Outgoing Mayor Drew Dilkens says he has no regrets and is proud of his legacy. “This was three different city councils with three different sets of people around the table. At the end of the day, we found pathways with every single one of them,” Dilkens said Monday, moments after congratulating Fred Francis on his victory. Dilkens says he’s particularly proud of being part of the team that landed the NextStar Energy battery plant, saw shovels in the ground on a new acute care hospital, and investments by Minth. Looking forward he told the media he’s hopeful the next council has a “sober second review” of the plans for financing the Sandwich South lands to “get the project over the finish line.” During the election campaign, Dilkens and Francis sparred over the decision to spend $280 million over 10 years to develop the lands near the airport. “I hope that they actually make the right decision, because that is really the 50-year future success area in the City of Windsor, and you need to start that project sooner rather than later, because it’s going to take you six to eight years to deliver,” Dilkens said. He pledged to help with the transition to the next city council, noting he needs it to be successful. “Their success is going to be the success of many families in our community, including my own,” Dilkens said. “So, whatever I can do to be helpful and supportive, to make sure that there’s a smooth transition count on me. And the day that I walk out of the mayor’s office, I will walk out with my head held high.” Dilkens did not share what his next job will be once Francis takes over as mayor. “It was really the honour of my life to be able to serve as the mayor of the city,” Dilkens said Monday night. “Nothing will beat this, I’m sure.”
