Time to unite
Dear Editor:
I am absolutely appalled by Doug Ford and his crowd of merry men and women who are creating a society with scandal after scandal.
I want to live in a society that values health care for all, education for all, an affordable, sustainable food supply produced on farm land in Ontario and Canada, and this all has to come under a larger umbrella of environmental protection. Instead of that, we get private clinics for health care paying three times the amount that our public system receives out of taxpayer dollars, teachers being fired which will lead to a very broken system that will have to be fixed by the private for-profit model.
And farmland being buried under pavement for more housing, highways and expensive spas. The list goes on and on.
The time has come for Ontarians to stand together to create a society that benefits everyone, not just the “little guys who drink beer,” not just the wealthy developers, not just the families facing undue hardship with medical issues, not just the families with children needing quality education and support, the university students experiencing monumental debt, the people working in low paying jobs for the benefit of those further up the food chain, the elderly needing quality homecare, elder care. We need everyone on board to tell Doug Ford we want a civil society to benefit one and all.
But how will we bring everyone together? One not-so-simple idea is that we come together from the perspective of creating a livable society for everyone and I am suggesting for starters that we call on grandparents, aunts and uncles to look at the future through a new lens that features their special children for the next seven generations.
We have to leave our COVID navel gazing selves at the curb and tell politicians that pandering to a vote-getting model will no longer be tolerated. We need politicians to step to the plate who will say, “Yes, we care about future generations. We will work to provide clean air for them to breathe, clean water for them to drink, quality education, health care and food to eat.”
And yes, this will cost money but our grandchildren, nieces and nephews are worth it. The alternative model, starting with the broken contract with the beer stores, is already costing us plenty, as is the foray onto that very slippery slope of private medicine.
The conversation must begin now. Each and everyone of us must step to the plate to ensure a livable Ontario for future generations.
Burna Wilton,
Guelph
Termite treatment
Dear Editor:
I’m writing this in hopes that more people will start to question Centre Wellington’s approach to the enormous termite issues we are dealing with.
We bought our house in 2019 knowing full well it had active termites. We spent over $4,000 of our savings to get the house inspected and treated as there was very heavy activity. Fast forward three years and we added an addition and within six months spent another $5,000 as termites were active in the new addition.
When will the township finally get somebody in to treat the issue instead of dragging it out, costing the homeowners who want to rid their houses of them? Enough is enough!
I’m sure if the council members’ houses were in the hotbed areas and damaged by them, they may act a little sooner.
Please do something to help out us people!
Steve Trendell,
Fergus
Deadly dog
Dear Editor:
I am writing this letter in the hopes that it will save other people the pain of losing something dear to them, in this case a pet dog.
My daughter was walking her small dog in our neighbourhood when it was attacked and killed by another dog from the same neighbourhood. It was apparent that the attacking dog was not on a leash or rope or had broken free from it and was able to cross its owners front lawn and reach the sidewalk where it mauled my daughters’ dog. The injuries were fatal and her dog died.
This happened about six weeks ago and I am still angry as I believe it could have easily been avoided. It is not the first time this aggressive dog has tried to attack other dogs in the same neighbourhood. There has been two other cases where someone was walking their dogs and had to actually pick up their pets in order to stop the attack.
In these two cases the suspect dog was not even on its owner’s property but was down the street from where it should have been. Other residents of my neighbourhood have also voiced concerns about walking past the property where my daughters’ dog was mauled and killed.
These incidents happened before the tragedy my daughters experienced so there was a history of this aggressive dog’s behaviour.
I am angry that the owner didn’t make more appropriate steps to ensure their dog was not a threat to others walking by or in the near neighbourhood. I will say that the vet bill and cremation of my daughters’ dog was paid for by the other dog owner, but it was obviously too little too late.
I have given some time to cool down and reflect on what had happened and just want pet owners to ensure that their pets are properly looked after and are restrained from being able to cause harm or death to others.
Bill Sizer,
Mount Forest
‘Program is working’
Dear Editor:
The carbon tax and rebate are working for me.
Just got my quarterly carbon tax rebate, $210 or $840 annually. It will help me shift from using polluting fossil fuels causing massive wildfires, wild floods and deaths from severe heat.
What to spend that rebate on?
I could replace our gas clothes drier or lawn equipment. Or I could start saving for a bigger-ticket item like an ebike, heat exchanger or electric car.
Financially stressed households might not be able to consider these purchases, but the rebate certainly helps them out. Doing nothing to address climate change is already hurting everyone and without acting it is only going to get worse.
Those calling to end the carbon tax/rebate program without any alternative must have some hidden agenda. Doing nothing only helps mega fossil fuel corporations continue to pay out extremely high dividends which the rest of us really suffer from.
The carbon tax rebate program is helping me to be part of the climate change solution. Applying your rebate wisely will reduce your fossil fuel use and increase the impact of future rebates. It’s a built-in reward for acting and that’s why this program is working for me.
Stan Kozak,
Guelph
Interesting articles
Dear Editor:
The June 2 New York Times contained two articles of interest. The Marubo people living deep in Amazon on the whole live by hunting and gathering. They now have cell phones. In this near cashless society, I wonder how their rates compare cost-wise to ours.
The second article mentioned that since Oct. 7, Israeli settlers have annexed over 37,000 acres of Palestine. Maybe that has something to do with Palestinian grievances.
Chris Woode,
Fergus
‘Embarrassing’
Dear Editor:
I have lived in Fergus for two years and absolutely love it.
However, one thing bugs me: tourists and citizens come into town, park in the old market parking lot and walk over the bridge to be greeted by a stone plaque which lists to one side.
Surely the town should level it up, it’s embarrassing.
Andy Forrester,
Fergus
‘Treacherous road’
Dear Editor:
I’m a John Black Public School student, and I’m deeply concerned about an issue facing Fergus.
As many are aware, Centre Wellington recently welcomed a new hospital into its community. While there are multiple routes leading to this important facility, one particular road presents a significant problem for numerous individuals, myself included: Colborne Street.
Anyone familiar with Colborne Street knows exactly what I’m referring to: it’s arguably the bumpiest road in existence. Imagine needing urgent medical attention and being forced onto this treacherous road. It adds too much stress.
Granted, there are alternative routes available, but for those of us who need to come from Beatty Line, Colborne Street is often the most direct route to the hospital. However, its current condition makes me feel disappointed. It doesn’t make you feel good to witness the frustration on the faces of those navigating this terrible road, especially considering that ambulances occasionally have to use this route.
While some may be concerned about ambulance safety on Colborne Street, the reality is that accidents can occur anywhere, even on seemingly normal roads.
As a community, it’s crucial that we address this issue promptly.
Paving Colborne Street is an easy way to make a big impact. Fergus must prioritize the paving of Colborne Street to prevent potential injuries and keep our community safe.
Jace Giles,
Fergus
We need more gym
Dear Editor:
I’m a John Black Public School student. Gym is an underrated subject. What I mean by this is that we only have gym here at John Black twice a week yet every other subject is basically daily.
Gym is very good because it gets you fit and is almost always fun and entertaining and helps with burning calories, unlike sitting in the classroom not moving.
Also, MRI scan studies show that students’ brain’s work better after being active; this means that we can focus more after being active. We don’t even need to have it all day, but at least more than twice a week.
Lastly, what I am trying to say is that gym is a really great subject and could help students to be in shape and always active, plus, you’ve got to be active to survive.
I hope you have read this and agree with my thoughts and talk to a local administrator near you. Help convince school boards Canada-wide to incorporate gym more often.
Samuel Da Silva,
Fergus
Save the squirrels
Dear Editor:
I’m a John Black Public School student. Every year 41 million squirrels get run over. Our tax money goes towards cleaning up dead squirrels. So why don’t we protect them? I propose that the municipal government of Fergus build wooden poles between telephone wires for squirrels to cross. This would probably cost less than to pay to clean up dead squirrels.
In Los Angeles they are spending $90 million to build an overpass for coyotes so, why don’t we pay way less to save squirrels? Squirrels are important for the environment because they help grow plants and they help preserve forests. So why let them die and then pay to clean up their bodies instead of paying the miniscule amount of money to save them?
Squirrels are smart enough that I believe that if there were poles for squirrels to walk across they would use those and not get run over. Also other animals like badgers and cats could use these poles. Cats and squirrels can cause accidents so why don’t we stop these accidents?
So please, Mayor Shawn Watters, instead of using our taxes to clean up dead squirrels use them to keep squirrels alive.
Sebastian Krewenki,
Fergus
Service savings?
Dear Editor:
Premier Doug Ford has decided to make local Staples stores the primary source for Service Ontario.
He will not reveal his business plan; however, the province will pay for Staples’ renovations to accommodate this cost saving procedure. The cost savings, as Mr. Ford stated, will be substantial.
The savings will be $900,000 over three years or three cents per resident of Ontario.
Jim McClure,
Crieff
Watch for hazards
Dear Editor:
As we are now in the season of lawn maintenance and outdoor activities, I would like to remind everyone about the potential hazards associated with machinery such as lawn mowers, especially in the presence of children.
I was only two when an accident forever altered the course of my life. Innocently playing outside, I ventured too close to a moving lawn mower, unaware of the danger it posed. The operator was unaware of my presence and backed up, not realizing I had stumbled and fallen behind the lawn mower. I was rushed to the hospital where doctors had to amputate my right arm above the elbow and part of my left hand.
As a graduate of The War Amps Child Amputee (CHAMP) Program, I am advocating for safety measures around lawn mowers. I accept who I am today, but I wouldn’t want another child to go through what I did.
It’s important to recognize that accidents can occur in the blink of an eye, with lifelong consequences.
By sharing my story and raising awareness, I hope to encourage greater caution and vigilance among parents, caregivers and communities alike.
Denise Swedlo,
Brooklin, The War Amps
Quilt committee kudos
Dear Editor:
On behalf of the Steering Committee of the “Quilts on the Grand 2024” quilt show held recently at the Fergus sportsplex, we would like to extend a huge thank-you to all who were involved in any way to make our show a success.
With support from a Township of Centre Wellington Community Impact Grant we were able to invite residents of various “assisted living” facilities in Fergus, Arthur and Guelph to come for a separate day to view the quilts with lots of space for their mobility devices to manoeuvre freely.
To our 1,000 visitors throughout the show, thank you for coming not only from Centre Wellington and the surrounding area but also to members of approximately 25 Quilt Guilds in Southern and Central Ontario who came to see our display of quilted treasures.
Thank you to the very accommodating and supportive staff at the sportsplex and our local businesses who allowed us to promote the show by placing flyers, bookmarks and/or quilt displays at their facilities.
The Grand Quilt Guild meets the second Wednesday of the month (except July and August) at 7:30pm at the Fergus Legion. We would love to have you join us.
Sue Harrop & Eileen Parkinson,
Co-chairs, Quilts on the Grand
‘Deafening’ sound
Dear Editor:
Now that the excitement and fun has passed, it is time to look at the events of the Meadows Music Festival at the Fergus sportsplex grounds May 31 to June 1.
While the economic benefits to the town and the strong interest from folks near and far is very positive, there are things to learn from the way it was conducted. For those not immediately attending, and for many living in town and nearby, the sounds were a thunderous cacophony during both days until very late at night.
There must surely be conduct rules enforced by the township and sportsplex administration for the organizers, but apparently these were not in place or ignored because the impact on townspeople in their homes was seriously disruptive to whatever they were doing with family and friends.
I would suggest that a thorough review of the conduct of this event be carried out by council and necessary changes made to control subsequent festivals or similar events. This should include the decibel control of stage sound amplification level and the placement of the stage so that it reduces the impact of noise projected into Fergus. For those of us in the proximity of a half to one mile from the site, even with doors and windows tightly shuttered, the noise was deafening and totally inappropriate.
Let’s do a better job and incorporate thoughtful consideration for others not at the event and living close by.
Peter Little,
Fergus
‘Absolutely outrageous’
Dear Editor:
It is absolutely outrageous and nonsensical that Wellington North Power (WNP), 97 per cent owned by the municipality of Wellington North, is considering downloading the cost of delinquent water accounts onto the landlord.
As a corporation, WNP can choose to do business with whomever it wants within its set policies. That means it can vet its customers and/or impose a deposit to open an account.
If they make a mistake in choosing with whom they do business then they have the option to either put the account into collections or to take the debt to small claims court.
However, it is unconscionable that their mistake in conducting business should result in the downloading of their bad debt onto an innocent third party. If WNP is so dismal in its business decisions then by all means sell it to another party … seven interested parties were identified in 2021.
To download a water debt onto the landlord takes this bad debt from the jurisdiction of the small claims court and puts the authority in the hands of the landlord-tenant board – a tribunal that is already overburdened and unable to meet timelines in hearings.
Not only is the landlord then unable to get a hearing in a reasonable time, but they cannot impose the full cost of the bad debt and/or the service onto the rent as there is a rent increase limit set on rented premises, this year being 2.5%.
At a time when the country is in a critical housing crisis, the last thing that needs to be imposed is an additional cost that deters persons willing to rent out property or those wishing to invest in the rental market.
This bad debt imposition is a loss the landlord did not anticipate at the time of renting his property nor for which he is responsible.
This idea also opens the opportunity for a disgruntled tenant to deliberately incur costs by running water to impose retribution on a landlord. This idea needs to be abandoned immediately. How council came to the conclusion that the landlord is responsible for the cost of the water and waste water used by a tenant is inexplicable.
Pursuing such a policy would force the landlord to significantly increase rent for a unit at the time of rental in anticipation of default on services to the unit. It is a simple matter to fill out a small claims court claim or to contact a collection agency in the pursuit of a bad debt.
The municipality/WNP have all the tools they need to recover bad debt and if they are unable to use these tools, then we need individuals working at the municipality who have better skills.
A judgment against a tenant for a bad debt would sanction the offender and curtail repeat activity. Alternatively, downloading the bad debt onto the landlord will only force landlords out of renting their premises or push rents to a higher level than they are currently.
Joy Lippai,
Arthur