How to Save Perth-Andover
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How to Save Perth-Andover Note… Perth-Andover resident Rod MacIntosh has conceived an inspired and visionary plan to revitalize the Village of Perth-Andover. All of our small rural villages are under heavy attack by government forces concerned only with money and their political futures, which are dictated by corporate interests…not people, communities or quality of life. In order for our villages to survive and thrive we need to take command of our own futures and think outside the box. Rod’s plan is innovative and inspired and we hope these ideas get folks fired up, and thinking about new and innovative ways to create the hometowns of our dreams! Introduction… Over the past few months I have watched with “horror” as residents of our little community have made poorly advised preparations to destroy what remains of our village core. Many of our historic residences are now being ripped off ancient foundations and hauled away. Others are simply smashed with heavy equipment and buried in land fills. Very soon, the little that remains of our community’s fibre will be lost forever. We are allowing hastily prepared regulations from an uncaring Government, uninformed planning from our Municipal Council and greedy opportunists to dictate our future. With all of this “orchestrated devastation” underway, we now concentrate on plans to hide this catastrophe by developing community gardens and skate board parks along the river for the few residents that will remain in years to come. I have attached a file simply called “A Plan to Save Our Village”. Although not perfect, I believe the implementation of this plan would give the Village of Perth-Andover a “Fighting Chance” for survival – something it definitely does not have right now! These are my last words on the subject. As I have been reminded several time over the years, I live “outside” of the village. I have always been very passionate about this community, its history and future. But now I wonder if ANYONE ELSE REALLY IS???? Have a read of my little plan attached. It is unique, carefully researched and WOULD DEFINITELY WORK!!!!!! Take care and GOOD LUCK to you all!! Rod MacIntosh The Plan… History What we now know as the “Village of Perth-Andover”, (the amalgamation 2 villages – Perth and Andover in 1966), has a prosperous and dignified history along the banks of the upper Saint John River valley. With first settlement dating as far back as 1788, this community became “the” largest center of thriving commerce in Victoria County. “Andover’s development as the district’s center of commerce and distribution, were within the two or three decades around 1849 (Footprints of New Brunswick)”. Again in 1904, the area was promoted as “one of the best summer resorts in New Brunswick” with a combined population of over 850; these 2 communities offered such amenities as: 2 CP rail stations, 2 post offices, 20 stores, 5 hotels, 2 sawmills, 1 grist mill, 1 steam carriage factory, 1 carding & wool mill, 1 creamery and 5 churches (NB Archives)! Over the decades, we have been proud to claim dozens of famous New Brunswickers as “our own” including: Violet Gillett, author and painter (member of the Order of Canada, 1976); John B. McNair, 23 Premier of the Province of New Brunswick (Order of Canada, 1967); J. Stewart Brooks, Legislative of the Assembly of New Brunswick (1952-1976); Albert Edgar Ritchie, Rhodes scholar, works with British Government & United Nations in 1940s (Order of Canada recipient); Graydon Nicholas, 30th Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick; Matt Andersen, Internationally renowned singer/songwriter/guitarist; Shirley Bear, feminist, activist, and artist, (Order of Canada in 2011). Background Demographics Unfortunately our village is “conveniently located” in close proximity to other larger and much more developed commercial centers. Years ago, travel was limited and most residents of a specific area took their business to the closest community for trade. Today however, the amazing new development of high speed highways now criss-cross the Province in almost every direction allowing travellers quick and easy access to communities farther afoot. Woodstock is a mere 35 minutes now – Grand Falls is even closer at 15 minutes. And if you wish to access the markets and stores across the border in Maine, both Caribou and Presque Isle can be reached quicker that it takes to have a nice shower! ALL of these centers have attracted the attention and firmly established outlets of the larger “chain store” variety (Wal-Mart, Canadian Tire, Lowes, etc.) as well as dozens of other shopping opportunities while you’re in town visiting. In our area, it’s now common to see people make 2 trips a day to Grand Falls or “over across” to conveniently make purchases. Coming to Grips We must first come to the realization that “the ways of the past” are gone forever. Friday nights and Saturdays with both sides of the street packed by visitors doing their weekly shopping will never return! Over the years, we have instigated dozens of “Shop Local” promotions with incentives encouraging people to keep their business in Perth-Andover – few, if any have helped much. To simplify matters, let’s look at this with a specific example – you need to purchase a toaster . Years ago, you would go to town and pick up “the one” they had at our local business. Or you might order one from Eaton’s or Simpsons Sears and wait a week for it to be delivered. Selection was limited, but the cost of both time and money to travel farther limited your choices. Today, you can simply get in your car, and in less than 20 minutes stand in front of shelves filled with all options of toasters in an array of colors and design – 2-slice, 4-slice, even bagel toasters! Or with the new advent of the world-wide web, you can now sit at your kitchen table, place an order “on- line”, and have it shipped to your door with same-day shipping! If you are a retailer in the village of Perth-Andover, how do you combat these many options available to your customers to encourage them to shop local? Can it be done? I think not! Small stores in smaller communities simply cannot afford the luxury of maintaining the massive stock that larger “chain stores” now carry. Even the most “loyal” residents will eventually make the choice to travel further for more options in shopping. This is simply the “evolution” of modern-day shopping with little we can do as a community to resist. Relocation is not an Option In addition to the above problems contributing specifically to the steadily depleting business district in Perth-Andover, several disasters have been at the forefront of our community’s history. The great fire of 1977 destroyed many businesses along Main Street Perth that were never encouraged to rebuild. And then several events of catastrophic flooding over the last 35 years have steadily eroded what was left. With the last (and worst) flood only 12 months past, the overall opinion seems to be “relocation.” This idea is basically a continuation of a plan first initiated in the 1980s resulting from an earlier flooding disaster. At this time, we took the recommendations of our Governments and began moving our community landmarks and historic homes “hither and yon” to higher ground behind the village. This was the beginning of the biggest mistake we have ever made! Again, if any research was done at all, the evidence is proof- positive that “community relocation never works” – this is not an opinion – it’s a fact! Relocation of segments or complete communities, immediately destroy their internal fibre and history – the most important aspects of every community’s existence. When you add to this equation, the total lack of planning and organization in implementation, the result is what we have partially completed now – homes and businesses moved “anywhere and everywhere” in abandoned potato fields and quickly sub-divided farmland up and away from the river plain. This is not, or ever will be Perth-Andover again! In years to come we will simply be “a scattered community of homes along the highway “somewhere between Florenceville and Grand Falls!” In order to survive, we must formulate an immediate plan to preserve as much of the village as remains – securing its businesses and residents from the threat of future flooding. One viable option that has been discussed in the past, would be to create an “elevated bench terrace” along the back streets of both villages to accommodate the moving “up and back” of businesses and residents. This would accomplish several goals: It would virtually guarantee their future safety from future river flooding; it would develop excellent areas for residential and business expansion within the community; these new “front streets” would allow further development options of increased areas along the river which may include such ideas as tree-lined boulevards, green areas and possibly the construction of aesthetic diking systems along the riverbank to further divert spring flows. Although totally transforming the look of our village, this option would allow us to “remain” in our present location, add greatly to its potential for future development and aesthetic beauty! Attack on the Future! So, what can be done? Do we simply accept this modern-day evolution of shopping, and disaster destruction? Are these simply “facts of life” that will eventually lead to the demise of our community? If you do any research at all, the evidence is everywhere! Hundreds of small communities have disappeared, or are on the verge of fading away with very similar parameters and situations that our village currently displays.