Kirwan monument will be unveiled next week

A year after she was first reported missing, a monument will be unveiled on the Samson Trail in honour of Amber Kirwan.

The ceremony will be held at the Samson Trail site on Oct. 9 at 10 a.m.

Kirwan, who was 19 at the time, left Dooly’s Pool Hall in New Glasgow on Oct. 9, 2011 and disappeared a short time later. On Nov. 6, after an extensive search, police confirmed that the teens remains had been found in Heathbell. Since then Christopher Falconer has been charged with her murder.

The local citizens committee behind the monument initiative consists of Mariea Leil-Bowser, a personal friend of the Kirwan and Campbell families and Ben MacLean who came on board to see that the project could be done and completed.

The wrought-iron monument itself was designed and created by local artisan Darren Martin, owner of Creative Metals and donated by Martin and his family as a gift to the Kirwan family and those deeply impacted by the events surrounding her death.

Crane services and operators are being donated by A.W. Leil Cranes to move the monument to the site and place it on the concrete slab. Kris Stewart of New Glasgow Talks, designed the stone base beneath the wrought-iron structure. Robert Simpson of Arsenault Monuments oversaw the granite portions of the monument, which will feature Kirwan’s picture. Two benches were donated by Allision Leil and family and the other by Investors’ Group where Marjorie Kirwan is employed.

Vanco Farms from Prince Edward Island donated 2,000 pink and white tulips through New Glasgow’s Communities in Bloom program. The rest of the landscaping needs, including flowers and other greenery, were donated by Proudfoot’s Home Hardware, where Kirwan was employed.

Earl MacKenzie, New Glasgow’s Town Engineer and workers from the town prepared the site for the monument with a concrete foundation.

The flowers and greenery will be placed by town horticulturist Chelsea Baird with support from Communities in Blooms volunteers.

The site is for the monument is located a short distance from the Duff Pioneer Cemetery entrance on the riverside of the Samson Trail and was chosen by Amber’s parents.

In awe of stupidity: - October 5, 2012 at 11:14:50

Realistically, this is just something else that will take up space and be forgotten in a month or so. People move on with their lives and maybe this monument will be visited by Amber's family once a year or so on her birthday, although I think her grave site will be a more likely place for them to go. It is understandable that people want to do something nice even though it may not be practical, I do understand the frustration over this being made for one person when others have suffered the same fate especially when it is so elaborate. It is apparent it is happening so there is little point of bitching about it, but it opens a really big can of worms the next time someone wants to erect a monument as it will be hard to refuse them if they have the cash to construct it or have donations. A better idea may have been a memorial wall where plaques could be installed over the years dedicated to individuals past and future as it becomes necessary, hopefully it won't. That way it would be more generic and for everyone. I think people acted before thinking in this case and a bit more planning and thought would have solved a lot of the concerns expressed here. Perhaps the town council members can learn to think before they act in the future, seems to be a common problem with politicians.

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Chelsea: - October 3, 2012 at 16:59:51

I don't believe I said anything about building a monument for each person, there are so many ways you can honor someone. A monument is how Amber's friends, family and people in the community decided to do so. I just mean if you want someones memory to be honored by building a monument, or whatever you find suitable you have to stand up and fight for it yourself. Sitting at your computer and typing comments isn't going to do anything about it.

Matt: - October 1, 2012 at 17:55:15

Chelsea, can you imagine what NG would look like if there was a monument built for every person that has ever been murdered or gone missing? The town is only 9.93 km2. Do we even have the room? One monument for everyone!!!

Joanna: - October 1, 2012 at 15:59:33

Thank you Chelsea, you have said what I have been thinking throughout this whole ordeal. I find it extremely hard to believe that people can be so negative and inconsiderate of other people's feelings. If tributes for other people have been proposed & denied, I can see why everyone might be upset. However, to my knowledge that's not the case. This is for Amber. "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all".

Robyn: - October 1, 2012 at 15:36:05

Yes it was a shame, but you really have no right to write anything like this. The death of amber brought so many people together in pc, and the people who loved her want to share that. If you didn't realize a lot of people who didn't even know Amber still want to remember her, and this is an amazing way for it to be done. She is not to only one to have a monument around Pictor county, and if you want someone to be shared. Then I'm sure people will support you to.

Sam: - October 1, 2012 at 15:29:38

I'm with you, Sue! If the monument was in honour of ALL victims of violent crime in this area and that was specifically wriiten on the thing there would be no controversy. However, in true Pictou County fashion the ability to screw up the simplest of matters rears its head anew!

JC: - October 1, 2012 at 15:25:09

I totally agree with Sue. Yes it was a shame that a life be taken over such circumstances that it was, and yes, she was somebody's daughter, niece, granddaughter, etc., but not the first murder victim in the county.

Chelsea: - October 1, 2012 at 15:24:54

Those "people" are her friends and family who are doing everything that they can to keep Amber's memory alive. If you want something done to keep someone's memory alive you have to do it yourself, so if you have someone that you want to be remembered then you have to do something about it just like Amber's friends and family are doing for her.

sue: - October 1, 2012 at 15:12:16

I think that it's pritty bad that people would put up a monument for Amber, but no one else, what makes her so special? She wasn't the only one who was killed in Pictou County, what about them?

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Kirwan monument will be unveiled next week

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