Donald McArthur

The Amherstburg Chamber of Commerce honoured local businesses at the 14th annual Business Excellence Awards at Pointe West Golf Club Thursday night.

A report going to council Monday night on the Duffy’s property supports an open plaza concept with a performance area, transient marina, fishing pier and angled parking along an expanded Dalhousie Street.

I was happy to support the call by two young Anderdon Public School students to curb the use of plastics in town and I was happy to support a By the Glass liquor licence for Dancing Swallows Vineyard.

I was a little embarrassed to ask for a reconsideration of the town's tourism tagline -- a tagline I had suggested -- but felt it was the right thing to do. Folks didn't like it and I liked it less and less as time went on. It was OK but our town deserves better than that. 

Two Grade 7 Anderdon Public School students persuaded councillors to ban plastic straws and stir sticks at the Libro Centre with a well-researched presentation that earned them a round of applause – and a five-minute recess for a picture in Council Chambers.

The Town of Amherstburg looks absolutely spectacular in a video released this week by travel vlogger Arienne Parzei of seeyousoon.ca.

I was happy to support waiving the fees for the annual AMA Sportsmen Club's Bob Meloche Kids' Fishing Derby and to pave the way for free Qi Gong fitness classes in King's Navy Yard Park.

I also supported the preservation of an historic home on Park Street and the installation of flashing stop signs at the intersection of Meloche Road and Simcoe Street with an eye to eventually installing traffic signals.

It was a great night for development as my council colleagues and I supported a new Wendy's, a new commercial plaza at 365 Sandwich Street South and the construction of a bed and breakfast establishment in the Little White Church at Howard Avenue and County Road 20.

Here's how I voted:

Amherstburg’s Little White Church will soon become a Bed and Breakfast in the heart of “wine and wedding” country along Ontario's southwest coast.

When Brad Mailloux looks out at the rugged landscape on the southwest portion of the former General Chemical site, he sees the potential for a mountain bike park that could turn a fenced-off area into a destination attraction for residents and tourists alike.

I supported a trial period for ATVs on town roads but was in the minority and my colleagues and I unanimously endorsed the installation of plaques in King's Navy Yard Park honouring Amherstburg native Ralph Mayville and 27 other local Veterans who fought in the storied Devil's Brigade.

Here's how I voted:

I’ve read several gripping stories about Private Ralph Mayville and the nail-spitting heroics of the Devil’s Brigade over the years but I never knew he was an Amherstburg native until Monday’s meeting.