He comes religiously. He knows what he's talking about. He commands the show," Prue said. Aside from his passion for community engagement, Edwards is deeply proud of his family: his wife, six children, 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. As for what keeps him going, good health and keeping an active mind are key. "It's when you lose the ability to recognize, to remember — that's when the pain steps in. And that hasn't happened to me yet," he said. "I keep active. I'm on committees, I meet with people, and that's what keeps me feeling great."
CTV News
03-07-2025
- General
- CTV News
Demolition day for old Boblo Dock
Demolition begins on the old Boblo Dock in Amherstburg, Ont. on July 3, 2025. (Gary Archibald/CTV News Windsor) Demolition has officially begun on the old Boblo Dock in Amherstburg. The dock along Front Road, which is owned by the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, became very dangerous and was unsafe for use. It was at risk of falling into the river. It hasn't been used since 1993, but once served as a landing point for ferries carrying passengers to and from the Boblo Island Amusement Park. Amherstburg has been calling on the government to tear it down since 2016, saying it posed a safety hazard for boaters. Old Boblo Island dock The former Boblo Island dock seen in Amherstburg, Ont. on June 5, 2025. (Gary Archibald/CTV News Windsor) 'We had to deal with the federal government and it took more than two years, three years to finally convince them to find the money, to take it down because it's unsafe,' said Mayor Michael Prue. 'Where we go from here, I think everything will be much better. Kids won't be in danger from climbing all over it. Boats won't run into it at night because it's not lit. If there was an ice jam, it could be flowed down the river, which wasn't safe.' The dock is one of the last physical reminders of the amusement park, a destination loved by many for more than a century.
CTV News
21-06-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Amherstburg opens 8 new pickleball courts
The Town of Amherstburg officially opened eight new pickleball courts on Saturday morning. The Town of Amherstburg officially opened eight new pickleball courts on Saturday morning. Gathered on the courts outside of the Libro Credit Union Centre, town officials, surrounded by pickleball players, cut the ribbon for the new playing surface. 'It helps us compete,' said Michael Prue, the town's mayor. Known as the fastest-growing sport in North America, pickleball's popularity has risen at a fast rate in Amherstburg. 'For many years, people have had to leave Amherstburg to play pickleball, and so now it's so nice to be able to have a facility right here in our own county,' said Linda DiPasquale, Vice-chair of the Amherstburg Pickleball Association. While a grand opening was held on Saturday, players have been putting the courts to use since earlier this month. 062125 Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue, surrounded by pickleball players, cuts the ribbon on eight new courts. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor) The association will have organized play at the site, but the facility will also be open to public use. Ahead of the ribbon-cutting, the association handed over a cheque of more than $24,000 to the town to help with some of the infrastructure costs. DiPasquale added they plan to provide more financial contributions in the future to help with added projects. 'So to contribute to anything required for the courts in terms of development, maintenance, we're also going to be doing fundraising for some larger scale projects like permanent seating, possibly lighting, definitely some sunshade,' she said. Over the coming years, the association hopes to leverage the added court space to draw several large tournaments to Amherstburg. The total cost of the project, which included fencing, was $480,000.
CTV News
11-06-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Amherstburg mayor wants to explore implementing a ward system
Amherstburg's mayor wants town staff to look into implementing a ward system. Currently, councillors represent the town as a whole, and not in a specific area. Michael Prue said during the 2022 election, they put the idea of a ward system to residents as a referendum. According to Prue, the results of the referendum were 52 per cent in favour, not an overwhelming result he said. 'But they still voted for it, and the law in Ontario says it's not binding on the council, or any council, a referendum unless there's a 60 per cent turnout, which, of course, nobody gets,' Prue said. 'We had a 40 per cent turnout but I still want to report on it, even if it's not binding. I mean, the people did say they want it.' Prue said he believes a ward system is fair and democratic. 'Personally, in the last election, I put my X beside a ward system, and I still think it's better, I know some members of council like the at large system better, but politicians are more accountable when they have the ward to speak to, not the whole town,' he said. Prue said there many options available to the town. 'You can have a mayor elected at large, and three wards of two members each, to constitute seven, and then from the six elected members they choose the deputy mayor amongst them, that's one concept,' Prue said. 'Another one is to have the mayor, and deputy mayor elected at large and a five-ward system, with one member each.' The staff report is expected back in front of council by July. The next municipal election will take place on Monday October 26, 2026. - Written by Dustin Coffman and Rob Hindi/AM800 News.
