COAL CREEK HISTORIC PARK ADVISORY COMMITTEE
AUGUST 24/09 APPROVED
PRESENT: John Leung, Grace Doherty, Tats Aoki, Imogene Lim, May Gee, Dwayne Rourke, Marie Lowe, Carol Snaden, Florence Bell, Lil Tosoff, Joyce Lowe, Josephine Peyton
Chair Grace Doherty called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m.
AGENDA
MOTION TO APPROVE – Imogene, John. Carried.
ADOPTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS AMENDED – Dwayne, Imogene
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. CHERRY TREE FALL PLANTING AND CEREMONY
Update from Tats. Important points are the expulsion of the Japanese from Cumberland, their loss of rights and the Japanese being called enemy aliens. There is strong leadership coming out of Toronto. Tats and Grace did a presentation to council. Grace- council agreed to assist with invitations to dignitaries. Imogene: Mr. Suyama is returning to BC for a conference, perhaps a pre or post conference visit to Cumberland could be arranged. Discussed the wording on the plaque for the #1 Japanese Town landmark. Mr. Doi and his group will decide. Tats would like input. Imogene – The 31 family names could be on the plaque. Mayne Island has a plaque with names. Dwayne – reference to the government order of the internment. 1- Send suggestions back to Mr. Doi (31 names). 2- Order in Council. 3. Tats – wording. Funding? Redress discussed. Bob Yasuharu Kadoguchi C.M. worked for the redress and also received the Order of Canada in Dec. 1987. Marie has photos of the school classes.
B. BRIDGE AND TORII GATE
A request has been sent to Rotary International for matching funds for the project. One project only at this time.
C. PLAQUE AND LETTER FROM MANABU DOI
As discussed above.
D. UPDATE T-SHIRT SALES
Sales on August 15 for the Big Time Out and two Sat. at the Craft sale at Simms Park. 50 Shirts were sold in the last 10 days before the meeting and 77 were left. May sent a thank you letter to the Echo for the Credit Union, Seeds etc. The museum will sell the shirts will all proceeds going to the picnic shelter. Wendy is the new curator. Lil – Annual Christmas Bazaar will have a t-shirt for a prize. John will bring several sizes so that the winner can pick. Approx $1200 in O.A.P. bench (with plaque) fund for inside the picnic shelter. Carol can write a letter to Judy Walker asking about the process for donating benches etc.
E. INVITATIONAL TOURS
Invite the Cumberlander to do a video tour. Imogene: the print press could be invited. A tape of Kim Mah could be put into the interview video. Invite the Chamber and John Watson. Dwayne- The network of Bed and Breakfasts should be made aware of the park.
NEW BUSINESS
A. VISIT BY MR SUYAMA
Tats: Mr. Suyama is very knowledgeable and toured No. 1. He visited the museum and Comox Lake. He will be back in the spring for the plaque ceremony. Tats will write a letter of thanks.
B. JAPANESE CEMETERY
Imogene- possible GPS of the cemetery by a geographer, spoke to a grants facilitator. Lots of work to apply. Mr. Suyama said that the cemetery was bigger before. One name on one side of the gravestone, another on the other side. The gravestones should be translated.
C. OLYMPIC TORCH
The torch will be coming on Nov. 2/09 to the Valley. On Wed. , Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. in the council chambers there will be a meeting for local volunteers. John will attend.
NEXT MEETING
Sept. 28/09
ADJOURN
Motion by May. 11:50 a.m.