Windsor city councillor says he doesn't think ward got preferential treatment

One of the councillors mentioned in an explosive lawsuit against the City of Windsor says he never noticed any of the "coercion" alleged in the suit.

But another former city councillor says the allegations about a toxic corporate culture match his experience during his two terms on council.

Coun. Ed. Sleiman, who represents the Ford City area, says he doesn't believe the allegations, which include that Ward 5 was prioritized for infrastructure projects because of Sleiman's personal relationship with the mayor. 

In contrast, the lawsuit filed by Chris Nepszy, former chief engineer and commissioner of infrastructure services, says the city passed over west-end projects because of that councillor's opposition to the mayor. 

None of the allegations have been proven in court, and the mayor says the city will defend itself against Nepszy's claim.

As for prioritizing certain wards, "honestly, I don't believe any of this stuff," Sleiman said. "I don't think the mayor would coerce anybody. I don't look at it that way."

Nepszy's lawsuit alleges that in the fall of 2021, Mayor Drew Dilkens "forced" him to undertake a road rehabilitation project in Sleiman's ward, despite the project not being approved or planned by council.

The suit claims the work on Erskine Street was done against Nepszy's objections "as a favour for Coun. Sleiman, who is a long-time supporter of the mayor."

While Sleiman disputes that, former Ward 3 Coun. Rino Bortolin told CBC Windsor the allegations in the suit reflect some of what he experienced during his two terms on council.

"Oh, I absolutely believe most of (the allegations) to be true, at least from a culture perspective," said Bortolin, who's long been an outspoken critic of the mayor.

"None of this is surprising at all. This is the way it's been operating for at least the eight years that I was on council. And to be quite frank, (it is) one of the many reasons why I chose not to return to council."

Bortolin pointed to his struggles to obtain city investment in more lighting for downtown alleys in 2017. Bortolin publicly clashed with Dilkens on the issue at the time, but he said he now feels the major factor was a "culture" at city hall.

"I think staff generally have an idea of what the priorities of the mayor's agenda are," Bortolin said.

Nepszy's statement of claim presents the Erskine Street project as an example of how Nepszy was "coerced into breaching professional and ethical obligations to carry out favours for the mayor's supporters."

Sleiman acknowledged that he "gets along" with the mayor. "We have to get along. We have big infrastructure to do in the city. We have to work together, whether it's the mayor, the city engineer, or the CAO."

But Sleiman resisted the suggestion that he has received preferential treatment.

"Councillors — they can support anyone they want to. I have no issue with Drew Dilkens. He's my mayor. I know he needs support from all of us. I believe — not just myself — other councillors support the mayor."

Sleiman noted that he has called for improvement of Erskine Street since he was first elected in 2010.

"I mean, I know what I was doing. I was lobbying [the] engineer, lobbying the CAO, lobbying anyone who can do something," Sleiman explained.

"This is my ward, and I work hard for my ward. I advocate for them."

Sleiman represents a central ward in the city that spans from Walker Road to Pillette Road, and as far south as the E.C. Row Expressway. 

In contrast to the "favour" for Sleiman in Ward 5, the lawsuit describes infrastructure projects being delayed in Ward 2 at the mayor's instruction — despite those projects being scheduled and approved by council.

The suit alleges that Dilkens told Nepszy not to proceed with work on Barrymore Lane in Ward 2 in order to "spite Councillor (Fabio) Costante."

Costante declined to be interviewed by CBC Windsor, citing the need to follow the court process.

Mary Ann Cuderman, a Ward 2 resident and long-time advocate for Old Sandwich Town, told CBC Windsor that she's been "sort of feeling that this ward has been passed over for some infrastructure stuff."

Cuderman said it would be "very unfair" if wards receive municipal attention based on the mayor's perception of who is supporting him. 

"I do think that a lot of people that are working at city hall are fearful for their jobs," Cuderman said. "I hope this lawsuit will bring some knowledge to that, and maybe we'll find out the real truth of what's going on at city hall, because I find that a lot of people have been leaving."

Nepszy was hired by the City of Windsor as engineer in 2021. He left his role as CAO of the Town of Essex in order to take the Windsor position.

In November 2023, Dilkens terminated Nepszy — as well as city solicitor Shelby Askin Hager — as part of "re-alignment" of the municipality's organizational structure.

Now Nepszy is suing for wrongful dismissal, seeking $1 million in damages and a remuneration package.

As of Monday, the city had not filed a statement of defence.

In a public statement on Monday, Dilkens said, "The city denies all of the spurious allegations and will defend itself accordingly."

The allegations in the suit have not been proven in court.