Reader wonders if “we would have been better off frozen in time”

Growing up in Amherstburg since the early immigration days brings a lot to mind as to where we were and where we are.   

I remember the weekly ball games at town park, the smell of the distillery at Seagrams, the smell of the baking at Marra’s  Bread, the blowing of the Brunner Mond horn indicating shift change and lunch times.   

Duffy’s Tavern was a buzz in the summer with American boaters. The huge Boblo Boats travelled the river from Detroit to Boblo Island resembling a mini Disney World.   You could swim at Amherstburg’s  Beach. Maria’s Restaurant was a treat with her famous fish and chips.

Otto’s bakery was world class with visitors from the USA. Ducks on the Roof as well attracted from far away. I remember the Lion’s quarterback dining there. Our high school General Amherst now politically called North Star was at the entrance of town filled with student spirit. There were  games of football and basketball crowded with spectators weekly. The list goes forever. It would fill volumes in memories.  Now it appears we are filled with every franchise eatery imaginable. The hometown restaurants with personalized cooking is rare to say the least.  

We don’t even know if a high school exists hidden in the back of the town and games are only heard. Other than summer events bringing visitors in for ice cream there is no reason to leave your house. Beyond the half mile strip between the former Duffy's Tavern and the ice cream store the town is dead.Modern day residents might feel comfortable but the past was a real treasure to experience. We had it better than our children.  

We need leadership. Leadership with development experience rather than popular names and politicians. Leadership that will promote the living experience in Amherstburg. Expand further than the Navy Yard strip. The amphitheater at Duffy's property is a huge step forward but how long did it take. Belle Vue has had proposals accepted but it’s still boarded up.

We were promised a new hotel across from Duffy's by Amico and it’s no where in sight. Valente has bent over backwards to accommodate the town developing the General Amherst High School property but council puts road blocks up.

Bring in taxpaying ventures besides food franchises and catch up to towns that we once dominated like LaSalle and Kingsville. We would have been better off frozen in time.   

Reader wonders if “we would have been better off frozen in time”

—Victor DiNardo          

Amherstburg