WHITEWATER REGION (Beachburg) — Picketers paraded in front of the Bank of Nova Scotia on a late afternoon on Tuesday, January 28 in Beachburg. About 50 well organized people carried signs in response to the closing of the Beachburg branch on June 4.
The day was rather chilly. Every time a vehicle went by, the chants of “Save our Bank” were heard and the waving of the signs helped to mitigate the cold somewhat. The ringing of a couple of cowbells by two retired teachers added to the fray.
No one could recall if ever there was a picketing in this town, at least in recent memory. However, loyalty was evident not only from Beachburg but Westmeath, Lapasse and Foresters Falls communities as well. When the cameras from CTV arrived, their enthusiasm shone through.
On the way to the Scotiabank meeting in the Beachburg Public School, a stop was made at St. Andrews United Church for warmth and a slice of pizza donated by the Buchanan Sand and Gravel family. Except for Gwen Bennett who had an interview scheduled with a CTV reporter, everyone arrived at the school by 6:00 p.m. The 150 chairs were filled in no time and another 150 lined the three walls.
Mike Brydges, a Scotiabank Vice President from Ottawa West, was the lone representative, not four to six that were anticipated. He began by exclaiming how difficult it was to close the Beachburg branch. However, customers should be pleased to know that after their accounts were transferred to Cobden, the branch hours there would be extended seven and a half hours per week. As well, an ATM would be installed in Beachburg. The audience was not pleased at all with this news. In fact, Gwen Bennett stated that an ATM installed in Lanark after a bank closed there was often out of money and although useful, wasn’t the answer.
People were then asked to line up before a microphone with questions. Joey Trimm introduced himself as Chair of the ‘Save our Scotiabank’ (SOS) committee and that all committee members were present. He also said that Michael Montgomery, assistant to our MP Cheryl Gallant, was taking a survey and news back to MP Gallant that would aid her in raising the bank quandary in Parliament.
A number of questions were answered with, “I can’t answer that”, or I’ll have to get back to you.” The hissing from the crowd indicated that a ‘no’ answer was not acceptable. Cindy Jamieson of Jamieson Travel asked if Mr. Bridges realized the negative impact on tourism. He couldn’t answer that one either.
Jim Labow, former mayor of Whitewater Region emphasized the importance of accessibility into the Beachburg branch, which Cobden and Pembroke didn’t currently have. The remark was, “There is a great team at the Cobden branch.” Then, he asked about their plans for a budget? “In the final phase,” came the reply.
“95 per cent of people were disappointed on the SOS survey,” said Brenda Grady, WDRA President. Beulah Wright added that 50 per cent of the respondents reported they would not use the Cobden bank.
“Demographics are changing,” said Mike Moore, Mayor of Whitewater Region. Bonny Johnson of the SOS committee brought up accessibility by reducing the elderly’s dignity, independence and trust in Scotiabank. She felt bank was not maintaining its image of integrity.
Joe Kowalski talked about various alternatives to consider rather than ‘closing’ but to no avail. Being raised in Pennsylvania be described the competitiveness of thousands of small banks in the United States versus a government supported monopoly of five banks in Canada. The American ones looked after and supported their rural community unlike the big banks in this country.
The presentation was going nowhere at times; partial or no answers from the Scotiabank representative. There was a mention of, “Melanie,” more than a few times from the Pembroke branch that would smooth transitions, but it was not exactly appeasing.
Del O’Brien, retired lawyer and a local history buff, passionately emphasized that the Scotiabank should stay open if only for historically and cultural reasons. He told the story of when, in the 1800’s, white pine in the Ottawa Valley was a hot commodity for Britain. In fighting the Napoleonic wars, it generated so much demand for the squared timber that George Bryson of Fort Coulonge had to create his own currency called the, “Bryson Buck,” to keep business going.
Later in 1874, Mr. Bryson and four other lumber barons, including Alec Fraser of Westmeath, established the Bank of Ottawa appointing themselves as directors. Branches sprung up in the area but of those original ones, the only one open to this very day is Scotiabank in Beachburg. It became the Bank of Nova Scotia with the merger with the Bank of Ottawa in 1919.
Alexander Fraser of Westmeath remained on the board until 1902. He was succeeded by his son J.B. Fraser, who continued in this role until 1934 at which time he was replaced by his son Colonel J.D. Fraser until around 1970. Mr. O’Brien, as a young lawyer in the late 1960’s, recalls how each year an official driver with a Rolls Royce for Scotiabank would drive from Toronto and pick up Col. Fraser for the board of directors Annual General Meeting. After a week’s stay at the Royal York, Col. Fraser would be driven back home.
During Mr. O’Brien’s history lesson, there was barely a sound as everyone was attentive – even Mr. Brydges. The message was concluded with, “this Beachburg Bank should be honoured – not closed.”
Art Jamieson, well versed in the history of Beachburg, told the moderator that the Ottawa Valley is, ‘the womb of wildernesses,’ and you should take back our passion. As the principal of this school from 1964 to 1996, he witnessed three additions to the school this meeting was being held in. “Since 1964 we have had an economic explosion and the bank was part of that. As the village grew so did the bank. We deserve one more chance.”
Someone in the audience from the Canadian Postmasters and Assistants offered the suggestion that the Post Office handling the banking would be one option. Overall the meeting was just a glad-handing to the public by the Scotiabank with little to offer, few if any answers and Mr. Brydges appeared as if he were going through a well-rehearsed act.
However, the meeting was very civilized, really no need for the two OPP officers to be there. Those in attendance picked up much more information from local speakers than from the presenter. That and the common bond formed to carry this fight to maybe a successful ending, was uplifting in itself.
