In 1952 there was one lone Hackberry tree left in Ottawa near Brewer Park and the George Dunbar bridge. It had a white picket fence around it, and a sign that said “Do Not Destroy”. The late mayor of Ottawa, Charlotte Whitton, whose family lived in Carleton Place, insisted these trees be protected. Just like our Hackberry trees in Carleton Place.
For many years some citizens of Carleton Place have claimed that on March 8th, 1896 Charlotte was born in Carleton Place or lived here. Charlotte was actually born in Renfrew, Ontario but did spend some time visiting her grandmother here in Carleton Place as her father moved here with his mother as a young man.
Publicly, she was described as a “relentless and devoted war horse,” a “human dynamo,” “explosive” and a “little package of dynamite.” Privately, there were likely many who would have had far less kind things to say.. Read the rest here CLICK
If you thought the October 22 municipal election for Carleton Place was going to be run with integrity, compassion, and “heads sewn on straight”– your head was hiding in a bucket of water. I knew after a tumultuous 4 years the weeks up to the election were going to be nothing but a fright fest, and here we go.
Today Jerry Flynn dropped out of the race for mayor, and I would never tell you who to vote for but– do you really want another 4 years of the same? For anyone that does not understand what we went through then I guess you didn’t read the newspaper headlines, or see the TV news reports of how utterly stupid we, the people of the Carleton Place, looked to the outside world. If you don’t mind looking like that then I guess we don’t need change, and can just go ahead and vote for toxic candidates.
Yes, we have some old-school conservatism in our council, but that alone does not lead to those with a toxic vision. But, contemporary conservatism is, in part, defined by anti-establishmentism–and that does lead to toxic candidates. To me those are the folks that have opposition to the social and political establishment that have their own school of thoughts– that do things for their own benefit, not for others, as they just do not want to listen anyone else. It’s all about them– just like Trump.
I am very sad that Jerry has decided not to run for mayor, but life has to come first I know that– but, it also makes me wonder about things. The undercurrents I am feeling right now are not full of integrity or compassion and maybe something smells worse than a dead mouse in my walls. But you know what? That is my opinion and you do your own thinking.
The candidates running for the October 22 race aren’t all the same. They all share some form of different ideas, sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn’t. There are also some, like other elections, probably with ill-conceived ideas and an agenda to be pushed through. How much more do we want of this? Well it is up to you. Can Carleton Place stand another 4 disastrous years? I don’t think so– but hey, maybe I am wrong.
One could say globally and locally things are really screwed right now. We really need people to stand up for mayor and council of Carleton Place. We need some challenges here before we are in the headlines for another four more years. Don’t think it can happen? Just wait…
Update-
Doug Black and Ralph Lee in the running for mayor and Sean Redmond for deputy and here is the link
Well put and I agree with all of it. I decided to run because I was tired of this town, that I have come to love, being dragged through endless bad press and council meetings devolving to name calling and shouting matches.
I may be naive about some things but I feel at the core anyone running for municipal politics has to have the best interests of the town at heart. There can be disagreement on what is best but it has to be kept on a civil level and the facts have to come to the front. There is simply no room for personal issues when making decisions for the whole town.
We all want what is best for this town, every single person running, I have to believe that. Some have more interests than simply living here, as voters we need to decide if those interests coincide with what is best for the town. I have a little house in town, most of my friends live here, my kids go to school here and my family loves this town. That’s it.
Yesterday I read a local Carleton Place blog with the choice of words pretty close to what I call Trumpism. I attempt to listen to both sides, but lately in Carleton Place there is an ‘us and them’ and it just seems that the “inner workings of Carleton Place” have fallen to the bottom of the food chain while chaos reigns supreme at the top.
I am not going to post words from this gentleman’s blog called Political Aggression Inciting Violence –but here is the link. The last thing I want is to get into the “middle of it’ as I’d rather write about history and nostalgia. But, I CANNOT as a human being let these words slide. I just can’t!
I would place Las Vegas odds that there are a few truths to his story. But as usual– I feel most of it is just political spin focused on a much admired local citizen, or is it citizens, that has a different opinion than that of the writer. It is one thing to complain about a tree, storm water management ponds, etc.. but I believe there is no room for something like this in my world. The words seem to border on what I consider is a tantamount to hate speech.
I am now very worried about the upcoming town election and wonder how badly it is going to be out of control in thought, word and deed. How does the town of Carleton Place benefit from this? You tell me. I am sick to death of how people manipulate each other, and how even the best intentions are often laced with ulterior motives pitting us against each other.
Again, none of this helps Carleton Place, and something has to be done. It has all become nothing but a callous political game, and is hurting the town and its citizens. We need to stop these antics and end these tawdry political sideshows with seemingly endless chapters.
The late Hon William Templeman’s watch arrived in Almonte last week. It is a valuable gold timepiece with a hunting case and Roman numerals, and one of Mr. Tempton’s dearest possessions.
Since the death of the former Minister of Inland Revenue the watch has been in the possession of Miss Marion Templeman. She sent the watch and chain to her nephew, the namesake of the late minister, Mr. William Templeman, of the Fourth Line of Ramsay.
Mr. Templeman has given the chain to his brother, remarking to a representative of the Gazette, who asked him about it, that he didn’t want to be too selfish. The watch, therefore comes back to its old home in Lanark County. Hon. William Templeman was a native of Pakenham , the younger son of a Scotch couple who settled in that village.
Miss Marion Templeman, his only sister was his most valuable assistant in the Gazette, and helped much to build up the business. Soon after Mr. Templeman went west in 1884 to establish the Victoria Times, Miss Templeman followed, and she has resided there ever since. Every week regularly her copy of the Almonte Gazette is mailed to her.
Going back to Mr. Templeman’s watch it used to be remarked by newspaper correspondents on the Press Gallery of the House of Commons that the Minister of Inland’ Revenue too looked at the watch very frequently. There was a clock in the old Commons Chamber, but a look a t the clock did not suffice him; he had to pull out his watch and gaze at it lovingly for a moment or two before he was satisfied as to the correct time.
William Templeman, PC (September 28, 1842 – December 15, 1914) was a Canadian newspaper editor and politician. Born in Pakenham, Canada West, he was managing editor and owner of the Victoria Daily Times (now part of the Victoria Times-Colonist) newspaper, before first running as the Liberal candidate for the Canadian House of Commons for the riding of Victoria in the 1891 election. He was defeated in the election, in an 1896 by-election and in the 1896 federal election. Read more here: CLICK
The long-flourishing Almonte Gazette, in 1867, founded by William Templeman (1844-1914) who learned his printing trade with the Carleton Place Herald, went to British Columbia to found the Victoria Times, and became a member of the Senate, Sir Wilfred Laurier’s minister of inland revenue and the first Canadian minister of mines.
Carleton Place Fact–1878 – A separate High School of stone construction was built on High Street called the Prince of Wales School. During the course of bitter and widespread disputes and litigation, based on a division of business and real estate interests between the north and south halves of the town, the new school, though much needed remained unused for nearly five years. Photo from Comments About a Picture–Prince of Wales School(Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum)
When the Prince of Wales High School in Carleton Place was to be built a huge argument arose in town to where it should be situated. The “southsiders” wanted it on the north side of the river and of course the other side “the northerners” couldn’t see that side of the question. Finally, it was taken to a vote. Like recent municipal disagreements, they decided to take it to a vote and it was strictly open voting. In the end everyone knew how the other one voted–well you know how this is going to end up already.
It seems that each side thought of everything in order to win. *One side even brought in former residents to vote, whose legal qualifications to say the least, were very doubtful. Actually at that time there were more folks living on the South side than the North side. However, many of the South side voted for the North only for the ‘sensible reason’ that a lot of the building material had already been placed on High Street.
The day after the election a group of “Southerners” were discussing the result in front of Napoleon Paul Lavalee’s Hotel when along came Jasper Holland on his way from the Post Office with his newspapers in hand.
Jasper lived near the station on Miguel Street and was one of the chaps who thought he had the good sense to vote “North”. As he passed the hotel the gang hanging outside began to get unruly and they chastised the passerby for voting the way he did. Jimmie Gemmil who ran the grocery store where Mrs. Mulvey was once located began to get real testy with Jasper and said “the traitor” was not the worth the spit on the ground and it was nothing but treachery.
A fight broke out between the two but the others quickly separated the fight once Napoleon “Paul” Lavallee the hotel owner poked his head out the door. Jasper was quickly declared the winner and with a defiant look he asked if there was anyone else that wanted to argue. Receiving no reply Jasper picked up his “Family Herald” and “Weekly Star” and strode off in the direction of home.
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword; His truth is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on.
Bell vs Greig — This is an investigation (held under R.S.O cap. 204 S. 61) of complaint respecting the mode of conducting the election of the deft, as a Public School Trustee for the Village of Carleton Place. The Election was held 18 Nov. 1878
“If a Trustee of any School Corporation is convicted of a felony or misdemeanour, or absent himself from the meetings of the Board for three consecutive months, without being authorized by resolution entered upon its minutes, or ceases to be a resident within the school municipality for which he is a Trustee such Trustee shall ipso facto vacate his seat and the remaining Trustees shall declare his seat vacant and order a new election.”
In this case the affidavits established that Wm. Bredin, who had been regularly elected trustee in January 1877, ceased to be a resident of the school municipality in April last, and immediately before leaving notified his fellow Trustees that he resigned, and of his intention to leave.
On the 5th last, being the day for the regular monthly meeting of the School Board, said Bredin and one Wm. Weir (who stands in the same position as Bredin) returned to the school municipality temporarily, and these two men, together with the other ten trustees met, and certain proceedings were adopted or attempted to be so, which culminated in the appointment of two chairmen and two secretaries, and in a resolution (with others) being declared passed by one chairman that the Board of Education declared the seats or Wm. Weir and Wm Bredin vacant, and ordered the chairman, Mr. McArthur, to forthwith give the necessary notice and call a meeting of the rate payers to elect two Trustees in their places.The first point to be decided is, were the seats of Weir and Bredin vacant before the Nov. last.
By clause 38, absence from meetings for three consecutive months without being authorized by resolution entered on the minutes ipso facto vacates the seat. The resolution declared by Mr.McArthur may have been voted for by all the qualified Trustees, but the affidavits do not show so. The ten other than Bredin and Weir were allowed to vote at that meeting without opposition upon that resolution; only four voted ( I don’t count the votes of Bredin and Weir; they were clearly bad, as that resolution most be the act of the remaining Trustees) as. abstained from voting.
Their silence cannot be deemed acquiescence, as they allege they did not hear the motion. If the ten trustees have preserved their seats, a resolution voted on by less than the majority cannot considered carried in the absence of sent by the balance or enough to make a majority. In this view the election must fall to the ground, unless the Relator has debarred himself from complaining. All that is shown is that he did not protest or object, and that he held up bis hand on a show of hands being called for. No ease cited gods the length of showing that want of protest or objection is acquiescence.
I cannot see that participating in an unnecessary step can he considered as acquiescence in the election. I shall, therefore, set aside the election of James Greig, and order a new. election. The time and place will be fixed in the formal order to be drawn up. As to the coats, I have no sympathy whatever with the Relator in this matter. His affidavit leaves impression that the motion to appoint him chairman preceded that to appoint Mr. McArthur chairman, the fact being that the motion to appoint Mr. McArthur chairman was actually voted on by the whole 12 present before the other resolution was even moved.
Then he used the expression: “I and the five trustees who acted with me.” It is clear that the five trusties referred to actually voted at the election complained of. The vote polled was a very large one, and the majority for Mr. Greig considerable. It should have been submitted to the Relator who as aware of all the proceedings, and he took no steps to protest or object. I therefore give no coats to the Relator .
This was written way before talk of the Trump Mexican Wall
Hot off the CBC news yesterday was an item that the United States is ‘mulling over’ building fences along the border with Canada to help keep out terrorists and other criminals. “The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency has proposed the use of “fencing and other barriers” on the 49th parallel to manage “trouble spots where passage of cross-border violators is difficult to control.”
Does a fence really keep anyone out? I remember watching Ange work on one for almost a day years ago to keep our dog from running away. Hours later as the dog had also watched “the builder” intently, I clapped my hands for Zarry Boy to come. The dog took a long slow look at the new 12 ft. fence and within three seconds he cleared it and was free.
While I applaud anything that will keep our countries safe I wonder if this is the right way to go. There are no proposed drawings and they do not provide details about what the fence might look like. Will it blend in with the neighbourhood and “complement the natural landscape” and might Yogi Bear or other wildlife have problems migrating? Of course like most neighbours when someone is upgrading their yard there are many views on this subject and I though that I might share some:
“Will Americans build the fence? Or will they outsource the panels to China and use cheaper Mexican immigrant labor to install it?”
“Can we put ramps on both sides so that cars can jump the fence?”
“Maybe they can fence my backyard first?”
“It’s sad, when the fence goes up, no more cardiologists will be sneaking across in the middle of the night with H1 visas.”
“It won’t work in the wintertime because once the snow builds up around those things, sports minded terrorists can just snowmobile right over the top.”
”Some of the country the border passes through has not seen any human contact since the last time the U.S. Customs guy (landscaper) came through.”
(photo: CBC News)
“Just one thing, can we have the Canadian feds and their followers who agree to this on the OTHER side when it’s completed!”
“Shouldn’t the US be focusing more resources near the violent border on the south end instead? I mean a few Canadian moose on the loose crossing the border never hurt anyone.”
“If they build a fence we can keep out all the illegals out as well…..like Randy Quaid!”
“Does the wildlife get a say in this? Will they have tunnels for toads and hedgehogs?” Won’t this fence kill more birds than wind mills and God forbid it should be electrified. It will just end up becoming a giant wildlife zapper.”
“Whats next a shark ditch?”
“While they are at it they might as well build a fence around Hawaii too!”
“I can’t even keep cats out of my backyard with a mega-fence!”
“Will the fence extend over the top of the country so people won’t throw rocks on the other side?
“Are they afraid more Canadians will cross the border to buy cheaper booze?”
“Remember the movie ‘Escape from New York’? You just know Snake Plisskin will beat this!”
“Which will they build first, the fence, or the Keystone Pipeline? Well, I guess they’ll have to find a way to get that big oil pipeline over the fence. Not to worry we will install a number of shut off valves in the oil pipe.”
“All in all, its just another brick in “the wall”…
Photo by Linda Seccaspina 2011- Thousand Island Bridge- US/Canadian border
Last night during Kanye West’s acceptance of the Video Vanguard Award at the MTV Video awards, he made his bid for presidency in 2020. Fifty bucks says the VMAs made up that award for him so he could get some mic time and boost the ratings with his guaranteed-to-be-insane banter. Well played, MTV. Well played!
But then I ask myself–why not? Running for president for fun and profit has become a cottage industry. The year 2020 puts him outside the scrutiny and expense while still reaping some benefits. Is it really any more absurd than Trump? Is it? It’d be probably be fun. Assuming he’s serious, he’ll run for president, make mistakes we’ll shake our heads at, make us laugh, and then lose terribly at some point in the race. I’m down.!
Looking at the current candidates this coming American election Kanye isn’t that bad. It’s funny but–there are actually tens of thousands of people in the United States that would actually vote for him. Bad job market, pay disparities of workers/ CEOs, crappy everything and disappearing middle class.
In a country where all you need to be President is a billion dollars and a fan base, we can look forward to a string of rich famous Presidents. Congress must be wetting their pants over the prospect of egomaniacs that they can’t control being in charge. Perhaps that will get them working together to overturn Citizen’s United like nothing else possibly could. If he wins, Taylor Swift should interrupt his inaugural address.
All we need now is for Adam Sandler to make a really funny movie, and the Apocalypse to begin. I’d guess that West’s response to the last part of the Inauguration Day swearing in ceremony won’t be ‘I do’ but ‘Word.’
And— he’s probably also kidding about being president so calm down.
I don’t know what I’m finna lose after this it don’t matter though because it ain’t about me, it’s about new ideas bro people with ideas people who believe in truth. and yes, as you probably could’ve guessed by this moment I have decided in 2020 to run for president.” – Kanye West
Buy Linda Secaspina’s Books— Flashbacks of Little Miss Flash Cadilac– Tilting the Kilt-Vintage Whispers of Carleton Place and 4 others on Amazon or Amazon Canada or Wisteria at 62 Bridge Street in Carleton Place
(Photo by Tanya Harrison)
lindaseccaspina 