Letter: An open letter to Central Manitoulin regarding elevators
A Mindemoya resident urges the town council to respectfully utilize the recently purchased former United Church, highlighting its accessibility and historical value to the community.
Letters to the Editor
鈥淐ouncil should be thinking about using this structurally sound building鈥
EDITOR鈥橲 NOTE: This is an open letter to the Mayor and Council of Central Manitoulin and has been reprinted here at the author鈥檚 request.
Dear Central Manitoulin Council,
I was dismayed as I read the article in the June 17 Expositor regarding the discussion about paying for the inspection and use of the elevator at the former Trinity Manitoulin United Church in Mindemoya that the Township purchased a few months ago. As a member of that particular church and also a current taxpayer living in Central Manitoulin, the tone and wording of some of the comments spoken by councillors sounded disrespectful.
鈥淭hat building鈥 holds the memories of church services on Sundays and special occasions as well as countless weddings, baptisms and funerals. 鈥淭hat building鈥 was a vital part of the Mindemoya community since 1918 when it was built by families living in the Mindemoya area.
Having a working elevator plus an accessible washroom in recent years meant that anyone was able to attend not only the services but the many events that benefitted the wider community such as bake and yard sales, monthly lunches for eat-in or delivery for a nominal fee, the Kids Shop for Free event each December, professional theatre presentations, music workshops, group meetings and community crafting sessions.
The Mindemoya Community Hall is not accessible to everyone at this time and taxpayer money was spent on this purchase. The council should be thinking of using this structurally sound building and allowing community groups to access the large space on both the upper and lower levels.
Sincerely,
Shelley Lanktree
Mindemoya
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