For immediate release:
November 25, 2004

Barrett fires back at “memorable” Port Dover snub
300,000 Port Dover fans (a year) can’t be wrong

Queen’s Park – Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett rose in defense of Port Dover in the Ontario Legislature on November 25th stating, “in spite of what this government may think, we are memorable” in Port Dover.

Tongue firmly in cheek, Barrett was referring to the recent omission of Port Dover for the “Memorable Communities” program of the government Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership.

The MPP – and Port Dover resident – railed at the decision citing the long list of memorable features that the government seems to have forgotten.

“My hometown of Port Dover has been snubbed, it's been dissed by the Liberals -- They've been telling us that we are not memorable; we are not worthy,” Barrett stated. “Apparently, we don't exist and we never did: no beach, no perch, no foot-longs, no Harleys, no Lighthouse theatre, no dairy bar, no Maple Leaf, no Harbour Museum, no hotels, no Golden Glow, no chips, no fish tugs, no sailboats and no July 1 parade, the longest-running Dominion Day parade in Canada.”

Barrett further pointed out that the decision will do little to dim the memories of those who continue to travel ‘over to Dover’ year after year.
“300,000 tourists came to visit us this year, and 300,000 tourists will come to visit us next year, just as millions of visitors over the past century have travelled "over to Dover," by train from Brantford, by ferry from Erie, and down the plank road from Hamilton,” Barrett argued. “In spite of what this government may think, we are memorable…Dover won't give up without a fight: Phone 1-800-699-9038 or e-mail tourism@norfolkcounty.on.ca.

“Thanks for the memories,” he concluded.

-30-

For more information please contact MPP Toby Barrett at: 519-428-0446, 416-325-8404 or 1-800-903-8629