A Windsor Welcome

Dear sir:
I am writing in reference to an article that appeared under the byline of Emmanuel Moutsatsos in the Sports section of your newspaper on Wednesday, March 16, 2005.
We in Windsor have been delighted to welcome so many excellent high school hockey teams and their staffs, parents, and fans to the recent Ontario Federation of School Athletic Association (OFSAA) championship tournament—and we’ve been pleased to have the Fort Frances Muskies with us.
They played with heart and distinction, and although they did not reach the championship round, they provided us with one of the most thrilling games of the tournament in losing by the barest of margins (1-0) to St. Michael’s College on April 1.
The Muskies were a credit to themselves and to your community.
However, I wish to clarify a few paragraphs of Mr. Moutsatsos’ story entitled “Muskies eager to head to Windsor,” which was published before the tournament.
It contains some factual errors about our city and region, and I and the members of our city council, along with our residents, thought that a truer word picture of our area should be painted.
That we are close to, and great friends with, the City of Detroit cannot be denied. Like Fort Frances, we are a border community with an international bridge connecting us with our good American neighbours.
But “an unshaven armpit”? What could possibly be the source of such an uncomplimentary and inaccurate phrase?
Dirty? In addition to our hard-working city employees, we have volunteer patrols whose members help keep our streets clean. It’s a proven fact that visitors remark on our clean, safe, welcoming atmosphere and the hospitality of our citizens.
I trust that, busy with hockey as they were, the Muskies and their party have noticed this.
Our city centre and our many colourful and diverse neighbourhoods are crowded at times, yes; and that’s because so many people enjoy being here and experiencing the variety of attractions we have to offer.
We have more than five km of open, publicly-accessible riverfront parkland containing walking and biking trails, an award-winning outdoor Sculpture Garden, and some of the most spectacular waterside vistas in North America, or anywhere else for that matter.
Yes: we are Canada’s Motor City and proud of it (the Canadian auto industry was born here 101 years ago this August). However, we also are renowned as the Intellectual Automotive Capital of Canada and perhaps the world, with our state-of-the-art research facilities at the University of Windsor and St. Clair College.
It is no coincidence that we were chosen as the site of Ontario’s first gaming casino, and Mr. Moutsatsos and your readers should know that Detroit now has three 24-hour casinos of its own—and a healthy international competition has developed.
Nevertheless, the Government of Ontario has tremendous faith in Casino Windsor and recently has announced a $400-million expansion, including a theatre/showroom to attract top name entertainers, will be added to it!
Our restaurants and shops are international magnets, and we consistently enjoy some of the highest visitor totals in Canada.
I must admit I am truly puzzled about Mr. Moutsatsos’ remark about “Windsor Castle.” No such building or business—even with a similar name—exists here.
Again, on behalf of the City of Windsor, I extend our congratulations to the Fort Frances Muskies on their spirited and skillful play, and all of us hope they had an enjoyable time while they were with us.
We issue a sincere invitation to the citizens of your beautiful area to visit us some time . . . I hope, soon, when they can enjoy at leisure some of the many attractions we have to offer.
Sincerely,
Eddie Francis
Mayor, Windsor