01 24 2011 History Minutes6b) - Minutes of Oro - Medonte History Assoc...
January 24, 2011 Minutes
Oro- Medonte History Association
Attendance: Geoffrey Booth, Chair; Bruce Wiggins, Vice - chair; Allan
Kirkland, secretary; Justin Hodgkinson, Parks/Rec. department
Regrets: Jadeen Henderson
Invited: Joanna McEwen and Paul Marshall
Minutes of October 18 meeting previously circulated and moved by Bruce and seconded
by Allan they be accepted.
Rail Trail Committee Presentation given by Joanna and Paul
Paul gave a budget overview $20,000 total budget with $10,000 from the Township and
the remainder through private donation /sponsorship and an application to the County for
$5,000 that will be voted on tomorrow. To date area families have sponsored signage for
up to S 1,000 each sign. They are the families of Fell, Anderson, Campbell, Crawford,
Shoemaker, and Shaw so far. They will also be approaching the Mnjikaning Band
Council for sponsorship of a crossing where early First Nations fished.
Joanna showed us the size of the signs and examples of two showing the information that
will be on them. How the railway influenced the economy of the Township is the
underlying thread for all these plaques along with information about what is in the area
around each crossing. The discussion included the expanding eco- tourism market.
Geoff thanked them for all their hard work on preserving history.
New Business
1. Report of January 13 ad hoc meeting on moving signage in Township was
given by Geoff with input from Joanna and Paul who also attended the
meeting. This was the result of the Black History plaque being moved from
the Ridge Road to the Rail Trail last year on suggestion from the Rail Trail
Committee. The meeting was to discuss a process for approving things like
this without by passing any parties involved. Paul discussed the background
on why it was suggested to move it last year. Geoff gave a brief background
on the parking area at Thunder Bridge that already has a sign and the rail trail
committee is putting up two historical signs there this year. Allan suggested
they return the plaque to its original spot and put direction signage on the rail
trail to it. Two things that came of the discussion are: 1. Tim Crawford has
volunteered to make up a policy for the Township regarding anything of
historical value that would need consultation prior to the Township doing
anything to or with it -- without due process. 2. The OMHA needs to compile a
list of what would be considered historical with examples given from crooks
in roads to buildings, trees, areas, etc.
2. McMillan cabin repairs —not done yet and Bruce will follow -up once Geoff
sends him the email again. Shawn Binns is doing up a proposal for the by -law
to protect the cabin and Justin will remind him. Bruce has not contacted
Shirley Partridge for the history of the building but he will do so.
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6b) - Minutes of Oro - Medonte History Assoc...
3. Phone call from Shawn Binns, re: donor inquiry regarding donation of the doll
at the African church celebration last fall has again resurfaced the issue of the
storing of donated articles in the Township. A lively discussion ensued
especially regarding paper articles and poor storage of our articles in the
Township Administration basement along with the many number of times we
have been given space only to lose it to other priorities of the Township. It
was suggested that our archive of paper /pictures be stored at the Simcoe
County Archives where they will at least have some hope of surviving and
being catalogued. As a result we will have an in -depth discussion and
make a policy /recommendation for Council at our next meeting.
4. Wikipedea has an article on the African Church that is full of mistakes. Joanna
will forward the site to Geoff and next meeting we will look at making
corrections and references.
5. Justin brought forward Don Campbell's request for a map from the 1960 era
for a display of the old school locations that he will have for Oro Fair. We
suggest he checks with the Simcoe County Archives.
6. Justin asked for input into the Spring Parks and Recreation flyer for the
history page. We suggest
• The summer hours for the African Church
• Nevis # 16 one room school reunion is this summer so the information for that
(Sheila will forward it to Justin)
• The antique tractor rally/Heritage Day information (Brice will email to
Justin).
7. Suggestion was put forward that Council ask the Roads Department to
place a culvert and start filling the lot beside the African Church this
spring. All agreed it was a good idea.
Correspondence
1. Annual membership fee for Simcoe County Historical Association in the
amount of $15 was given to Justin to submit for payment on our behalf.
2. Email from Paul Marshall with the 1812 200`b Anniversary video link was
discussed and Paul volunteered to assist with any projects that are proposed.
Justin has heard plans are starting and will keep us posted on what Council
would like done. We do feel that Penetanguishene Road should be designated
as a Historical site.
3. Allan received an email about a family history inquiry, which he will forward
to us.
4. Email from Terry McMillan giving permission for John and Bruce to repair
the cabin roof was received.
5. Email from Sandie Spaatz with the accession receipt attachment was
circulated to all members with email.
Next Meeting
February 14, 2011 at 6pm at the Northway Restaurant will be to deal with our files at the
Township and all our historical articles stored in various locations.
Adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Sheila Kirkland -- secretary
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