‘Detour’ details
Dear Editor:
Should the county not remove the restricted load signs from Blackburn bridge since it is now being used as a truck detour?
It’s easily possible for a loaded truck to be 10 tons-plus overweight as it stands now.
William Howes,
Alma
Kids these days
Dear Editor:
I was working on a new deck in my backyard in Salem, Plein Air Elora (outdoor art competition and exhibition/sale) is on and an artist was working all afternoon painting a scene of the Irvine, in the Salem veterans park.
Three boys, maybe 12 years old, came along with fishing poles and I heard them ask the artist if they could throw their lines in, not wanting to bother her. They got the okay and cast and laughed and carried on.
Then they were done and I heard, “Thank you, miss.” Obviously locals and obviously polite and thoughtful boys.
Well done.
Frank Wilson,
Salem
New school meeting
Dear Editor:
I would like to inform people about the upcoming open house invitation with regards to the proposed Wellington Catholic District School Board high school to be built on Strathallen Street in Fergus.
If you have any concerns with this development vision, please come see, understand and make a statement about the removal of a current town park and sports field.
The open house is on May 28 from 6:30 to 7:30pm in the Aboyne Hall at the County of Wellington Museum and Archives (552 Wellington Road 18).
David Barker,
Fergus
A plan would be nice
Dear Editor:
Two weeks ago Centre Wellington Township painted new yellow lines on Wellington Road 18 in Elora. They did a very good job.
Not long after the lines were painted, a new crew came and did repair work on the road. This included putting asphalt on top of large portions of the newly painted lines, which, of course covered the lines.
It would have been nice if city hall, or whoever is responsible for arranging these public jobs, would have coordinated it so that the asphalt work would have been done before the painting.
I’m not sure what is more frustrating, the lack of planning or the waste of taxpayers’ money.
Anthony Martins,
Elora
‘Cruel’ punishment?
Dear Editor:
Our Ontario government is again making wasteful attempts at reducing auto theft by introducing no effective laws (if you get caught breaking them).
How many times do you read a police report where the person stopped by the police was driving while under licence suspension!?
Licence suspension does not work, so what is the point this government wants to make?
How about jail time instead – say three years for the first time, five for the second time, and 10 for the third time. No questions asked, no get out of jail time free, and make it the law that all judges must follow this, no matter what the circumstances. This may sound cruel, but so is losing your vehicle and the steady increase in insurance costs. Something has to be done.
Paul Roberts,
Fergus
‘Public health tragedy’
Dear Editor:
Public health is spewing out misinformation about ticks. In graphics that they are using on television, public health employees are suggesting that the American dog tick is causing Lyme disease. Nothing could be further from the truth!
The American dog tick does not sustain the Lyme disease bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi, in their midgut. This tick species kills the Lyme disease bacterium quickly.
In addition, public health has overlooked a newly discovered tick-borne zoonotic disease called human babesiosis caused by Babesia odocoilei. This single-celled parasite attacks red blood cells causing an array of symptoms. A recent study revealed that the most common symptoms are overwhelming fatigue, muscle and joint ache, and “brain fog.” This blood parasite is closely related to Plasmodium falciparum malaria.
Recently, public health disseminated misinformation about ticks on a TV news program on May 15.
These highly paid public sector employees are misinforming the public about life-destroying, zoonotic diseases – a public health tragedy.
John Scott,
Fergus
‘Try it next time’
Dear Editor:
I recently attended my grandson’s first swimming lessons at the Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex in Fergus and it was great! The kids teaching them are fantastic and very helpful; what a great event on Sunday afternoons.
The parents that did see them learning to jump in the water, put their faces in the water and take away the fear was absolutely wonderful to watch.
The ones that were sitting there texting their friends or using social media should try it next time you are there – it’s quite an experience that you will remember for a lifetime! Just saying.
Brian Mackay,
Fergus
Truth about teacher
Dear Editor:
RE: John F. Ross teacher recognized as ‘Greatest High School Teacher,’ May 16.
As a former student of Mrs. Graham and avid reader of the Wellington Advertiser, I can attest to the article being both accurate and the award being well deserved.
I would like to personally congratulate her for her consistent hard work.
Liam Vickery,
Rockwood
‘Exclusive’ council?
Dear Editor:
RE: Community members clash over Pride banners in Minto, May 16.
I would like to comment on two items reported in your paper.
The first is a comment by two people that they felt the person presenting the petition was “not completely honest about its goal.” I must say that the petition itself was actually very “honest” about its goals.
On the top of the petition was written these words: “The undersigned persons being electors of the Town of Minto, hereby petition council to make a bylaw ensuring crosswalks and flags and banners on public property remain neutral adhering to the following:
– crosswalks will only be painted in a white stripped pattern (“continental or ladder”) between two parallel lines;
– flags: Only the national flag of Canada, provincial flag of Ontario or Town of Minto flags are raised on flagpoles on public property or facilities.
There will be no decoration on a town crosswalk or displaying of flags or banners supporting political, social or religious movements or commercial entities save and accept the Royal Canadian Legion banner which are “grandfathered in.”
How could the intentions of this petition be made more clear?
Now everyone was asked to print their name, sign their name, give their full municipal street and address, give their telephone or email and finally to date it if they agreed with the terms I have included which were on all the petitions.
It was not a checkmark in a box if you agreed or an initial if you again agreed. It’s a very serious matter to thus sign one’s agreement in this way. I think that the people who said they were being deceived did not read the declaration carefully and signed the petition because of this very fact.
Secondly, I have heard the words the people want to be “inclusive” of the Pride cause. The word inclusive means, “not excluding any of the parties or groups involved in something.” I do not see this demonstrated in the Town of Minto council. Many causes have been left out.
I would say that the Town of Minto council might be better and more forthright to say that their policy in this regard is “exclusive,” which means, “excluding or not admitting other things.”
Heather Winn,
Palmerston
Knowing the ‘basics’?
Dear Editor:
Men and women, look at the display ads in the back of the newspapers. It says, Notice. Who puts out these notices? Governments and their agencies at all levels.
For instance, in the May 16 Wellington Advertiser it states Notice of Public Meeting Regarding Development Charges, date, time, place. It is an offer to contract. Any advertisement or announcement is an offer to contract.
People should ask, “What is in the contract?” Valid contracts need an offer, meeting of the minds, acceptance and fulfillment or consideration if monetary.
The public meeting fulfills “the meeting of the minds” obligation. Acceptance occurs when men and women pay the newly raised development charges. Protestors are ignored. Why? Because they petitioned, pleaded or begged the councillors not to implement the new charges. Under contract law, that is dishonour.
Why did they not counter-offer under contract law? Why did they not do a conditional acceptance upon proof of x,y,z? Governments only have authority by “we the people” consenting. Governments are just another business using tacit agreements. Do you know these basics?
Irma DeVries,
Harriston