I read the March 21 article in the PNR “Sidney is Sitting Pretty” and attended the presentation Richard Talbot gave at the Mary Winspear last week.
My question is, did any councillor other than Tim Chad actually hear what Mr. Talbot said about what Sidney needs to be revitalized and be in a position to hold its own when the competition arrives in two years?
I never once heard Mr. Talbot say Sidney needed new flower planters, benches or garbage containers.
As Councillor Tim Chad said “spending close to $150,000 on this project will do little to bolster the Town’s economic or tourism fortunes.”
The concrete benches and statues get their pictures taken on a regular basis by tourists. They love to sit next to the figures and snap away.
Flowers appear every day in the Fisherman’s tackle box (you can find him at the entrance to the fishing pier).
It brings a smile to my face that someone cares about a statue so much they take the time to place new flowers each day.
It gave me a chuckle to hear that the councillors believe the smaller black benches will provide more space for all the people downtown and encourage them to linger longer.
Changing the flower containers, garbage cans and benches will not save the downtown. It just keeps us busy thinking we are doing something.
Barb Russell
Sidney