'It's coming back': Smiths Falls residents talk the town's future

From families who have lived in the community for generations to new immigrants and young professionals looking for a change from the big city, there's more to Smiths Falls than you might think.

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Here's a look at some of the faces of Smiths Falls.

Angela Jenner and her son,Kieran

"Everybody knows everybody. If anything happens, it's nice to know that somebody has your back.

"I have friends who work in the city. I've worked in the city. The demand for child care in the city is a lot. In the city, you're dealing with 'there [go] my wages.'

"Here, you have that opportunity to do home daycare or not send your kids to a big elaborate daycare."

Roger Sands

"I think the biggest misconception is that [Smiths Falls is] a down-on-its-luck, hard-done-by town. I've been here for 40 years and I see it as kind of rising from the ashes after Hershey left and a few other large employers left. But it's coming back. It really ison the upswing.

"I think it's a great place. I grew up in Toronto and when I go back to Toronto, I can't wait to get back here."

EmmaSchellingerhoud

"I think it's a misunderstood town.

"There [are]a lotof issues here andpoverty. But I know that I have worked in emergency rooms in Peterborough, Perth and Smiths Falls, and I can see that their issues at the heart are the same. It's just that Smiths Falls wears its heart on its sleeve."

JasminHaviland

"I feel that a lot of people are more optimistic than I've seen in a long time. Especially after the [Hershey]factory closed,everybody got so sad and demoralized.

"Getting to see the community bloom is really nice."

Laura Porter

"My family has been here since 1906 at a farm just outside of Smiths Falls in Montague.... Just growing up here I know a lot of people. I like that feeling of community. I like knowing people. I don't want to start over.

"I joke with friends in Toronto about the commute. You can get anywhere [here] in probably five minutes, maybe seven minutes if you get the lights."

John Maloney

"Everybody talks about this friction that comes with change. I don't see it as friction; I see it as discussion.

"If you don't have a conversation about anything, things are rubber-stamped and they just go through. Having all the different types of people on council creates a conversation and that's how you get the best balance.

"I've been here for seven years and I've seen some great changes. I sawjobs disappear, but I've seen some great jobs come back....With things going down, there's always things coming up."

Come visit us in Smiths Falls

CBC is in Smiths Falls from Friday, March 2 to Tuesday, March 6, looking for people who want to share the story of their community.

Contact community reporters Elyse Skura and Matthew Kupfer, or drop by our office hours at 18 Russell Street.