Log Cabin Court House Grounds

Haldimand County Museum & Archives

Excerpts with Annotations:  From Councillor Morison's Prepared Speech in Support of Demolishing the Museum and Moving the Log Cabin *

I'd just like to say a few words if I may, and after that, you can read the new motion.
As all are aware, the ratification of this report was purposely delayed from last month to ensure that we had the ability to have the community weigh in after the planned public open houses, which took place on Nov. 22, 2016.  The open houses were well attended. . .[The vast majority of attendees were solidly against the county's proposals.]

I want to be abundantly clear that at no time did I or council ever contemplate cutting down any trees on this particular site or any site for that matter. [If sold, someone else will cut trees.]

Looking back, if we made an error, it was in saying that after the move to the consolidated administration property these lands where we are today would be declared surplus and sold.  What we should have said was that the lands would be declared surplus and a staff report would follow outlining ideas for considerations.  This is what would have happened anyway.  For no other reason than nothing happens at the county without a staff report. [Staff report outlining ideas and cost implications was not brought forward.]

Historic Log Cabin & Museum

This evening, I'm proposing that in an effort to move past this issue that all the lands remain owned by the county and used for public purposes.  I hope that everyone will be in favour to a lesser or greater degree with more green space. [What is meant by 'public purposes'?  Where is more green space coming from?]

In addition, the parking lot currently here can be as was contemplated be used as the trailhead parking for the CN Bridge Trail. [Parking behind Court House as per report.]
. . .
 I have certain ideas about how this property in part could have been used.  Many agree.  Others have other contrary ideas, and that's OK.  All of the ideas deserve consideration.  [As stated in THE HALDIMAND PRESS re: "seniors condos".]
. . .



Title Searcher Penny Plunkett *

At this stage, there has been sufficient debate and we have to make a decision.  The original plan has been altered to reflect the concerns of the museum board and members of the community. [Council's plan remains: demolish the museum, the Cayuga Admin Building, and move the log cabin.]
. . .

I met with the museum board twice and contacted and spoken by phone to all of the numbers.  After much consideration, I remain supportive of the "service delivery approach" proposed by staff in the report.  I fully recognize and support the general consensus of the community to maintain public ownership of the land for public purposes, and I support the traditional museum venue in conjunction with the staff proposed report.

And I'm currently making arrangements for an extra 800 sq. ft. to be put at the new structure.  And the further extra 800 sq. ft. to the new Cayuga library museum will add a total of 1,400 sq. ft. for the museum. [Fourteen-hundred sq. ft. in the library and eight-hundred sq. ft. storage in a new admin building basement is less than half the space available in the existing building.]


*Complete speech available at The Neat Little Bookshop [Transcript by Grant Church]

[As early as Sept. 2016, Councillor Morison spoke in the community of putting the museum into the new library.  As rumours circulated without facts and the community learned of council's intentions, there was an outcry regarding the future of the historic Court House Grounds.  At the eleventh hour, one day following the Nov. 21 Council Meeting at which ratification of the staff report was expected, an open house was hastily held. The vast majority in attendance were solidly against the county's proposals.  Morison held last-minute meetings and phone calls with the Haldimand County Museum Advisory Board.

The question remains why spend over $1,000,000 to remove the 4,400 sq. ft. museum from the property?  ]
*Penny Plunkett's presentation to council outlined the encumbrance on the Court House Grounds.  The land was left "In Trust", "For Ever", "for the purpose of erecting Gaol, Court House and other Public Buildings thereon."  What is meant by Morison's statement, "public purposes"?

Tomorrow:  The Motion

Registry Office Court House Grounds.  Genealogists and researchers can walk from one building to another.