A Crossroad and a Borderline

When the city of Windsor took down a roadside sign notifying visitors that “You have left the American sector” the response was polarizing to a few, but largely unnoticed. The sign was actually an art installment by Sobey Art Award nominee Ron Terada and, while the general populace failed to notice the pandering of city council to a clientele that are generally viewed more like obnoxious third cousins than close friends, James Patten, the Chief Curator at the Art Gallery of Windsor took the opportunity to begin an examination of border zones.

Nadja Pelkey, an artist working and living in Windsor, has been tapped as the marketing mastermind behind the coming Borderline Case at the Art Gallery October 12th and 13th. “Terada’s work was really just a banal sign meant to stimulate thought and conversation about the nature of borders.” Pelkey said in a recent email interview. Banal or not, the profile of the Windsor-Detroit border as both a social and economic link has been thrust into the open with Terada’s sign being one of the many guideposts leading the way.

The Borderline Case: A Symposium on the Cultural Geography of Windsor/Detroit is the product of the hype and fear-mongering surrounding the art flap above. The result of the efforts of the Art Gallery of Windsor, led by James Patten, hopes to capitalize on the “several academics in the area that are specifically concerned with post-industrial and border cities” according to Pelkey. “There is a great wealth of thought and action” she continues, “not really being tapped right now.” The Borderline Case is intended to bring together academics, activists and interested citizens to discuss and examine the issues at hand through lectures, open forums and art.

With Windsor at a crossroad, a point of view that even Mayor Francis has adopted in recent days with his GreenLink idea, engaging in an intellectually stimulating discussion on the possibilities for sustainability in Windsor is quickly approaching a fever pitch. “Windsor is a very special place” according to Pelkey, “in that the citizenry really has a big stake in the future of Windsor.” An engaged citizenry is essential to the success of any region, large or small. True democracy is not achieved through the simple act of marking a ballot. Democracy is speaking up. Democracy is an action. We must be informed and prepared to act on that information. Patten and Pelkey are doing their part to inform the citizens of Windsor that our current status quo is sub-par by international standards and that, although we may not see it ourselves, we live in the midst of a treasure-trove of diversity and beauty that will sustain us for generations to come. Democracy is powered by people and knowledge. We have both in Windsor, so the buck stops here.

A Borderline Case is taking place at the Art Gallery of Windsor this Friday through to Sunday. Click here for schedules and details

Alt. Trans Big Part of Windsor GreenLink

After many years of debate, the Provincial and Federal governments finally came through with their new cross border plan for Windsor. I'm not sure that this is what we wanted, but it's pretty close to what we expected! The one positive thing is the environmentalists finally got them to consider using rail as part of the plan

View details of the city's new border access route plan, with public meetings next week, schedule and more available here.

Relocalizing Windsor

I was making a pitch about this blog the other day. The feedback we are receiving is great and I can see …Scale Down entering other forms of media in the effort to reach more people. When I was asked about the purpose of the blog, I went on to explain our emphasis on our built environment and our need to refocus our attention to strengthening the physical and social infrastructure that we've already invested in as opposed to our current drive to continually spread ourselves too thin. Removing any roadblocks currently in front of our local economy as opposed to seeking out and subsidizing big-box "solutions" to our current economic crisis. It was then that it struck me, …Scale Down is another group pursuing many of the ideals of the Relocalization movement.

Whereas the established "Relocalization" movement is focused on abating the effects of peak oil, with a fundamentalist demeanor, we are more focused on community quality-of-life goals. In the end, however, the two routes taken will inevitably lead to the same destination - a more compact, self-sufficient community who's time is spent more on community ethics than consumption values.

What is the traditional definition of "Relocalization"?

Relocalization is the most hopeful alternative to unsustainable corporate globalization is a reinvestment in our own communities, building vibrant local economies based on cooperation instead of competition, meeting people's needs instead of manufacturing desires, and respecting the natural environment around us.

Relocalization is the rebuilding of our societies on a human scale, forging strong local economies based on mutually beneficial cooperation instead of predatory competition, meeting people's real needs instead of manufacturing desires, and respecting the natural environment that is the basis of our existence.

Relocalization is an essential adaptation to the depletion of non-renewable resources (oil, natural gas, coal, and even water), and a solution to global warming and other ecological crises.

Relocalization means the democratization of our social, economic, and political lives — an antidote to the community disempowerment and “race to the bottom” fostered by corporate globalization. Regaining control over our future is the key to building healthier, happier, stronger, and more equitable communities throughout the Commonwealth and beyond.

Calling all Volunteers

The Windsor Essex County Environment Committee, through the Active Transportation Sub-committee, is looking for volunteers to participate in a focus group to examine and provide feedback on the current status of active transportation in Windsor. Anyone who is interested can contact Heather Nash at heather4hclv@sympatico.ca to put their name forward. I don't know how many members are going to be needed, but I am sure this will likely be an 'all hands on deck' exercise.'