Flags go up on Argyle St. property

By KATIE DAWSON The Sachem

Chris Syrie, owner of the Caledonia Music Centre, stood up for his land rights on Wednesday, January 10.

Syrie owns property on Argyle St. beside Gord's Garage, which he purchased May 30, 2005.

His goal was to build a 8,000 square foot music centre.

On Wednesday, after Syrie was told by the provincial government that it would not be giving him fair market value of the property, he decided to show them that he cannot build.

Syrie placed one no trespassing sign and two Canadian flags on the land.

Within moments the OPP were at the site, as well as a few First Nations people.

One Native came onto the property and took one Canadian flag down. Syrie managed to retrieve the flag and put it back in the ground.

Natives stayed on Argyle St. while a dozen OPP officers formed a line between them and Syrie and his supporters. Syrie is adamant that this is not a Native issue, but an issue he has with the provincial government.

"All I want is the fair market value for my property," said Syrie. After about 30 minutes things settled down and OPP officers left.

Syrie will be following up with OPP to lay trespassing charges against the Native man who took down his flag. "And if my flags are down tomorrow morning then the province will hear about it."