Unacceptable ‘antics’
Dear Editor:
RE: Replacement of Erin culvert with bridge pushes project $1.29 million over budget, June 15.
It was with incredulous dismay that I read the article regarding the planned replacement of a culvert under 17th Sideroad at 8th Line in Erin.
Not only does Erin’s elected council approve a cost overrun of $1,285,000 for a project that in 2021 was estimated to cost $845,000, it will now cost at least $2,120,000! But they don’t even question the timing of this project.
The Town of Erin is in the midst of a wastewater construction project, that has already proven to be so poorly managed that the businesses in the village of Hillsburgh, might as well shut their doors.
How is a cost overrun of 250% acceptable?
To top things off, director of infrastructure Nick Colucci thinks it’s okay to close 17th Sideroad for at least four months, while the main street of Erin is about to be dug up. The 17th Sideroad will provide essential access and egress to the businesses and residents living in Erin during the wastewater construction project – but not if it is closed.
Town council really needs to put a stop to these antics before it is too late.
Rod Perry,
Erin
‘Taxed into poverty’
Dear Editor:
An open letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
As a senior citizen I am asking you to stop the second carbon tax.
We are being taxed into poverty. The cost of living has gone up by so much that the money that comes into our house each month feels like much less than it did a year ago because it does not go as far as it used to.
Food, gas, clothing, heating and home repairs have almost doubled in the last couple of years. How are people on a fixed income supposed to cope with this? Even people with a good income are having trouble.
As prime minister of our country you can do something about this. Another carbon tax will be just another straw to break the camel’s back.
Please act in a trustworthy way for the people of your country.
Juanita Pero,
Fergus
Slow as walking?
Dear Editor:
RE: Speeding problem, June 15.
I get to vote for Centre Wellington council; they should do their job to save tax dollars – not make speed limits.
I’ve lived here for many years and pretty soon I will be able to walk as fast as I drive.
I worked at the sportsplex a couple of weeks ago. There was no fridge working in the hall, no food booth. The township could also have a great campground that would pay for itself in one weekend – maybe the engineer can do something about that?
The new speed signs on Sideroad 20 will not slow down speeders. They will just make it worse for the drivers that drive the speed limit.
Gary Watt,
Fergus
Fix budget
Dear Editor:
Our prime minister just gave away $500 million to Ukraine. I am not against giving to Ukraine. I have already given a donation for Ukraine. But, I don’t know whether this government Ukraine donation was part of the $60 billion being added to the debt or not? We can’t give, what we don’t have.
I agree with Pierre Poilievre that the government should suspend their June break and work on the budget and then recess. This is critical. Canadians need to ask Jagmeet Singh to also force the Liberal government to do this if he cares about all Canadians and our democracy.
We also don’t need virtual House of Commons meetings. These meetings can be manipulated too much in terms of cancelling, transmission, etc. We need to continue with in-person meetings. Running of our country is important and worth our representatives meeting in person.
Singh needs to represent Canadians and help us to get a budget that will help our inflation and decrease interest rates and make the Liberal government accountable for their spending. Do not recess in June but extend the time and fix the budget please.
Carolann Krusky,
Fergus
A list of concerns
Dear Editor:
Canada requires a full investigation into China’s meddling in Canada’s affairs. So far there has been more politics than results.
If Fergus displays pride banners, why not include others such as the local First Nation? If everybody can not be celebrated, no one should be celebrated.
Much of what Premier Doug Ford enacts is concerning.
Why is the Bank of Canada trying to tighten the money supply while the federal government is spending like mad? Shouldn’t these two be on the same page?
When are people going to stop blaming COVID-19 for most economic woes? The fact that many entry-level jobs remain unfilled is because the pay does not provide anywhere near a living wage.
How can I keep rabbits out of my vegetable garden? Fencing costs more than the vegetables.
Has Premier Ford ever visited a farm or does he believe food is manufactured and sold in stores?
Where is the electricity going to come from if we all drive electric vehicles?
Able bodied people receive a pension at 65. Disabled people can receive a pension prior to age 65. Disabled people at 65 receive the same amount as the able bodied people. Disabled people remain disabled with its extra expenses yet they lose the disability pension at 65. Why?
Canada has an escalating rate of euthanasia, assisted suicide in addition to the pressure to expand medical assistance in dying (MAID) to youth and babies under one year old. This was not the intent of the act. This continues to be a slippery slope. Will this only stop when euthanasia meets eugenics?
Where is the open discussion about gender identity without rancour and/or accusations?
Pat and Chris Woode,
Fergus
Time to ‘wake up’?
Dear Editor:
Reducing the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is imperative if we are to avoid climate catastrophe.
What doesn’t make sense, is that our politicians want to subsidize the fossil fuel industry to research carbon capture and storage. We already know how to do this using biologically enhanced agricultural management (BEAM). Instead of wasting money on the fossil fuel industry, the government should be using it to help farmers transition from conventional agriculture to BEAM – it takes about three years to make the switch.
BEAM combines the principles of regenerative agriculture (low or no till, no pesticides or herbicides, and little or no fertilizer) along with an understanding of how mycorrhizal fungi and bacteria form a symbiotic relationship with plants to provide nutrients and water, and store carbon in the soil.
BEAM works in my small vegetable garden and in a 10,000-acre corn and soy farm in Iowa where, over a three-year period, the application of nitrogen was reduced from 200 units/acre to 50 units/acre with the same or better yield, the use of Roundup was reduced from 100% to 0% and the profit increased from $100/acre to $400/acre.
If 45% of the global arable land switched to BEAM, not only would we have healthier food and more profitable farming, we would also capture and store all the yearly global anthropogenic fossil fuel emissions in the soil each year for up to 75 years, before the soil would be saturated. Hopefully we can cut our yearly fossil fuel emissions to zero long before that.
Understanding the importance of fungi and bacteria in the soil is relatively recent, but much research has been done, there are many papers and books on the topic and successful examples abound. When will our politicians wake up?
Ron Moore,
Hillsburgh
‘In my heart’
Dear Editor:
I worked as a registered nurse for several decades caring for seniors, many suffering with dementia. This poem was written for all the husbands, wives, sons, daughters, family and friends of people who suffer from dementia.
I Will Know You in My Heart
If my eyes don’t seem to know you
Or I can’t recall your name
Don’t look away with sadness
Or turn away with shame.
You may think that I have hidden
All the history we once shared
Or think that I’ve forgotten
All the love and how we cared.
When the mind retreats and closes
Oh, where do the memories go?
They are always deep within us
As you and I both know.
You know I’ve always loved you
I knew it from the start
The cherished memories, all our past
Is right here in my heart.
No doubt my memory’s fading
Old age does play a part.
I may not know you in my mind,
But I will know you in my heart.
Joan Norris,
Mapleton
Thank you
Dear Editor:
A hearty thank you from the Fergus Lions Club and the staff and students of the Maranatha Christian School, to all the courteous drivers on Highway 6 from Fergus Canadian Tire to the 4th Line South, this past Saturday (June 17). The Highway Roadside Clean-Up program was successfully completed, and your adherence to directions of the flag persons, made this a safe event.
Also – a huge shout out to Fergus McDonald’s and Tower Street South Tim Hortons for your generous support of this program by supplying treats for the student volunteers.
Not to be forgotten, Elliot Bus Lines which provided the bus to transport the workers.
Our heartfelt thanks to you…and of course, to Cora – our local bus driver. It takes only a few to make a great difference.
Thank you to all.
Brian Martin,
Fergus Lions Club
Breakfast a success
Dear Editor:
On Saturday the June 17 we had our Breakfast on the Farm at the Cnossen Family Farm just north of Elora To say it was one of the best days is an understatement.
We asked our 40-plus volunteers to arrive around sevenish and to help with set up and once the Alma Optimists had the breakfast ready we fed all our volunteers and the busses (Switzer-Carty) started to roll by 8:45am and the public started coming with lots of smiles and excitement.
We served a beautiful breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage, baked beans, and pancakes and fresh local maple syrup, chocolate, and white milk and to finish their breakfast experience, Ice cream – because who does not want ice cream for breakfast?
We had lots for everyone to experience, from touring the robotic milking system to seeing and touching the cows, heavy horse, and a couple of Angus beef heifers to in our children Barnyard playground they also got to see baby pigs, chick and ducks and the miniature goats. Everyone had the opportunity to plant a sunflower seed to be able to show it at our fair in Sept.
As organizers, we plan for as many interesting things for everyone to see, touch and do and to learn about our great Agricultural community that we have right at our feet. And for you, our community to support us brings so much joy to our hearts and a feeling that we are doing this right.
Our community comes together either in support, helping, or just coming to enjoy the day, makes what we do more special.
So sincerely, I would like to thank each one of you for the support that has been given.
Also a huge shout out to our host family, the Cnossens. You are one the best families that I have had the honor of working with and not only agreeing to do it once, but twice, is a testament to who you are and why you do what you are doing and how passionate you are about educating everyone about Agriculture.
Thank you again from the Bottom of my heart.
Denise Kankainen,
Guelph