SaltToday

COLUMN: Mayor's move has rendered statue 'unbearably toxic'

I think Mark gives very generous assumption in writing that “McIsaac lacked the wisdom to see how horribly divisive replacing the statue would be, how much work toward reconciliation it would undo, and how terribly hurtful it would be to people who have already suffered so much.”Those of us who have been oppressed by violence in any of its forms easily recognize a man who cares more about control than about human beings and our experiences. We see it like most see a shiny red car parallel parked. We see it the way most see smoke rising from a chimney or a cliff edge. It’s effirtless.Based on his actions and his choices as mayor, especially about controversial and divisive issues, it’s my opinion that Don McIssac is one of those men who value control and power over most everything else. In my experience, those who live like this have very low emotional IQs and regulation skills—whether by choice or by circumstance (usually) from younger years.We need better leaders.

- Jenny Mac

Council holding special meeting Friday over fate of Champlain

I do not understand nor agree with the local Indigenous population who demand and expect to have the overriding decision on which historical information is included in our Orillia mosaic. I believe my history is at least as important as the local Indigenous version. Suggest the monument be moved to the Art and Cultural center on Peter St as we the taxpayers are paying dearly to continue to support that institution. Surely Orillia can make some decisions that do not require the pre-approval of the local Indigenous people.

- Tim 21

COLUMN: Mayor's move has rendered statue 'unbearably toxic'

Mark - you so perfectly represent Orillia. Humanity. History. Kindness. Reason. On this issue, as on all issues, you see both sides and understand both sides. You understand process, democracy and even, disagreement. I think I speak for many Orillians when I say. PLEASE run for mayor.

- John R.

COLUMN: Mayor's move has rendered statue 'unbearably toxic'

Talk is cheap , throw your hat in the ring and see if u can do a better job.

- Mel St.Onge

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COLUMN: Mayor's move has rendered statue 'unbearably toxic'

One issue is the idea of Rama getting veto power over happenings in Orillia. Can you imagine if Orillia starting telling Rama or other First Nations what to do moving forward? That is not reconciliation. Respectful dialogue for sure but for goodness sakes, the figures on the statute were Ouendat, not Annishinabe. What does the remaining Wendake nation feel about it? They did send a large contigent to help honour Champlain's death. If the Ouendat feel that the statue should remain, that should hold the greatest weight. If they have decided they no longer support it, that's a strong reason to remove it. It's them on the statue, afterall. And I haven't heard their voices one time during the entire process. How does one First Nation have the ability to help erase the history of another?

- Carleton

Council holding special meeting Friday over fate of Champlain

I vote for the statue to be in the park. Not more of the taxpayers money spent to move it over and over. It is a beautiful bronze sculpture that should be enjoyed by the people who love it and not looked at by the people who don't.

- Polo

New Champlain Monument design on council agenda Monday

A location on university avenue for a new hospital would be by far preferred to anything near the downtown area . The city will continue to expand to surround the university campus and a new hospital and transportation routes can be planned for that as the growth evolves. Anywhere near the downtown cannot accommodate more traffic or parking.

- What?

COLUMN: Mayor's move has rendered statue 'unbearably toxic'

Mark, Thank you for writing such a heartfelt piece about the monument. Like you, I remember the monument going back many years, and like you I have reached the conclusion that it is time for it to go. Reconcilliation is so fragile. It does not take much to put us back years and that is what has happened over the past week. It takes people like you to hopefully push the needle back again. Thank you. And to the people of Rama, I am profoundly sorry.

- Pat Hehn

COLUMN: Mayor's move has rendered statue 'unbearably toxic'

Mayor McIsaac should have the statue removed to preserve what little remains of his legacy. Currently he appears to be an arrogant narcissist who does not respect the roles of elected councillors in my opinion.

- retired optimist

COLUMN: Mayor's move has rendered statue 'unbearably toxic'

Very well said. A poor decision by someone not cut out for public service and all that it entails.

- Mal Wright

Council holding special meeting Friday over fate of Champlain

The CAO and staff have offered what appears to be a mature and responsible strategy. Thank you very much. On the other hand, the fact that Mayor McIsaac 'will no longer accept calls from Orillia Matters due to its comments policy' is shocking. He has chosen to have no public voice and will communicate only with his followers on social media. Thank you to Orillia Matters for your policy that allow readers a choice: use our real names or a pseudonym. Those of us who choose to protect our privacy in this small city, many of whom are involved in public organizations, are grateful. Regarding the overall content policy, OM does a very good job keeping out bad language, bigotry, violence, etc. Could it be the volume of readers' comments against the Mayor's ever increasing missteps is upsetting to him, not the policy at all?

- Magiccat

New Champlain Monument design on council agenda Monday

On the contrary, a location downtown and easily accessible to the city's most vulnerable residents would be far preferable to one in the middle of nowhere, accessible only by car. One only has to look at Barrie to see how moving health care out of the city is a huge mistake, and the idea that downtown cannot accommodate more traffic or parking is laughable.

- Colin Morton

New Champlain Monument design on council agenda Monday

What is the point of a council meeting if McIsaac just does whatever he pleases anyway?

- John R.

New Champlain Monument design on council agenda Monday

Spending any amount of money on the statue is totally neglectful and shameful when Orillia has poor infrastructure support for roads, snow removal, sewer issues, lacking social programs. Council members who support this are out of touch with the community. Please use common sense.

- R Adams

New Champlain Monument design on council agenda Monday

Of course the hospital should be downtown. Lakehead should’ve been as well. Successful cities are built around their core, not by hollowing them out and moving infrastructure and services to the suburbs. Orillia cannot continue to repeat mistakes made by Barrie decades earlier.

- Colin Morton

COLUMN: Mayor's move has rendered statue 'unbearably toxic'

Writing a narrative? Is that the same as playing pretend? Asking for a friend

- Flax Seed

COLUMN: Mayor's move has rendered statue 'unbearably toxic'

Your relationship to the monument mirrors my own, Mark. I would rather let it go forever than see it restored, in any fashion, without the blessing and active participation of the First Nations. As magnificant as the monument is from an artistic perspective, it is an anathema to reconciliation. Its return to public view would be a Pyrrhic victory that wreaks enduring harm. Any fond memories of the monument are from a time that is gone forever; as they say, you can't go back.

- Gerry Hawes

Durnford weighs code of conduct complaint as mayor defends decision to resurrect Champlain

It is my opinion, as I have attended quite a few of the council meetings that this was all clearly documented, and that the council passed the duties on the committee and since the Mayor was the only one left on the committee he got the tasks done

- Carmen Novosky

Council holding special meeting Friday over fate of Champlain

We literally stole their land, I think you can get over the loss of one statue

- ElizabethMK

New Champlain Monument design on council agenda Monday

I was always of the opinion that any return of the monument could be accomplished only with considerable, empathetic, and researched dialogue. I was not in any hurry, especially considering our neighbours had real ideological wounds associated with the monument. If your friends are going to be angered by something, do you just ignore it? I never saw a signal that it would never return under any circumstances. This sleight of hand manoeuvre has taken a simmering flame and poured jet fuel on it. Guess the plan to unilaterally put it back and just wait people out while it sits tarped up isnt going so well. The hatred online from 'both' sides is now full on toxic. Well done. I suppose the upside is that we should have increased police presence in 'the park', we're going to need it. As well, we now have record number of passionate 'history' experts in Orillia. I grew up with the monument in the park, I thought it was pretty cool. I could've survived without it. What a disgusting shame.

- Patrick Reid