Resident's Soundings

Resident's Soundings - The Future of the Millbrook Dam and Needler's Mill

Well, the Resident's "Soundings" have begun. Maybe you were one of the lucky ones to be interviewed by ORCA or their Consultant during the week of September 14th. We hope you made it down to the Legion on the 14th or 15th to express your views about the importance of Needlers Mill to the whole Township.

Millbrook Cavan Historical Society has been assured by ORCA that this is just the initial phase.

If you want to impress upon our Councillors how important this Heritage building is, call them! Let them know!

All too often, municipalities think in strictly physical terms - not heritage, historical or economic.

History sells - short and sweet. A restored Mill will bring people, and businesses, into this Township. It'll bring tourists spending money. It will bring people who may decide to settle in the Green Hills, or to retire here. It is this type of heritage that will encourage them.

There are way too many examples to list here of Mills that have been 'determined' by those in power that a structure can't be saved, but have, in fact, been saved to the betterment of the whole community. Just take a look at Hope Mill and Lange Mill in Peterborough County. Take a look at the Old Stone Mill in Delta, Ontario (http://www.deltamill.org/index.html).

Or better yet, what about the Life Force Mill in Cavan Town, Cavan County, in Ireland - our twinned municipality? Now there is a story! And one that could be replicated here!

Unfortunately, hindsight is always 20/20, isn't it?

What do you think? Should the Mill and Dam be saved? Or should they go? Will Millbrook, and the Township, be better off with one less historical building and one less chapter of history no one will remember?

Its your decision this time!