Let it be said that persistence pays off.
No one will ever know whether it was out of civic duty, or a move to preserve a part of the area's history, or out of respect for the Friends of the Dionne Quintuplets' undying passion for the former home of the famous five sisters, but Coun. Chris Mayne's motion for reconsideration has given the group some time to address the question marks stemming from their proposal to keep the home in North Bay.
Mayne's political ploy came after yet another night in council chambers filled with citizens voicing public support for keeping the Dionne home in North Bay. Supporters of a plan to relocate the home to the waterfront area spoke from the heart as they expressed to Council what the home means to them personally. Backers also frequently mentioned that the home should remain "out of respect to the Dionnes."
Although Mayne's motion technically buys the group only two weeks until the next meeting, there was talk late Monday evening that a similar motion could be tabled February 7, pushing a vote back until February 21 or even March 7, giving the group the four to six weeks that leader Jeff Fournier had asked for during questioning following his presentation Monday.
An amendment to give the Friends of the Dionnes 30 days to work on their proposal was brought forth by Coun. George Maroosis, but defeated. Just as the vote was to begin to decide the home's fate once and for all, Mayne spoke up.
Following the meeting, Mayne explained his reasoning by saying, "The vote was going to finalize the move to Strong, which would have taken any opportunity for a proposal right off the table. There's one member [Forgette] of Council who wasn't here tonight who I know is supportive of giving the community at least the opportunity to at least try to pull something together.
"The motion of reconsideration basically defers the vote," until the next meeting, which will be held February 7, added Mayne.
Mayne believes that there is support around the table for many of the recommendations listed in the staff report pertaining to artifacts. The house itself remains divisive, and Council has made no attempt to hide its desire to sell the property at Seymour and Highway 11/17.
Coun. Mark King, whose Community Services portfolio the Dionne home belongs to, says he has been working with staff for a solution for nearly two years. King was set to vote in favour of the divestment of the home until Mayne's motion pushed back the decision.
"If it [the motion] doesn't go forward, then we are back to square one," said a frustrated King after Monday's meeting, adding that he has corresponded with many taxpayers who oppose continuing to fund the log home and museum.
"We are moving towards a more equitable solution for all interested parties," said Mayne.
