Ed Tetu
Dear editor:
Stratton celebrated its centennial in 2003. It was a very nice time and I, for one, enjoyed meeting old friends that I hadn’t seen in years.
Thank you to everyone who made it a success!
Part of the centennial celebrations was to have a book published, recording the history of the community. Many people turned over to the committee precious family keepsakes, including pictures, with the promise that these items would be “treated with great care and returned.”
The original plan was to have the history book published and made available during our centennial year.
In 2009, my nephew tried to push for some accountability from the committee and took up a petition. He presented the petition, and letters from concerned citizens, to the reeve at the time.
I felt compelled to take up Shawn’s cause and in August, 2011, I attended a council meeting requesting that council, as a whole, write a letter or, in some other way, try to pressure the committee to act.
I was told by the present reeve that council would not write a letter. According to the documentation that I have, he was the original centennial committee president. He was also on the finance committee.
I have been informed that $18,525 has been paid to the publisher in Altona, with $11,500 from pre-paid book deposits. At $30 per book, that works out to be 385 deposits.
There are approximately 50 names on the petition requesting a refund. Some of these people gave deposits for three, four, and more books. There have been many of my friends and relatives that have passed on and will never see the book.
Would there be 200 of the deposits that still want a book? I very much doubt it. But how would I know as I am not allowed to see the financial records?
Two committee members attended the council meeting on Dec. 14, 2011. They requested financial assistance in the amount of $40,000 to cover the cost of printing the books and for the reimbursement of book deposit fees should it be necessary.
Not with my tax dollar!
I almost said that I was ashamed to call Stratton home. I am not. Far from it! The people of Stratton are, in my opinion, good, honest, caring folk.
The people of the community have done many wonderful things for my family and myself, and are always there when you really need them!
You know who you are. Thank you.
For the two or three that have shaken my faith in people, you also know who you are. Every time you see me, hopefully you will remember. . . .
Signed,
Ed Tetu
Stratton, Ont.
