Long live Sarnia’s downtown
Sir: I really enjoy reading Nadine Wark’s guest columns in The Journal. She always has something interesting to say that I can relate to, especially the Nov. 17 column about downtown Sarnia.
I can remember many of the places she mentions – Kresge’s, the Olympic, aka George’s. Also the Xmas windows in Eaton’s and going through the very elegant Sak’s building, now unfortunately a rather drab and unimaginative place.
There is one place I hope will not change, and that is our wonderful library. In my view, it is the most important and most visited building in Sarnia, with the added attraction of a lovely theatre. It is an oasis of peace and quiet.
If you want to get away from the woes of the world, turn off the TV, forget City Hall and go to the library to read a book.
There are plenty of places downtown to dine, shop and just have a coffee. There will always be a downtown, so enjoy.
Wishing you all at The Journal a great Xmas and hopefully a better New Year for everyone.
Kathleen Hayes
Sarnia
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City doing nothing about urban blight
Sir: The hospital redevelopment discussion is being held without considering a simple solution: why not let the building rot?
Long before this city council was elected, Sarnia has been hell-bent on developing land outside of its traditional borders. Remember when putt-putt was the only exciting destination at the end of Lambton Mall Road?
Only our mayor of 29 years knows how much his past life as a real estate agent plays into how he votes on matters, his impression of the city’s future, and its health today, but the cumulative message is obvious to anyone living in what used to be this city’s core: if you don’t like blight, move.
In my opinion, a “worthless,” dangerous, decrepit old building set within a beautiful, established, walkable neighbourhood is still more appealing than being marooned in a field with a view of Highway 40.
Redevelopment is often hailed as “breathing new life” into an area, but really, the life is already here: we just desperately need a reason to stay and spend our hard-earned money closer to home.
Rot or not, for the time being, maybe Sarnia can make some much-needed cash by covering the graffiti and boarded-up windows with ads for realtors selling a slice of drive-everywhere-heaven outside the “city”.
Michael Banovsky
Sarnia
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Why is public gallery ignoring our world-class artist?
Sir: Re: Cathy Dobson’s Dec. 22 story about the artist Thomas Ackermann.
I am a collector of Mr. Ackermann's works and have seen several large shows put on by this artist in Toronto, London, and yes, even Sarnia.
The last I saw of his works was at the public gallery, Gallery Lambton in the Bayside Mall, in 2002. That ‘Face to Face’ show featured a number of notable local artists with proceeds to charity.
Tom Ackermann’s works are collected all over the world. His ‘Kings and Clones Show’ in London several years back featured works as large as 30-feet high, painted in his Forest studio.
What an artist! He works in varying themes and styles, and the colours! I know many artists in the area and many collectors, and I don't think any would disagree that Mr. Ackermann's works are world class.
Edgy? Yes, and controversial too, the very stuff of art.
We have living in this area an artist who has been producing fine works for 35 years, but I have yet to see him shown in our local gallery, the Judith and Alix Norman Art Gallery. Can anyone tell me why?
I, for one, am looking forward to seeing his new show at the RW Lawton Gallery, beside the Imperial Theatre, and on display all month at Artopia across from the Norman Gallery. These venues know art.
Though I haven’t seen "The Age of Fission” yet I know it will be striking, and controversial, and colorful, and on the edge, as always.
This will be a show to see, by an artist worth seeing.
When can we see Mr. Ackermann featured at the Judith and Norman Alix Art Gallery?
Cordell Kendel
Sarnia
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Why can’t we fire the government?
Sir: Am I the only person who thinks there's something wrong with our electoral system?
Why would any one city be able to rule a province? There should be a change. One city, one vote. That way, the province would have the real electoral decide.
There also should be a way to oust a government that is not doing what the voters want, for the state of the province.
When I screw up, I'm fired! That's the way I see it.
Bill Boucher
Sarnia