​Readers angry with Kincardine council’s mishandling of Secord Monument

To the Editor:

The so-called “Secord Seven” on our current Kincardine council should resign over the gross mishandling of the Secord Monument and pay any resulting litigation costs.

This issue had already been put to rest by a previous council.

Barry Holt
Kincardine
 

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To the Editor:

I would like to add my voice to the rest of the letters to the editor, regarding the way the Secord Monument was handled by our municipal council.

I read with disgust the way council and its legal team ignored the requests from David Secord and his family, with respect to the monument. And not just once, but repeatedly! How utterly embarrassing!

In numerous previous letters to the editor, prior to the destruction of the monument, Kincardine residents pleaded with council to rethink its decommissioning and destruction. They provided historical facts regarding Dr. Solomon Secord's service in the civil war.

But just like the Secord family, they, too, were ignored.

After reading David Secord's accounting of the war, it just reinforced what others have been saying all along. Dr. Secord was a good and decent man.

Not only have I lost faith in this council, I have totally lost respect.

Thank you to councillor Bill Stewart, for listening to the residents of Kincardine and for trying to do the right thing regarding the monument.

M. Lawson
Kincardine
 

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To the Editor:

This letter is regarding the Secord Monument fiasco.

In an article in the Kincardine Record, dated Oct. 12, 2024, regarding the possible reduction in the number of councillors on Kincardine council, one sentence stood out.

After councillor Bill Stewart expressed his concerns and asked if public consultation might be required, the mayor replied, "If council just decides to reduce the number by two, no public consultation would be needed." This is a direct quote from the article.

Not the response I would have expected from someone who is supposed to represent the entire community.

Perhaps a bit more public engagement and research regarding the actual ownership of the Secord Monument might have prevented this mess.

Steve Hasbury
Kincardine
 

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To the Editor:

When I was out and about talking to people about Dr. Solomon Secord’s Monument, many, many people felt it should be placed where it had been.

I was very distressed when I heard Kincardine council had decided to destroy it. I feel many in Kincardine felt the same way.

Barbara Gamble
Kincardine
 

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To the Editor:

The letters to the editor I just read I’m sure are conclusive of the sentiments of the majority of the people of our municipality.

The short-sightedness of members of this council, in pushing for the destruction of this piece of the history of our municipality, shows the lack of thought and respect that was exhibited in their deciding the asinine way to destroy it.

The worst part was the way they imitated sheep following a billy goat which is the best way to load sheep on a livestock trailer.

Two councillors, who claimed to have spent exhausting hours researching the history of this great man and still got it wrong, let the rest of council, except for the only one who showed any common sense, follow them down the path to nowhere.

Then there is the “Speaker of the House,” showing his contempt when offered solutions and not even replying to the offers, as well as not replying to the family when they gave notification of their wishes to have the monument returned to them.

These people were treated as if they did not exist.

It’s instances like this that make residents wonder how many other foolish decisions have been made that were not exposed like this one.

I do hope with all my heart, that we can return to the type of municipality with people who care for one another instead of trying to make waves about things that only involve their way of thinking.

Regards to all,
Dave Cuyler
Former Kincardine councillor