Between trying to bring down the proposed property tax rate increase and helping manage $1 billion corporation with 3,000 employees, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens still found a couple hours in his schedule this week to come speak with a second-year Police Foundations and Protection, Security and Investigation class at St. Clair College.
The political science class, instructed by former Ontario Provincial Police Sgt. Ed Marocko, got a crash course in municipal responsibilities, including how property taxes are assessed and collected, and the various amenities and services offered by the city.
Dilkens is the Chair of the Windsor Police Services Board and formerly served for 15 years as an auxiliary police officer and his message to students was "Put on a uniform and put yourself out there."
The mayor addressed the class about a number of pressing matters facing the community, including homelessness, addiction, and mental health issues, which Dilkens said the city is working to address through its 'Strengthen the Core' downtown revitalization initiative.
"I love to engage with students. I think it's great to tell them what it's like, to talk about some of the challenges and issues that they have to deal with," said Dilkens. "It's important that they walk in, heads up and with some information."
Dilkens told students that despite many media reports highlighting these issues in the city, there is reason for optimism, with the NextStar Energy battery plant set to open soon, construction nearing completions at the Gordie Howe International Bridge, and soon, construction of the new acute care hospital.
He said because of that, the hiring climate for careers in policing is unlike any time he's seen, largely due to population growth and economic development, with a wave of retirements on the horizon.
"If you want to be a police officer anywhere in Ontario, there has never been a better time, including in the City of Windsor," said Dilkens. "And so, it's a good time for those students to be in class studying Police Foundations, because I think the career prospects are very strong."
Dilkens pointed to a recent badging ceremony held by The Windsor Police Service, where seven of the 11 new sworn officers were graduates of St. Clair College.
"The training here is second to none. They come out with a sense of what's going on and some of the key skills that we need in our in our police community," Dilkens said of St. Clair College alumni. "We love hiring local. People who know the community and can interact with lots of different people that you know which are their neighbours and their friends."
"St. Clair College is a great training ground for people looking for a policing career," he said.
Dilkens also took questions from students about the new acute care hospital, as well as the cost of housing.
"This was a very informative and unique interaction which helped me understand how much a mayor takes on," said student, Colby Bissonnette. "His ability to relate to our age group and the concerns that we face as college students made it easy to relate to him. He answered all our questions, helping us understand politics at a more practical level."
"Before this experience I was not aware of the responsibilities of a mayor and now I understand how much he does for the city," said Bissonnette.
Mitchell Kerekes said it was an insightful discussion.
"Having the mayor come into our class to discuss local politics and address issues around our community gave me a feeling of comfort, knowing that someone with power and the ability make change knew about our present issues, and has a plan and ideas to help with them," said Kerekes.
Another student, Gurangel Banwait, had many questions for the mayor and was appreciative of the chance to have a candid conversation about the community.
"I am very grateful for this experience, and I thank our professor, Ed Marocko, for giving us the opportunity to not only have a conversation with Drew Dilkens, but to also challenge him with our queries and be more educated on the City of Windsor," Banwait said.
Dilkens is one of a handful of guest speakers lined up to speak with the class this semester. Still to come is Windsor West New Democrat MPP Lisa Gretzky, and the new Chief of Caldwell First Nation, Nikki van Oirschot.
