A Primer On The History Of Economics In Peterborough (And What's Driving It Now)

At this time of year, we often reflect on where we've been and look to where we may go. In economic terms where we have been is a lot clearer than where we might go.  However, taking a longer term view there are some hints about where we could go, if we chose to go there.

Peterborough, in general terms, has seen two quite different economic eras—an era when natural resources and agriculture dominated—the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and a manufacturing era that was at its peak in the middle of the last century. Between these two eras was a period of transformation. In this period new ways of doing business began to emerge, new roles for government became clearer, even the roles within families and families themselves changed to take advantage of the new opportunities of the manufacturing era.

For the sake of perspective, if we were to think of the age of transformation being five years before the beginning of WWI (1909) and five years after the end of WWII (1950), we can see an era of enormous development technologically that was accompanied by unprecedented changes in social roles. In the forty-one years from 1909 to 1950, Peterborough was transformed. In that transformation, the fundamental functioning of the Peterborough economy changed. In effect, the two eras are two very different economies with very different economic relationships.

As much as many mainstream economists—the ones who led us into the current economic mess—would like us to believe that the fundamentals of economies are not subject to history, politics, or culture, the reality is they are. Separating fact from myth reveals very different economic characteristics in different technological and socioeconomic eras—not common underlying behaviours. What can we learn from this?

It has been forty-one years since what could be considered the beginning of the end of the era dominated by manufacturing. 1971 was just prior to the OPEC oil crisis that signalled the beginning of a long struggle with inflation that was combined with high rates of unemployment, and difficult economic times. Peterborough was not immune to this economic disease, and for those who went through it, it was clear that things would never be the way they were no matter how much we wished they could be. Like it or not, another era of transformation began in the early 1970s and we continue to find ourselves in it today.

In the tranformation, old ways of doing many things were left behind—technologically and socially—and new, creative opportunities were pursued. Change was embraced rather than seen as a threat. Of course, in an era of transformation that included two World Wars separated by the Great Depression is a very different circumstance than we face today. 

The lesson from history—not from economics—is that the foundations of economic growth in the past are not sufficient to support the prosperity we are capable of in the future. The longer it takes for us to figure out how to build the new foundation, the more difficult the transition will be. It is time to get on with creative change in the way we do things right here in Peterborough.

Thankfully, we have within the community what it takes to move forward. To support the transition, we have a large creative class that will provide news ways to get things done. This class according to Richard Florida’s work, and a recent description of it by Dan Taylor, CEO of the Greater Peterborough Area Economic Development Corporation and the Greater Peterborough Innovation Cluster, show that not only does the creative class drive innovation, it is also an economic driver onto itself. 

Thirty percent of the population belongs to the creative class. Those in the creative class earn significantly more than average and possess seventy percent of total disposable income. In a time of transformation the creative class is where the jobs are, and the results of their work will bring more jobs across the whole community.

All indications are that we have all the pieces in place that can lead to a new era of prosperity here in Peterborough. We have a creative class that can lead innovation. We have the resources—people, money, and technologies—necessary to move forward. The question is: Do we have the will to embrace new ways of doing business, new roles for government, new approaches to education, etc., so that we can use the resources we have at hand to their best advantage? How can we combine and integrate what we do have in creative, productive ways.

Rest assured that if we cling to the ways of an older era, communities less well blessed with resources will embrace new, productive ways. Their success will make ours that much longer and more difficult to achieve. This could be the time for us to take the leap—including a leap of faith—into a new era of creativity, opportunity, and prosperity.

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Contributed by PtboCanada's Tom Phillips Ph. D. Phillips is Economist & Sustainability Director - Greater Ptbo Innovation Cluster.

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Backroom Briefing Q: Is It True City Hall Used To Serve As Home To Mayor Of Peterborough?

Note: This is the debut of David Goyette's "Backroom Briefing" for PTBOCanada. For more info on it, click here.

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Q: I think it would be cool if the Mayor lived in City Hall kind of like the White House. Are there still living conditions on the top level and is it true it was once used to house a Mayor of Peterborough? —Pete Dalliday

Goyette: It may be that you have your tongue firmly planted in your cheek, but the issue is a good one. When Peterborough City Hall opened in October of 1951, with Ottawa Mayor Charlotte Whitton and Peterborough (England) Mayor Chamberlain officiating, there was an apartment on the third floor for the building’s stationary engineer and his family, who also functioned as a caretaker and had a wonderful habit of keeping detailed weather reports. As it happens, he was a relative of local drummer boy and jazz aficionado Verne Hope. The apartment is now reused for other purposes, as are the former courts and the Justice of the Peace offices.

There is no Canadian tradition of cities providing housing for Mayors. MPs and MPPs receive housing allowances to pay for apartments when they are away from their constituencies, and there is a time honoured practice of the overnight “coucher” by senior politicians dealing with emergencies or deadlines. There have been a handful of occasions when I nodded off with a team of political types in an overnighter to get something important ready for the next morning.

Americans do it differently, and a good example is Gracie Mansion at East End Avenue and 88^th on the East River in Manhattan, which is the official residence of the Mayor of New York. I spent some cherished time there with former Mayor Ed Koch -- one of my favourite people -- who actually eschewed the Mansion as a residence in favour of a more comfortable and downscale apartment in Greenwich Village.

In the early 80s, we mulled over the idea with Toronto Mayor Eggleton of designating Spadina House as the Mayor’s residence -- a stately pile on the escarpment that was willed to the City and had become vacant, and whose big time neighbours included Casa Loma and “Arwold” -- the former Eaton estate. The potential downside turned out to be too large and it was dropped. The house reopened in 2010 as a City museum.

Would a taxpayer funded Mayor’s residence work here? Can’t see it. We are a community that wants to keep our politicians’ feet on the ground, and there is a very healthy cultural attitude that reminds all elected officials not to get too big for your britches. 

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David Goyette is the Executive Assistant to Peterborough Mayor Daryl Bennett. For more on his Backroom Briefing column, click here. Email your burning questions for David about City Hall to feedback@ptbocanada.com.

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Here Are The Sights And Sounds From Remembrance Day Parade Today

[chextvDOTcom]

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Here's Mayor Bennett's Remembrance Day Message

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Reproduction Of Peterborough's Book Of Remembrance On Display At Museum (& Digital Version Available)

The Book of Remembrance was formally dedicated on November 11, 1962. It listed the names of men and women "who were killed in action, died of wounds, illness or injuries in the First Great War (1914-1918), the Second Great War (1939-1945) and in the Korean Conflict (1950-1953)."

Since its unveiling in 1962, the Book has been on permanent display at Peterborough City Hall. But late last fall, Conservators at the Peterborough Museum & Archives (PMA) removed the original Book of Remembrance from the lobby of City Hall as a regular inspection had revealed that the book had begun to experience some cockling—where paper becomes buckled and will not lie flat—and warping.
 
At the time, the book's removal was expected to be temporary but as PMA Conservator, Cindy Colford, notes, "this kind of minor damage is typically an early warning sign that a paper object is being stored in an environment where the relative humidity is out of its ideal range."
 
Conservation treatments on the original have thus far been successful, but in order to ensure that this valuable artifact is preserved for future generations it will need to remain in specialized storage at the Museum.
 
Back in June, Peterborough’s Cenotaph Committee approved an expenditure amount of up to $5,000 from the Cenotaph Trust Fund for the purpose of the reproduction and binding of the Book of Remembrance. The replica has now been completed and will be available for public viewing at the Museum from November 5 to 20, 2011.* It will later be placed on permanent display back in the lobby of City Hall. Visitors will be able to access the replica directly and can view any or all pages.
 
A full digital version of the Book of Remembrance is available online by clicking here. 

*The Book of Remembrance will not be at the Museum on November 8th between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. as it will be on display at the Peterborough Armories as part of the Veteran’s Week Celebration and Educational Fair.

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A Video Showing You All The Neat Peterborough History You Will Find At Trent Valley Archives

[YouTube; Trent Valley Archives]

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Here's Video Of The PCVS Human Chain To Bob Marley's "Get Up Stand Up"

[YouTube]

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There Is A Local Heritage Walk Sequel That Takes Place This Evening After Suppertime

A few weeks ago, Shifting Gears hosted two Heritage Walks throughout the community. Tonight they are hosting a sequel, guided by Jane's Walk Peterborough cofounder Chris Gooderham. Come on out and learn the history and culture of one of our neighbourhoods. Meet at the London Street Footbridge at 6:45 p.m.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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The Cavan Blazers are Back at 4th Line Theatre

After a seven year hiatus, Robert Winslow's production of The Cavan Blazers is back at 4th Line Theatre from August 2nd through 27th. The play is about the gritty religious conflict between the Catholic and Protestant settlers in Cavan Township during the 1800s. The Cavan Blazers were a Protestant vigilante gang that tried to stop Catholic settlements and even went as far as burning down their farms.

The play features Richard Greenblatt (who starred in the Mirvish Production of 2 Pianos, 4 Hands) as Justice of the Peace and Edward Belanger (who starred in the Mirvish production of Mama Mia!) as the leader of the Blazers. Director Robert Winslow will be reprising his original role of Father Phelan from the 1992 production.

Tickets are $40 for the Gala Opening, $30 for Adults, $26 for Youth (ages 5-16) and the August 6th 20th Anniversary Gala Dinner PLUS Opening Night & Reception is $150.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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