Giovanni “John” Abati
2562 Ida Road, Windsor, Ontario, N8W 3A5
Phone: 519-300-2063
Email: vote4abati@gmail.com
2022 Windsor Election Rose City Politics Candidate Questionnaire answers:
1. What is your prior political experience?
2012 – Municipal – Halifax (lost)
2018 – Municipal – Windsor Ward 8 (lost)
2019 – Federal – Windsor-Tecumseh – Green Party (lost)
2022 – Provincial – Windsor-Tecumseh – Independent (lost)
Life:
Political Junkie
Follow Federal, Provincial & Municipal Politics
Watch & Listen to Political TV shows, Podcasts and Radio programs. I also listen to and call in to talk radio
Council:
Appeared at many Council Meetings – Lindsay, Halifax, Windsor
2. Why are you running?
I’m tired of appearing before Council with knowledge and experience only to be ignored by the Mayor and Council with their preconceived decisions and their own agendas.
I want to bring a Green Voice to Council – Mayor & Council make decisions that go against so many policies.
I bring valuable experience in Planning (Urban & Watershed), Waste Management (Landfill, Recycling, Composting), Transportation (Active, Public, Commercial, Rail), Economic Development, Tourism and experience collaborating with different Provincial agencies (MNR, Agriculture, MOE, Conservation Authorities).
3. What do you do currently for a living?
Truck Driver for last 7 years.
Prior to that I was a Watershed/Urban Planner at Kawartha Region Conservation Authority, employed in the Waste Management Industry (Landfill, recycling & composting facilities), employed & volunteered at numerous Environmental Organizations focusing on (Active & Public Transportation, Energy, Waste Management, Social Equity, Environmental Sustainability, Development, Habitats, Species, Water Quality, Air Quality, Soil Degradation, Green Economy).
4. What is the biggest issue affecting the ward you are running for?
Homelessness & addiction
5. What is the biggest issue affecting the city of Windsor?
Homelessness & addiction
6. Are you seeking any endorsements?
Only from organizations that are offering to endorse individuals (WDLC)
7. Have you received any endorsements?
Only from my 92 years old mother
8. Will you continue the “hold the line on taxes” policy?
Cynically: I can say yes and then do as the city does and create levies (Hospital, Water & Sewer)
Realistically: I will try to hold the line, but every year is different. We see how COVID affected expenses, who knows the next fiscal issue to pop up.
New Approach: I have ways of bringing in revenue as well as cost saving ideas.
Revenue: Open Municipal amenities to advertising (picnic tables, benches, recycle bins, trash cans).
Open Municipal amenities to sponsorships (dog parks, splash pads, pavilions..)
Cost savings: Acquire battery operated lawn maintenance equipment (save fuel costs), allow more natural areas in public spaces (reduce maintenance costs)
9. Do you support the mega-hospital location?
NO, not in this Century, maybe never. Without the hospital conducting flood studies and building out there, I doubt that area would get developed until the late 2000’s and probably by industrial developments.
I am a Proud CAMPP Member. I have been a VOCAL OPPONENT to the County Road 42 location since the day it was announced. I have appeared before Council on 3 different occasions.
The county road 42 location only addresses getting a new Hospital
It is in a flood-plain which is part of the reason that construction still hasn’t started
it is surrounded by vacant farm fields and industrial lands, NOT NEAR PEOPLE
If we build it at the 1st site selected (by the Serbian Centre)
It may have been started by now
It would be near where people live now
It would be more accessible by many
It would lead to infilling of vacant lands in East Windsor
It would lead to the occupying of vacant buildings in East Windsor
It would be adjacent to infrastructure (roads, sewers, transit, active transit, hydro), saving millions
It could be accessed by the rail-line for commuters (East to Tilbury, West to Crawford)
It could be accessed by the international rail-line tunnel attracting medical tourism from the USA
Imagine – RAIL (21st century thinking) – County Road 42 (1950s Failed planning strategies)
It amazes me that Mayor Dilkens can’t link how a streetcar was vital to Windsor’s growth in the 1900s and the value of rail today.
10. Do you support strong mayor legislation?
NEVER, no matter who the mayor is or who the premier is. This is just a way for the Provincial Conservatives to push thru their agenda without scrutiny or sober second thought. It silences critics, ignores environmental legislation and may lead to irreversible damage. Why are we electing Councillors?
Cynically: We already have a strong mayor (with some Council Minions supporting all of Dilkens’ ideas).
Realistically: Stephen Harper did the same trick Federally. He did it under the guise of ‘Economic Stimulus’. Ford is using the guise of increasing housing supply.
11. Should the city use taxpayers dollars to bring jobs to the area?
I’m not a fan of ‘Corporate Welfare’, however it seems to be the way of the world. Having said that, I believe Windsor is well suited to attract certain industries. I believe we were too quick to toss cash at the EV Plant for election purposes. We could have saved millions if we put it closer to 401. Also, Windsor is Auto hub of Canada we already had an advantage over other Canadian cities to attract the EV industry without forking over so many $$.
I also want to attract the Hemp Industry into Essex County to diversify our economy (Oils for plastics, meds, food… and Fabrics for car seats, convertible tops, clothing..)
12. If you are running in a ward with an incumbent who is also running, why is change necessary, and why are you the person to deliver it?
Chris Holt’s old ward, therefore no incumbent. I do believe I bring a different perspective from all other candidates. My decisions will have more of a scientific and environmentally based solution.
13. How many hours per week do you plan to allocate towards council business if elected?
Whatever it takes. I believe council is a full-time job & I will be quitting my trucking job to focus on Council duties. I will be prepared at Council Meetings, having read the agendas prior.
I currently work 12 to 16 hrs per day = 60+ hrs per week at a job I hate. I want to do the Council work and would be dedicated to addressing resident concerns.
14. Do you live in the ward you are running for?
Yes – 2562 Ida Ward 4
15. What agencies, boards, or committees do/have you served on, and in what capacity?
Member of the following:
Lindsay Ontario’s Waste Management Committee (Minute’s Taker)
Ecology Action Centre’s Membership Committee (Chair)
Ecology Action Centre’s Wilderness Committee
Ecology Action Centre’s Coastal Committee
Ecology Action Centre’s Energy Committee
Ecology Action Centre’s Transportation Committee
Sir Sandford Fleming College’s Environment Committee
Friends of Kawartha Region Conservation Authority’s Events Committee
Friends of Kawartha Region Conservation Authority’s Fundraising Committee
Essex County Field Naturalists Membership Committee
16. What person, animal or fictional character should be Windsor’s unofficial mascot?
Rose City Politics 