Windsor, Detroit leaders need to work together on economic issues

Columnist Jeff Sanford looks at Windsor’s connectivity to the Detroit
economy, which isn’t always a good thing. But he sees bright spots,
including the relationship between the mayors of Detroit and Windsor.

Excerpt:

Also in the positive column is the city’s
young and dynamic mayor, Eddie Francis, a Lebanese immigrant who was
just 29 when he was elected three years ago. The pride of the region’s
extensive Arab community, he comes with impressive credentials. With a
law degree from the University of Windsor and a science degree from the
University of Western Ontario, he speaks fluent English and Arabic, and
was awarded the Young Entrepreneur of the Year award by the Windsor
Chamber of Commerce for his work with Royal Pita, the small family
company he and his brother expanded into an export business that now
operates in 12 states.

It is no wonder rumours began floating
around last election that Paul Martin was trying to recruit Eddie to
run for the Liberals. He’s a go-getter, he knows business and he’s
developed a strong relation with America’s first “hip-hop” mayor, Kwame
Kilpatrick of Detroit. The two worked side-by-side on the Detroit Super
Bowl committee, which brought the premier U.S. sporting event to the
region.

Read the entire column here.