Santos looks to 'Leaner, Meaner and Greener' days

 

Steve I'Anson

Staff reporter

 

            In his third State of the County address, Warden Nelson Santos took a different approach than he had in his previous addresses. While he focused on the successes and challenges of the region, he also took a lighter approach than in the past.

    Speaking at the Camoes Portuguese Club of Harrow at the event hosted by the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce, Santos brought greetings in English, French and Portuguese.

   Santos spoke to a crowd of almost 200 business owners, elected officials and administrative staff from local municipalities. His opening remarks touched on the meaning of the term Warden and it's various meanings in different roles.

   He commented, "Now that I think we all have a better understanding of the fun job that the Warden of Essex County has as a keeper, a guardian and a watchman, I am hopeful that everyone truly sees that there is a significant role that the position offers to our region. And as much fun as it is perceived, it has also taken on a very serious role during some of our very serious and defining times."

   One of the biggest challenges for everyone locally in 2009 was the state of the economy. Maintaining jobs was something everyone put at the top of their agenda last year.

   "We are entering a new decade of our newest millennium. Yet as we came upon the doorstep of this new decade, it was only after enduring a significant series of trials and tribulations of the year that was 2009," he said.

   "The economy was first and foremost on the minds of our region and arguably the most significant challenge testing our collective resolve. Over the past twelve months, we knew that it was not going to be business as usual. As it turns out, it certainly was far from it. From every sector, announcements of restructuring, renewal, downsizing, mergers, closures, and then some, were commonplace. Yet within our same sectors came signs of hope, with new investments, new commitments, new promises - even amongst our most impacted industry of automotive and manufacturing. The result, as it leaves us entering this new decade is without a doubt a region that is leaner and meaner and in search of greener days."

   He continued, "Now given that our history tells us that we have always been good at making things, growing things and moving things, it is apparent that if we continue to nurture this homegrown talent, accommodate some new training spaces, maintain our focused reinvestment in our municipal infrastructure and provide time for retraining and tweaking of our strong skillset, we shall find us on that road to greater prosperity once again. In essence, 2009 was the year that Essex County went back to the basics and focused its tax dollars on places that matter and in places where the money should be spent. We put our best foot forward, and targeted key infrastructure priorities from bridge renewals to road widenings. Our County and member municipalities strategically targeted investments that have made their hometowns more attractive from new green space, trails and recreational enhancements to new streetscaping and long overdue storm and sanitary services upgrades. And we didn't do it alone. It took support from our provincial and federal cousins to see that collectively we could make a significant gain in our pre-existing infrastructure deficit and provide immediate jobs within our communities that have experienced the greatest loss of jobs."

   Santos indicated the region is continuing to change its focus as it becomes viable once again.

   "It is recognized that our communities are collectively rolling up their sleeves to enhance the services being provided as well as seek new ways to grow our economy in other ways. For generation after generation of workers, our region has relied heavily on manufacturing and more specifically on the automotive industry for the prosperity we have enjoyed. We've all rolled with the punches of this sector's roller coaster economy.

   "Yet, today, we know the cyclical up and down nature of the past is not what we can expect or anticipate for this industry anymore. Gone are the days when you see new auto plants setting up shop and landing us a thousand jobs at a time. Our recent work with the Windsor Essex Economic Development Corporation can attest to this change in our environment and note it is us that need to change."

   The Warden touched on several positives that can help lead the region to future prosperity. He stated that retirees are flocking to the region and the "100-mile peninsula".

   With a university and college in our own backyard Santos sees institutions that are growing stronger and "offering great promise for our region outside of this recession. Coupled with the growing popularity and success of the Medical School, the attraction to our region is growing. Add to this the construction of a new centre for Applied Health Sciences at St. Clair College, and here we have even greater news offering a home that will train an entire new generation of health care providers."

    Furthermore, he commented, "From the greenhouses, we are seeing biomass, tri-generation and other green solutions doing everything from heating their own facility to providing energy back to the grid. Up another level of green power, Essex County will welcome its first wind farms in 2010 and with it follows our first opportunity to participate and potentially join in the supply and manufacture of key components for these large industrial wind turbines. From our local manufacturing base to learning in the college classroom, the opportunity to re-tool and update specific training geared to the green collar jobs is a reality for our region.

   "Now it is our turn. It's our challenge. For our Essex County, for our City of Windsor, for our region: it is we who hold the opportunity to define what our tomorrow will bring. It is 'we" who need to find our fit amongst all these strengths and all our potential. We are home to a tremendous knowledge, technical and skill-based workforce. We have educational resources and institutions that are second to none."

   In his final remarks, Santos stated, "We are rich in agri-resources from traditional farms and 14 wineries to the largest base of vegetable greenhouse production in North America along with two of our continent's largest processing companies in Heinz and Sunbrite Canning. And there's much much more. So as we enter this new decade a bit leaner than we're used to, let's put a real mean streak on this collaboration to help us reposition our communities into the new economy. So let's go out there and make some green. Windsor-Essex: let's get our lean, mean and green machine moving."

   Santos concluded with a humorous Top 10 list of duties and observations on being the Warden. His number one, however proved sincere. "A Warden never works alone. Results come from great teamwork."

provincial law.