Time to ‘man up’?
Dear Editor:
An open letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Sir, in the not so distant past, we Canadians were admired around the world not only as peacekeepers, but keepers of the peace! It seems not so much lately, on your watch.
In regards to the conflict in Ukraine, you hold back on being part of a “no-fly zone” out of fear that this would lead to an escalation in the fighting. It’s obvious that Putin wants to wipe out the people of Ukraine when he shells nuclear power plants, schools, hospitals and bomb shelters. The territory of the country is secondary.
Do you think that when those refugees flee to Poland, Germany and Belarus, that Vlad will stop going after them there? Neville Chamberlain is rolling in his grave. Man up, Justin!
Frank Yanchus,
Centre Wellington
‘Throwing away’ money
Dear Editor:
As lovely as it may seem to receive a refund regarding our license plate stickers, I’m concerned about the more than a billion dollars being lost from public coffers.
Did many people who have the means to own one or more vehicles really feel that this would help them personally? Did anyone ever think, “If I only had that sticker money,…”? Won’t this individual money be swallowed up quickly with few tangible results?
However, a collective $1 billion-plus could do so much good! Although a federal responsibility, another ice breaker to add to the only one Canada now has to help protect the Arctic region would be useful (Russia has 49). Since this is provincial money, there could be increased help for Ukraine, for climate issues or for so many other worthwhile initiatives that your readers could name and ones that might actually make a difference and be more productive.
I’m saddened by our government (provincial and federal) throwing away so much money, especially before an election or just to stay in power! I wonder what’s in mind to replace this billion?
There certainly doesn’t seem to be any conscience for responsible spending, a balanced budget or repayment of debt anymore.
Ruth Slater,
Puslinch
‘Deserve a medal’
Dear Editor:
Recently I visited the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health clinic to have my fourth shot of the COVID-19 vaccine.
I would like to give thanks to all the staff for their friendly and kind welcome, particularly the nurses. There was an incident concerning a young boy who was screaming and was very hard to control – the nurse who was dealing with him was kind, patient and handled the situation in a way I don’t think many of us could do.
I don’t know how often these nurses have to deal with this kind of thing, but I really believe they all deserve a medal for the great work they are doing.
Heather Villar,
Fergus
Flag meaning changed?
Dear Editor:
Several months ago I was still able to proudly fly our distinguished national flag at our country lane.
Now I’m not so sure. Will it have the same meaning seen on some passing vehicles now? Have I missed something here?
There’s no question in my mind, the meaning of Ukrainians displaying their bi-colour yellow and blue national flag. That’s freedom and survival, clear and simple.
Stan Litch,
Elora
Heart, soul, money
Dear Editor:
RE: Fake heritage, March 24.
Paul Taylor raised concerns of creating a false sense of history in downtown Elora through renovations that include stonework. By contrast, the current change and renewal Elora is seeing – stonework and all – will very much become a historic period in its own right.
The March 17 article to which Taylor referred didn’t suggest that Kogen and Hillis were scheming strategies to deceive so much as to pour heart, soul and more than a little money into plans to renovate (i.e. make new again) in a way that is sympathetic to surrounding buildings. We should be so lucky.
When those same buildings were nearing the century mark, few people showed as much concern. Many of Elora’s downtown buildings that looked terrific in the 19th century, were approaching abysmal condition by the mid-20th. By then West Mill Street’s short length had become home to a gas station, a cold storage business, various factory buildings, others that had been boarded up for years, with a busy working mill at one end. That utilitarian phase of Elora’s history is just as valid as any other, but certainly not as charming. And that’s key because Elora’s built heritage is one of its draws, but so is its public convenience and charm. The latter explains why one now finds brightly painted storefronts, outdoor potted plants, and a public greenspace with seating. They’re not historic but they are attractive.
Hillis and Kogen appear to be planning to renovate their properties, at their own expense, in order that they will not crumble and fall. If such renovations make stylistic reference to the 19th century, or incorporate the colour and whimsy more reminiscent of Elora’s recent past, how fitting.
Renovation won’t create “fake heritage” because the changes are new. But through sympathetic choices of scale, material and style, it sounds very much like such renovations will give Elora’s history a nod without trying to recreate it.
It may also mean that these buildings will last for many more generations to enjoy.
Elysia DeLaurentis,
Elora
System not wanted
Dear Editor:
The incoming municipal wastewater service hookup is set to cost Erin residents tens of thousands of dollars per household and hundreds of dollars in service costs yearly after hooking up.
Almost all existing households have functioning septic systems and wells as they are a necessary part of a functioning household. Why should homeowners be forced to incur costs for a service they already have?
Forcing costs for things we do not want is the opposite of what our government should be doing for us.
Matt Bowen,
Hillsburgh
From charm to stench?
Dear Editor:
Recently, when I was in Orangeville, I took the Townline back to Erin. The Townline is where the Orangeville WWTP is located. Every time I have taken this route the stench has permeated into my car, with the windows closed. I was glad to clear the area and open my windows and purge my car of the awful odor of the WWTP. This treated waste flows into the Headwaters Orangeville branch of the Credit River.
Predominantly, the winds in Erin are from the West. I feel for our friends and neighbors in Belfountain and surrounding areas that will be the recipient of potentially foul smelling air. Belfountain and Caledon are already going to be the recipients of Erin’s proposed sewage effluent, complete with microplastics, endotoxins and medicinal ingredients that are apparently not removed in the treatment process. This on top of a tremendous amount of new traffic heading south on Mississauga Road to get to their jobs south in to Peel Region and beyond. So much for quaint Belfountain.
To Erin residents, sometimes there is a good south easterly breeze that has the potential to bring any stench right into the village, especially in the summer months, when winds are low. Who knows how long it will linger. What a recipe for ruining small town country living. Just wondering if affected residents are going to be compensated for loss of property value and enjoyment of their property. I sincerely hope Erin/Hillsburgh residents make themselves aware of the costs associated with this project, be it in your annual sewage charges, taxes, and your costs to hookup. I had another contractor at my home for an estimate and I am now on the threshold of $100,000-plus, in my 1956 built 800 square foot bungalow. I strongly suggest residents get their own estimates.
I can see younger families refinancing their mortgages, and hopefully this financial burden will not put a hold on their children’s education and tuition plans. For us seniors, I guess this is why they came up with reverse mortgages on our homes, to pay bills and pay for somebody else’s growth plans.
In regards to growth plans, it was initially 1,500 homes and the CVC hydrologist suggested 500 homes due to the capacity of the river. Is it true that number is now 5,000 homes? If so, how did it happen? The West Credit River has not grown by 10 times to my knowledge.
Looking ahead, maybe, after the proposed development is completed we need new signs as you drive in to our (once) beautiful village. We merely have to change the word “charm” to “stench”.
Ken Cowling,
Erin
Eye surgery needed?
Dear Editor:
Old age, no doubt … On Oct. 19, 2019 I went to my local polling station to cast my federal vote.
At that time, I did not see a Liberal/New Democratic option available. Probably my fault.
Thankfully, I’m scheduled for cataract surgery before the next federal election .
Jim McClure,
Crieff
Searching for ‘truth’
Dear Editor:
The trucks drove for one and a half years doing their job. How many truckers got COVID? Might be an unknown like a lot of things, with all the hype and mixed messages. What is truth?
Then it happened they were to get the vaccine. Guess what, many workers chose not to; not just the truckers, there were police, nurses, doctors and many others. Where is freedom of choice?
They had many valid issues. Between the media and the government, too many untruths. Interesting that government could put a freeze on millions from donations. Trudeau, notorious for spending millions, has created a quagmire of debt!
It would be great to have honest calculations about vaccine uptake. First group what percent, next group forced to get it to keep their jobs; a true breakdown would bring a very different picture. Also many people got it so they could travel.
Let the truth be known. God keep our land glorious and free.
Marilyn Fowler,
Guelph
‘Rewrite history?’
Dear Editor:
I have returned from wintering in Florida and discovered that in the February Wellington Advertisers there were articles regarding the Morriston bypass and its progress – or lack thereof.
As a former resident of Puslinch who, along with Bill Knetsch and many others who were heavily involved in moving this long overdue project forward, I have continued to take a keen interest in it.
I was recently forwarded a section of the Hansard record for March 9 dealing with the questions raised by Mr. Knetsch around the Morriston bypass. While I am sure the intent of the record was to show that the government is working on the project and where it currently stands, what struck me was the misinformation provided by transportation minister Caroline Mulroney.
Not once, but twice she referred to the previous Liberal government’s inaction on the project and how it was the current government who approved the bypass and are actively working on it. Really? Are the Conservatives trying to rewrite history? The project was approved in 2016 by the then Liberal government through the hard work of then-transportation minister Stephen Del Duca, the current Liberal leader. Shovels were due to go in the ground in 2019.
When the current government took power in 2018, we waited with bated breath to see if they would cancel the bypass project as they did so many other Liberal-introduced projects. We were somewhat relieved to find that it was still on the burner, but not necessarily on the front burner.
I do understand that other aspects of the project need to be completed (such as work on the 401) to tie in with the bypass but this does not preclude parallel work being done on the rest of the route. If the government was at all serious about this project, it would be a lot further along.
So forgive me if I side with Mr. Knetsch when he says that the controversial Highway 413 and the Brantford Bypass (in the minster of transportation’s riding) are pushing the Morriston bypass further down the funding list.
This in itself is disheartening but misinforming the public about who actually approved the Morriston bypass is just playing politics. In the 40 years of many people fighting for this realignment, all political parties had a kick at the can and did nothing, but it was the Liberals in 2016 who approved it.
Sandra Solomon,
Belwood (formerly of Puslinch)
‘More diverse voices’
Dear Editor:
RE: Steven Liebig accepts vacant Guelph/Eramosa councillor position, March 17.
While I appreciated seeing that Steven Liebig was stepping into the vacant Guelph/Eramosa councillor role, I feel his swearing-in is more of the same.
To be clear, this is no reflection on Liebig and his obvious enthusiasm for serving. Sitting on council is an important role and we owe Liebig and everyone who runs for office our thanks for taking the time and energy to guide our community governments.
This change in council makeup, however, is a stark reminder that the pool of candidates we have to choose from is not diverse enough and does not reflect the gender or racial makeup of our community. Yet again, we have another municipal council made up entirely of white men.
It does not have to be this way. MunicipalCampaignSchool.ca is a volunteer-led effort to encourage women and other equity-seeking groups to think about running for local office and school boards. The site is full of tools, videos and practical tips to help new candidates build and run a successful municipal election campaign. I encourage all your readers to invite women leaders in their respective communities to visit the site to learn more. (Equally important is to ask how you can support their campaign!)
More diverse voices make for better economic, social and environmental decision making. Together we have to encourage a wider range of leaders to run for office so our municipal councils more accurately reflect all voices in our community.
Curt Hammond,
Elora