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| Oshawa celebrates Columbus community centre | |
| September 16, 2009 | |
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| Back row from left are Bob Purdy, Rosemary McConkey, Andrew Bosson and Marguerite Klein. Seated are Anne Ehellas and Filomena Salomone. They are members of the Columbus Community Coalition and would like to separate from Oshawa to join Whitby. | |
| By Lindsey Cole The Oshawa Express As Oshawa gears up for the Columbus Community Centre’s 150th celebration in October, members of the Columbus Community Coalition are expressing their distaste for the entire event. During the first City Council meeting after the summer break tempers flared when Columbus coalition member Rosemary McConkey was told she couldn’t speak to council about her group’s objection to the heritage designation, which is essentially the whole purpose behind the Oct. 15 celebration. “I think you have made an error in not allowing me to speak,” she told councillors.“It’s a waste of taxpayers money.” Mayor John Gray was quick to point out that the matter required two thirds of council to approve of her speaking and it didn’t pass.“It (the Columbus Coalition’s letter of objection) will now go to the conservation board,” he explains.“You should withdraw the appeal.” |
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| Photo courtesy of the Columbus Coalition website Despite objections from some residents of Columbus the city is planning to celebrate the Columbus Community Centre in October. |
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But McConkey has no such intention. She previously told The Oshawa Express that the City of Oshawa has simply burned too many bridges. A commemorative plaque isn’t going to fix that and some residents of the hamlet are still determined to separate and join Whitby. The idea behind the separation began in March after several residents expressed their distaste for the City of Oshawa and how they were being treated. Residents say concerns for the hamlet’s well being stemmed from being ignored during budget time when it came to decorative lighting in the town as well as high property taxes. A letter was then sent to Jim Watson, the minister of municipal affairs and housing. It was put forth by some residents of the community, as they felt compelled to ask for a more responsive local government. They felt they weren’t being heard by the City of Oshawa. According to the letter, the 407 east extension will create a barrier between Columbus and Oshawa. It also states Columbus phone numbers are already listed in the Brooklin directory, the closest fire station is in Brooklin, and the hamlet is represented federally and provincially by Whitby members of government. |
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| Historically, before 1974, the hamlet was in the township of East Whitby, and the Town of Whitby will better recognize and acknowledge the needs of Columbus just as they have done with Brooklin, Myrtle and Ashburn. These concerns were taken to city council who directed staff from the Development Services Committee to meet with Columbus residents to discuss strategies to make sure Columbus retains its character within Oshawa and that staff from economic development sit with them to come up with a formula that makes everyone happy. A special meeting is also supposed take place sometime this month. But the celebration must go on, says Councillor Brian Nicholson, who moved a motion that additional correspondence be sent to residents of Columbus explaining the designation and council’s view on it.“I was disappointed to hear that some residents were against the designation. It’s is part of our collective heritage as a community,” he says. While McConkey did try and get a few words in during the meeting, her statements came just after council granted $2,500 to the Columbus Community Centre Sesquicentennial Celebration Coordination Committee for expenses associated with the event. Another $1,000 was also given from the contingency fund to Heritage Oshawa’s Cathy Clarke for a mini-documentary on the centre, which will be played at the celebration.“The building has been very significant to the community,” says Clarke. “It’s really such a significant, momentous day that we really wanted to do something special.” |
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©2008 Dowellman Publishing Corp, All Rights Reserved
