‘Inflammatory’
Dear Editor:
RE: Elora Mohawks banners banned while township develops policy on Indigenous-themed sports logos, July 18.
Your front page print story regarding the Centre Wellington council decision not to reinstall Elora Mohawks championship banners and jerseys at this time was consciously inflammatory.
Your digital version of the story quickly morphed its headline into a notably softer “banners won’t be re-installed” versus your print story of “banners banned”. Suffice to say, there is a distinctly negative connotation with the term “banned”.
Why council would decide to tackle this issue and create unnecessary noise as the team prepares to play for the Ontario Western title is beyond comprehension. Which is not to say the issue does not deserve careful and considerate scrutiny. But the timing? Come on! It’s an unnecessary distraction for a group of young men doing their very all to represent the community.
And what of the hard working members of those championship teams, most recently the Founders Cup champs of 2018? And those before them? Are we comfortable just erasing their legacy and accomplishments? If the banners need to be re-instated without the logo, if that is the sticking point, then do so. But don’t erase them from history. Remember, we celebrated them with a parade in 2018; let’s not brand them with a Scarlet letter in 2024.
Terry Williams,
Elora
‘Digital tools’
Dear Editor:
I’ve been planning a letter to air my exasperation with the Ford government, especially the appalling lack of sufficient funding to support and improve our healthcare system.
However, in light of summer and sunshine, I’ll describe a recent positive experience within our health care system.
I’m an “older adult” and I welcome the challenge of keeping pace with the use of technology. Recently I tried a new online tool that provides us, the patients, access to our personal health care records that are held by local hospitals and some labs.
I wanted to check the date of my last shoulder x-ray because I’m looking at replacement surgery. Rather than calling my busy family doctor’s office I remembered an online tool I learned about several months ago, ConnectMyHealth. There is a poster about it in my family doctor’s office. You can Google it.
The process to register for ConnectMyHealth is detailed. You need to upload a digital picture, so assistance from a tech-savvy friend or family might help. However, the complexity is reassuring because we need confidence that our medical information is secure. Once registered, it’s easy to sign in at any time. I signed in yesterday and found my records from three different hospitals – in Fergus, Guelph and Hamilton – where I have been treated or had scans, scopes, X-rays, etc. (with arthritis, I am fortunate to have had various joint replacements).
This positive experience of a new efficient tool does not in any way let the Doug Ford government off the hook for the appalling underfunding and support of our system.
However, I’ve learned that other digital tools are being introduced to add efficiencies for doctors and other health care workers. We patients will also benefit in the long run. I’m looking forward to learning about other tools in the works or already in use.
Liz MacLennan,
Elora
‘Respect others’ views’
Dear Editor:
I recently had a great conversation with a gentleman who responded to my invitation in this paper to have a conversation about Pride.
We found we both are passionate about people being treated fairly and all people being accepted and respected. We talked about the meaning of the Pride flag, which seems to vary according to the person who is looking at it. We need to get clarification on what the flag represents. Welcoming and including all people appears to be an important aspect.
I was glad to discover that it is okay to talk about Pride policies that have made their way into policies in our society.
We agreed that more conversations need to be had, in a respectful way. We don’t all have to agree, but we respect others’ views. Perhaps this would defuse a lot of the polarization, vitriol and nasty name calling that I originally complained about in my first letter.
Claudette Stevens,
Southgate
‘Deal with it’
Dear Editor:
RE: Minto residents receive anti-Pride flyer in mail, July 11.
Personally, I take no issue with anyone who identifies with 2SLGBTQIA+ or otherwise and do not identify with a group. I stand firmly against the indoctrination of children and misrepresentation of the majority.
Pride doesn’t represent culture or diversity. Inclusion of everyone provides diversity by default.
Mayor Dave Turton and council have graciously heard delegations regarding this issue but failed to comprehend and apply neutrality, stating they can’t provide a bylaw that allows banners/flags/sidewalks to remain neutral; totally missing the meaning.
As a Minto taxpayer I don’t want my community suggesting I support the beliefs aligned with Pride and I don’t expect them to support mine.
Deputy mayor Jean Anderson stated the issue is “tearing the community apart.” It is indeed creating division as council has catered to a category.
Categorization is division. When done to individuals hostility ensues. Council failed to comprehend and appropriately apply neutrality; now to admit and deal with it.
Bonnie Hollinger,
Minto
‘Their true selves’
Dear Editor:
RE: Deeply concerned, July 18.
We are certainly living in the midst of enormous change when it comes to gender identity. It is all-encompassing.
Scientific research on hormones and genes confirms that there is a spectrum related to gender; gender dysphoria is biology.
I am relieved to know that individuals can live their true selves in a society that is inclusive and loving. It may take another generation to see social norms catch up with the science.
Sheila Koop,
Elora
‘Empty prayers’
Dear Editor:
RE: Deeply concerned, July 18.
Let me reassure Doug Vanderveen: the term “bigot” is not used lightly. It is not a “burn”; rather, it is a condemnation of some peoples’ moral failure – their misconstrued, narrow-minded and, yes, bigoted sense of what is right and wrong.
The term describes intolerance, an appalling degree of arrogance, and a complete lack of compassion. This is not to be celebrated. It must be countered and logically and morally discredited, then shunned, shamed, and shut out of societal debate.
The Christian-nationalist views Vanderveen espouses are fundamentally exclusionary, dangerous, and dehumanizing – he and others are actively denying the inherent human dignity of members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Members of the LGBTQ+ community do not need his prayers, which are materially inconsequential. Instead, we need access to inclusive and appropriate healthcare, access to non discriminatory government services, and the ability to live in a society that is free from public and private discrimination.
Perhaps rather than offering empty prayers, he might strive to work towards a more inclusive and understanding society, instead.
Connor Maitland,
Centre Wellington
‘User-pay solution’
Dear Editor:
When I was on council last term, I was originally very sympathetic to the plight of termite-infested homes and voted certainly to find a community solution. The new exorbitant cost of termite treatment with serious tax increases this year and the recent letter from a new Fergus resident insisting that he is owed, as in entitled, to treatment at every other taxpayer’s expense has made me rethink this problem.
The resident letter (Termite treatment, June 13) stated the resident knowingly bought a termite infested, probably on a discount, treated it, put an addition on his home and now it has termites that he treated at thousands of dollars of cost. He now insists he wants the general public to pay up to $60,000, which is the termite report price tag, to fix his termite problem.
I have a problem with that. Is he going to pay the money back to the community when he sells his $1-million-plus home with perhaps a profit? Highly unlikely.
Yes, the problem is massive. There are over 280 homes confirmed and up to 500 possible for immediate infestation. Yes, it needs a community-wide solution that is comprehensive, rapid and immediate.
Yes, it can and is financially onerous for private owners of the termite-infested homes. But it is wrong to make the whole general public pay for the advantage of private owners increasing the value of their personal homes. This needs a user-pay solution with a loan/lien against the houses that are designated for treatment so the public gets the monies forwarded back when the houses are sold. With financial products like reverse mortgages in the market place I am sure the legal and financial department of the township can figure out an agreement.
A capital reserve created to advance the capital for quick and comprehensive termite treatment and then collect the administrative costs, funds and interest when the houses are sold.
This council needs urgently to rethink this problem that requires no general tax increases and facilitates a user pay solution.
The fact is 26.8% of Canadians are struggling financially, living barely week to week, and those 25 to 54 years of age at 32.7% and locally elderly and lower income residents are struggling to pay rent let alone own a home. Also, there was a 35% increase in use at the local food bank last year.
Centre Wellington council subsidizing owners of million-dollar homes with termites is not a good use of public funds. The only just solution is a user-pay solution.
Stephen Kitras,
Centre Wellington
Bank parking
Dear Editor:
This is regarding the parking sign on the street beside RBC Bank in Fergus.
I suggested to Centre Wellington Township and the mayor that the sign could be changed to a disabled sign since there is only one parking spot in the lot and it’s quite a long walk for someone disabled.
I myself have to stop once or twice while walking to rest and then continue on. To me it only makes sense to have that sign a disabled one.
That would be so much easier for us and we’ve talked to other people and they agree so I’m writing to you for others to read this and see if they also agree.
Yvonne Levely,
Fergus
Popular pilot
Dear Editor:
An open letter to the aerobatics pilot that flies in the area of Beatty Line and Sideroad 10.
Whenever I hear your plane I drop everything and run outside to watch you from a few kilometres away, where you appear as a little spec on the horizon doing loops and dives.
On July 20 I had the privilege of being right underneath you as you flew, and I just have to tell you that your talent and your plane are extraordinary!
Hope to see you featured in the paper sometime; would love to know your story. Thank you for the joy, excitement and amazement that you bring!
Shelby Pozza,
Centre Wellington
‘Doggy do’
Dear Editor:
We are fortunate to have great walking trails in Centre Wellington. They are maintained by hundreds of anonymous volunteers. Thank you.
If you are using the trails, do your part. If you carried it in, carry it out. If your dog dropped it, pick it up and take it home.
A lawn mower and “doggy do” makes a huge mess. Be a helper not the problem. Carry it out.
Dave Scharman,
Elora
Another store needed
Dear Editor:
I’ve been living in Elora for 15 years. I’m single, in my mid-70s but I can still drive.
We really need another grocery store in Elora. I heard No Frills may be coming but needs zoning changes. Get on with it! They changed zoning for McDonalds.
The other grocery store needs competition; its prices are high compared to Walmart and Freshco.
Sharon Roche,
Elora
‘Rural supplement’
Dear Editor:
This letter pertains to anyone living in a rural location but has their mail delivered by a Toronto CMA post office. The Canada Carbon Rebate has an additional supplement for rural residents living outside of the Toronto CMA. This year, our government is checking postal codes to identify location.
If you live outside of the Toronto CMA but have a postal code that “straddles” a CMA location, you will be denied the supplement. For example, Erin residents with a postal code of L7J or L7G will not receive the rural CCR funds.
If you agree this is unfair, contact the CRA (or your MP) to have your rural supplement re-instated.
Renata Georgeff,
Erin