Comments on: “Win-Win” is a nice way of saying each side got a HALF victory. http://www.siteocanada.org/2007/05/25/win-win-is-a-nice-way-of-saying-each-side-got-a-half-victory/ Just another WordPress weblog Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:52:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.2 By: William Ashdown http://www.siteocanada.org/2007/05/25/win-win-is-a-nice-way-of-saying-each-side-got-a-half-victory/#comment-1500 William Ashdown Sun, 27 May 2007 13:30:01 +0000 http://www.siteocanada.org/2007/05/25/win-win-is-a-nice-way-of-saying-each-side-got-a-half-victory/#comment-1500 In the dark winter of 1869, my great grandfather, James Ashdown, was marched through the North gate as a prisoner, roped together with almost 60 others, of the 'Canadian party', who had chosen to defy the lawlessness of Louis Riel and his Metis. Since that time, the fort has been much more than just a collection of memories to my family. For many years, we have supported the idea of a proper restoration, and a project that would highlight this unique structure. Unfortunately, losing half the proposed property to a developer may just be the beginning. Is half a project 'good enough?' I do not think so. In the dark winter of 1869, my great grandfather, James Ashdown, was marched through the North gate as a prisoner, roped together with almost 60 others, of the ‘Canadian party’, who had chosen to defy the lawlessness of Louis Riel and his Metis.

Since that time, the fort has been much more than just a collection of memories to my family. For many years, we have supported the idea of a proper restoration, and a project that would highlight this unique structure.
Unfortunately, losing half the proposed property to a developer may just be the beginning. Is half a project ‘good enough?’ I do not think so.

]]> By: Jon Malek http://www.siteocanada.org/2007/05/25/win-win-is-a-nice-way-of-saying-each-side-got-a-half-victory/#comment-1580 Jon Malek Wed, 30 May 2007 14:42:01 +0000 http://www.siteocanada.org/2007/05/25/win-win-is-a-nice-way-of-saying-each-side-got-a-half-victory/#comment-1580 It is wonderful to have a descendent of a man who so greatly contributed to Winnipeg's history to leave a comment on this subject. You greatgrandfather would have been in Winnipeg during the period that it was orginally being torn down (1882-88); I wonder what his feelings were? It is a great connection that your family has to Upper Fort Garry; whereas my feelings for the fort stem from a love of history, there are many other like you who have an actual connection to the remaining gate. While I was glad to hear that at least some restoration work would be done - and also that the Gate was given some decent publicity - I can't help but feel that this just isn't good enough. Placing the gate in the shadow of a high rise (on top of the poor placing it alread has) is just not 'good enough' nor does it show the proper respect that I believe is due, not just from the city, but also at a provincial and national level. For those of you that would like to learn about James Ashdown, one of the great entrepreneurs that embodied the spirit that seized early Winnipeg, see the following links: <blockquote>http://www.gov.mb.ca/chc/hrb/events/famous_manitobans/ashdown_j.html <p> http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/people/ashdown_jh.shtml http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/mb_history/19/ashdown_jh.shtml </p> </blockquote> It is wonderful to have a descendent of a man who so greatly contributed to Winnipeg’s history to leave a comment on this subject. You greatgrandfather would have been in Winnipeg during the period that it was orginally being torn down (1882-88); I wonder what his feelings were? It is a great connection that your family has to Upper Fort Garry; whereas my feelings for the fort stem from a love of history, there are many other like you who have an actual connection to the remaining gate.

While I was glad to hear that at least some restoration work would be done - and also that the Gate was given some decent publicity - I can’t help but feel that this just isn’t good enough. Placing the gate in the shadow of a high rise (on top of the poor placing it alread has) is just not ‘good enough’ nor does it show the proper respect that I believe is due, not just from the city, but also at a provincial and national level.

For those of you that would like to learn about James Ashdown, one of the great entrepreneurs that embodied the spirit that seized early Winnipeg, see the following links:

http://www.gov.mb.ca/chc/hrb/events/famous_manitobans/ashdown_j.html

http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/people/ashdown_jh.shtml
http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/mb_history/19/ashdown_jh.shtml

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