SouthShoreNow.ca

Mark Roberts
Lighthouse staff

 BLANDFORD - The emotional ride Aspotogan Peninsula residents took during the aftermath of last September's airline disaster near Bayswater was evident March 31 when a vote was taken on whether or not to accept a $20,000 donation from Swissair.

 The meeting was held at the District #1 (Blandford) Community Centre to discuss how the $20,000 company donation and a second $6,000 donation raised by a Swiss woman to "help the helpers" will be used by the community. Swissair Flight 111 crashed into the ocean off Bayswater September 2, killing the 229 passengers and crew aboard.

 Residents decided to use the smaller fund to refurbish and purchase equipment and furniture for the community centre, which is used by a large majority of residents in the area. The community is also receiving two quilts, one of which is a healing quilt from a woman in Vancouver.

 The meeting turned ugly, however, at the mention of the Swissair donation. Some residents vented their anger at community volunteer and mental health worker Jane Moffat Schnare for writing a letter to Swissair asking for recognition for Blandford residents for their volunteer efforts. Residents said she should have called a community meeting first and do not want the region to benefit from the disaster.

 The region was inundated with thousands of armed forces personnel, Coast Guard, RCMP and ground search and rescue personnel during the months after the September 2 disaster. Despite this, however, the world media didn't often mention the region or the role of volunteers.

 Mrs. Moffat Schnare - others at the meeting shared her sentiments - thought the region was too-often portrayed as a second Peggy's Cove in the media, although most of the salvage effort was centred in the area. She said, "It was like someone in our family died and all the sympathy cards were sent to my neighbours."

 Other residents attending the meeting became equally angry at the verbal beating Mrs. Moffat Schnare took. They said she meant well, even if she didn't ask for permission from the community to write the letter. These speakers were applauded.

 The issue was finally put to rest during a secret ballot. Residents voted 38 to 22 to keep the donation.

After a heated debate, Blandford area residents voted to keep a $20,000 donation from Swissair. Shown, from left, counting ballots are South Shore MP Gerald Keddy and Chester Municipal Councillor Marilyn Publicover. A plebiscite will be held in the near future to decide how the funds will be spent. The funds were given to thank residents for volunteer efforts undertaken during the aftermath of the September 2 crash of Swissair Flight 111. A second donation, collected by a Swiss woman, is going to the District #1 Community Centre.

 South Shore MP Gerald Keddy said the Blandford area's volunteer spirit is well known to Swissair. "Certainly, there's a feeling on behalf of Swissair and the people who represent them that the Aspotogan Peninsula has been overlooked. It was almost as if your community was under siege. It has nothing to do with the fact that people gave freely, that people give for the right reasons. I think that's understood."

 Jack Matheson recommended the funds be used to start a heart defibrillator fund for the local fire department. He said the machine, which provides an electric jolt to a malfunctioning heart, will save lives and therefore is a fitting tribute to the crew and passengers of the ill-fated jet.

 Blandford and Area Historical Society president D'Arcy Enright recommended the funds be used to help open an area museum. "The scope of the project goes to the past, takes place in the present and goes to the future."

 Chester municipal recreation co-ordinator Grace Taylor provided information on playgrounds and hiking trails. She stressed she was attending the meeting to provide information, not ask for support. She said this is a community decision, adding there is a lot of government money available for developing recreational trails.

 Another idea involved establishing a trust fund similar to the Pew Foundation in Chester or Shatford Foundation in Hubbards. Accrued interest would fund various community projects and organizations on a need basis. Other proposals included a scholarship or bursary.

 A plebiscite will be held in the near future. Residents will list their favourite choices and the top two choices will receive funding based on the percentage of votes.