Unhealthy choice?
Dear Editor:
With all due respect and appreciation for the work of all involved in the weekly issues of Wellington Advertiser, I have a need to voice my opinion.
The Oct. 20 issue had a top-of-front page picture with a grass drags description. Why would the Advertiser make this sort of event worthy of it? If Moorefield Optimists organized it for the third year, it does not justify it.
There are much healthier activities for humans than this. Walking, running and bicycling races would be just as easy to organize. Those are also much safer, cleaner, and more enjoyable to watch and cheer on the participants. They would be easily recognizable with no need to wear heavy clothing, and bulky helmets covering their faces.
Snowmobiles are a source of noise and air pollution. They’re not environmentally friendly. Racing them on grass takes a lot more gas. Is this not contributing to global warming?
Last, snowmobiles are machines made for snow, not for green grass. Driscoll Farms in Mapleton, what’s behind you having an event like this at your place? What good does it do for farmers?
Even as entertainment, it’s an extreme event not worth promoting at all. We grew up participating in activities of which one could always say at the end: “In a healthy body there is a healthy mind “
Agnes Belosic,
Guelph/Eramosa
‘Hardly secure’
Dear Editor:
My letter to the editor is regarding the phone and online method of voting. A pin number on a piece of paper is hardly a secure method.
What if a person who doesn’t vote gives me their paper? What if someone asks me to process theirs for them and I choose who I want not their choice? It’s really not a great method. Birth dates are not impossible to find.
Many aired on social media. Could this be done? Should this be done? Improbable perhaps but not impossible.
Ellen Roche,
Fergus
‘Journey of action’
Dear Editor:
I’m amazed and thankful to the Wellington Advertiser for opening a door that featured the political landscape in our communities.
The unbiased coverage educated me and gave me the opportunity to make a rational decision and again reinforced our political opportunity of choice.
Being optimistic, I believe my neighbours made the right choice.
All who participated in this event are to be admired, as it takes courage and commitment to put your name on the ballot.
To candidates: the rhetoric is behind you and the journey of action for you begins today. Good luck.
Jacobus de Bock,
Alma
Voters list confusion
Dear Editor:
RE: Guelph/Eramosa voters opt for status quo, Oct. 27.
I read with interest that Corey Woods was humbled with his win in the 2022 election but not impressed with the voter turnout.
I’m not sure this issue would have had any difference on the voter turnout but it certainly answers why it could have happened.
Voter lists have always been populated by the CRA, they ask the question on each tax return. For some reason Guelph/Eramosa Township decided to rely on MPAC to provide the town with the voter list.
Before changing to a MPAC provided electoral register the town should have confirmed the validity and completeness of the register. MPAC has a voter lookup page on their website and advises voters to update it with missing information.
My house only had me listed, my wife was not on the list despite being the house owner. I suggest this is one reason why the turnout was only 485 (in Ward 2).
Steve Whitten,
Guelph/Eramosa
*Editor’s note: Voters’ lists for municipal elections across Ontario are currently prepared from data kept by MPAC (the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation) – and have been for some time.
‘A brighter place’
Dear Editor:
Another fall is in full swing and I’d like to say a huge thank you to Shawn Gusz, who has held his fantastic fall and Christmas display on Fox Run in Puslinch Township for several years.
It was a treat (no chocolate or candy corn needed) just to drive by with my grandchildren to see his latest display.
I truly hope his artistic talent can somehow continue at some other venue in the future.
And now, to the Audrey Meadows residents, thank you for the Christmas light show you put on each year as well.
It dazzles and sparkles and makes the world a brighter place.
Elizabeth Hughes,
Puslinch
Poem of remembrance
Dear Editor:
Each year as we pin on the crimson poppy
Let us so proudly recall those dear names inscribed on the wall.
Choose just one – who so bravely cheerily, waved and died
On some farmers lonely plough field, his blood he bravely lost over there.
Choose to remember that extra special one
Our Father in Heaven for His own has chosen!
For evermore those petals four will remind us
Of the brave men who bled and died over there.
That poppy can help us as we read the names on that wall
For those boys tried to believe that this time they would really achieve
That impossible War that would end all the wars
With that blood red poppy daily recall, all those dear names on that wall.
Sytske Drijber,
Rockwood
Remembrance Day poem
Dear Editor:
I wrote this poem last Remembrance day after attending the service in Fergus.
My father Alan Harold Marr served in the Second World War – RCAF Squadron 407 stationed Chivonor, North Devon, England. He was a pilot flying Wellington aircraft over the English coast keeping German subs off her shores. My father was named after his uncle, who died at Vimy Ridge.
A young man was called to duty so off to war he went.
Never giving it a second thought where he might be sent.
The days were long and the nights were cold.
He saw things no man should see but he did it with pride and conviction to keep his country free.
Day after day and night after night bullets and bombs, they fell.
No one knew as these men did they were living a living hell.
On the 11th day, 11th hour the war was finally done.
There was no glory, no victory; too many had lost their sons.
I thank you all with my grateful heart because you went for me.
I will never forget your sacrifice to keep this country free.
Dedicated to my father. With love, your daughter.
Thank you. I will be attending the service this Remembrance day.
Ellen Marr,
Fergus
‘Take another look’
Dear Editor:
RE: Anti-Semitism common, Oct. 27.
Hold up here! I’m a Christian and I take offense to being accused of inciting anti-Semitism. There is a difference between anti-Semitism and acknowledging some Jewish involvement in historical events with undesirable outcomes.
You are right that the gospels were written decades after Jesus’ death but they were still eye-witness accounts by his disciples. The gospels are also backed up in other non-biblical historical books.
Jesus, himself a Jew, opposed the established Jewish religious leaders. For example, in John 11:45-57 right after raising his friend Lasarus from the dead, many Jews followed Jesus. But the Jewish religious leaders doubled down, plotting to arrest and kill him.
Anti-Semitic remarks must be stopped, are hurtful and pool all Jews together. However, in the gospels it is clear that Jewish leaders did not recognize the humble man, Jesus, as the Messiah, rather looking for someone of military might to conquer their foes.
I agree that anti-Semitism needs to be addressed, but take issue with accusing Christians of doing this.
Take another look at the gospels.
Evelyn McComb,
Minto
‘Inaccurate’ claims
Dear Editor:
RE: Anti-Semitism common, Oct. 27.
Any hatred towards a group of people is wrong. The Bible says that we are all equal in the eyes of God and that we must treat others the way we would like to be treated. It’s a tall order, but that is how Jesus treated others and what he taught us in the Bible. There are a few things that we would like to counter as Bible-believing Protestant Christians:
Church doctrine that we have been taught does not include hatred toward Jews for Christ’s death. Jews and Christians have their differences; they are different religions, but that doesn’t mean there is hatred towards each other.
It would be inaccurate to say that Christians blame the Jews for Jesus’ death. Many of the Jews that called for Jesus’ death were converted to Christianity. These included the 12 disciples who were called by Jesus to follow him throughout his ministry. After Jesus’ death, two of those disciples wrote two of the gospels, Matthew and John. Mark, another gospel, was written by Mark from Peter’s firsthand account. Peter was another disciple of Jesus. Luke was written by a companion of Paul, who became a Christian and leader soon after Jesus’ death. These gospels were written with firsthand knowledge.
There are instances in history where Christians persecuted Jews, however, this was wrong. And there are also instances where Christians protected Jews – an example of this is our grandparents and great-grandparents who risked and lost their lives during the Second World War to hide Jews, as well as Corrie ten Boom and so many others.
We agree, nothing can be resolved with hate.
Reuben and Jannel Jonker,
Arthur
‘Thorough self search’
Dear Editor:
RE: Anti-Semitism common, Oct. 27.
While I agree with Barbara Cooper that we need to stop hating one another, I have to correct some of her statements.
Should a person study the Bible carefully they will soon understand that it was written by eyewitnesses to the events described. All of the Bible was in existence by the time Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D.
The Catholic school teachings she writes about are true from the Bible. Unfortunately important facts are left out. The beginning of Christianity would today be described as a schism in the Jewish nation/religion at the time.
All of Jesus’ followers at the beginning were Jews, as were the leaders (except Pilate) who put Jesus to death. All Jesus’ disciples were Jews when the events of the gospels happened. Most of the New Testament accounts of Jesus’ life were written by Jews (the book of Luke is by a Greek doctor writing down the accounts of eyewitnesses).
All of these events were predicted in the Old Testament and had to happen as part of God’s plan of salvation for all people since all people have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
No one may discriminate against Jews because of the part a particular generation of them played in salvation since we all are sinners. Rather Catholic schools need to emphasize God’s love, which he shows by putting in place a plan of salvation for all people.
We can and should hate some cultural practices that various people have, which tend to manifest in religion and types of government. This can be seen in the worldwide protests around the death of Mahsa Amini over forcing women to wear headscarves and world governments’ actions to not buy items made by slave labour in China.
This is the correct way to show anger over a bad practice; state your case openly with good reasoning, not for example with under -darkness property damage or anonymous social media posts.
And everyone should do a regular and thorough self search to root out all evil ideas we might harbour, including racism.
Jane Vandervliet,
Erin
‘Loyal supporter’
Dear Editor:
This is to say a public thank-you to the Elora Salem Horticultural Society (ESHS), for their support for our upcoming 2022-23 season of Neighbourwoods Tree Talks and Walks – offering interesting and informative presentations by experts on tree-related topics.
The Elora Salem Horticultural Society has been a loyal supporter of our events for several years, and their gift goes a long way to helping us continue providing educational events for the public and giving people opportunities to come together to share ideas.
On behalf of Neighbourwoods I want to express our appreciation for the ESHS’s continued support.
Our next Tree Talk will be on Nov. 30 at 7:30pm at the Fergus Legion, on the topic of the Vimy Oaks project. After the battle of Vimy Ridge in 1917, a Canadian soldier brought acorns back to Canada and planted them on his farm.
A century later, a group of dedicated volunteers repatriated oak saplings descended from those acorns, back to Vimy Ridge as a memorial to Canadians who served there. They also distributed commemorative Vimy Oaks across Canada, several of which are here in Centre Wellington.
Everyone is welcome to attend this inspiring presentation; admission is by free-will donation. Please see the Elora Environment Centre’s website for more details.
Carole Pines,
Neighbourwoods Tree Talks & Walks Coordinator