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The same year the Preston Towne successful 38-year career in real estate,
Centre Business Improvement Area bringing his decade-long relationship
was also created. with the Chamber to an end when he DID YOU
Murray served as chairman of the became president of the local real KNOW?
downtown BIA as well and believes estate board.
it was one of the first in Ontario, “I was on that board (real estate) for Fired up about a
requiring him to visit Ottawa to see quite a while,” says Murray, who is now petition
what systems were used in operating enjoying retirement alongside his wife,
its BIA. He’s quick to point out the Susan, spending his time golfing at the A call for tougher
significant difference between Galt Country Club and volunteering rules around the sale of fireworks caught
Chambers of Commerce and BIAs. three times a week at Cambridge the attention of the Preston Chamber
of Commerce in the mid 1960s a ter a
“The BIA is a retail association and Memorial Hospital – both located a young girl escaped serious injury a ter a
it’s concentrated in just one area,” short distance from the couple’s long- firecracker was thrown at her.
says Murray, noting at the time the time home. The youngster’s mother turned to local
organization put most of its efforts He credits his late father, Fred, who authorities for more ‘effective’ controls and
into projects to beautify the city’s core. was known as ‘Mr. Guelph’ due to the Chamber jumped into the ‘cracker’ fray
He spent 11 years as a downtown his community involvement which and put its support behind her petition,
business leader, first with Walkers included a stint as board president calling for a ban on fireworks and matches
Stores on Main Street where he had of the Guelph Chamber of Commerce, from being sold to youths under the age of
been the youngest store manager in for instilling the importance of giving 16. The petition, which garnered more than
the company’s history before leaving to back. 1,500 signatures, also called for fines to be
take over ownership of Barton’s Men’s “My father always told me that if levied on vendors who broke the ban.
Shop, another downtown menswear someone has a situation, and they Town council assured residents and
store located a few doors away, are in trouble and you’re capable of petition supporters that a proper bylaw
changing its name to Garlick’s Men helping them, then you help them,” and its enforcement would be introduced.
Shop. Tough economic times prompted says Murray.
him to make a difficult decision and
give up his shop but in turn sparked a

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www.cambridgechamber.com Spring 2024 11