This post is the first in a series in which we reached out to municipal candidates to ask their heritage platform. Responses will be posted in the order received.
Wes Ewer was the first candidate to respond. He is running for Town Council in Amherstburg.
Thank you for the opportunity to share my perspective.
I believe Amherstburg’s rich history and heritage assets are an important part of what makes our community unique. Preserving significant historical buildings and sites helps maintain our identity, supports tourism, and ensures future generations understand the people, places, and events that shaped our town.
At the same time, I believe heritage conservation must be approached in a way that supports, rather than prevents, responsible growth and community progress. Heritage policies should be practical, transparent, and balanced, recognizing both the value of preservation and the realities faced by property owners, businesses, and taxpayers.
Where possible, I strongly support adaptive reuse of heritage properties. Finding new, sustainable uses for historic buildings is often the best way to ensure they remain viable, relevant, and accessible for future generations.
I also believe the Town should actively explore partnerships with private organizations, community groups, not-for-profit organizations, and other levels of government when evaluating significant heritage properties. Bringing together outside expertise, financial support, and fresh ideas can help create a sustainable vision for these sites while reducing the burden on local taxpayers. Successful preservation often requires collaboration between the public and private sectors rather than relying solely on municipal resources.
Regarding Belle Vue, I recognize that it holds significant heritage value and is recognized at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels. Given that reality, I believe any future plans for the property must respect and honour its historical importance. Rather than debating whether those protections should exist, I believe the conversation should focus on how we can work within those parameters to create a sustainable future for the site.
My preference would be to explore opportunities for adaptive reuse that preserve Belle Vue’s historical character while allowing it to serve a meaningful purpose for residents and visitors. I would also encourage the Town to seek partnerships and private investment opportunities that can bring vision, expertise, and financial support to the table. Before committing significant taxpayer dollars, I would want to ensure all opportunities for collaboration, alternative funding sources, and innovative solutions have been fully explored.
In short, I support preserving our most important heritage assets, but I also believe heritage conservation should work alongside progress and community development, not stand in its way. The best outcomes are achieved when we respect our past while finding practical and sustainable ways to ensure heritage properties continue contributing to Amherstburg’s future.
To follow Wes Ewer and his campaign visit:
Picture of the candidate is from his campaign Facebook page linked above.
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