To Mayor Normand Riopel and the Council of Champlain Township:
This letter is in regard to your June 23, 2023, meeting where council rejected the idea of creating a list of heritage properties. As long-standing business owners and residents of Vankleek Hill we are asking the mayor and council to reconsider this decision.
It is difficult to understand the thinking behind why this would not be a positive tool to have at the township’s disposal. With both Vankleek Hill and Longueuil/L’Orignal having very active historical and heritage societies run by dedicated volunteers, one would think that this would be a clear message that history is important to our communities. Hillcrest Funeral Home has been a financial supporter of the Vankleek Hill Historical Society for many years, and we want to applaud the valuable work that these organizations do.
If the township does not send a clear message that it supports the preservation of historical materials, sites, buildings, and monuments, how do you expect your local residents to take pride and want to preserve our history?
L’Orignal has the proud distinction of having the second-oldest jail in Canada, and in Vankleek Hill the Higginson Tower established in 1839. These are just two of the well-known historical sites, but we have so much more to offer. Maybe the Mayor and Council could take the self guided walking tour through Vankleek Hill to just see a small selection of some of the historic homes that grace our Main Street. I have pasted the link here, compliments of the Vankleek Hill Historical Society: http://www.vankleek.ca/PDFs/VKHMainStShoppingDistrictWTour20180704DR02.pdf .
The idea of creating a heritage inventory of properties, farms, barns and events in our township would send a clear message that Champlain Township supports the heritage in this community and values the individuals who are trying to preserve it. We would also ask Senior Planner Jennifer Laforest if she would also consider including heritage churches, cemeteries, and businesses in her inventory.
This heritage inventory would simply record all of our heritage assets and be a tool for everyone, as well as being a tourism asset. What a great addition it would be to the Champlain Township website–right beside the tab for Business and Development there was one for Heritage and Preservation. Think of the positive message that would send.
“You cannot really know where you are going until you know where you have been.” –Maya Angelou
Mark and Lisa Henderson
Proud owners of Hillcrest Funeral Home – 56 years in business
