“Music off the Back Porch”

- July version

The July installment of “Music off the Back Porch” returned last Friday night with a pair of performances over a roughly two-hour span. Dave Wilson (right) opened the evening followed by Lauren Baillargeon & Lefty (Mike Houston) (left). The musical event is held in the rear of the Park House Museum, with it being a fundraiser for the museum. The next edition of “Music off the Back Porch” will be Aug. 4 at 6 p.m. - weather permitting - with bluegrass music to be featured. The event is free, but donations are appreciated. The public is encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs. The Park House Museum is located at 214 Dalhousie St. in Amherstburg.

Letters To The Editor

Resident offers his thoughts on issue of downtown hotel

I am a long- time resident, listening to various groups and others in support or not in favour of various topics to promote and develop and provide services to our community.

We are a diverse community inclusive of people from different parts of the globe with different ideologies and beliefs. We have been very successful because of this diversity.

Debate, is appropriate and necessary; the foundation of our democracy. Resolving our differences should be a local matter, not a tribunal decision. A negotiated process should take place before we declare war on each other. Both sides have valid grievances. We have good people on both sides, we have ways to resolve it where everyone can be accommodated.

The proposed site of the boutique hotel can be swapped at equal value in exchange for part of the former Duffy Hotel site (hotel portion only) leaving the rest for future development by promoting to small investors for more of the same as market demands. The town in the future would have the option to provide another opening to the river front to expand the businesses, and the historical district.

Mr. Peddie is well invested, he has vision and resources. We need to work together to achieve our collective vision. The balance of the Duffy’s property can be developed by small investors with additional boutique hotels as market demands.

Studies have concluded that currently we do not have the population and demographics to support a large franchise hotel. Moving forward with the assets that we currently have is key. A negotiated settlement between Mr. Peddie and the town is necessary. A larger hotel away from downtown can meet all site plan requirements and be more regional rather than just local. Investors and developers, particularly those who have invested and worked with our town in the past can and should be consulted for their ideas, knowledge and resources. Our people, businesses and investors are key to our future.

Sincerely,

—Frank Cerasa Amherstburg