Legion Week
Dear Editor:
Sept. 15 to 21 is recognized across Canada as Legion Week.
On behalf of the Royal Canadian Legion, Elora Branch 229, we wish to thank all our community residents both private and commercial for their continued and outstanding support again this year and invite all to visit our branch clubroom at 110 Metcalfe St., Elora.
During 2024 the Elora Br. 229 Poppy Fund has donated and supported several financial needs locally, provincially and nationally.
We have provided 12 donations from the Poppy Fund that supported activities such as the Service Dog program, Homeless Vets, District C Hospital Fund, Provincial Charitable Foundation, Provincial Poppy Fund, British Commonwealth Ex-Services League, Youth Education and the local Cadet Corps to name some.
Our contribution during this period has amounted to $22,200.
The 2024 Poppy Campaign begins Oct. 25 and continues through to Remembrance Day on Nov. 11. Ceremonies to honour our Veterans will be held at the Salem cenotaph at 9:30am and at 11am at the Elora cenotaph on Nov. 11.
A Remembrance Day dinner will be held at Branch 229 beginning at 5pm. Tickets will be available from the bar steward (519-846-9611) and the dinner is open to veterans, Legion members and the general public.
Please support Legion Week activities, our Poppy Campaign and our veterans and their families. Lest we forget!
Jim Paterson,
Poppy chair, Elora Legion
‘Casting doubt’
Dear Editor:
RE: Town releases statement regarding malfunctioning sediment bag, Aug. 22.
The Coalition for the West Credit River is responding to this article. Contrary to the Town of Erin’s claim that the small sediment release did not pose any threat to the environment, photos have circulated, casting doubt on this conclusion.
The coalition is concerned with witness reports and photos of a light grey plume moving through the riverine ecosystem and the deposition of a similar light grey material settling into the riverbed.
We ask the following …
Did a Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks (MECP) inspector actually attend the spill site and take turbidity measurements to support its conclusion of a “harmless slurry of sand and groundwater”?;
Did the sediment spill exceed the 25 milligrams per litre above the background target recommended in the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standards for erosion and sediment inspection and monitoring in Canada?
Does the contractor have a certified erosion and sediment control inspector on this project?
When a sediment bag fails, if it is doing its job, it is considered a catastrophic event when those captured pollutants enter the river. Sediment deposited on the bed of the stream can suffocate and kill sensitive aquatic insects such as mayflies, caddis flies and stoneflies. These species are the food source for predators like trout.
Suspended sediment can suffocate developing fish embryos in the riverbed and damage the gills of sensitive fish species like brook trout. This is why the Fisheries Act has designated sediment as a deleterious substance, and the CSA Group has sediment control standards to protect the aquatic environment.
The MECP, the town and the contractors are responsible for ensuring the protection of aquatic life in the West Credit River and should;
– determine the cause of the dewatering bag leak to ensure it does not happen again;
– use contractors properly trained in erosion and sediment control;
– have qualified people investigate environmental spills using the correct procedures; and
– exercise caution in making statements that lack a factual basis.
This environmental release was too quickly dismissed and swept under the rug. However, we can all be good stewards of the environment by taking photos and reporting these types of environmental incidents to the spills action centre at 416-325-3000 or toll-free at 1-800-268-6060.
Ann Seymour,
Caledon, Coalition for the West Credit River
Township responded
Dear Editor:
Recently there were people in downtown Elora at a kiosk talking to passersby about walking and cycling in Centre Wellington. I was stopped while walking my dog and spoke with them. I could think of three minor issues.
The extension to the walking trail on Church Street, with its wide asphalt and single white line, looks like parking spaces.
There is a spot on the trail at Gerrie Road that washed out and could cause a person to injure their ankle.
And the stop sign at Colborne and Irvine Streets is difficult to see, causing many vehicles to run right through it or stop in the middle of the intersection where school children cross for two schools.
Kudos to Centre Wellington Township because on Aug. 27 concrete barriers were installed at the trail extension on Church Street and on Friday I noticed that the wash out on the trail had been repaired.
Nothing done at the stop sign yet, but on Aug. 30 I did watch a police officer pull a vehicle over for running the stop sign. I hope something is done before a tragedy occurs involving school children at that intersection.
But, appreciation to the township for their quick response and to the people who spent their Saturday working the kiosk.
Richard Figg,
Elora
‘Excessive sound’
Dear Editor:
It is time for the Township of Centre Wellington to develop criteria for the entertainment use of Bissell Park in Elora.
CW Fun Day on Sept. 1 was not fun for local residents, with music booming at excessive sound levels (even Riverfest seemed quiet by comparison).
Families living near the park contend with disruptive noise wafting across the river and up the hill, emanating from events all summer long.
I might add, that CW Fun Day was billed as 11am to 6pm – and as I write at 6:23pm, the noise continues to intrude. Criteria needed!
Sharon Rice,
Elora
‘Common courtesy’
Dear Editor:
RE: ‘Inconsiderate,’ Aug. 29.
Craig Cameron’s letter hit the nail squarely on the head.
We are very fortunate in Centre Wellington to have easy access to two former railway rights of way: the Elora Cataract and Trestle Bridge Trailways. Both are multi-purpose, and are understandably heavily used by a wide variety of individuals and groups who abide by the “non-motorized” directive.
However, that does not ensure that every trail user employs common courtesy to these myriad users.
As a board member of the Elora Cataract Trailway Association tasked with maintaining and promoting the trail, with the cooperation of the two conservation authorities that share ownership of its 47km, I can assure all readers that encouraging proper trailway behaviour remains an ongoing challenge.
Excessive speed by some cyclists, whether on a fast road type bike or on an “e-bike” is problematic. As a matter of fact, over a handful of weekends last year, our association distributed free bells (which are mandatory for bicycles) to cyclists to warn others of their approach.
However, those walkers who have “ear buds” in both ears, arguably are equally responsible for putting themselves and approaching cyclists at risk of injury.
We could all provide other examples of inconsiderate behaviour. Simply put, we should treat all with respect and “share the trail” as we are urged to do on road ways.
Questions or comments can be directed to trailway association website.
Rick Goodfellow,
Elora
‘Sight obstructions’
Dear Editor:
This week we received a photo showing the results of hurried removal of many trees of a “road allowance” north of Belleville. I was aghast at the brutish slashing required to clear site-lines along the road allowance.
Readers may wonder: so what’s the problem, that we in Wellington County need to hear about this possible “non-event”?
Well the truth is that when road crews are not allowed to use long-employed methods to prevent brush growth, entrance to a roadway from anywhere, drivers must venture into the traveled portion of a thoroughfare before being able to see oncoming traffic. Which in turn causes the angry citizens to start harping about speed limits in their locality.
There is no getting away from the fact that high speed increases chances of fatality, yet when a vehicle driver or pedestrian has a clear view of traffic oncoming, and is able to gauge speed from a proper safe location, chances of mishap are drasticially reduced.
So, if we wish to drive safely and not have big brother reduce traffic to a crawl on a widespread basis, we need to allow our municipal crews the necessary latitude to complete their work with minimum of expense.
Should the reader of this rant say “damn the expense,” then she/he could very well back that complaint by approaching said municipality and signing a declaration that you wish to foot the bill for extra expenses incurred for all municipalities burdened, by your wishes.
The writer of this letter has kept the area between our fence line and traveled portion of our local roadway (Jones Baseline)clear of any sight obstruction for roughly 30 years.
Wayne Gates,
Guelph/Eramosa
Bad drivers, trucks
Dear Editor:
RE: Roundabout concerns, Sept. 5.
I agree with last week’s opinion regarding roundabouts as being quite scary and I join many others wondering what is the engineers’ fascination regarding them?
Basically, the reason is that it is rare to have a fatality resulting from a vehicle collision at a roundabout, as all the vehicles are, for the most part, going the same direction and so any impact forces are greatly reduced.
As far as I know, the idea originated in Europe, when only ladies and gentlemen could afford to drive. It was a case of “give and take,” like at a three- or four-way stop and the traffic kept on flowing fairly smoothly. As time went on and more people got cars, politeness sort of “went out the window” and there were so many accidents, despite the “give way” lines, that they ended up putting traffic signals on a lot of them.
Now the roundabout idea has apparently gained a foothold in Canada and is probably here to stay.
There are some rules regarding speed and overtaking on roundabouts, but they never factored in “Canada’s worst driver,” who would somehow make it his business to gain a few milliseconds of travel time and zoom up from behind and cut you off or something equally silly.
There also is the issue regarding tractor trailers, which typically have a difficult time negotiating roundabouts. And then some also have pedestrian crossings and bike lanes to deal with.
I think we were better off with traffic signals equipped with red light cameras and focussed more and getting dangerous drivers off the road – or better still, making it a lot more difficult to pass the driver’s test.
Mac McCulloch,
Fergus
Festival grateful
Dear Editor:
Marlene Ottens, Dale Franklin, Rachel Eschlboeck, Carolyn Luymes, Tate Driscoll and Leona Ottens would like to say a big thank-you to all who came out or supported this year’s Mapleton Sunflower Festival on Aug. 17.
Even with some rain the music played on, and the runners ran!
Way to keep moving no matter what you have going on in your life and even if it’s a bit rainy.
Mulch donated from Mapleton Contracting kept the little train able to give rides through the field all day.
Special thanks to our wagon drivers and “muscley” friends for helping with set up and pulling weeds in the field throughout the summer. It’s a small army of neighbours that make this day possible.
Our fundraising goal was $8,000. We have raised $6,000 so far to go towards purchasing an electric stretcher for Palmerston and District Hospital. We are very grateful the community raised this money and made lasting memories, even with parts of the day being rather rainy.
Attendance was lower this year due to the weather but we would like to thank those that still supported even though they couldn’t make it.
We huddled together in the market tent while the rain passed.
Thank you to the talented musicians that shared their gifts all day. The music truly makes this day shine.
Cara Smith, The Moore band and their cousin Tiff Shaw, Poppy Flobby Miers (Mama Pops) Bernie Hale, Elaine Luymes, Helen Rooyakkers and Randy Smart. They kept the day full of energy and guests could dance while they shopped.
Thank you to all the vendors.
Thank you to the Kinsmen and Mapleton Organics and Lady Glazed and our bartenders for keeping the people fed and watered.
In just five years’ time the community has raised over $100,000 for hospital equipment. Every little bit helps to keep the doctors working in this little but very important hospital.
Thank you for the memories made this year. Shine your light!
See you next year on Aug. 16.
Sunflower Festival committee,
Mapleton
Centre celebrates
Dear Editor:
Over 25 years ago, a group of community-minded, caring people saw the need for a safe place for youth to hang out in town.
There was very little to do in the evenings if you were not involved in team sports. After over a year of meetings and approvals, a location was found on Spring Street in the basement of the former Drayton Pentecostal Tabernacle.
Attendance boomed which proved the need was valid and a new larger, more visible location was secured on Wellington Street near the lights.
Many people, service clubs, churches and dignitaries became involved in the establishment of this much-valued centre for community youth.
We took the opportunity during COVID-19 closures to renovate the centre and purchase new activities.
Today we are open two evenings per week (Wed./Fri., opens 7pm) and have 17 vetted volunteers working in pairs once or twice a month.
Please come to downtown Drayton on Friday the 13th (6 to 9pm in September) to help us celebrate our 25 years and tour our facilities.
We will have an escape room tent, Chuckles Balloons, “minute to win it” games with prizes, Waddies game, barbecue, fire truck show, etc.
Everyone is welcome!
Dahl Atin,
Drayton