‘Safety hints’
Dear Editor:
Summer is upon us and more people are walking and cycling for pleasure and exercise. I would like to comment on the number of people I see who walk on the wrong side of the road.
Every day I see people walking who are not facing traffic. I have slowed down and suggested they walk facing traffic and get rude comments back at me. When you are driving on a busy street and you come upon a group of people on the incorrect side of the road the chances of hitting a person is very high.
On the same note, the number of cyclists on the sidewalk or “riding” across the street at a crosswalk is very concerning to me. I have witnessed parents with their children riding across the street on a crosswalk.
If cyclists want to be cyclists, that is great, however when you come to a crosswalk, get off your bicycle and walk the crosswalk. Nothing is more annoying or dangerous when I am crossing the street and have to avoid three or four cyclists on the crosswalk. Just some safety hints to all the walkers and cyclists around the town!
Linda McFadden,
Elora
Successful sale
Dear Editor:
The Elora Festival book sale volunteers thank the community for the donated books that were the foundation of the 2022 Giant Annual Book Sale.
After a two-year pause because of COVID-19, the 28 Monday-morning volunteers who price books at the Book Depot re-opened the donation shed and were rewarded with a wealth of books to sell May 6 to 8. This year’s fundraiser for the Elora Festival raised over $60,000!
We thank these local organizations and individuals who make the sale possible: the Elora Curling Club; Rona, De Boer’s Farm Equipment; Portage Elora; the Wellington Advertiser; St. John Ambulance; EloraFergus Today; Centre Wellington Food Bank; Kitras Art Glass, Brian Witzel, and Gerald Benham.
Volunteers power the book sale, and ensure its success. Our small group marvels at the arrival of 70 additional volunteers who surge in to help set up the curling club, staff the sale, and clean up the space in a mere five days. It is a wonder to behold! Thanks to all.
On June 1, the Book Depot shed will be re-opened for donations at 380 St. Andrew St. West (side entrance). The 2023 sale will be held from May 5 to 7. We look forward to seeing you there!
Judy Stormes,
Book sale volunteer
Trucker safety issues
Dear Editor:
With the provincial election underway we think it’s necessary to point out the serious issues plaguing the commercial transportation industry. This is certainly something that should be of concern to the incoming government.
The amount of collisions involving commercial vehicles has increased dramatically in recent years with no intervention by any government agencies. Truckers for Safer Highways has continually attempted to open a dialogue with the current provincial government led by Doug Ford to no avail. We have written papers with ideas for solutions identifying what we believe are major factors leading to collisions and dangerous situations. Some of these are new drivers with insufficient training regardless of the Liberal mandated M.E.L.T. program. As well as an extreme lack of enforcement officers available throughout the province to ensure commercial vehicle operators are adhering to all rules and regulations implemented by government.
It is past time that the provincial government takes these issues seriously as they are dramatically affecting the lives of the public that uses these highways as well as those of us who travel them daily as professional drivers. This is a very serious issue and we would be very interested to hear what the candidates plan to do to improve industry safety.
Travis McDougall,
Truckers for Safer Highways