Vimy Ridge Park Enhancement Plans
As we mark the Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, unable to gather for public ceremonies or at the local Royal Canadian Legion branches due to COVID-19, it is still important to remember.
Ward 2’s Vimy Ridge Park Becomes Official
More than two years after it was opposed by the former Ward 2 Councillor and referred back to city staff to review other options, the Community and Protective Services Committee of London City Council unanimously endorses the motion by new Ward 2 Councillor Shawn Lewis to officially designate Vimy Ridge Park. Continue Reading
Shawn Lewis Campaign Flyer on the Issues
London City Council approves allowing makeshift Vimy memorial to stay
From The London Free Press, originally published here: http://www.lfpress.com/2017/03/02/london-city-council-approves-compromise-allowing-makeshift-vimy-memorial-to-temporarily-stay
Facing an awkward political problem, council voted overwhelmingly to let a plot of east-end land that’s home to a community-built war monument stand as Vimy Ridge Park temporarily…
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Stop Fighting Vimy Park MP Urges
From the London Free Press, Feb 27th. Full Article Here: http://www.lfpress.com/2017/02/27/bureaucracy-suggestions-of-politicking-threaten-timely-tribute
A London MP is entering a city council conflict in which a mix of patriotism and military history has collided with bureaucratic rules and accusations of politicking.
With competing proposals to name a park in honour of the Battle of Vimy Ridge — and neither likely to be formalized by its 100th anniversary in April — MP Peter Fragiskatos is urging council to quickly approve a community-led option he believes best honours Canadian veterans… Continue Reading
Fighting City Hall for Vimy Ridge Park
Photo Credit Mike Hensen, The London Free Press
By Dan Brown, The London Free Press Monday, February 20, 2017 original version here: http://www.lfpress.com/2017/02/20/london-city-hall-staff-are-recommending-no-to-two-groups-trying-to-get-parks-named-after-canadas-nation-forging-first-world-war-victory-in-france
Two different groups hoping to honour First World War veterans want London politicians to do something they rarely do — overrule the bureaucrats.
Shawn Lewis is the outreach chair for the Argyle Community Association. He and others would like to have a small strip of land officially named Vimy Ridge Park this year, after the nation-defining First World War battle for Canadians whose 100th anniversary is this spring.
“Everything is in place and the city hasn’t had to spend a dime,” said Lewis.
In fact, the land in question, next to the Charlie Fox roundabout at Hale and Trafalgar streets, named after a Second World War fighter pilot, is already Vimy Ridge Park as far as the locals are concerned. Continue Reading