A letter sent to a citizens' group by the acting integrity commissioner last November said both Duncan and Windsor West MPP Sandra Pupatello had been advised against meeting with residents. Why? Because the commissioner felt it "may be interpreted as an attempt to interfere with and/or influence the process."

Citizens were understandably surprised when all that changed last week. Duncan broke his vow of silence, but not to sit down with residents so they could discuss their fears and concerns and ask how the selection process had unfolded.

Instead, he threatened to move the new jail, telling the citizens of Windsor, "If the city doesn't want it, we're not going to drag this out." He went on to say "other communities want it, other communities nearby."

Duncan was no doubt reacting in frustration to the city's planning advisory committee -- at least the members who showed up -- which voted two weeks ago not to rezone the site from agricultural to major institutional, which would have paved the way for construction to begin.

Regardless of the reason, the minister's comments were inappropriate. There is nothing to be gained by suggesting people are putting major, much-needed construction at risk by daring to dissent.

There is no reason to bully Windsorites who simply want to proceed cautiously, and to get honest answers to questions about the impact the new jail will have on their safety and quality of life.

It's no secret that area residents aren't the only ones who have disagreed with the government's decision. Both the city and police have argued that the new South West Detention Centre should be located in the Brighton Beach area.

Two of the reasons cited make perfect sense -- proximity to the courthouse and transportation costs, which must be borne by the Windsor Police Service.

That increased cost would be substantial -- from $88,000 to $185,000 under the province's plan -- and there's no indication the service would be compensated, even though Duncan made it very clear that this is to be a "regional" facility.

That's just one more thing officials failed to discuss with local stakeholders, yet if there's any room for compromise in this situation, it should start with a discussion about those additional costs.

Will it? Not if the process continues in this way. It would seem that by adopting a "take it or leave it" attitude, the province has done everything possible to alienate everyone.

Now is not the time for Duncan to take his ball and go home. Now is the time for him to engage the community in a frank and meaningful discussion and find common ground.

The citizens of Windsor deserve no less.