Tone deaf’
Dear Editor:
RE: Let the (wo)man speak, Sept. 8.
I would like to thank Dave Adsett for his editorial comments in last week’s newspaper.
We are living in a time where people are anxious about employment, housing, health care and the cost of living. Increasingly there is a belief that government policies and business greed is the cause of these problems. The resulting voter disaffection has given rise to an anti-elite populism.
The decision by the Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce to abandon hosting candidate nights in favour of hosting a morning coffee event (with admission fees) that limits dialogue, only feeds into the anti-elite belief that there are “gatekeepers” who limit the public’s assess to government.
The Chamber of Commerce would appear to be tone deaf to the people who support local businesses. The citizens of Centre Wellington deserve better.
Kent Smith,
Fergus
Housing concerns
Dear Editor:
First a proposal was put out for an apartment complex in downtown Fergus, where the lowest cost apartments would be $1,200 per month. Now a second proposal is in the works, where the apartments will be $1,600 per month.
Working on the idea of having your shelter costs falling at or below 30% of your wages, you would need to be making $40,000 per year after taxes just to afford the $1,200 per month apartments. This would make both of these complexes unattainable/unaffordable for many people.
I would love to be able to ask the candidates who are running for our local election how they define attainable/affordable housing and what they would do to make it available in Centre Wellington. But apparently there are not going to be any opportunities to meet the candidates. Except for one where you would need to be available during the day and be willing to pay $25 for the privilege.
The other problem with these proposed apartment complexes is that they will not have enough parking for the businesses and renters that they will house. One of the thoughts behind this is that it will encourage the use of alternative methods of transportation. Since Fergus does not have a public transportation system, I guess this means walking or biking? Those methods don’t work very well in the winter, or if you work outside of Fergus or at the edge of Fergus, or if you want to bring home groceries.
I hear that this way of dealing with downtown parking has already been okayed by the planning department. So I would like to ask our currently elected officials and those currently running for positions what they would do to hold developers accountable for creating developments that work for the people they are being created for.
Joanne Mitchell,
Fergus
Stop complaining
Dear Editor:
Each new day lately, appears to have a new “flavour of the day” complaint about the pandemic we are dealing with. Must have started like this, “It’s too early to go to bed”, “I don’t want to go to school”, “I want to go out and play.” There were some pretty harsh restrictions or requirements one needed to abide by!
Today, those same individuals don’t want to get a vaccine, don’t want to fill out forms to regain entry into Canada. Everybody is having to contend with a pandemic, and has for quite some time. Perhaps the people making masks and protective clothing or sanitizer might be the only ones not wanting life to become like the “good ole days”.
I’ve heard a lot of complaints about not being able to breathe with a mask on but haven’t heard of one person suffocating. Hospital staff are dealing with having to work all day through their shift each day. Time-off? Is there such a thing when the workload is heavy in any work setting for those on the front-lines?
Not that I don’t feel your pain, or think more needs done to allow every employee, regardless of their position on the battlefield, to a healthy balance of work and play.
Complaining always fell on deaf ears during my career, and the 10 cent raise sure made it all worthwhile. Fortunately, there is an end to the pandemic and with continued adherence, we can win this war! It’s going to be done on every square inch of this planet.
It’s not going to be won by complaining about fighting a persistent adversary that wants to take over the whole world!
Karl Demmans,
Fergus
‘Illogical stretch’
Dear Editor:
RE: ‘Stand for life,’ Sept. 8.
Since we all view the world and the important issues within it through the lens of our own early teachings, upbringing and experiences, I feel compelled to offer an opposing point of view to that espoused by Anne Jones.
She praises two local councilors based on their respect for human life. And yet, in my view, which is as valid and worthy as hers, I am not seeing such respect in wanting to open up, prematurely in the midst of a pandemic, and contrary to the wisdom and wishes of the majority of medical authorities.
Similarly, I do not see these vaunted principles from the administrators of faith-based institutions, who willingly accept tax dollars with one hand and then, in hypocritical fashion, use the other to expel vulnerable people from their premises who are righteously in need of dignity and an end to their interminable suffering.
Further, I would say to the writer that not everyone has the good fortune to “slip away,” as she idealistically states. Many require a medical intervention, which is their right under current Canadian law, as long as they meet the criteria.
Finally, the totalitarian spectre of being euthanized against our will seems to me an illogical stretch.
Allan Berry,
Fergus
Fear ‘unfounded’
Dear Editor:
RE: ‘Stand for life,’ Sept. 8.
A letter from Helen Long, CEO of Dying with Dignity Canada, was printed in the Sept. 1 Wellington Advertiser, one week earlier than Anne Jones’ letter. Long explained MAID (Medical Assistance In Dying) clearly and factually.
In part, Long wrote, “MAID is a choice made by an individual; there are robust criteria and safeguards in place to rule out coercion, including that the person must be approved by two independent assessors; there is no slippery slope. “
Jones’ letter about the hospice, would frighten readers. She wrote, “How wonderful it would be for this place in Fergus to be a loving haven to support those who are close to death without fear of being euthanized.”
It’s that phrase, “without fear of being euthanized,” that generates fear. For whatever reason, Jones didn’t seem to have read Long’s letter before writing her own. Had she done that, Jones would have understood her “fear” is unfounded.
Also, I am sad to learn of Queen Elizabeth’s passing. She was a kind, benevolent, leader who demonstrated grace, respect and humour too. I wish her son, now King Charles III, all the best as he steps into his new role.
Jan Corbett,
Fergus
Candidate ideologies
Dear Editor:
Talking to a friend of mine the other day, she told me she was not voting in our local election as she knew none of the people wanting our votes.
Actually, neither do I but I am voting.
I know your paper routinely prints all the resumes of the people wanting our votes, but I would also like to hear their ideology and vision for our communities and our nation.
Shelagh MacRae,
Fergus
‘Respect for others’
Dear Editor:
As a person that uses a scooter and has trouble getting around it has become more difficult getting to places in Fergus.
I have found that people don’t have much respect for those around them which often results in scary situations.
For example, crosswalks are put in place for everyone to use but drivers are not letting pedestrians have the right of way and are always in a hurry to get to places.
I have also found that there isn’t much respect for people around when you are smoking. Not everyone likes the smell nor has lungs that can handle it.
I would just like make it clear for everyone in the community to have respect for others and help each other out when needed.
Lynda Coleman,
Fergus
Valuable workers
Dear Editor:
RE: Labor Day.
I would like to mention construction workers and city workers. They work long and hard to keep everything going as smoothly as possible – all year!
Years ago there was a Febreze commercial that said construction workers’ outhouses stank. I buy Febreze all the time. I phoned the labour board – my late husband got on his computer and we gave them proper hell.
Hats off to the city boys and constructions workers to name a few (and the ladies too!).
We wouldn’t know what to do if you phoned in sick.
Dori Steele,
Fergus
Assertion begs querying
Dear Editor:
RE: Blind idiocy, Sept. 1.
Interesting that you added a new editor’s note to my last letter that states “most climate change experts agree that a one degree change in global temperature is significant.”
The facts are that over a 10,000-year base there have been periods 2C warmer than now. One wonders what caused that hundreds of years before the industrial age even started – certainly not humans! Maybe Earth has natural changes not yet fully understood.
I suggest you are wrong to undermine opinions questioning if we are in a climate emergency. The assertion itself begs querying.
We must acknowledge the extraordinary, positive impact that reliable energy (nuclear, hydro and fossil) have on daily lives. We live longer, safer lives with way less global poverty.
Many advocate for unreliable energy sources (wind/solar) as the salvation. This is both wrong and foolhardy. Currently it’s also extremely politically dangerous (Putin). Germany (and EU) are having their “cold shower moment” for their misplaced faith in unreliable energy.
At the federal level Canada is looking isolated in not reversing “green” energy choices. With our massive natural gas reserves and soaring natural gas prices, Trudeau doesn’t see a business case for helping Germany (EU) who are in desperate need of long-term security. Trudeau self-professes little interest in economics (so true!).
Mike Hall,
Guelph/Eramosa
Memorable dance
Dear Editor:
On Sept. 10 there was a dance at the Alma Community Centre. As a senior and having no partner I felt I’d like to go. I jokingly ask a young lady who could be my grand daughter if she’d like to go. She said sure, I’ll get my parents to come as well.
Well Sept. 10 came, I went to the dance hoping to see her, I walk into the hall and all I saw was a lot of people my age and older, I didn’t know anyone. Now should I stay or go?
Ten minutes later the music started, the feet started moving under the tables, bodies started moving and the floor began to fill. You were pulled by the good music. Well I wasn’t going to sit there, I was here to have fun. I asked a band member’s wife with a beautiful smile if she’d like to dance. She said yes. Now I was dancing great.
I looked at the door coming into the hall and guess what? Not one but two angels walked in: Kelsie, my young date, and a girlfriend. Here’s two young angels who looked so out of place amongst us old folks, but they had big smiles on their face and sat at a table.
When the dance stopped I went over and Kelsie said her parents couldn’t make it. But not only did she keep her word that she’d come, she brought a friend. I asked her to dance she said they didn’t know how. I said she did, took her onto the floor and when the music started we were moving all over the floor. She still said she didn’t know how to dance. I asked if she was having fun, she said yes, I told her that’s what life is all about to have fun enjoy.
To make a long story short because of those two angels I never saw so many people have so much fun. I don’t think those two girls felt any older but I know everyone in there felt a lot younger. These girls danced with us all.
I’ve never been to a dance and see so many people have so much fun and there’s no alcohol. I hope people realize you don’t have to drink to have fun. All you need is good country music and let yourself enjoy.
Thank you, Kelsie. I hope when there’s another dance these angels will show up again and bring their friends. It’s nice to feel young and alive again.
I’d like to thank Dave and Carl Geddes and the Optimist Club for putting on such an event that allowed people to forget their aches and pains and enjoy themselves. You all did a wonderful job.
Ernest J. Cashubec,
RR1 Alma
Weapons vs. diplomacy
Dear Editor:
Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, I have watched with interest how the major countries – Ukraine, the United States, its NATO allies, and Russia – have put aside the tools for diplomacy in favour of weapons.
Hardly a week goes by without a plea from Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky for more weapons and aid.
I wonder how much reflection was spent on what fighting in Ukraine would mean not only to the devastation of vital infrastructure in the country itself, death and refugees, but worldwide implications for the global south.
We are all familiar through our news outlets how the shortage of wheat and fertilizer is not only causing inflation everywhere, but massive food insecurity.
This war must stop now and all parties concerned should be made to answer one simple question: “why?”
Janet Calderwood,
Rockwood