‘Wake up’
Dear Editor:
Who was the genius that turned Wellington Road 18 into a truck bypass? Did anyone ever take the time to drive that route?
There is so much wrong with this beyond description.
When the trucks use this route not only do they have to drive by Salem School, they have to master that turn onto Geddes Street (or Wellington Road 18). Most dump trucks I have witnessed cannot navigate this without stopping all traffic first. I know, let’s wait and see what a tractor trailer can do.
Now there is the subject of Salem Public School. This school is already at capacity and will only grow because of all the new construction on Beatty Line which is only the start.
Then there will be the obstacles of turning on and off of Highway 6.
I don’t know but was the 2nd Line south of Fergus ever discussed? Then it would be possible to use Gartshore for industrial traffic in an already industrial area. Maybe that’s too simple or,
Maybe you could use Alma (albeit in another municipality) which would take you out to Highway 6 and use the existing traffic lights.
None of this makes any sense to me, that includes blocking off downtown Elora on the weekends. This is a county road. Wait until an emergency vehicle of some sort had to navigate the side streets when everybody will be parked every way they can. I guess that’s what it takes to get an answer to that.
Someone needs to wake up.
Werner Raab,
Salem
Condolences
Dear Editor:
Just wanted to express my deepest condolences and sympathies to our sisters and brothers in the Muslim community in light of the recent terrorist attack that murdered a whole Muslim family in London, Ontario.
Long live the Muslim community in Canada! Peace and love will triumph. In solidarity …
Eduardo Queiruga,
Elora
‘Important symbols’
Dear Editor:
The discovery of children in unmarked graves in Canada is incredibly heartbreaking. Also heart-breaking is that Indigenous people and survivors of the residential school system have been saying this for years. Hopefully now more of us will listen and then act, holding our political leaders to account to fulfill the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Report.
I would like to extend heartfelt thanks to those who so quickly rose to the challenge to create a memorial in honour of the 215 children discovered on the site of the former Kamloops residential school. It began with sharing an idea with a small group of women, who then leapt into action to create a powerful opportunity for both settlers and survivors to reflect.
My front porch was covered in new and gently-used shoes within hours (we collected 275 pairs in total) and many hands helped to set up and take down.
Thank you to Jana Burns, manager of Wellington Place, for supporting the use of the museum lands (the traditional and ancestral lands of the Mississaugas of the New Credit, the Six Nations of the Grand and the Saugeen Ojibway Nation). I extend particular gratitude for the wisdom and generosity shared by Kathy Renton-McLeod and Merv McLeod (a residential school survivor) during this time. And thanks to Kathy and Merv’s daughter Annie, the shoes will be driven to Thunder Bay and flown to Sandy Lake, Neskantaga, Fort Hope and Marten Falls where they are sure to be warmly received.
While a memorial and lowered flags are important symbols, it is imperative that we educate ourselves about the harm done to Indigenous Canadians at the hands of democratically-elected governments as well as the churches who were contracted to run them.
I encourage everyone to read the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action and hold our elected officials and faith leaders to account.
This discovery is not history or a “dark time in Canada’s past.” There is much to be done for true reconciliation to be achieved.
Diane Ballantyne,
Fergus
Thanks for nothing
Dear Editor:
An open letter to Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece.
This email is in regards to the Ontario government’s efforts to perpetuate their emergency powers through to the end of 2021.
Out of 124 elected members to the Legislature, a total of 58 members voted on this most important motion. The motion passed with a vote of 36 in favour and 22 objecting.
I am of the understanding that you, Mr. Pettapiece, did not even use your right to vote and represent the people that elected to have you represent us. I find this lack of inaction on your part completely despicable and actually quite cowardly on your behalf.
Were you afraid of the consequences of voting against Doug Ford’s agenda? Or were you for his agenda but afraid of the consequences you may receive from the people you are supposed to be representing? Either way, you have made a mockery of our voting system in Ontario and you can rest assured you will not even be considered as a candidate when I vote again.
You would think a vote that was this important to uphold our Constitutional Rights would have been attended by all elected officials. Perhaps you were under the weather with COVID yourself at the time, or perhaps you were playing a round of golf on the newly-opened golf courses.
My concern is not what your vote would have been, my concern is that you didn’t even bother. You just didn’t show up to work that day did you? Thanks for thinking of your constituents first.
Patricia Riley,
Harriston
‘Shame on you’
Dear Editor:
On May 31 of this year, the provincial government was faced with a critical vote: whether or not to extend its Emergency Powers to Dec. 1. It was passed by a majority vote of 36-22. That all sounds good until one does the math: 36 plus 22 does not equal 123 (the total number of MPPs able to vote on such matters). In fact the total number of votes is less than 1/2 the MPPs able to vote. This got me curious, so I acquired a list of MPPs and how they voted, I couldn’t have been more shocked!!
Sixty-five – yes, 65 – of our MPPs did not vote on this very important decision, that has seriously affected and will continue to seriously affect every person in Ontario until Dec. 1. My belief, and I hope is every Ontarian’s belief that we elect people to represent us who have the courage to stand up and make the tough choices especially when it comes to something as important as extending the government’s emergency powers.
I am a staunch supporter of conservative values, and will continue to support those values. When I first met my MPP Randy Pettapiece, it was a phone conversation when he was looking for support for his nomination as the Progressive Conservative candidate for Perth-Wellington. We struck up a good conversation that left me with a favourable impression. I supported him at our nomination meeting and he prevailed. During his first election (against John Wilkinson) I did all I could to help him prevail, and he demonstrated to me a huge amount of internal fortitude. He squeaked in by a very small margin. I considered it an honour and privilege to work with him (win or lose). I was privileged to be invited to his swearing in ceremony, which I attended.
With that kind of history, it seriously pains me to say that Randy Pettapiece was one of the 65 MPPs who did not vote. The decision either way was tough, really tough, but to cowardly not vote, that is inexcusable. Randy, if you are reading this, I want to publicly tell you I am hugely disappointed in your action. If you value my support, Randy, in the future, then I would expect you to act with the courage your office expects of you.
Randy Pettapiece is not the only one to make mention of: Doug Ford (Premier) Bill Walker (MPP Grey Bruce) are examples of two others we should be familiar with, who took the coward’s way out. Shame on all of you.
Wayne Baker,
Wellington North
People over politics
Dear Editor:
RE: Might vs. right, June 3.
I do not need a lesson on history or politics. My letter concerned “political hypocrisy”. At no time did I defend China over any of its multiple crimes. But China is a rival, therefore a bad guy.
The rest of the world condemns Israel’s actions, but America and its little puppy dog, Canada, defend them. The massive weapons contracts have nothing to do with it, though. Saudi Arabia is one of those Christian-persecuting Arab countries listed by the Christian-centric OpenDoors, but we’re alright with them.
I know my Jewish history from Biblical times to present. As you say, the West gave them Israel to make up for the Holocaust, largely through guilt, “but not in my backyard”. So, they dropped them in an already occupied land, displacing 700,000 to a million Palestinians. Now Israel is seizing land in the Occupied Territory. But that’s alright, it has nothing to do with religious persecution. They just happen to be in the way. However, since Israel feels it needs to expand, and America is such a close ally, why not give them Florida? I’m certain the Floridians won’t mind.
I do know my history. You say the West respects religion. What you mean is that we’ve already done our genetic cleansing, with the Crusades, Inquisitions, Conquistadores, and Residential Schools. The English, after creating their own religion of convenience,created the Penal Laws, denying Catholics the right to vote, own land, hold office, etc. In short, Apartheid. But what atrocities have we committed lately?
When one nation assails another, or their own people, it is the responsibility of all other nations to condemn these acts, and act against it, regardless of politics.
Patrick Doyle,
Rockwood
‘Change is inevitable’
Dear Editor:
RE: Fossil fuels, June 10.
I was angered when I first read Henry Brunsveld’s three reasons on why the age of fossil fuels is here to stay.
But after reading a second time, I realized he was misinformed so it was best to address his points.
1. I found it interesting when Brunsveld mentioned China, the largest carbon emitter, having no intention of reducing emissions, citing coal making up a staggering 58% of total consumption in 2019. This number is down from 59% in 2018 and has been steadily decreasing since 2011. It is also important to note that China remains the largest global investor in green energy, putting a total of nearly $758 billion to renewables since 2010 until 2019 which is more than the next three highest combined. As for India and Russia, despite being 3rd and 4th, combined they still only make up 12% of global emissions compared to China’s 28%, and are both making efforts to lower their respective contributions.
2. Brunsveld also conveniently left out the United States as the 2nd highest carbon emitter in his first point, but then proceeds to bash Joe Biden’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions. He also claims that “according to his reading sources” the impact of mining and processing materials needed for batteries is far more inefficient than those same processes used for fossil fuels. Nitpicking steps in battery production accomplishes nothing; to truly comment on the impact of electric vehicles (EV) you need to view it from cradle to grave. Look at any life-cycle analysis on EVs in the past three years and every one of them will tell you that EVs have a much smaller carbon footprint than internal combustion engine vehicles. As to your last claim about a 1,000-pound battery requiring 500,000 pounds of materials, I gave that a quick search and I assume it’s from one of the many Facebook posts that fact-checking websites have claimed are false.
3. The price of green energy has been reducing incredibly quickly for years and is just as efficient as fossil fuels. I also think many people would agree that solar and wind farms are less of an “eyesore” than the giant smokestacks and dirty fumes of coal and gas plants. Finally, please retire the pathetic “thousands of birds killed by windmills” argument. If you truly cared about the environment and the animals that inhabit it, I suggest you look into coral bleaching, which is caused by global warming.
As a university student in engineering looking to pursue sustainable technologies, it pains me to see that so many are against ideas of creating a more sustainable Earth. Change is inevitable, embrace it.
Darby Smyth,
Orton
Questionable claims
Dear Editor:
RE: Fossil fuels, June 10
Henry Brunsveld claims, “China has no intention of reducing its use of fossil fuels.” Actually, China has pledged that emissions will peak by 2030 and will reduce to net zero by 2050.
We Canadians should clean up our own act before pointing our fingers at China. In 2019 the emissions per person in Canada was 19.4 tonnes, while China’s was only 10.1 tonnes per person. Even U.S. emissions were less than us at 15 tonnes per person. Some argue that our emissions are higher because of our northern climate, but in Norway emissions were only 8.2 tonnes per person. Russia and India also emit less per person than us.
We still will need fossil fuels because we rely heavily on plastic, in which the carbon remains fixed. We just need to stop burning the stuff.
Mining anything uses a lot of energy and is prone to polluting the environment. However, burning the fossil fuels after mining them is the problem, whereas the lithium stores energy and runs vehicles without further pollution. A new technology for producing lithium from sea water has been developed and proven, at least on a small scale. The main cost of producing one kilogram of battery grade lithium from sea water would be about 76 kWh of electricity or about $13 at peak Ontario rates. The process also produces hydrogen, chlorine and desalinated water which can be used or sold.
Solar panels do not need to be eyesores. I have them on my roof and they are no less attractive than the usual roofing material. The panels provide nearly all of my household needs, and charge my car and lawnmower as well. Solar panels on the roofs of any new developments make a lot of sense.
Trump? Really? The guy who ignored the rule of law, tried to prevent the peaceful change of government and assured millions of Americans they could ignore COVID-19 health advice? No thank you!
Ron Moore,
Hillsburgh
Committee confusion
Dear Editor:
RE: Committee ready to abandon sculpture project to honour Jack R. MacDonald, June 10.
I write to correct a false impression left by last week’s article on the Elora Sculpture Project, and the interview with David Cross. I am not the chair of the Elora Fergus Arts Council, but chair of the council’s committee of Art in Public Places.
As a sculptor and keen on the heritage of Elora, I was in touch with the township tourism staff, looking for possible funding for a sculpture of Thomas and John Connon, historic Elora photographers, which I might complete with friends but which would need to be cast in bronze to be donated as a permanent outdoor tribute to the Connons, father and son.
Somehow this project got confused with the applications for the project to honour Elora benefactor, Jack R. MacDonald. This confusion projected that I must be a part of the Elora Sculpture Project (ESP) group, of which David Cross, the present chair, speaks in your article. I state here clearly, and it was clarified by Dorothy Smith at the last Community Service Advisory Committee (CSAC) meeting, that I am not in any way a part of the ESP group, except that I admire them, and have had a number of sculptures in their annual displays.
In dealing with these confusions, I came to be aware of the difficulties facing the MacDonald sculpture project. The contract (posted with the agenda) clearly states that the placement of the sculpture must be agreed upon as a first step. Through my volunteer work with the Elora Fergus Arts Council (Art in Public Places Committee), as well as my sculpture experience, I agreed totally with David Cross’ group (ESP) that the placement of the sculpture should not be at the Mill Street walking bridge as was recommended by township staff and CSAC. Further, the Elora Fergus Arts Council offered to express our support for the ESP’s committee choice of placement, either in Victoria Park or one of the other sites they suggest. To be clear, we had no intention of making an application ourselves to the MacDonald sculpture fund.
The sculpture should be a momento and tribute for us, the citizens of Elora, and not an object for the tourists of Mill Street. It is meant to honour MacDonald, but is not necessarily of MacDonald himself. The site chosen by staff and the CSAC committee at the north end of the bridge is not conducive to the viewing of a good sculptural piece. There is too much distraction and not enough room to walk around the sculpture and see it in three dimensions. The suggested land at the south end of the walking bridge in Pearle property is also not suitable.
This project should be rethought, with more definition and alternatives. Greater flexibility. Dorothy Smith will make a complete report at the next CSAC meeting, and we hope the project will survive.
As citizens of Elora, we are grateful to MacDonald for his generosity and we would like to express that through a beautiful sculpture placed where it enhances, and is central to, our daily lives.
Beverley Cairns,
Elora