Re: A Son Remembers

Donna Van Kempen | Aug 12, 2015

As a long time resident of Barrie Township, and Frontenac County, I read the articles on our history with interest, I also understand that when history is being retold, inaccuracies occasionally creep in (Thomas Neal, A Son Remembers, Jul 30/15)A Son Remembers, Jul 30/15). I also believe there is an additional standard of care which should be taken when putting history to print, as current generations, and future researchers assume a higher standard of care from editors and publishers.

By way of background, my husband William (Bill) Van Kempen (1929-1993) grew up in Toronto and was involved with a number of associations, including serving time as President of the Toronto Anglers and Hunters Association. This interest in sports led him in the 1950's to travel to the Mazinaw area, where an immediate attraction to the area led us to become seasonal residents in 1957.

In 1975, we moved permanently from Toronto to Mazinaw Lake. Bill became involved with a number of local groups, including the Cloyne Recreation Association, and the Northern Emergency Organization. (NEO was an organization formed by a number of local volunteers, which provided pre-ambulance care at accidents, at a time where the nearest ambulatory care was Belleville or Kingston.)

Bill later served a number of terms on Barrie Township Council, as councilor (1 term), deputy reeve (3 terms) and reeve ( 1 term). During his term as reeve, he was elected by his fellow reeves to the position of Warden of the County of Frontenac in 1990. Further, during this time he was also involved for over 15 years as a member of the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority, and was serving as Chairman at the time of his passing in 1993. In many respects his work with the Mississippi Valley was consistent with a lifelong interest and participation in conservation work which had begun in the 1950's with the Toronto Anglers and Hunters Association.

I was upset with the article printed in the Frontenac News, July 30th/2015 (pg7), as it appeared to re-write history, and erase accomplishments which my husband was, and family are, proud of. It is my hope that this misinformation will be corrected by the Frontenac News in an appropriate manner.

(Editor's note – this letter was accompanied by copies of extensive documentation of Bill Van Kempen's terms as reeve and council member in Barrie Township and warden of Frontenac County.)