​More responses to fate of Secord Monument; and appreciation for hockey memories

To the Editor:
RE: “Kincardine okays $15,000 for facilitator to assist with process leading to decision on Secord Monument”

Before the Municipality of Kincardine hires a $15,000 consultant, I would like to suggest we hire a cement company to to make a pad to place this controversial tombstone/grave marker/monument with the other markers in the Kincardine Cemetery.

This could be a temporary location perhaps for the next 100 years.

This is a free suggestion.

Jim Tripp
Kincardine
 

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To the Editor and to the readers of the Kincardine Record:

The following link is to the article that reporter Liz Dadson wrote Sept. 6, 2018: www.kincardinerecord.com/story.php?id=6354.

It tells of Kincardine council’s decision to have the Secord Monument remain on Queen Street. It explains the request to have the monument removed, and the denial of that request.

That was passed by our council Sept. 5, 2018.

Why has this issue been brought forth again? And why does council not refer to this past decision?

Perhaps I am missing something, but in my opinion, this issue has already been presented, discussed and a decision made.

Dave Dunlop
Kincardine
 

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To the Editor:

After reading this post about the Jan. 24 council meeting and re-reading the inscription on the Secord monument, I believe it was given by the doctor’s patients and friends without any ill intentions but only a loving tribute to a doctor and man. Just like the tribute that is displayed in honour of Charles Mann.

I believe those who were involved in giving this monument would be very upset to see what is now happening to their loving tribute monument.

Kincardine is not a racist town and never has been. We have embraced all nationalities, as well as given refugees a new home! All without any acts of racism. We have worked together to help those who lost their homes to a fire or assist someone who has health issues and needs support! That’s what our community does; that is who we are!

In my own family, I have a great-nephew who has a black father. When he first came to visit Kincardine in his early teens, he commented how he seemed to be the only black person in our town and no one showed any discrimination against him.

He is now in his early 30s and father to a two-year-old daughter; his wife and his daughter’s mother is Muslim. He told me recently that he wants to bring his daughter to Kincardine to experience what he did as a teen. This is how he remembers Kincardine.

I have told him how diverse the town has become with many different nationalities and I believe all live here free from discrimination. Maybe I have missed something. I have not read or heard of any discrimination against any individuals happening in our town. If there have been, then please come forward.

What I mean are real acts of racial discrimination, harassment, violence, etc., that can be directly associated as a result of the inscription on the Secord Monument.

There are so many other areas this $15,000 could be used. For example, upgrading the playground area in Macpherson Park for the children in our town to enjoy.

Either place the monument back where it has been for many years without any discord or leave it safely in storage with its future to be dealt with by the next council.

Spending money on a facilitator, which will only cause yet more discord in our town, is not, in my opinion, going to resolve anything.

Whatever the final recommendation, it will not sit will with all of the residents. Let’s be the town we are known to be, where you are a stranger only once.

Judi Brown
Kincardine
 

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To the Editor:
RE: “Memories of hockey season”

Thanks, once again, to Ruth Anne Hollands Robinson for these memories of our old hockey team.

As a member of this team, and a couple of other teams, I have fond memories of all these players.

I had a copy of this picture but it was lost in a flood several years ago.

Glad that Ruth Anne keeps us informed.

Wayne Scott
Bracebridge