We are all proud of the achievements of independent Estonia and the actions of the Estonian Government who have skillfully, at many costs, protected Estonian independence, the Estonian land, the Estonian people and the Estonian borders. They know with no independent land belonging to Estonians, there will be no Estonia or Estonian people for its future. The loss of independent land and of a self-sustaining people is the ultimate weapon for the destruction of an entire culture and society.
Why then, are some attempting at all costs to Toronto Estonians to sell, to surrender our independence and otherwise try to liquidate and demolish the land and Estonian House in Toronto? The demolition of the Estonian House is the demolition of the Estonian society!
Last year some 350 shareholders and regular users of Estonian House signed the following petition demanding:
“We, the undersigned, are concerned about the future of the Toronto Estonian House and feel that our cultural and community bastion should remain at the present location, not demolished, but renovated, and upgraded to present day standards.” The Toronto Estonian’s must remain owners of their land and the Estonian House for as long as there are Estonians who wish to use it for the development and continuance of Estonian activities. Previous generations of Estonian leaders, the community and organizations worked tirelessly to achieve this goal and we call upon the present day leaders, community and organizations to continue to work towards this coal. There is only one logical solution that is practical, technically and economically achievable for the Estonian House and that is the renovation, beautification and upgrading to present day standards such that it can continue to operate in accordance with the By-Laws and regulations; this is an achievable goal. We must remain independent “MASTERS IN OUR OWN HOUSE” and not in the pocket of a developer or investment conglomerate!
It is encouraging to see that some young community minded people, led by Kristiina McConville, have already started to repair and improve the Estonian House. The Estonian Credit Union has also renovated their floor at the Estonian House.
Just as the land in Estonia must belong to the Estonian people, the land and Estonian House in Toronto must belong to the Toronto Estonian society where we can continue our activities according to our own wishes for many years to come.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Guido Laikve, Architect (Ret.)
Viimased kommentaarid
Kommentaarid on kirjutatud EWR lugejate poolt. Nende sisu ei pruugi ühtida EWR toimetuse seisukohtadega.
Silvi21 Jan 2015 09:40
1. Eesti Koolil on praegu kasutusel 12 klassiruumi (Noorteroom pooleks, kaheks klassiks, Kalevi tuba ja Eesti Maja kontor kaasaarvestatud) ja kristall saal.
Kuhu me mahuksime Peetri Kiriku keldris või Tartu College'is?
2. Eesti Maja annetas kooli lõpetajatele aktsiaid ainult mõne aasta. (paar aastat?) Mitmed lõpetajad on küsinud mis juhtus sellega... kas nemad ka saavad.
Näeme koosolekul!
Kui tulete, teate mis toimub.
to - Peeter09 Jan 2015 21:00
Your message is a bit confused, Peeter. You seem to imply that people people unwilling to make a financial contribution to EM should have a say in the management of this asset. On what grounds?
Yes, there is plenty of endearing nostalgia surrounding EM. Unfortunately, that's hardly constructive.
Peeter, the devil's advocate09 Jan 2015 10:47
Be specific - the voters are only the shareholders of EM at the AGM. The democratic approach applies only to those who were there. And we know how esto AGMs are run...
The community, while it wants a voice, should and cannot interfere in shareholder decisions. This is capitlaism, folks, at its best or worst, depending on which side of the plate you are swinging from.Shareholders are the ones that EM has been seeking for decades. The present Eesti Maja itself was born out of controversy - the Merton Street lot was bought, when it was discovered it was in a dry area, no booze allowed, sold. No foresight there. Descendants of original shareholders are not interested it seems. And what about the grand plan to get our youth involved, by granting esto school grads shares in EM, voting privileges once of age. Don't see much incentive from that generation to be involved in the squabbles of their grandparents. Deja vu all over again.
The current EM was bought from the Toronto school board. It was available for two reasons - it was run down then, too expensive to repair. And dwindling number of students clinched it. Estos, far from wealthy at the time, fixed EM up by volunteer labour. Little of that around these days, as JK, KJ and Seedrioru know far too well.
The idea to rely on professionals OUTSIDE of the esto community makes far more sense than having insiders with vested interests, perhaps even financially, to run the show.
Finally - do we even need an esto house? Only a bank in its own controlled building - as it should be -, there is church basement space at Peetri kirik for schooling, rahvatants, and choir practices, and all may be well.n Why are these options not discussed?
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