Friday, June 13, 2008

Messrs. Chartrand and St. Germain know diddly about Ste. Rita's history!


Anonymous has left a new comment on your post, "Time to upgrade your sign Ste. Rita!"

Your reader who suggested earlier David Chartrand is more of a leader than anyone in Ste. Rita because at least he has a vision for the community does not really know how the town feels here or is too ignorant to realize.

President Chartrand does not know anything about our town or didn't the reader listen to the radio three weeks ago when he had to ask Ray St. Germain the original name of our community? He nor his sign belong here. The leader of our club is doing a fine job looking out for all the townsfolk needs.

So to hell with David Chartrand he does not belong here and is definitely not our leader. He represents only a very small number of us.
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Dear Anonymous:

We're assuming your reference is to comments made on the MMF's Canadian taxpayer funded (an annual $50,000-$60,000 "touch") weekly NCI Radio program Metis Hour Times Two hosted by local musician Ray St. Germain. Because of its current format it's not worth a listen.

Here's another one of those you're not going to believe this. Earlier in the week we too were curious about Ste. Rita's history - how did it get its name? Here's what we did:

(1) Visited Manitoba Culture, Heritage, Tourism and Sport (www.gov.mb.ca/chc/) where there's a link to the Provincial Toponymist (We didn't know either - someone who studies the names of locations!). The gentleman responded directly to our request in two e-mail. Here's what he said:

I am pleased to be able to provide the following information regarding the name, Ste. Rita. It's from the Manitoba Geographical Names Data Base and can also be found in our publication, Geographical Names of Manitoba, page 238.

A community east of Winnipeg. In 1966 the CPCGN changed the community name of Craigs to Ste. Rita, the name of the former Post Office and to conform with local usage. The Post Office opened in 1934 as Rita on NW34-10-9E, changed to Ste. Rita in 1965 and closed in 1970. The Post Office was named after the local church (Hadashville Women's Institute 1970). Craigs was established as a railway point on the Greater Winnipeg Water District Railway and was first noted on a GSC map (1921) as Craigs Siding. The origin was undetermined, but it was probably named by the Greater Winnipeg Water District Railway after an employee or landowner. The School District of Craig Siding was on SE 4-11-9E. Manitoba South map (1947) Craig Siding (Rita Post Office); CBGN (1951) Craigs (Rita Post Office).

That is the complete detail we have on file regarding the name Ste. Rita. If, you have any additional details regarding the name that will add to the information we currently have on file, I would certainly appreciate receiving a copy for our files.

If I can be of further assistance, please let me know. Thank you for your interest in Manitoba's geographical names. Have a great day!


Thanks


Although we haven't had time to thank the gentleman we certainly will

(2) Why not copy this e-mail and send it to Mr. St. Germain at NCI Radio (www.ncifm.com - rstgermain@ncifm.com) then at least he'll know. Alternatively, you could call in live, problem is, say anything negative about the MMF and you'll likely find yourself cut off posthaste

(3) One would think if the Manitoba Metis Federation leadership is going to take over your town at least it would have the courtesy of knowing the history.

Sincerely,
Clare L. Pieuk

2 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

No one in Ste Rite can compare to David Chartrand when it comes to contributions to the community . Chartrand has devoted his life to public service; what have any of these people done? These people are ants shaking thier fists at an elephant .

12:54 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

one big ass elephant!??!...lol

4:18 PM  

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