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A Jewel is lost and a crown tarnished…
On March 22, 2010, the City of Burlington effectively lost a jewel in the heritage crown when Council could not make a decision on the relocation of the Freeman Station. On May 31, 2010, some 70 days later, not only was that jewel lost but the heritage crown of the City tarnished, as Council again failed to come together and save the Station. Instead of locating the Station they received and filed the report and directed Staff to find a new “owner “ and report back in six months. If no owner is found the Station is to be demolished. Last night, June 14, 2010, Council voted to dispose of the Station. Demolishing the station is irrevocable and permanently tarnishes our heritage crown, but questions the values that we place on heritage and culture in Burlington.
So why couldn’t Council decide on a location? This question was asked by the Mayor, during the Committee meeting. He concluded that it seemed a few negative responses on a site and Council was turned off. We may never know the answer why. Perhaps each member of Council had a very good reason.
Now we have 6o days to watch the grand old lady – much like a prisoner on death row wondering when the end will come. She will sit proudly as she has for over 100 years and innocently wait and then on a cold December evening Council will make their ultimate decision to have it disposed. This Council couldn’t make that choice. Ironically it will fall to a new Council to make that decision – what a legacy to pass on.
Over the next six months there will no doubt be an out pouring of comments some in favour of demolition and some not. We do know that her glorious past is exactly that, past, and her future, not so bright. We will always remember her for what she did to help make the Town of Burlington a City.
Like a pet owner watching his/her pets life slide away; the heritage groups will also be watching her in the final days. We can hear the fat lady singing in the wings now – it’s just a matter of time albeit a short time compared to her colourful history, before the singing will stop and then the silent air broken by the sound of her wooden walls being crushed, her life finally squeezed out of her and hauled to the land fill site out of view and out our mind forever. A terrible way to treat our culture and heritage…
