Whitewater Township Council Members:
Whitewater Administration Township Staff:
Dear Members and Staff:
The intent of this letter is to not only express my concern over the handling of the way in which the decision was made to move our Cenotaph but also the overwhelming concern expressed to me by my fellow community members as well. The blatant lack of community involvement in the decision to move the Cenotaph has raised many questions.
First of all, why did the Township not find a creative way to seek input from the community who have been a part of this ongoing project? The township’s decision to move the Cenotaph did not in any way involve or show respect for those members of the community who gave generously through donations, hours of volunteering and organization to see the Cenotaph project come to fruition. The young men the Cenotaph honours were not unknown to us. They were our family members, our neighbours and friends as well as our school mates. They grew up amongst us. Our lives were all impacted for the better by their sacrifices. The Cenotaph project was our way of honouring our community members who gave their lives for us and were also our heroes. We should have been consulted.
Whitewater Council and Staff needs to be reminded why the names of the fallen young men appear on the Cenotaph? These young men gave their lives to uphold and protect our democracy, thus allowing us to have a democratic voice. The way in which the township made the decision to move the Cenotaph does not reflect the democratic process: the very reason for which these young men’s names are inscribed on this monument.
LEST WE FORGET
Also, has Whitewater Township Staff and Council ever wondered why the Cenotaph was erected in its exact location in our community? Many consider the spot that was chosen by our community for this memorial to our fallen soldiers as sacred ground. WE chose this location to honour our brave men because the community centre has been the gathering place for all of our community events for years. Every time we hold a community event, the Cenotaph serves as a visible reminder that there was a heavy price to pay in order for us to enjoy the freedom to gather and celebrate together that we have.
LEST WE FORGET
The fact that the council is removing and relocating this testament to the sacrifices made by members of our community, at considerable expense, makes me wonder about the respect that council has for the people who elected them and fearful that other communities will not be consulted and respected about changes that will be made in the future.
Finally, has Whitewater Township ever considered the contributions that were made by this small community towards this monument? Whitewater Township needs to understand that this Cenotaph was erected and financed by a community who felt and understood the impact of losing their loved ones for a greater cause. This project reflects the heart and soul of a caring local community and not the township. In the very least, the Township Council had the responsibility to involve the same community in this decision to move the Cenotaph. The lack of consultation begs the question of what the real motive for moving this monument was. It speaks to backroom deals and hidden agendas to satisfy the wants of some members of the Township. It completely goes against the very definition of democracy. Has POWER and POLITICS arrived in our trustworthy communities where people still value integrity, transparency, respect for democracy, fiscal accountability and professionalism? These characteristics and values are what we expect from our elected representatives and government employees.
I sincerely hope that Council and Whitewater Township Staff, who were put into the position of serving the people of our area, will reflect on the handling of the decision to relocate the Cenotaph in the community of Westmeath. The process in this decision making is an example of failed municipal government.
Sincerely,
Margarit Gervais
Lifelong Community Volunteer,
