Rising from the Ashes
We’ve certainly had a tumultuous and devastating spring so far. But, we have a new team on the job in our Town Hall and hopes are high that we’ll see some real change and progress for Perth-Andover.
Terry Ritchie reiterated to us that he stands for a New Way for Perth, with Open Doors & Books, and Transparency and Accountability.
And the all important issue of making sure that we never flood again . There are permanent measures that can and will be taken.
We all sure as heck hope so, because it is seriously time to take the bull by the horns and kick some butt!
Terry points out the paramount importance of bringing jobs back. The loss of the call center is a terrible blow to our community. Even though some 40 jobs were saved, those people are now commuting long distances and may end up moving from Perth-Andover in order to keep their employment.
The village also lost a number of jobs with the closure of Checkers Pizza and The Black Lion Pub.
Folks losing jobs because of the flood is a triple whammy for the village. The government is not kicking in money, jobless people are told they must take whatever jobs are offered, no matter where, even if they must move, and if they move our town loses another soul and shrinks a bit more.
Perth-Andover used to be a booming little village at one time. I hear stories about the Silver Slipper, and the train you could take to Plaster Rock, and the movie theater, and all the people out on the street shopping and socializing on a Saturday night.
We had a bakery, a Chinese laundry, grocery stores on the Perth side, clothing stores, a jeweler…I am sure there were many more, I’m just quoting off the top of my head.
Even in the 15 years I’ve been here we’ve had and then lost our department store, an appliance store, a grocery store, a furniture store, several clothing stores….all have closed or moved. And were not replaced.
And now we’ve just been decimated by a flood that should have never happened.
However! We can create the village of our dreams if we all participate in conscious co-creation of the new Perth-Andover.
Imagine a New Perth…
It does require some effort on all our parts of course. It means consciously shopping at local stores, and deliberately choosing to support your own village, merchants and services.
Everyone likes to save money by shopping for bargains, but if cheaper is your only goal you are missing out on truly meaningful connections with the people of your own community. For Perth-Andover to arise from the ashes of the devastation of the 2012 Flood the people of Perth-Andover need to step up to the plate and support home town businesses!
The definition of insanity is to keep doing the same thing but expecting different results.
S. Kelley
