NOTEBOOK: Motion to commemorate John Curry and John Brummell

Wednesday morning at City Council I will be introducing a notice of motion for a commemorative naming to honour John Curry and John Brummell.

John Curry was the long-time editor and publisher of the Stittsville News, as well as an avid local historian and author. He also served as a Catholic school board trustee for over 20 years. John Brummell worked for decades as a writer and photographer for the Stittsville News and was involved in many volunteer organizations in the community.

If approved, the new park at 785 Cope Drive would be renamed “Brummell-Curry Park”, in honour of their outstanding service and enduring impact on the community of Stittsville and the City of Ottawa.

---

Text of my notice of motion

WHEREAS on July 10, 2024, City Council approved the Commemorative Naming Policy; and

WHEREAS in keeping with its powers set out in the Municipal Act, 2001, Council may assign a commemorative name by resolution, notwithstanding the provisions included in the Commemorative Naming Policy; and

WHEREAS John Curry lived in Stittsville for over 40 years and served as the long-time editor, writer and publisher of the Stittsville News, as well as an avid local historian and author; and

WHEREAS John Curry was a dedicated school board trustee for over 20 years and received the provincial Award of Merit in 2018 from the Ontario Catholic School Trustees Association; and

WHEREAS John Curry was a founding member of the Goulbourn Museum, the first Chair of the Holy Spirit Parish Council and a member of the Knights of Columbus, as well as an honourary member of the Stittsville Rotary Club and the Stittsville District Lions Club; and

WHEREAS John Brummell lived in Stittsville for almost 45 years and worked for decades as a writer and photographer for the Stittsville News; and

WHEREAS John Brummell received the Mayor’s City Builder Award in 2017 for his work at the Stittsville News, as well as his involvement in the community; and

WHEREAS John Brummell was Director of the Richmond Fair Board, a member of the Goulbourn Township Historical Society, the Stittsville District Lions Club, and the Goulbourn Horticultural Society, as well as integral in establishing the Stittsville Rotary Club where he remained an affiliate member; and

WHEREAS John Curry and John Brummell were known throughout the community as “the two Johns” who were long-time best friends for 40 years and worked side by side at the Stittsville News and worked tirelessly to document the community and tell the stories of people living in Stittsville and Goulbourn;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council approve the commemorative naming of Cope Park, located at 785 Cope Drive, to “Brummell-Curry Park” in honour of John Curry and John Brummell, in recognition of their outstanding service and enduring impact on the community of Stittsville and the City of Ottawa; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that an appropriate stand and plaque be installed displaying the name and a brief history of the contributions of John Curry and John Brummell; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all costs related to the production and installation of the stand, plaque and subsequent event be funded through the Councillor’s office; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all costs related to updating the park sign be funded through Ward 6 – Stittsville Cash-in-Lieu; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all text for signage and commemorative plaques shall be bilingual and subject to approval by the General Manager of Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services.

---

Recommended reading

• Your memories of John Curry
• Remembering John Brummell
• Memories and stories shared for Stittsville icon John Curry (Stittsville Central)
• Stittsville community remembers John Brummell with fond memories and photos (Stittsville Central)
• John Brummell loses his oldest, dearest, best friend (Stittsville Central)
• IN DEPTH: John Curry carries on, despite the demise of the Stittsville News (Stittsville Central)