‘Totally ridiculous’
Dear Editor:
RE: Centre Wellington facing 7.4% tax increase for 2024, Dec. 14.
A tax increase of 7.4 per cent for a total of $4,696 in taxes for the year is totally ridiculous to ask taxpayers to pay.
A time when people are struggling to pay mortgages and put food on the table (and food is to increase by 4.5% next year) is not a time to play catch-up, as CAO Dan Wilson said. I guess when you are on the Sunshine List like Wilson, or have two high-paying jobs like councillors, this is pocket change.
This council just started the job and already has given itself a raise. It’s time for taxpayers to ask councillors and the mayor to resign.
All township employees on the Sunshine List should have a cut in pay. And when does the bridges and culverts levy end? It was supposed to be for five years and is now permanent.
The township is overloaded with staff already and now they want to hire 14 more to reduce the need to hire consultants? This never happens. They hired consultants to do a parking study – how ridiculous is that?
The Fergus and Elora BIAs want taxpayers to pay for all their closed-door events. A $50,000 loan for Christmas lights? That’s important and will be forgiven, I’m sure. Let the BIAs get off their rear ends and do some fundraising instead of expecting taxpayers to cover everything. Ask the township to loan you money to pay your taxes and put food on the table and you know what the answer will be.
Tell your councillor “no” to this tax increase and tell them to resign.
And council needs to stop giving handouts to companies who buy up old buildings in Elora and stop giving tax breaks to Pearle.
J. Alexander,
Fergus
Garbage, ‘toxic gift’
Dear Editor:
Another wonderful festival of lights with a line of tractors lighting up the night.
They brought their kids, dogs and … ladders?
No one missed the site of Santa and Mrs. Claus, who brought up the rear when the crowd cheered.
Soon after they all cleared the power lines and all the crowds soon disappeared.
Out with a rush they all ran to their cars, only to be in a five-mile traffic jam.
Not only did they rush off the street, but they left behind a monstrous heap … of garbage that is … on our little Main Street.
From coffee cups to popcorn boxes, was it the lack of garbage cans not available for these tractor fans?
My pups like the butts so thoughtlessly dropped, they hoover it up like a treat at the store.
We were just short of a trip to the vet for a costly bill for the little toxic gift.
So next year beware, if there is more garbage left behind, you will be the one getting a hefty fine.
Maybe a little “climate habit change” to make the land pretty again.
Jenn Tullio,
Rockwood
‘Better is possible’
Dear Editor:
In our community of Guelph-Wellington, the number of people experiencing chronic homelessness continues to grow.
There are tents in the streets. These desperate community members struggle to make it through each night safely. Homelessness is not just detrimental to the people experiencing it. It can have a profound effect on the health of a community – and it will take an entire community to solve this crisis.
As a rental housing provider operating across Canada, Skyline has seen first-hand the struggles of families and individuals to maintain secure, stable housing. We recognize our responsibility to find tangible, effective solutions to keep people safely and securely housed for the long term. This commitment is a fundamental part of our business, and over the years we have established and maintained partnerships with many community health and social service providers.
In our solutions-based conversations with these organizations, we quickly realized that we could contribute to a new model of care for people – a model that would provide better care for individuals and at that same time provide a better return on the public and private investments that are needed to make our community health and social services system better.
That is why Skyline has contributed approximately $2.7 million in value – including a $1.7 million land donation, as well as time and professional expertise in construction oversight, legal, marketing and more – to 10 Shelldale Crescent.
This is a new permanent supportive housing development in the Onward Willow neighbourhood of Guelph that will provide 32 apartments for community members with the most complex housing and health care needs.
We anticipate that the building will be welcoming its first tenants in the new year. This development is an investment in long-term meaningful and effective results. The immediate social impact is getting 32 people off the streets of Guelph and supporting another 76 individuals across the community. But the greater social impact goes far beyond: community prosperity, reduced social service demand, a strengthened economy, and more.
I, for one, cannot wait to showcase the progress that is possible when public, private and not-for-profit organizations come together with shared purpose.
It is my wish and aspiration to see success stories like 10 Shelldale Crescent providing hope to those who need our help … hope to our communities through demonstrating that by working together, we can make a meaningful difference in one another’s lives … and hope that better really is possible.
R. Jason Ashdown, co-founder,
Skyline Group of Companies
Adding insult to injury
Dear Editor:
I do not see the logic or the good stewardship of our money in the Liberals and NDP pushing through dental care at a cost of $13 billion when we don’t even have enough doctors or hospital care for all of our citizens.
To add insult to injury, the Liberal solution is to offer its sick citizens euthanasia instead of care. Last year, over 13,000 Canadians died of euthanasia. We are now known as the leaders in euthanasia. This Liberal-NDP record is nothing to be proud of.
May God help us to keep our land glorious and free as it looks like only trust in God along with voters speaking out to their Liberal MP or NDP MP or Bloc MP will turn this situation around.
MPs are servants of the voting people not the other way around in a Canadian democracy.
Carolann Krusky,
Fergus
A fan in Winnipeg
Dear Editor:
If ever there was any doubt, put that to rest. The Wellington Advertiser really is the best!
A few weeks ago I mailed a parcel to a dear old high school friend of mine. She lives in Winnipeg and has been there for many years. She opened the parcel which I had sent her. It was wrapped with your newspaper, plus bubble wrap as protection.
I had sent her a Christmas mug purchased from the Donkey Sanctuary here in Puslinch.
She texted me to say that once she enjoyed the gift she sat down and read the Advertiser! Her comment: “that really is some newspaper you packed that mug in … I loved it. So full of interesting news and photos.”
So, here is to all the staff at The Wellington Advertiser. You are not just a county newspaper anymore.
A former British Ontarian, now a Winnipeger, has declared you really are the best. Keep up the good work … and Merry Christmas.
Liz Hughes,
Puslinch
‘Lonely time’
Dear Editor:
If you have not heard from a relative or friend lately, reach out, as it is a lonely time of year for some people.
Mary Robson,
Fergus