The Council of the Township of Whitewater Region discussed the relocation of the Westmeath Cenotaph to Boyer-Laderoute Park, and ultimately voted 5-2 to stop the relocation, requiring cancelling a Canada Commemorative Partnership Program –Community War Funding $25,000 grant gained for moving the monument.
CAO Robert Trembley said that the recommendation was to discussion the matter, and that if they wished to relocate the cenotaph, a new motion would be made, and that if they chose not to relocate, they would have to determine
“It’s small, it can’t be used for a residential lot.” He said. “And staff recommended it be used for the relocation of the Cenotaph.”
“This all happened within the scope of the pandemic.” he said. “Large-scale public meetings were not possible at this time.’
He said the grant money could not be used for other uses if they choose not to relocate.
He said the Vimy Oak planted at the location will be relocated as well. “We would make sure it was relocated and make sure it was done as safety as possible.”
“We did give notification within the hamlet after the tender.” Trembley, who lives in Westmeath, said.
He said the trees cut at the new site were “invasive’ Manitoba Maples, and were replaced with “good trees”.
“I’m going to say mea cupla: it’s difficult to do major projects in a pandemic.” he said. “I do want to say that there was some outreach did occur.”
He said four homeowners and two Westmeath Committee members were contacted.
“The grant can not be used for the park project if the monument is not moved, so there would be a deficit of $25,000. The cost for relocating the cenotaph is minimal – about $1000.”
He said the $25,000 gap in the park project budget would have to come from other areas in the budget, to be decided at a later meeting.
He also said that something had to be done with the ‘pad’ if the Cenotaph wasn’t moved, and suggested a ‘shade structure’.
Councillor Neil Nicholson “When I originally met with Mrs. Desjardins and Mrs. Gervais about the project, I went to them to make some sure we were on the right track.” “Both of them didn’t want to speak for everyone, because it had so much community. but they did tell me to reach out to the community. I thought it was a great point, and I think it’s a good way to use this space to to support the community cenotaph.”
“When COVID took over, we didn’t do any outreach regarding this. I did some informal outreach to other community members, it was received well. I realize now that my sample did not include all these voices critical of this.
“I neglected the step of formally solicited the community’s opinion.”
“I have my doubts that many people follow our agenda. With the pandemic, everyone is trying to just focus on themselves.”
He said that he was “subjected to many phone calls, drive-bys, and other feedback” against the project.
He said that because of that, he is no long in support of moving the Cenotaph, and requested the special council meeting.
“I know it is expensive, given that it’s under contract, but i believe it’s the price to pay for getting it wrong.” he said.
mayor Moore also pointed out that Councillor Nicholson was also a member of the Service.
Reeve Regier asked what the cost would be to leave the Cenotaph where it was and to complete the park as is.
CAO Trembley said that the replaced source of funding was the only cost as the grant can only be used for the Cenotaph, and ‘any cost associated with repurposing the pad.”
Councillor Olmstead “I really believe that this was a Little Lakes-like project that we were getting it right, that the community was really interested in it and happy.” he said. “There’s been an outpouring of emotions that is really unprecedented. I think we really missed the temperature and opinion of the community. I think we got it wrong, period.”
“Two in particular were in a threatening tone, and I don’t think that it does anything to use a threatening tone. I just tune it out.”
“We’ve seen a few projects that the community didn’t think they wanted. We’re always trying to improve the community. They think we’re not trying to, they don’t know what they do. The projects that they stopped, now they wanna go forward, and that ship was sailed.’
He read a quote from Aristotle: “There’s only one way to avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.” -Aristotle
“There’s something wrong with people attacking other people who are trying to improve the community.” he said
Councillor Daryl McLaughlin said he visited both sites, and thought it was ‘nice’.
‘I also got a slew of phone calls and emails, like Councillor Olmstead and Councillor Nicholson.” he said. “I didn’t get any positive phonecalls. If they don’t want it moved, that’s fine, I have no problem. But they have to realize if they don’t want it to move, it will not move in the future.”
He said he “would not be in favour” of revisiting it later.
Councillor David Mackay said that the current location was a hazard due to a culvert on the site.
He said he was in favour of moving the monument to the main street.”
“I’m not in favour of spending any more money than what it says on the contract.” Councillor Charlene Jackson said. “I don’t live there. I don’t have any ties to the fallen soldiers, except thanks that they fought on our behalf.”
“I’m not interested in adding any money to it at this time. We have made too many decisions in our budget last year. We made way too many decisions to change things.”
“I am not interested in spending any more money than what we are obligated to spend at this time.”
“We always hear from the negative people, and we never hear from the positive people.” She said. “I’m frustrated with all the negativity. I wish people who were in support of our projects would let us know.”
She said she didn’t want to revisit the process until next year, to see if “there’s any residue left over.”
Councillor Nicholson said that Jackson’s suggestion was “a prudent one.” He said that they should put the park back on the Westmeath Task force, to see if they want to improve the park.
Reeve Regier asked what happened to the grant, and if it can’t be used, which CAO Trembley reminded her that they applied for the grant ‘for the purpose of moving the Cenotaph’.
‘I don’t think staff have the capacity to go to committee and say “hey can we move that grant to Beachburg” when Beachburg has $7000 sitting in their bank account for that purpose.”
“The current site has no accessibility.”
He said 50,000 was allocated for the Westmeath boatlaunch, and the Committee recommended that the money be used for other purposes such as “bettering La Passe” until dredging issues on the Westmeath launch were better understood.
He said that they could decide the fundings source at the next regular meeting.
Councillor Jackson said she agreed with the CAO that they should use their funds. “Those were funds that were raised on behalf of the cenotaph, they should be using those.”
Mayor Moore said that “he could never understand why there were never any accessibility issues” with the current site, and why their were never any contact to their insurance over the site, which has a culvert presenting an accessibility risk.
“The traffic past that corner is drying up.” he said. He said the new location, near Kenny’s store, has more traffic.
“We did receive some positive feedback. We are trying to better the community.”
Councillor Nicholson put forward the motion to leave the Cenotaph in place, and that they only invest the contractually occupied money and determine the new source of funding to replace the grant at the next council.
Councillor McLaughlin seconded it.
Councillor Mackay said it was “really a shame” to not move it. “Lets give them a good location. It really drives me crazy that the naysayers can just hold us back. It’s so backward.”
The vote on whether to cancel the Cenotaph move and refund the grand was held as recorded vote.
Mayor Moore was not in favour.
Nicholson was in favour.
Mclaughing was in favour.
Olmstead was in favour.
Jackson was in favour.
Mackay was Not in favour.
Reeve Regier was in favour.
Councillor Mackay swore under he breath as the motion was declared carried with 5 in favour 2 opposed.
They voted to dispense of the motion, which was carried, and the meeting was adjourned at 5:26.
