‘Get over yourselves’
Dear Editor:
It’s interesting to see the contrast in the behaviour of some Canadians in the face of a common enemy, compared with the Ukrainians.
Our common enemy – an invisible one – was COVID-19. Most of us pulled together, listened to the medical advice, made some temporary sacrifices, and were careful for the benefit and safety of each other. And we are winning.
Some 10 per cent of us, however, feel that their own “rights” and interests trump the common good; their comfort is more important than the health of their families, friends and neighbours. They consider that a noisy, prolonged street party is a “fight for freedom.”
In contrast, when faced with a common enemy – a Russian invasion – Ukrainians have temporarily (we hope) given up their most basic rights of safety, shelter and their families’ well-being. They have not “done their own research” on dodgy websites and concluded that the invasion is a hoax. Instead they have tearfully kissed their fleeing loved ones goodbye – possibly forever – and then picked up rifles and Molotov cocktails before walking out to face down oncoming Russian tanks. They have struggled day and night to put out fires and rescue people trapped in the basements of bombed-out buildings before the next round of shelling begins.
That is a genuine fight for freedom.
So to those people who honked their way through Fergus on Saturday, I say this: grow up. Get over yourselves. Realize that your petty complaints sound like the whining of a spoiled child.
And if you still want to fight for freedom, go to Ukraine. They can use the help. And it might give you a sense of perspective, which you sorely need.
Jane Schickerowsky,
Fergus
Crosswalk safety
Dear Editor:
I am one of the many people who use the crosswalk at Forfar Park to cross Gartshore in order to connect to the Cataract Trail east towards Belwood. This trail is widely used throughout the day by people of every age, and their dogs to get fresh air and exercise, surrounded by nature. There are walkers, runners, hikers and bikers.
From Gordon to Garafraxa, motorists speed in both directions making it extremely dangerous to safely cross without the fear of being struck by a vehicle.
Although the crosswalk is clearly marked on the pavement as well as signage posted in both directions, this has not deterred motorists from speeding excessively and failing to stop for pedestrians.
Once pedestrians are at a crosswalk, they have the right of way and vehicles must stop.
On countless occasions, I have had to wait at the crosswalk, waving my arms wildly, to catch the attention of several vehicles speeding by before attempting to cross the road. One lady I spoke to on the trail said she was almost hit by a school bus.
In order to try to resolve this very serious problem, I have contacted the township office twice in the past year expressing my concern and suggested installing a flashing yellow light at that location. I strongly urge concerned trail users to call Centre Wellington and ask for public works or infrastructure services in the hopes of expediting the installation of a flashing crosswalk light.
I urge drivers travelling along this road to pay attention and slow down before someone is seriously injured or worse. To those drivers who do stop, I would like to extend my appreciation and thanks on behalf of all of the trail users!
Karen Watson,
Fergus
‘Snitching’ neighbours
Dear Editor:
So, Guelph/Eramosa Township has hired a full-time code enforcement officer. I have spoken to many neighbours and we feel this is nothing but another tax grab through fines. Enforcement is also taking away our property rights at an alarming rate.
One of the reasons, if not the main reason, people choose to live in the country is more freedom, and now they want people to report to this code officer any small matter that could be resolved between neighbours, but the township is more interested in fines to justify the code enforcer’s wages.
This is not justified in our opinion. Do we really want to live in a community where neighbour is snitching on neighbour to local government? Definitely not us in Guelph/Eramosa.
One more thing: we have noticed, we have people selling big city properties (Toronto) etc. and moving to the country, but they want to bring city mentality with them. Like no fixing machines or trucks or cars on property, no smells from farming, no noise, no parties, property lines to an inch.
As a rule, the way of life in the city is different than the country, as it has been for years and years, and has always worked, neighbour helping neighbour.
With everything families have had to endure the last two years – COVID-19, closed schools, suicides, job loss, etc. – the last thing we need is someone peeking over our back fence or using drones to see if we have a new garden shed. How dare we!
We don’t need a code officer.
Bob Watson,
Guelph/Eramos
‘Vindictive’ premier
Dear Editor:
I certainly do not agree with Vladimir Putin’s latest aggression towards Ukraine, which is unconscionable, but having Premier Doug Ford call Putin a “thug” is rich. Has Mr. Ford looked in the mirror lately?
Since Mr. Ford has come to power he has been vindictive, sinister in his approach to Ontarians.
His history since being elected, of course supported by the fearful ministers who are afraid if they cause a misstep verbally they will be sent to the back benches, includes:
– cancelled investigators to attend nursing homes and address violations;
– passed legislation to protect “the folks” who own nursing homes from being sued (to hell with the residents and their families trying a redress the wrongs);
– cut to 12 the number of seats a political party requires to qualify for funding and research (the Liberals ended with seven seats. Again vindictiveness by Mr. Ford on full display. Quite immature by this premier and his ministers who supported this action);
– cut $46 million from the OPP budget (I of course will not allude to the spacious and luxurious van that has a Lazyboy and full screen TV which comes from the OPP budget for Mr. Ford’s entertainment);
– cut 70% of E-Health budget;
– Telemedicine laid off 14% of their staff;
– ignored advice concerning wet lands;
– ongoing use at will of MZOs (this government chooses to override the local elected individuals);
– building two highways that he claims are required and many planners have indicated are not required (billions of dollars added to the debt);
– delayed the Highway 6 bypass around Morriston;
– cut licence renewal fees (a $1 billion loss), why? Votes; and
– deleted tolls on two highways. why? Votes.
Oh my goodness, perhaps he’ll attempt to offer $1 beers again. And don’t get me started on the loss of Patrick Brown. What a loss to this province. He would have been a spectacular premier.
A premier should not be vindictive they should be mature, responsible and consistent.
Robert Plamondon,
Mount Forest
Caring cancer unit
Dear Editor:
Today I received a lengthy questionnaire from North Wellington Health Care. Because my Nov. 2, 2021 visit was only overnight, I felt my answers would be of little consequence. I should also add that I felt it was a waste of time and money. That said, I decided I would forward a huge compliment to the powers that be who were instrumental in getting the chemo unit here in our newly renovated hospital.
This being my first encounter with the battle against cancer, I had no idea what would be involved other that being hooked up to a toxic chemical, possibly at Grand River in Kitchener. What a wonderful surprise it was to be able to receive the care that I am privy to at our own hospital. While hooked up for four hours one gets a pretty good view of what goes on in a chemo unit.
Five people in various stages of cancer are attended to with care and compassion. Warm blankets wrapped around arms coax reluctant veins to the surface, you hear kind encouragement on the phone to someone who is struggling with their chemo at home. Buzzers ring signalling a bag that needs changing or a line that needs a bubble cleared.
Someone who is nauseous needs attention or someone who is having a bad day is comforted, often with gentle humour. Someone has a reaction to the chemo and in between, everything is wiped down and sterilized to get ready for more cancer weary patients, many of whom come from our neighbouring communities. The care is superb.
Congratulations to whoever had the foresight to get this up and running. It certainly is an asset and draw to our town. Well done.
Donna Shaw,
Mount Forest
‘Run it through Alma’
Dear Editor:
An open letter to Wellington County engineer Don Kudo.
After a close reading of the article that appeared in the Wellington Advertiser on Feb. 17 and going to multiple documentations available on your website, I was shocked by your lack of candour and insensitivity to the citizens of Alma.
Your study has resolved that a “widening of Wellington Road 7 and improvements to the bridge structure on Wellington Road 7 would potentially resolve the traffic volume and truck issues on Highway 6.” (Alternative 1: Wellington Rd 17 / Wellington Rd 7 bypass Dec. 2021-20-3297)
In layman’s terms, take the unwanted, polluting, noisy truck traffic from Fergus and run it through the hamlet of Alma.
Picture, for a moment, a child going to school, standing at the curb, only 13cm from a set of crushing tires with a sleepy driver and poor visibility at the intersection of Wellington Roads 7 and 17.
If that is your solution to this frightening scenario, it truly undermines the credibility of your profession. I have not received one response to my previous concerns and letters to you or your planning department, nor have they addressed this error in your plan.
Is that how a democracy works?
Jacobus deBock,
Alma
Mitigate the damage
Dear Editor:
With the impending license renewal rebates coming and the, likely, resulting cuts to healthcare and education in Ontario, I’d suggest that anyone that can afford it, to donate their rebates to their local hospital or buy supplies for a local school. Let’s try and mitigate some of the coming damage.
Gregg Derrett,
Guelph
Electioneering or smart?
Dear Editor:
I’ve noticed a lot of expired licence plate stickers in recent years, some dating back to 2018. It appears that the most expired licence plate stickers have been found in the last two years.
COVID-19 is widely blamed because Service Ontario offices were closed as an excuse for not having an updated licence plate sticker. Service Ontario has an online portal; it is unclear how to make an excuse for not having the current licence plate sticker. After the licence fee is paid, the licence plate sticker is mailed.
This removal of the licence sticker fee does not strike me as a vote-buying tactic; instead, it strikes me as common sense. The general public has already demonstrated an unwillingness to follow the law and buy the licence plate sticker. Why keep a paid program that isn’t working when the government has already lost billions of dollars in unpaid licence sticker fees? I don’t doubt that’s why Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec stopped charging for licence plate stickers in 1992; it was a loss of revenue.
The Ontario government can now figure out how many vehicles are driving around with expired licence plates. Unfortunately, the general public chooses not to be aware that the licence plate sticker is the current licence plate for that year. Any vehicle without a current licence plate sticker is unfit and unroadworthy, which means obtaining a licence sticker now necessitates a vehicle safety inspection and proof of insurance.
Let us hope that all those who chose not to purchase licence plate stickers over the past two years or more will be forced to go through this process to keep their vehicles roadworthy. If an insurance company discovers that a vehicle lacks a current licence plate sticker, they have the legal right to cancel or void the owner’s insurance.
For example, assume a vehicle has broken taillights, side windows, and so on, which are now covered with some material instead of doing a proper repair. In that case, the insurance will be void because vehicles must be roadworthy and fit to be on the road to obtain insurance.
Regardless of who is elected, I have never seen the Ontario government lose revenue. The money saved by eliminating a payment in one program will be repaid in another. I noticed that the Ontario driver’s licence fee is now $90. No doubt, the Ontario driver’s licence will soon be increased to $120 after the elimination of the license plate fee as there are undoubtedly more licenced drivers in the province than vehicle owners.
Tasha Heart,
Elora
‘Cowardice’?
Dear Editor:
It should come as no surprise that governments find excuses so they can stand on the sidelines whilst madmen go about ethnic cleansing and national/tribal genocide.
After all, they have done so many times before – Uganda & Idi Amin, Russia in Chechnya, the Serbia affair, Syria … how many others? All allowed in the name of not interfering with the “sovereignty” of other nations, or that nation not being part of some coalition or other. And now we add another excuse – the fear of repercussions.
Surely to God, in the 21st century we should have reached a level of humanity that supersedes these political and diplomatic niceties, and cowardice.
No, I don’t wish for conflict, I’m a child of World War II and hate the idea. But my sense of humanity, stunted as it may be, cannot excuse the governments who now stand by and watch Ukraine being systematically destroyed. Their excuses ring hollow at every level.
They point to the dangers of a “shooting war,” all the while ignoring the fact that Putin has said the already imposed sanctions are an act of war. The Ukrainian victims do not get or understand the distinction any better than I. And I doubt Putin cares about it either.
Neither will he appreciate that his troops killed by American weaponry is not on America because a non-American was firing them. What nonsense! Does anyone really believe that makes the difference between him attacking or not?
They know full well that Putin will not stop at Ukraine – that narcissistic psychopath has delusions of being the next “Tsar of all the Russias”. The only question is whether he attacks another non-NATO nation (like Finland) or is so encouraged by the fear shown recently that he goes ahead against a NATO country.
I understand that Putin’s mental instability and nuclear threats are worrying in the extreme, but there can be little doubt he is encouraged by our unwillingness to act, and he will not stop until he is militarily beaten. All the leaders know it, even if they will not voice it, so what on earth are they waiting for?
I’m aware Canada’s voice is hardly loud on the international stage, but Mr. Trudeau, can Canada for once be a major catalyst for the right thing, rather than the convenient follower of American dictates?
Jim Taylor,
Belwood