"Cowardice asks the question...is it safe? Expediency asks the question...is it politic? Vanity asks the question...is it popular? But conscience asks the question...is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but one must take it because it is right." ~Dr. Martin Luther King

Saturday 19 January 2013

HISTORY.....1967

In 1967, Canada was swept away  with excitement over the national celebration of  a hundred years of history.
The Honorable Judy La Marsh was Minister of State and responsible for the affair. It was a marvelous success. The lady never  received the credit due.
The Honorable Lester B. Pearson was Prime Minister. 
The federal government either had or  had acquired a collection of railway engines. 
They let it be known the engines  were available to any municipality  interested in  creating a museum. 
Jack Moore was a citizen of Aurora. At York University, he  was  responsible for promotion of  special events. He brought news of the availability of the engines .
It  was my first year elected. The idea  seemed perfect for Aurora. 
There was great excitement. We were Head of Steam   end destination for the first train out of Toronto. 
The town owned 14.5 acres of property  know as the Petlovany land. It was forfeit  for non-payment of taxes. 
It had a railway easement.
The town moved to acquire the collection but was stopped in her tracks. 
The  Reeve took the issue to the Ontario Municipal Board to stop the project. 
The move was effective. 
The project was abandoned.        

No comments: