Towering buildings
Dear Editor:
I am deeply concerned about zoning bylaw amendments in Centre Wellington to change the “C1” Central Business District Commercial that will allow three storey buildings to be changed to accommodate five storey buildings.
These bylaws are in place for a very good reason, to protect the integrity of our downtown core.
Five storey buildings will tower over existing buildings and will severely impact the privacy of existing homes and businesses. In my opinion, they will stick out like a sore thumb!
I realize that we need to increase affordable residential housing and if we really require taller buildings of this magnitude may I suggest that they be built away from current residential homes and not ruin the landscape of our downtown.
I implore Centre Wellington Township to be very mindful of approving these current development applications. This will set a precedent and will forever ruin the beautiful fabric of our downtown core. It will also severely impact current residential and business properties that have been established for years.
There is no date set yet for a public meeting to address these amendments, so if anyone else shares my concerns, please be vigilant and watch for the notice to attend this meeting.
Thank you for your heartfelt consideration when reviewing the development applications for our stunning jewel, our historic town of Fergus.
Debbie Ostic,
Fergus
‘Absolute rule’
Dear Editor:
RE: The power of one, Aug. 18.
Publisher Dave Adsett’s comments last week reminded me of Aristotle’s comments in “Rhetoric” – that free government has no future where men can be treated as a mindless herd.
Ford, it seems, believes like Socrates that people should be ruled by one person with absolute rule.
Chris Woode,
Fergus
‘Inappropriate’ article
Dear Editor:
RE: Caressant Care Harriston fails to meet provincial deadline for air conditioning, Aug. 11.
Harriston Caressant Care is a fine facility and takes excellent care of their residents.
As indicated, they monitor the air temperature and many residents wear sweaters or jackets to stay comfortable in the summer. In the winter the home is kept warm.
The social atmosphere is very pleasant, the food is tasty, the residents are well cared for and have a beautiful patio shaded by trees.
A lengthy negative report regarding Harriston Caressant Care was inappropriate.
Agnes Norris,
Minto
Evaluating energy use
Dear Editor:
I’m reluctant to wade into this discussion since I have the feeling that there is much emotional intensity attached to the realization that we are facing a climate crisis. My reading of the Global Warming Petition Project or Oregon Project, as referenced by Jane Vandervliet, and the accompanying commentary on Wikipedia suggests that the conclusions and the authority of some of the signers are suspect.
(I salute the editor for attempting to bring some balance to the topic.)
I am directing my energy into trying to assess my carbon footprint and what measures can be taken to lessen that. I would welcome thoughts from others as to how they evaluate their energy consumption and what they have done to reduce it. I believe that we cannot rely on government alone to provide the leadership that is critical now.
Jim Brown,
Guelph/Eramosa
Critical thinking
Dear Editor:
A letter by Barbara Bowle in the Aug. 18 Advertiser seems to want the editor to publish both sides of climate change debate – ie. the truth vs false information regarding climate change and “to check both sides and apply our own critical thinking skills.”
In a “perfect world” that might work, but in reality not everyone chooses to use critical thinking to weigh the evidence, and make their own conclusions. How else can one explain that despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, 30% of Americans and 70% of republicans still believe that the election was stolen from Trump?
What is even more disturbing, is that in spite of the fact that 19 of the past 20 years were the hottest on record “continuing a long-term warming trend due to human activities” (https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/global-temperature/) – many Canadians refuse to believe that we are the cause.
If Chris Daponte didn’t write that “Over 90% of climate scientists believe global temperatures have increased during the past century and that human activity is a significant contributing factor,” after a letter with false statements about climate change, those of us without our critical thinking caps on, might end up even more confused.
John Burger,
Orton
Surely time to act
Dear Editor:
How ludicrous to suggest that the “climate crisis” being shoved down our throats is “hysteria.”
That would suggest that those of us taking bold steps to combat this crisis are foolish and irrational. Instead, over the past 50 years that this problem has been examined, presented, explained and reviewed, society has allowed the deniers and naysayers to set the narrative of inaction and complacency. It is time for this to stop.
Average citizens everywhere (except perhaps those addicted to Fox News) can see the horrendous effects of climate change occurring around the world, daily, with their own eyes.
How can we continue to be complacent? Surely it is time to act aggressively if we wish to ensure humanity still has a place on this planet.
The only thing that the 97 percent of scientists who accept the clear evidence of human-caused climate impacts got wrong was the speed at which these terrifying changes would occur – they are happening far faster than originally predicted. That, and perhaps the inability of the deniers to accept what they can see to be true.
Sue Braiden,
Erin
Comments appreciated
Dear Editor:
I hope you don’t feel bullied into ending your comments on the end of a letter to the editor when you feel they are warranted.
I have agreed with your rational comments each time you have done so in the past.
People shouldn’t write letters to the editor, if they don’t want them critiqued by the editor or members of the public.
Also, I was shocked and disappointed when I first saw a big new church, and next to it on a person’s lawn, stood a big “(expletive) Trudeau” sign . I’ve seen these stickers on cars in Elora too. These people who show no respect for the prime minister are not gaining supporters.
We live in a free country led by Justin Trudeau. Ask the Ukrainian people or Afghan people if they would love the rights and freedoms we enjoy in Canada right now.
Finally, because someone wrote a letter to the editor about medical assistance in dying (MAID), I need to say MAID is strictly between myself and my doctor. Period.
No one can live in another person’s body, to experience their suffering, which makes their input unwelcome and unhelpful.
Jan Corbett,
Fergus