Windsor city council report card: Mayor Drew Dilkens
CBC Windsor grades the politicians at mid-way point of their 2014-18 term
Grade: A-
Dilkens was seen as a sequel to former Mayor Eddie Francis during the campaign, and while continuing to freeze taxes for the seventh and eighth consecutive years, he has set a fresh tone. The first half of his term is marked by new inroads for the cycling movement and having 21st-century attitudes towards social values and connecting with taxpayers. Dilkens provided energetic leadership during recent natural disasters.
He stirred up bitter feelings with unfulfilled calls for regional policing and the outsourcing of custodial work. Also taking flak over everything from support for Uber and the mega hospital site to his focus on sports tourism to a plan for a pedestrian tunnel beneath Riverside Drive. Other bumps included the PR campaign related to bingo lawsuits and a perceived lack of support for the FCA expansion. Most of the rough spots happened in his first year as mayor. Dilkens now seems to be finding his rhythm.
Despite a busy travel schedule, he is rarely absent from meetings. He makes appearances at community meetings and events that could be viewed as skippable. Dikens wins rave reviews from councillors (who often disagree with one another) for his laid-back, collaborative approach.
Attendance record: 97.14% (102 of 105 meetings)
Salary: $182,996.02 (including $83,071.56 in board payments)
Travel expenses: $41,755.83 (2015); $23,972.83 (first half 2016)
Social media: Tweets almost daily. Uses Instagram a couple times a week. Posts semi-regularly on Facebook and when he does, it's in his own voice. Used Facebook Live to give a public look at the tornado damage. On LinkedIn.
Proud of:
- Improved economy, unemployment
- Winning Memorial Cup bid
- New city hall construction
- Cabana Rd. improvement plan
- Mega hospital funding
- Two more years of tax freeze
To-do list:
- More cycling infrastructure
- More funding for public art
Quote: "There's no magic here. It's about delivering on what I said I was going to do. That's how I want people to judge me."