T.H.R.I.V.E.'s Plans for 2022

Below you will see that we plan to delegate up to seven White Papers this year. We would like you to be an integral part of that process; please sign up to join a White Paper team!

It is equally important for residents to express their voice at Town Hall in support of matters that are good for our community, rather than just show up in objection. Remember, your positive voice is impactful and relevant in the decision-making process.

It is our hope that the concepts contained in the T.H.R.I.V.E White Papers become part of a real discussion during the fall election. This will create an opportunity for residents to decide what they support as well as what they don’t support. It is essential for candidates for all of the seven council positions to declare their position on these subjects. At that point democracy can take over and lead us toward making educated voting choices.

Our election is still seven months away; however, it’s not too soon to embrace the power of voting. Way too many of us don’t participate in our municipal election – a government level that critically impacts our lives daily. Come this fall …..VOTE!

Let’s all help Amherstburg really THRIVE!

Happy New Year 🎉 — Wishing (and working) for an even better Amherstburg in 2022. And we will only get that done with your help.
Our first eight months of T.H.R.I.V.E have been eventful to say the least.
We hosted nine zoom discussions on everything from urban best practices to affordable housing, to climate change. All free of charge and available to all residents. We were delighted that some members of Town Council wanted to learn and were regular attendees. If you missed a presentation, you can view them on our YouTube channel.
We conducted two tactical urbanism tests called Play Amherstburg that proved that residents want more programming during Open Air. We hope that the very positive feedback from residents encourages the town to budget for kids and young adults programming in the 2022 budget.
 
We added two more directors with specific skills that are key to our future White Papers: Lino Montemurri (Architect) and Claire Sanders (Climate Change Specialist). We also were pleased to start a Youth Group knowing it was important to get a youth perspective on T.H.R.I.V.E.’s goals.

We published and delegated three White Papers: Heritage, Open Air (“Streets are for People”) and Climate Change. We were delighted that Open Air was approved for 2022. The Town has agreed to partially fund the Climate Change recommendation re: tree plantings and we have already secured some public funding and hope for more. And we are hopeful that our current Council gets a Heritage Conservation District approved before their term expires in October.

And we always followed our five Foundational Principles: used evidence-backed data; mindful of international and domestic best practices; always followed the science; remained positive; and we were always transparent. When we launched T.H.R.I.V.E. and talked to each Council member we promised that we would adhere to those principles.  And we have! We have done exactly what we said we would do.

So what’s planned for this year?

 Lots!! We have at least seven White Papers planned:
    • Affordable Housing – Lead: Jasminka Kalajdzic
    • Parking Minimums – Lead: Richard Peddie
    • Arts & Culture – Lead: Lauri Brouyette
    • Climate Change Phase 2 – Lead: Dr. Lisa Porter
    • Active Transportation / Cycling – Lead: Dr. Tim O’Callahan
    • Speed Limits – Lead: Richard Peddie
    • Streets are for People Phase 2 – Lead: Lino Montemurri
We are also making two changes that will involve many more town residents. First, there is no longer a cost to join T.H.R.I.V.E. If you’re not yet a member, visit thriveamherstburg.com/membership to join. Second, we are going to have more residents on the teams that delegate White Papers to Council. We think it would be good to shine a light on your neighbours who are helping create our White Papers. And your participation will help demonstrate that T.H.R.I.V.E. is more than just a few concerned and engaged residents. To sign up to help with a White Paper, click here.
Amherstburg is already a very good place to visit and live. T.H.R.I.V.E. simply knows that it could be even better. Help us help Amherstburg thrive!
T.H.R.I.V.E. Amherstburg Directors
(Community builders, business owners, your neighbours)