“We are proud Americans but profoundly saddened and embarrased “
To the Expositor:
As a resident of Gordon/Barrie Island Township, I’d like to offer a few words of caution (and maybe a chuckle) regarding talk of amalgamation with Gore Bay.
We’ve got nothing against our neighbours in town—some of our best friends buy groceries there—but this merger idea feels a bit like inviting a wolf to move in with the sheep and promising everything will stay the same.
In Gordon/Barrie Island, we’re a community of 600 country folks. We fix fences, not facades. We grow food, not slogans. While Gore Bay dreams of doubling its population, we’re just hoping the frost holds off after planting. And frankly, the Amish families who’ve joined us recently seem to understand our way of life better than most consultants ever could.
We already share services: doctors, arena, inspectors, even a fire department. That’s smart collaboration. But full amalgamation? That’s not just about streamlining—it’s about identity. Our aspirations differ. We want to preserve our rural, farm-based existence—not become the “quiet side” of an expanding town brand.
The revitalization plans in Gore Bay may improve curbs and parking, but they won’t revitalize what matters most—community character. We’re not interested in extra town managers or marketing campaigns. We’re interested in land, sky, and the freedom to live simply.
So if Queen’s Park one day says “Thou shalt amalgamate,” we’ll cross that bridge. But until then, let’s not fix what isn’t broken. Especially if the fix comes with parking meters.
Respectfully,
Bert Liffmann
Gordon/Barrie Island Township
