Tuesday, March 9, 2010

'Unequivocal Apology' to Meaford Residents

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Meaford
by Manny Paiva    

Let the healing begin.

That is how Meaford Mayor Francis Richardson started Monday night's meeting before reading a prepared statement of apology.

It was addressed to members of the Georgian Theatre Festival and residents connected to the reconstruction of the Meaford Hall.

The Mayor says there were "errors of judgement" by the municipality and Council offers this "unequivocal apology" for its way of dealing with other views at the time.

Council also vows to be more respectful of the range of views of its citizens.

The statement refers to the bitter dispute between the town and the Theatre group that started in 2006 before the GTF folded in 2007.

Former Theatre Festival Chair Betty Jean Findlay is happy with the apology.

She hopes it will further open the lines of communication so that residents can put aside their anger and feel a part of the community again.

Former board member Kate Belec says the apology was long overdue.

Findlay wishes the apology would have come sooner since two important board members have died of cancer since the dispute began.

And she claims the stress from the whole ordeal contributed to their failing health.

Still some of the 30 people in attendance at last night's (MON) meeting were skeptical of the apology.

Lauren Phinney wondered why former board members were not informed of the apology -- she only showed up because she heard about it on the street.

Even members of the new Georgian Theatre Festival didn't know about the apology.

Phinney says the apology was 'politically correct' since Council needs the Meaford Hall for the community to be successful.

But she wonders if Council will stand behind its residents or hang them out to dry again.

Phinney claims the issues from 2006 still exist today -- and she notes two members of the Council were part of the ordeal three years ago.

Findlay feels the Meaford Hall is a treasure -- but she says the entire community must embrace it so it can help Meaford grow.