Bob Grylls, Contributor
WESTMEATH – On June 23rd Whitewater Region council held a special meeting to question their previous decision to move the Westmeath Cenotaph to a recently donated piece of land now known as the Boyer-Laderoute Park. Across from Kenny’s Store, it would highlight and beautify this central parkette. The Cenotaph when relocated here would be more visible and the parkette complete.
Picture By Alexander Leach. Westmeath Cenotaph at its current, original location. 
Picture By Alexander Leach. New Boyer-Laderoute Park, including pad for Cenotaph.
After prepping the site, the contractor in a position to complete the final task; move the Cenotaph to the new location on Monday morning Jun 21st. This stalwart group opposing relocation realized this only the Friday, before they went into a frenzy.
Initially dissension among this particular group who clearly had deep-rooted attachments and feelings about the war memorial were brewing, nearly reaching a boiling point over the weekend.
Email’s and phone calls inundated all the seven councilors and administrative staff to halt the project and hear them out increased over the weekend. At least two councilors mentioned threats against themselves. That was inappropriate, so beneath the community as we knew it beforehand. The emotional outcry demanded a meeting with Council to hear their reasons for opposing the move. A meeting was not practical to the CAO because of Covid-19 restrictions and zoom meetings. Finally CAO Tremblay did freeze the project and to permit council’s further discussion on the Cenotaph status. It would be at a special council meeting June 23, again on zoom.
The ‘old guard’ were hopeful as they felt the lack of community involvement raised suspicions. No consultation with those who raised funds for the original Cenotaph and/or volunteered to maintain the Cenotaph seemed to increase the concern from Council.
This opposition group perceived the Cenotaph as a ‘Tomb’ for the fallen – seen as over-the -top by others. The names of each of the soldiers etched on the back of the Cenotaph who were relatives and friends gave further alarm. Epitomized as sacred ground for those who gave their lives for others was a theme in their agenda.
The “old guard” couldn’t bring themselves to envision the new location even though it would be more visible and attractive, within a well-designed parkette that enhanced the Cenotaph itself.
It would have made more sense if, when Tremblay had called a meeting, it should have included a review of the remaining voices that wanted the Cenotaph in the parkette, not just a quick reaction to the negative ones. It is certainly not participatory democracy if it doesn’t reflect the entire community. But ‘the squeaky wheel gets the grease,’ and so it was in this instance. The community split along the two preferences, those who resist change versus those who are eager for progress.
The Special Council discussion had more transpire at it than intended. A new motion to vote again on the very decision that was a fait accompli switched the original decision. Very unusual, council voted this time to leave the Cenotaph where it was.
By not listening to those in favour of the Cenotaph moved, it was suddenly evident, by ignoring their views, council had left them hanging.
The altered Cenotaph decision has its consequences. Rescinding a grant of $25,000 from the Community War Funding needed transferring funds from another project, likely the boat launch one to replace it – long-waiting for an upgrade.
It also raised the question why the Cenotaph with funds on hand to do so, hadn’t maintained it adequately. It’s tarnished sign has needed replacement for years.
However, here is the rest of the story.
WDRA member Neil Nicholson in Feb 1918 presented to the WDRA Board members a well-written report for a Community Active Living Rest Stop for use by the community, cyclists and hikers. Also a four-season waterless washroom and the potential to add a play station and a picnic area later.
Two successful Tour de Whitewater cycling events and more were to follow, earned $20,000 towards this project. The location was to be on the vacant property between the Arena and the Firehall. Sewage problems required new septic tanks, large enough to displace the Rest Station plan.
When the gifted property at Westmeath Road and Gore Line became township property, the vacated premise after the Cenotaph would be ideal for the community Rest Station project sponsored by the Tour de Whitewater.
What was lacking from Council in the beginning was transparency. There couldn’t be an informative meeting arranged because of COVID-19. A mailout to each address would have the answer. The only mention in the Whitewater Region website went mostly unread. A notice in the Whitewater News weekly edition would have been informative if published in it.
Uncertainty regarding the near future lingers; healing and acceptance by all points of view would be desirable but not at this early stage.
