"Wow." That was the word used by Quints home advocate Jeff Fournier Monday afternoon to describe what he was thinking after reading a City of North Bay report on the future of the Dionne Quints Museum.
"It's ludicrous what they're suggesting. North Bay had opportunities to get funding for the home. All they did was look for ways to divest themselves of it," said Fournier.
No final decisions have been made, but in the report to Council by senior staff, recommendations are made as to how the City can potentially relocate the Dionne log house and its contents while maintaining the historical integrity of the exhibits, and appeasing the surviving Dionne sisters.
The report, made public Monday morning on the City's website, less than 10 hours before the regular meeting of Council is to take place, has frustrated Jeff Fournier, the author of a petition that has garnered over 2,000 signatures, as well as national media attention.
Fournier was promised by Council to be kept in the loop on developments with the Quints home, but he only learned of the report Saturday. He sent an email to the City Clerk that same day to be placed on the agenda for a 10-minute presentation but was told that because he had missed the deadline (the Wednesday before the meeting by 4:30 p.m.), Fournier could only present for five minutes.
In an interview earlier this (Monday) morning, Fournier said that he had not yet had a chance to read the just-released report. He also wondered how he could have possibly signed up to present the previous Wednesday when the agenda (without supporting documents) for Monday's meeting was not posted until Friday?
The petition outlines the desire of the signees that the City of North Bay continues as owners of the home, and that it remain within the city limits. Fournier has also suggested in a presentation before Council that the Dionne home and its artifacts receive designation under the Ontario Heritage Act.
The report recommends that the City proceed with negotiations with three respondents to the request for expression of interest.
Under the recommendation of staff, the home and furniture and some artifacts would be controlled by the Strong Agricultural Society. Located in the Parry Sound District, the Township surrounds but does not include the Village of Sundridge.
Nipissing University's Harris Learning Library would take possession, and be responsible for the preservation of paper documents pertaining to the Dionne Quints.
Callander Bay Heritage Museum would also house various artifacts from the current museum.
In the report, it is acknowledged that there will be some financial commitments by the City to "have the home removed or dismantled...the City should be prepared to make a financial contribution to the relocation," concluding that this "contribution is a fair arrangement."
Fournier, having returned early from a business trip to attend Monday's meeting, says that he is missing the "transparency," of the process. "It seems to me they should have announced it but held off on presenting (the report) to Council until the next meeting (Nov. 28).
When asked what he expected at Monday's Council meeting, Fournier responded, "At the very least, I hope that they give me and others interested in a counter-proposal some time to craft one. And, I think Council should reconsider things. Put things on hold and have another look at the entire situation."
