It’s funny how a simple salutation like “hello” brightens people’s day.
There were plenty of “hellos” last week in Centre Wellington as it hosted its first ever new resident reception. Recognizing the incredible growth in recent years, council supported staff in setting up a chance for new residents to mingle, learn about services and get a feel for the area.
Other towns and townships in Wellington County have undertaken similar events. Minto, Mapleton, Mount Forest and a monthly social in Erin, affords the opportunity to get to know the area and available services better.
While not a prescribed item under the Municipal Act, we see this as one of those soft service priorities that sets this county apart from others. The goodwill that comes from welcoming others translates into a more engaged citizenry and people willing to do their part for community service.
Our Centre Wellington story this week notes a young couple choosing small-town Ontario over the big city as a better choice for raising their family. For those of us that have inhabited this area for generations, there can be a tendency to take for granted the many positives that attract others to want to live here.
Following up with Kristen Bettiol, Centre Wellington’s community coordinator, she found it gratifying to hear about families from Africa, Newfoundland and Ukraine amongst others who now call this area home. Translators, capable of speaking six different languages, were on hand to help break down language barriers that exist for new arrivals.
In the very near future there will be a volunteer event, which will give newcomers a chance to see opportunities to get involved. It is a great way to meet people, learn more about this area and make social connections.
We encourage readers to make a point of saying hello each day – you never know where that conversation leads or where on the globe someone has travelled from to get here.
Driving is a privilege
Along with the privilege of driving comes responsibility.
There are rules of the road – whether that be using seatbelts, honouring speed limits, driving undistracted and not being under the influence of substances.
A lesser regulated aspect is being courteous with others while driving.
In recent weeks, with school back and routines returning to normal, we have noted with some alarm the very poor choices being made on roadways.
A chance conversation with a local officer conducting roadside surveillance gave an opportunity to pass on a particular annoyance: texting while driving. That netted a “tell me about it” response for occurrences he witnesses and tickets regularly.
As local communities grow and traffic counts soar, it is incumbent on drivers to park their phones and focus on safety. Imagine for a moment doing 120km/h on the 407 to see a driver texting with both hands. Similarly, a local school zone where kids are darting here and there to get home quick, while a driver engrossed in whatever text just popped narrowly misses a child. Surely, a text can wait.
Investments were made to make the crosswalk down the street from our office a little safer. Trail users can alert drivers by activating a button. For the most part people stop accordingly – unless distracted by a phone or driving too fast. This past month, on two separate occasions, a cyclist blew through the crosswalk without setting off the signal to warn drivers. Luckily no one was hurt those times.
Impaired driving continues as well, despite years of effort to educate about the downside to driving under the influence. People get hurt or die due to drivers drinking or consuming drugs. It is very much a numbers game and statistically only a matter of time before tragedy strikes.
Please respect roadways and encourage others to do the same.
