Border makes a tower at airport a necessity

Windsor's airport is under air-traffic control by an ostensibly “not for profit” private entity known as Navcan.

Navcan was founded on Nov. 1, 1996, when a group of investors bought air-traffic control services and assets from Transport Canada for $1.5 billion. Navcan appears linked to NCPP Investments Holdings Corp. Both share the same Ottawa address.

On Nov. 20, Navcan announced a reduction of tower hours at Windsor airport traffic control. Given a reduction in air traffic in consequence of the COVID-19 plague can be understood. Personally, it is now been almost a year since I last flew from Windsor.

That notwithstanding, what cannot be sensibly understood is the possibility that air-traffic control at Windsor airport could be reduced further, if not eliminated.

Such a decision is not only a bad idea, but it borders on nonsensical to outright dangerous.

Many flights from Windsor — both regularly scheduled and charter — fly over United States territory and thus within U.S. air-traffic control. In NON-COVID times that can be a very crowded air space.

Windsor's airport has been slowly growing. It does not in any manner warrant a slash of service or safety. So Navcan needs to consider the economic and safety of residents on both sides of this busy international border.

Moreover, Windsor's airport has a demonstrated record of service — and until the pandemic had a growing economic consequence for the region. The federal minister of transport can and should order Navcan to provide full air-traffic control service.

On another matter, I agree entirely with neighbourhood resident Mike Cardinal that locating Windsor's 1918 restored streetcar in a $7-million waterfront home is absurd.

And where did somebody dream up “Celestial Beacon” as the name for an old streetcar and some washrooms? Even if the title made sense — which it does not in our border context — how does an old streetcar and washrooms become related to heavens and astronomy?

Or even celestial space creatures of comic books?

Simple question, how does any interpretation of “celestial” fit in with Windsor's streetcars or regional history?

Surely a restored 1918 streetcar deserves an attractive location, but not on the waterfront.

It makes no sense either in terms of the existing waterfront sculptures, parking or even traffic volume. Washrooms would be nice, but do they need to be celestial?

Our Gordie Howe bridge will be festooned with First Nations art. That is a wonderful tribute to many local First Nation artists and their heritage. But is there room at the new bridge to offer tribute to two other important groups?

First that should be considered is our veterans on both sides of the border who fought, died or were traumatized forever in service of their respective countries. How about some recognition for those who served our countries?

Personally, I'd also prefer the name to be Veterans Memorial Bridge instead of a hockey player.

And, while we are acknowledging important events and people, what about honouring those who fled slavery in the United States and sought freedom in Canada?

There is a deep and significant black heritage in this transborder region that easily spans border and river. Has our bridge authority considered honouring those many refugees who also contributed so bravely and significantly to the fabric of Canada?

Finally a note about apparent laxness or a failure of the Essex-windsor Solid Waste Authority to adequately notify Essex County residents there would be changes in recycling pick-up services in consequence of EWSWA'S new contract with the City of Windsor.

Apparently, local media were informed, however, that is no excuse for EWSWA'S failure to formally communicate information about a new service provider with county ratepayers directly.

The county now has recycling vehicles festooned “City of Windsor.”

Ah! Is this the thin end of the wedge of the county being unwillingly gobbled even more by the City of Windsor? Who knows, but certainly EWSWA has offered little to zero explanation for why service suddenly bottomed out in some county areas on Dec. 1.