PHOTOS: New City Councillors Sworn In, Dilkens Warns Of Need To Be Prepared

Monday December 3rd, 2018, 8:04pm

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Hundreds of guests welcomed Windsor’s Mayor and new City Councillors at the Chrysler Theatre, Monday evening.

Each Councillor was asked to take an oath of office and was congratulated by applause.

Mayor Drew Dilkens also swore an oath of office before addressing the crowed to outline his vision for the next four years.

Dilkens noted the strength of the city’s economy and how things have been steadily improving for Windsorites.

“Bidding wars are now the norm on residential properties in Windsor, something I’ve never seen in my life,” said Dilkens.

Dilkens discussed the shock he felt at General Motors’ recent decision to close Ontario manufacturing plants.

“What if that happened here,” he pondered.

Dilkens said he was asked years earlier “what keeps you up at night,’ to which he responded “the thought of my largest employer closing.”

He noted that Chrysler employs 6,000 in Windsor with an estimated nine to one spinoff of jobs but stressed that the city needs to diversify its economy in case of a serious employer crisis.

“We need to be ready for a day when this scenario could happen here,” he said. Dilkens noted that FCA has not given an indication that anything like this could happen, but said “we must plan and prepare for this possibility.”

Elsewhere, Dilkens noted a commitment to flood mitigation, holding the line on taxes, roads, infrastructure and continuing to put the “win in Windsor.”

“Let us change the mindset of everyone and show them the new Windsor,” he said.