Visual artist gives her 'wish list' for Sandwich Towne

Sandwich Towne has been through some turbulent times but what has remained the same is vocal, passionate community activists.

Linda Renaud Fisher has close ties with the little town under the bridge. Her French ancestorscame to Olde Sandwich Towne 300 years ago. It wasn't until the mid 1980's Renaud Fisher got involved in the area, when she was working for the Ministry of Citizenship and Culture and the office wasmoved to the Duff Baby House located in Sandwich Towne.

• My Sandwich Towne is...
• My Sandwich Towne needs...

"I immediately fell in love with the place, the more I learned about the history and the more people I met and the more archeological significant buildings I saw, the more I fell in love with it," she said.

Renaud Fisher, a visual artist, later opened an art studio on Sandwich Street, which eventually moved to Mackenzie Hall. She saidshe is inspired by the neighbourhood to create art.

"I see old Sandwich Towne as the way in which I do that, so it is more or less fusing my two passions, community development and Old Sandwich Towne and my artwork," she said.

She has been vocal on issues that have plagued the area such as the bridge expansion and developmentand she hopes that the historical aspect of the neighbourhood will be preserved.

Here is what Renaud Fisher calls her "wish list" for the future of Sandwich Towne:

1. A method for constructive discussion and negotiation between the city, residents, Walpole Island First Nation and the bridge company.
2. Full archaeological assessment on homes that are being demolished by the bridge.
3. Implementation of the community improvement plan after revisions have been made.
4. The nine-acre property for sale at Russell Street and Mill Streetconverted to park space.
5. Attract more local amenities in the area such as banks and drug stores.
6. Would love to see a local Sandwich Towne museum, suggests the old jail as a perfect spot.
7. Resources and incentives to help property owners -commercial as well as residential.
8. Safer barrier-free sidewalks.
9. Removeindustry from the waterfront.
10. Recreational and cultural opportunities for the youth.