WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE REALITIES OF EXCLUSION AND HOW IT HURTS OUR HOMETOWN
NAGGING INEQUALITIES SWEPT UNDER THE CARPET - THE PREFERENCE SEEMS TO BE…..LET THE WRINKLES IN A GOOD PLAN, IRON THEMSELVES
IT'S A DISCUSSION LONG OVERDUE, AT THE MUNICIPAL LEVEL. I HAVE WRITTEN ABOUT THE ISSUE OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC INEQUALITIES, REAL AND PERCEIVED, IN OUR TOWN, DATING BACK AT LEAST TWO YEARS. THERE'S NOT A LOT OF INTEREST IN THIS KIND OF SPECULATIVE ASSESSMENT, BUT YOU KNOW, YOU CAN ONLY KICK STUFF UNDER THE CORNER OF A CARPET FOR SO LONG, BEFORE YOU CREATE A NAVIGATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY HAZARD. IT BECOMES SO PROMINENT, YOU JUST CAN'T FOB-IT-OFF ON THE CARPET'S MANUFACTURER, HAVING TO RELUCTANTLY ADMIT, USING IT TO COVER OVER SWEPT-UP DEBRIS. IN GRAVENHURST, THIS NEAT AND VIBRANT COMMUNITY, TUCKED BETWEEN TWO BEAUTIFUL MUSKOKA LAKES, WE HAVE A DEEPENING, WIDENING CHASM BETWEEN THOSE WHO HAVE, AND THOSE STRUGGLING TO KEEP FOOD ON THE TABLE AND A ROOF OVERHEAD. WHILE AT CHRISTMAS TIME, THE OUTPOURING OF CHARITY IS HEART-WARMING, THE REST OF THE YEAR, FOR A LOT OF OUR CITIZENS, IS QUITE DISHEARTENING. I'M CONFIDENT THEY ARE OVERWHELMED BY THE MANY ACTS OF KINDNESS, THEY RECEIVE FROM THE CITIZENS OF THIS COMMUNITY, BUT IN REALITY, THE BURDEN OF ECONOMIC CRISIS, DOESN'T DISAPPEAR BECAUSE OF GLAD TIDINGS AT CHRISTMAS. THERE ARE SERIOUS DIVISIONS DEVELOPING IN OUR TOWN, THAT WILL HAVE TO BE DEALT WITH IN THE COMING YEARS, OR IT WILL BECOME EVERYONE'S BURDEN. PARTICULARLY IN TERMS OF TAXES. I'M PRETTY SURE, I'M BREAKING GROUND ON THIS ONE, AND YET IT SHOULD BE OBVIOUS. WHEN WE LOOK AT THE PROGRESS WE HAVE MADE, OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, AND THE IMPROVEMENTS WE'D ALL LIKE TO ACHIEVE FOR OUR TOWN IN THE COMING TWO YEARS, WHY MUST THERE ALWAYS BE A DOWN SIDE? THERE'S SOMETHING STANDING IN THE WAY OF TRUE PROSPERITY. AND IT DOES HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH WHAT HAS BEEN SWEPT OUT OF SIGHT, FOR A LOT OF YEARS.
FOR THOSE READERS, WHO DON'T PRESENTLY LIVE IN GRAVENHURST, OR WHO HAVE FAMILY HERE, AND JUST WISH TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE TOWN, I MUST TELL YOU THAT THIS IS A MARVELOUS, CHARMING SOUTH MUSKOKA COMMUNITY, AND NOT JUST IN THE QUAINT SEASONAL DECORATION OF A WINTER SNOWFALL…..AS IT IS RECEIVING AT THIS MOMENT, HITTING AGAINST MY OFFICE WINDOW. MY WIFE AND BUSINESS PARTNER, SUZANNE, HAS JUST ANNOUNCED HER RETIREMENT FROM TEACHING, THIS COMING JUNE, AND WE ARE BOTH LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR GENTLER YEARS, LIVING THE GOOD LIFE HERE IN OUR VIBRANT LITTLE HOMETOWN. IT'S THE ONLY PLACE WE WANT TO LIVE. IT'S WHERE OUR FAMILY HAS CHOSEN TO LIVE AND DO BUSINESS. BUT WE AREN'T BLIND OR INDIFFERENT, TO THE PROBLEMS THAT PULL US DOWN, WHEN WE WISH TO MOVE UPWARD. SO WHAT I AM ABOUT TO RELATE, DOESN'T MEAN THE TOWN IS SOMEWHAT UNWORTHY, BECAUSE IT HAS NEGLECTED SOME PROBLEMS. IT CAN ALL BE CORRECTED, IF THERE IS A WILL TO DO SO. THE FIRST STEP, AND IT IS THE MOST DIFFICULT, IS TO REALIZE THAT WE HAVE CREATED A MODERN DAY CONUNDRUM, BASED ON APPEARANCE, PERCEPTION, ARROGANCE AND IGNORANCE, AND WHILE THIS SOUNDS PRETTY NASTY, THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF IT, COMES DOWN TO THE CREATION OF PLACES SOME OF OUR CITIZENS WILL NOT GO…..VISIT, ATTEND, SUPPORT, OR PARTICIPATE. WHY IS THIS A PROBLEM? EVERYONE HAS A RIGHT TO DECLINE TO VISIT SOME ATTRACTIONS, AND PARTAKE OF SERVICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE ELSEWHERE. THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT, IS THERE? I'LL GIVE AN EXAMPLE, OF HOW IF IS BECOMING A SERIOUS PROBLEM, AND WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT IT……IF OUR TOWN COUNCIL SEES IT AS SOMETHING THAN CAN BE MITIGATED BEFORE IT BECOMES A LARGER OBSTACLE. IT'S UP TO THEM TO LEAD THE WAY, TO A MORE INVOLVED COMMUNITY.
A FAMILY ON LIMITED MEANS, AND WE TOOK ADVANTAGE OF ANYTHING FREE FOR OUR BOYS
I've written at length, and even with some pride, how our family struggled with economic hardship, back in the early 1990's. It was during a period of recession and real estate price reductions, that caught a lot of people off guard, and caused many foreclosures and personal and commercial bankruptcies. Jobs were lost and opportunities were few and far between. For most of our boys' childhood, here in Gravenhurst, we didn't have much money for recreation spending. We managed to stay afloat and meet all our obligations, although at daybreak it always seemed another day's "impossible dream," to make enough at our little antique shop, and with freelance writing, to cover the overdue bills, and put food on the table. As I've noted previously, Suzanne is a home economist, from pioneer stock here in Muskoka, and she kept us hale and hardy through the worse part of the downturn.
During this period, and while I worked at our Bracebridge shop, Suzanne would take the boys to anything through the year, that was free, and that would entertain them for an hour or so. There weren't a lot of choices but she always seemed to find something on a summer Saturday, to occupy their interests, without costing a lot of money……that she didn't have. One of the favorite places to visit on their travels, was to stop in at Bethune House, especially if there was an event going on, and free cake and lemonade being served. They usually had some celebration for Canada Day. But with admission free, she might show up with the wagon-kids, any day of the week, if she could get in without paying. It's not that we were cheap. Just broke. Andrew and Robert's red wagon was parked outside the historic site quite often in those days, and the boys got an important history lesson, each time they showed up. They loved going down to Sagamo Park to see the Segwun, and we used to picnic on the shore green-space, before the Ned Hanlon movie crew built the present steamship ticket office, at the wharf. The park was pretty rustic and industrial looking then, but it was a nice alternative to some of the other sites around town that were getting a little boring. But unfortunately, and it used to break Andrew's heart, that we couldn't even afford to go out on the shortest Segwun lake tour, which was just a little more than an hour long.
I remember Suzanne taking them to a Canada Day celebration at the newly refurbished Sagamo Park, back in the early stages of redevelopment, and the event was free for youngsters……..except one aspect. At a point during the children's games, part of the celebration of Canada Day, a co-ordinator came to say it was time for everyone to come and board the Segwun. Suzanne didn't know what to think, and Andrew and Robert were beside themselves with excitement, that they were going to get a trip on the Segwun at last. Then it was revealed, the trip was going to require an admission price. That day, she would have had enough money to buy them some food treats for a little picnic, but not much more. I always hated having to say no to adventures like this, all the other kids that day were going to enjoy. As a parent, who made some bad calls on investments, and helped get us into the economic quagmire, it was my responsibility to wipe away the tears. It became kind of routine because we had to say "no" a lot, over quite a few years.
They did find great recreation with books at the public library, when it was in the Carnegie Building, and they spent a lot of time at Gull Lake Park, where we had many picnics, and swimming parties at the beach. It was the time we began going to the Music on the Barge programs, on Sunday nights, because it was an affordable social / recreational opportunity for the whole family. We always had some change to drop in the buckets, to help our friend Fred Schulz finance the summer season concerts, and we'd have an economical picnic during the show. Now here's a point of actuality, to consider. As we felt welcome at Gull Lake Park, a real jewel for this town, the boys got their first exposure, up close and personal, to the entertainment business, courtesy Mr. Schulz. It's where both Andrew and Robert got the idea, that one day, they'd also like to be on The Barge……both as entertainers, which they have fulfilled, and working with Fred as part of his technical team. So what began as summer evening entertainment, for a family a little down on their luck, became a lifestyle change…..such that both boys have been involved with The Barge for about a decade now, even bringing their friends, Luke Thompson and James Luciebello, aboard, as crew; and as a direct spin-off, have re-invested in their hometown, with our present vintage music and antique shop on the main street. All linked back to the affordable concerts and the welcoming good cheer of Gull Lake Park.
Over the years, Bethune House instituted an admission, and cruising on the Segwun wasn't a priority, when money was tight. We saved up, and had many trips aboard as our economy improved, but we still look at it today as a luxury…..and I'm sorry to say this…..but a trip for another day. We say that a lot, and I'm sure others do as well. Expenses for other recreational activities are perceived in much the same way, including hockey, baseball, swimming and soccer registration. While there may be subsidies offered to families with lesser incomes, or on referrals, many citizens of this town just opt to avoid the issue entirely, and keep their kids out of these programs. Which is a real shame. We were in the same boat. I like to think we gave them worthy recreational opportunities, by taking them canoeing and camping when we could muster the funds. We got out of our economic funk after about seven years of recovery. Some individuals and families today in our town, have many more years to look forward to, of economic despair.
Several years ago, and there is a record of this, I began harping at the town, regarding the cost of programs, specifically swimming, at the soon to be opened, recreation centre complex, complete with a brand new pool. I suggested that they consider very seriously, the reality that many folks in our community, will need substantially low rates, and incentives, in order to participate in a community, their tax dollars helped create. While I think there are programs in place, to help offset costs, and make family memberships affordable, unfortunately, some people are still feeling that the new facility isn't for them. I've heard this a lot, and from many different sources, but it's what I knew five years ago……even further back than this. That there are many residents of this fine town who don't feel welcome, because of their income situation, at numerous of our significant and expensive attractions. Now I realize, some readers will feel this is an unfair generalization. I wish it was that easy to poke holes in…..and I would like to be wrong about this…..but I'm not.
Today I talked to two friends, who had come into the shop to wish us Merry Christmas. We began talking about some of the shortfalls, in user numbers, at the new Recreation Centre. They came out with it at roughly the same time….."It wasn't built for us…..we wouldn't feel comfortable there." Then they brought up The Wharf development, and they repeated the same statement. If it was the first time I'd heard this, I might have tried to question further, to fact-find for my own interest. I knew exactly what they meant. I've heard the same thing exactly about the Opera House. I can remember giving free tickets out to folks from the Salvation Army, to a benefit concert we were having…..and finding out that more than half had never been to the Opera House, even though they'd lived in the community for more than twenty years. The others had been into the Opera House to vote, during a federal or provincial election, but not to see a show. Now while we're in the survey frame of mind in this town, I really think its time, for our elected officials, to know exactly how people are feeling about our major attractions…..and why they either attend, or choose not to, and how much of it has to do with the expense of tickets, registrations, services and programs. We need to know what's going on around here, because the economy is still sputtering out there, and it's more than likely, some of our vulnerable citizens are going to get clobbered again, with the vibrations of things like Fiscal Cliffs.
A year or so ago, the Town Recreation Department tried to cut the budget for life guards at Gull Lake Park. I hope to God they don't try this again. There was sharp and substantial criticism before, and there will be again. Part of this, is the social / economic reality, that thousands of our citizens, prefer swimming at a beach that is not only free, but in the true spirit of Muskoka - open air. But there's more than that. If one was to employ a social-economic study, it would be found, in clear evidence, that a majority of the beach users, who are full time residents of Gravenhurst, will not attend the new pool, despite any subsidy program they might be eligible for. They see the recreation centre as elitist, and frankly, so do I. They don't feel welcome there, and as far as seeking subsidy accommodation, if that exists, most of those who might qualify, simply refuse to fill out the paperwork, as they find it embarrassing admitting, being financially disadvantaged. We were. It's to be expected. These citizens of our town, won't go to the arena to watch a hockey game, if it requires an admission, and they won't visit The Wharf, or go out on either of the cruise ships, because they can't afford the privilege. There is a fiscal divide in this town, that has psychological qualities and quantities, that stop thousands upon thousands of residents from participating in important town programs…..designed for their benefit. What has happened in the past, and is happening now, more noticeably, is that these same facilities and programs are getting a little stressed financially themselves…….possibly under-utilized, and I'm pretty sure councillors don't know what can be done to reverse the trend. I do not see it abating, but I'm pretty sure, that with the increasing fiscal problems in this region and province, we could see some broadening of this resistance to participate, thus decreasing support for the opportunities we possess here in Gravenhurst.
The first suggestion I have, if Gravenhurst Council truly wants to change their fortune….and get citizens more involved, is to stop minimizing what they're being told…..by critics like me, and by the fact, they have clearly not won the hearts of a majority of the citizenry. We've got lots of kids out there, teenagers and young adults, who need to be a part of this recreation, social, entertainment program within the town, and it's going to take some unfettered open-debate, to figure out a way of making it all a little more palatable, to those who feel they are not welcome. I hate to hear stuff like this, and yet I keep asking the question; and then recoil at the answers. I know why they feel this way. They feel embarrassed about their situations, and even though they shouldn't, by our standards, I understand them from personal experience. We haven't been swimming, at the Rec. Centre, we don't take cruises with the local fleet, we haven't been back to Bethune House since they imposed an admission charge, we haven't had a lot of reason to buy tickets at the Opera House, except for the one Suzanne was given, by a kind benefactor, to attend the recent Vinyl Cafe, Christmas Show, with Stuart McLean. We still live as frugally as we had to, during our poorer years, and I don't think we're ever going to change now. So I understand the reason why our residents are careful about the money they spend on local attractions, and having a time to live the live of the impoverished….because it was fact, we know what it's like to have to choose food money, over recreation. Now how many people do you think, are in this same or worse situation, in our hometown? We need to know this. I've been saying this for years. If we are going to use the recreation centre, for what it was intended, to help all our citizens, we need to know how to change the tide……and prove it is not an elitist installation for the well-to-do.
At Christmas, we all pitch in to help the less fortunate. It is always so uplifting to hear about the great support, being extended to our most vulnerable citizens, at this festive time of the year. But their needs and circumstances, aren't resolved by this community outpouring……they are temporarily relieved….softened, and kindly bestowed, in the spirit of Merry Christmas. Their New Years however, is fraught with unpleasant realities, that very few of us see up close, the way the Salvation Army does, at their food bank…..that is always in need of provisions, and your extended kindnesses throughout the year.
My hope, for the New Year, is that the town fully recognizes, the work they have to do, in order to create a more welcoming environment, to those who will never agree to apply for subsidy……based on pride. Maybe we just have to start looking at some free services for awhile, to get things in perspective. I really hate the idea, after all the money that was invested there, to have it under-utilized. Especially when we have such need for these social - recreational opportunities in our community. Now think about this for a moment, if you find my suggestion objectionable. How many residents will suffer shortage of food, and shelter, because of this same pride……so many of them being elderly. This is a statistic we should know, as it impacts the true measure of well being, within our hometown.
Thank you for spending this time with me…..as a winter storm blasts over the Muskoka landscape…..the wind snapping the branches against the window pane, and rattling the old chairs on the front verandah. What a nice night to curl up with a good book, about Christmas…..at hearthside. Thanks for keeping me company. Merry Christmas.
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