‘An abomination’
Dear Editor:
I attended the last meeting of the current Erin council to listen to the director of planning and a senior planner present one of the three proposed developments on the Erin Heights Golf course property.
Both presenters described the proposed development as in “keeping with the character of the town”. Nearly 290 high-density attached and detached homes are being proposed on the former golf course with a density of 20 units per hectare! There is nothing in their proposals, nor the other two developments across 8th Line that is in keeping with the character of our town. And the traffic studies for at least 2,000-plus cars have yet to be completed!
Furthermore, most of these detached homes are on 31 to 43-foot wide lots, with the majority having only one garage/single driveway. This kind of density is insanity to say the least and seems to be a clear example of putting the cart before the horse.
Frankly, I would of thought traffic and infrastructure studies done prior to any proposals would be dictating what level of housing density these three parcels of land and adjacent roadways could support. And I haven’t begun with the environmental impacts such a density would impose on a local level.
No, what I saw was our current slate of elected officials promoting what can only be described as an abomination for a small town that has so much potential.
Yes, growth is inevitable, but to go from decent-sized lots with decent-sized homes to what is being proposed is not a long-term strategy, but more like short-term greed.
So, I urge everyone to get out and vote and make a difference. The future of Erin is at stake.
Brett Davis,
Erin
From bad to worse?
Dear Editor:
A five storey building at 223 St. Andrew St. East? One which will tower over every other building in Fergus, ruin the skyline of our historic little town, provide inadequate parking and only make already-bad traffic problems worse? No, no, no.
I wish to add my voice to the growing numbers of angry residents protesting the proposed bylaw change which will make this building a reality. Why are our concerns being ignored?
Prohibition on buildings of this height were put in place for a reason. It is appalling that they are being craftily overturned in the guise of creating more “affordable” housing – when the truth is, no one on a limited income could afford the rents being proposed for units in this building anyway.
This proposal is – alarmingly – a virtual repeat of another proposal for a five-storey apartment building next to the United Church that is already in the works. So is this going to be the pattern now? Every few months, another greedy developer will come up with a proposal of this kind – and hope that he can get away with it because no one pays attention?
Five-storey buildings do not belong among the lovely heritage properties, commercial and residential, in our downtown. Period.
While I think everyone agrees that there is an urgent need for more rental housing, these buildings should continue to be added to outlying areas of Fergus, where land is cheaper, the units could feasibly be made “affordable” and there would be, most importantly, space for everyone to park.
Candidates in this upcoming election take note. We are watching your reaction to this issue.
Sonia Day,
Fergus
‘Should be lauded’
Dear Editor:
RE: Chamber of Commerce hosts meet-the-candidates event, Sept. 15.
I was disappointed that this article highlighted the admission charge to the event rather than the great job the local chamber did in organizing the event.
It is not part of the mandate of local Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade to host all candidates meetings. Many do so at a significant expense in both staff time and venue rentals as a service to their communities and members.
Many of these organizations have been harmed just like their members by the COVID-19 pandemic as they struggle with declining membership related to the pandemic. Despite this many chambers have worked extremely hard to continue to serve their membership during these times when they absolutely need them the most.
The local chamber should be lauded for finding a creative way to continue to hold the local all-candidates event.
Doug Harkness,
Fergus, Chair, Dufferin Board of Trade
Considerate contractors
Dear Editor:
Living on Queen Street East in Mount Forest, it has been a busy summer for the construction crew from Cox and other contractors.
We were truly blessed to know these gentlemen and ladies. They were pleasant, professional and truly hard workers. They took us step by step on what they were doing, and what we needed to do when certain jobs involved our cooperation.
Thank you Cox Construction and to all the other contractors who made our summer bearable and went beyond accommodating. We will miss you all! To “Dan the Man,” happy retirement! God bless all of you.
Bill and Edna Croft,
Mount Forest
‘Pretty terrible idea’
Dear Editor:
RE: ‘Tangible commitment,’ Sept. 22.
I’m a little confused with one of the letters you printed the other week, namely Peter Bush’s letter and his 1% levy idea.
He’s proposing a tax on unsuspecting people for any land sale or transfer within the Haldimand Tract (six miles on either side of the Grand River), but he does not specify where that money would go.
Assuming that he hopes this extra source of revenue would go to the First Nations, I’d say that’s a pretty terrible idea.
It seems to me that Mr. Bush may be taking a leaf from Trudeau’s playbook with the hopes that injecting more money will help with reconciliation. We are all fools if we think money is the answer, and we are all ignoring the past mistakes (some of them recent) that have cost us billions.
Maybe we need a new approach, a totally radical approach perhaps, one centred around love and not money. Let’s keep these issues in the history books and not in the headlines.
I would love to see, in my lifetime, true reconciliation, where we all can see each other as Canadians from many different backgrounds, but all with the same colour blood under our skin.
Is it possible to be more intentional about serving our nation as a whole, rather than keeping these clear lines in the sand?
Doug Vanderveen,
Belwood
Getting more slippery?
Dear Editor:
RE: ‘Never in danger,’ Sept. 29.
Jan Corbett’s letter did not reassure me regarding MAID (medical assistance in dying) nor my safety when being admitted to a hospital or a long-term care facility. I’m pleased that she was well cared for in a long-term home. I only wish that all citizens were as fortunate as her.
Unfortunately that is not the case, as was confirmed in an Associated Press article on Aug. 11 that shines an international light on our country’s permissive use of euthanasia and how many families have felt pressured to accept MAID in lieu of proper medical care.
Depression and hearing loss was the reason for one man’s death (age 61). A 41-year-old man consented to euthanasia as he could not get 24-hour care at home. He had an 11-year-old son and declined going to an institution away from him. He agreed to be euthanized.
Catherine Frazee, professor emeritus, at Metropolitan Toronto University, stated that one young man with a brain disorder was pressured to accept death, and she claimed it “was only the tip of the iceberg” of people with disabilities who are being pressured by physicians and nurses to accept euthanasia.
Recently a war veteran with post traumatic stress disorder and a traumatic brain injury while seeking treatment was unexpectedly offered MAID by a Veteran Affairs Canada employee.
The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition is located in London, Ontario and does not take direction from the similarly named organization in the U.S.
I am personally familiar with this caring organization which has been on the forefront of defending people who are vulnerable and often defenseless when being pressured into accepting MAID. Others may be euthanized without their knowledge or consent, as happened with my parents.
This slope seems to be coming more slippery. Unless someone takes action to stop it; it will continue to become worse.
Pat Woode,
Fergus
‘Beautiful’ tribute
Dear Editor:
To the lovely young lady in Rockwood,
Who made my day!
I wish I had rose petals to scatter
But instead these few words, must be a tribute,
To somebody whose kind words, an old lady did inspire,
To see beauty in everyday things
The true value in caring for others.
And so I found love in unexpected places, too;
You have given me such golden moments to share,
All because you told me “You’re so beautiful.”
Sytske Drijber,
Rockwood