Preston St. area also known as ‘The Village’

Re: Bank Street banners may be replaced by GLBTQ flags, page 3, Feb. 5

Regarding the above article: although very well written, many readers in the area of Ottawa that is already known as The Village had its 31st reunion this past October with about 600 men attending who grew up in and around Preston Street. 

Always having been known as The Village long before Little Italy and Little Chinatown, it is arguable whether gays should use the Village name for a couple of streets along Bank. 

 I doubt that past mayors, city councillors, members of Parliament and senators from this area would like their area of birth and growth tied in with the gay community and I say this without prejudice.

It is an area of the city that is very diverse in population of French, Irish, Polish, Ukrainian, Italian and more recently Vietnamese and Chinese. And, yes, I admit probably does have many gay people, as well. But to refer to The Village as for gays  as the article insinuates, does not sit well.

 This is my opinion being a Villager born and raised in The Village which has been in existence since my grandfather’s days.

I still live on Preston Street and can see the house I was born in while writing to you.

Wray W. King
Preston Street