LETTER

LETTRE

Boring: Why would Aylmer’s movers & shakers be so drab?

 

Sheesh – is Old Aylmer being re-designed by non-Aylmerites?  I’ve been visiting downtown, Old Aylmer, over the last few years a lot. I love to walk down from Timmies to the Marina and along the river there. I know organizations like APICA are working hard, along with the city and with local businesses to make Old Aylmer more fun for visitors and locals.
    But…I’m starting to think everyone involved with the improvements are francophones who either get contracts to work here for a few days, or francophones who are recent arrivals to Aylmer.
    I almost dropped my coffee the other day when the public artwork was installed on the library site panelling. Nice idea, kudos. Buuuuut….whoever planned it made two “what were you thinking” boo-boos! First: Why put the art work on just the rue Principale side? The whole vista that faces the Centenial Park, Mexicana Restaurant’s patio and the Old Aylmer walk-way is still plain old wood panel. Second, the whole thing is in French! Good grief, it is soooo boring to be so anglo-phobic. Not a bit of English in the artwork! So, obviously, no art by locals, not paid for, not planned not approved by locals. Boring.
    The Old Aylmer festival is weirdly anglo-phobic as well. What’s wrong with these people? Are they all just so young on Gatineau city council and in APICA that they are afraid be realistic? Is everyone so afraid of the CAQ and their Bill 96 that any fun can not include any English at all? Boring.
    I sure hope a bigger variety of organizations get involved in Old Aylmer’s development. We need some maturity and diversity --- please!
Kathy St-Clair
Aylmer