Serving and protecting
Dear Editor:
Every man and woman in our police force has chosen a career to “serve and protect”. They work to keep civil society civil.
When there is danger or the threat of tragedy they, along with other first responders, show up ready to prevent or ameliorate harm. In many situations, they place themselves between aggressors and victims of crime.
The police service is constantly rooting out causes of damaging social hazards such as human trafficking, illegal drugs and gun violence. They educate the public about money scams and play a role in the prevention of impaired driving. Much of their preventative work is done out of the public eye.
But we need to recognize that behind the dark blue uniform is a fellow human being, also vulnerable to harm. This is brought home to all of us in recent tragedies close to home.
We owe a debt of honour to the individual officer and to the family, which sends him or her off to work every day, gratitude.
Arlene Callaghan,
Fergus
‘Respect’ for residents
Dear Editor:
Some thoughts from a lifelong citizen of Elora…
It struck me the other day during a conversation that it’s very strange to be standing in Elora looking at a tower construction crane! Our community is changing for sure; time will tell if this big change is for the good for residents or for big business.
This brings us to the municipal election choices and who is best to lead our township on behalf of the residents/taxpayers.
One would think with all this growth and the collection of development fees and influx of property taxes that our community should be seeing old infrastructure repaired in a timely manner and that our property taxes shouldn’t be increasing. None of which has happened during the current/previous council.
Our outlying bridges closed and back streets are in poor conditions (just to mention a couple of items). One would think with year after year of tax increase/development we would have seen better progress. It really does have a feel that the township has been catering to big business in a quest to make our quaint villages and area a city.
Maybe this is just me not liking big change, but it also makes me think that if we are going to accept this big change/increase in taxes it might be easier to swallow if council better respected their residents.
I truly believe that our present/past council have not represented the residents’ best interest. It showed with all votes always split 3-3 and the mayor always being the fourth “yes.”
So what did all those always yes votes represent? It meant that downtown Elora has changed for the locals and it’s not our village anymore! I also find it interesting that when I look at the choices presented to the municipal election voter that there is only one “yes” voter returning for re-election albeit not as a councillor?
I guess change is inevitable and must be accepted, but I still hold out hope that a newly-elected council will respect the money they receive from the residents in the way of taxes and support.
Barry Wilson,
Elora
Look beyond the ‘I’
Dear Editor:
RE: Fiscal restraint is key, Oct. 13.
In her Letter to the Editor, Judy Haddad expresses concern about one candidate frequently using the “I” word in a post within the Wellington Advertiser. She makes the assumption that the candidate is therefore “speaking as a singular part and not as a team effort”.
If I am assuming correctly about which candidate she means and which post, then I find her concerns unfounded.
In the first part of the candidate’s post they are introducing themselves to voters. The ‘I” statements are used to outline the candidate’s background and experience; to explain why the candidate is running; and to state the commitments the candidate is making and how he would go about fulfilling them. By focusing on the number of uses of the word “I” the candidate’s message is overlooked.
Also overlooked are the “we” statements contained in the post. As well as the candidate’s commitment to coming back together as a community, to building a team that includes council, staff and input from the public, and a willingness to listen and to build consensus.
Reading the candidate’s post did not leave me concerned. In fact, it left me hopeful. The candidate’s post ends with an invitation for the public to reach out to him. My family did so as part of our candidate research. In conversation I found this candidate to be thoughtful, experienced, knowledgeable, skilful and caring.
We were impressed by his commitment to build an inclusive community where the voices of elected officials, staff members and citizens are listened to and heard.
Joanne Mitchell,
Fergus
Bike lane locations
Dear Editor:
In regards to people suggesting we put bike lanes in downtown Fergus…
I think the downtown is great as it is. I feel that there is no point in destroying the charm and available parking in the downtown area of St. Andrew street. If a cyclist wants to go there they will find a way to make it safely. Extra bike lanes could be painted on the street above to allow passersby to bike through without a lot of traffic.
Where we do need bike lanes is out in the country, on roads like Wellington Roads 18 and 19, out of town where people drive fast and it feels unsafe to cycle to get access to a rail trail or to cycle to Belwood.
European countries and places like Quebec have these extra bike/walking paths all figured out along roadsides and it’s a beautiful thing!
Thanks for your consideration,
Karen Martin,
Belwood
Thankful for help
Dear Editor:
My deepest gratitude to everyone who helped me on a sunny Wednesday afternoon after I clipped a gate on the Elora Cataract Trail with my bike handlebar, careening into the ditch where I lay in a pretty undignified position for around 20 minutes wondering how I was ever going to get up and out.
Thank you to the woman who walked to Groves to fetch the paramedics. Thank you to the lovely women who stayed with me and walked my bike home.
Thank you to the quick thinking, very cool, paramedics – the guy who popped my dislocated shoulder back in without drama or fanfare (“This is gonna hurt!” and done) – and the kindest man who tended to me in the ambulance, stayed with me even in triage, holding my phone so I could send a message to my husband.
Every now and then I’m reminded that, despite the hideous news I read every day, my small world is filled with kind and gracious people.
It’s astonishing how moving a simple “are you okay?” can be when you’re in need of help. Thank you.
Tracie Koskela,
Fergus
‘Charm and diplomacy’
Dear Editor:
All candidate meetings are essential to voters. We need to see and hear the people that are going to speak and make the decisions for the good of the community in our name. A voter should be able to ask questions of a candidate.
Amy Steele organized just such a meeting for the voters in Grand Valley and ran the event with charm and diplomacy. The Grand Valley Lions provided refreshments. Thank you.
Martha Good,
Grand Valley
Parking ‘dilemma’
Dear Editor:
As of Nov. 30, until April 1, residents without private parking who live in downtown Elora (like me) will be at risk of fines and/or towing. During that time period, overnight street parking is prohibited for snow removal, and all public lots have a 24-hour parking limit.
In the past, the OPP was responsible for enforcing the overnight parking rule, but customarily would not issue tickets in the absence of snow.
Now that we have parking enforcement officers, I’m sure the rules will be enforced–after all, that’s their job.
As for the 24-hour limit in public lots, I know that due to bad weather or illness there will be many times that I simply won’t be able to move my car every day.
Everyone tells me “Don’t worry, they won’t ticket.” How can I be sure? Given the enormous cost of a ticket and a tow, plus the major inconvenience of recovering one’s vehicle, I don’t want to take that isk.
I am asking that council adopt a very simple solution: issue a card or sticker that residents can display in their vehicle to forestall a ticket or tow in public lots.
I would hope that council could expedite this solution in a timely manner for this winter. In the meantime, I am posting my own card in my vehicle identifying myself as a resident, with address and contact information, and I hope that the parking authority will issue orders that such notices will be respected and no fines imposed.
I know I am not alone with this dilemma; other residents may be affected and I hope they will also speak up.
Mary Anne Neville,
Elora