Thankful for MPP
Dear Editor:
RE: MPP Ted Arnott will not seek re-election, Oct. 17.
Just a note of thanks to Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott for the many years of service he has given to our community. He has worked hard on behalf of his constituents and he has risen within his party to the esteemed role of speaker of the house.
Ted remained approachable, friendly and a realistically down-to-earth person. He is a family man who has tried hard to give back to his community.
Thank you, Ted, for your hard work, caring and attention to the local needs of our community.
Thank you also to Judy and your staff, who worked so hard to help with local issues.
A job really well done! Many, many thanks .
Brenda Chamberlain,
Elora
Vote buying?
Dear Editor:
So Doug Ford is planning to give us all $200.
Like many others I think this is a vote-getting exercise. Applying the total to health care is a much better idea.
Given that we are going to get it anyway, I think there are many causes that could use the money. In fact, I am donating my $200 to the Bonnie Crombie campaign.
Think about it.
Penny Lipsett,
Elora
Nothing wrong
Dear Editor:
RE: ‘Disgusted,’ Oct. 10.
I am writing to counter the opinion expressed by Tim Wood, relative to a political cartoon appearing in the Advertiser that alludes to one of Donald Trump’s myriad human flaws: lying!
Commentators have been using their artistic skills, grasp of current events and knowledge of the human condition for generations to inform and educate the public. I see nothing inherently wrong, unworthy or misleading in the depiction.
Nowhere in my home life or in the 13 years spent sitting in the classrooms of a faith-based school system were the notions of mocking the disabled (a news reporter), demonizing and scapegoating the stranger (immigrants) or delaying and/or denying legitimate medical treatment (women) ever countenanced.
This is where my “disgust” resides and not in a trenchant piece of political satire.
Allan Berry,
Fergus
‘Spews proven lies’
Dear Editor:
RE: ‘Disgusted,’ Oct. 10.
The adjectives used in Tim Wood’s letter – humourless, hateful, demeaning and offensive – should be directed at Donald Trump, not the cartoon in the Sept. 26 Advertiser. Since Trump repeatedly spews proven lies, he should be parodied.
I applaud the Advertiser for publishing the cartoon and if Tim Wood believes “we small-town rural folk” should not be subjected to U.S. news – wow, we’re not that stupid. We can take it.
And if Trump becomes president, which I personally doubt and dread, I believe we Canadians have enough integrity to not like a liar.
Heide Pieper,
Fergus
‘Whimsical creations’
Dear Editor:
On the advice of a good friend who lives in Elora, I recently took my granddaughter up to see how the village celebrates Halloween.
The streets were full of people, families with children, young and old and in between … this event did not disappoint!
Elora, you have created a beautiful village scene full of artistic flair and fashionable lighting. You captured our attention and imagination with your whimsical creations everywhere.
“Look up … way, way up” at The Dolby House! Such a fun evening that was for us. Kudos to everyone involved in this. Well done.
Liz Hughes,
Puslinch
Fabulous fundraiser
Dear Editor:
I am the owner of Hair With Care in Fergus. On Sept. 8, I held a fundraiser for the Heart and Stroke Foundation and raised $3,500. On Oct. 7 I sent a cheque to Sara Felske, senior fundraising relationship manager from Heart and Stroke Ontario.
I would like to say a special thank you to the community for coming out, and local businesses in Fergus, Elora and Belwood for donating raffle prizes for the event.
Also a special thanks to Edge Real Estate team for barbecuing, A&W Restaurant and Pizza Hut for their cash donations, and Peter and Bob at Tim Hortons for donating coffee and donuts.
Also, a special thanks to Tom Burkes at Burkes Rental for donating tables for this event.
I am very thankful and appreciative of all the special people who helped make this fundraiser possible. In September 2025, I am looking forward to holding my fifth annual event for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. I hope I can count on the community once again for their support.
Carrie Anne Kierstead,
Fergus
Trucking concerns
Dear Editor:
Recently, CBC Marketplace featured an excellent investigative journalism investigation into the issues surrounding driver training and licensing in Ontario. The report has shed much-needed light on serious concerns that our organization, Truckers for Safer Highways, has been advocating for years.
The CBC’s investigation highlighted the shortcomings in the mandatory entry level training program, particularly the inadequate number of training hours required for new truck drivers. We believe that 103.5 hours is insufficient to prepare individuals to safely operate heavy vehicles on our roads. Additionally, the report uncovered alarming instances of fraud and bribery at DriveTest Ontario centres, raising serious questions about the integrity of the licensing process.
It is imperative that the OPP launch a thorough investigation into the allegations of fraud at DriveTest centres. The safety of all road users depends on ensuring that only qualified and properly trained drivers are behind the wheel of commercial vehicles.
We urge the government to take immediate action to address these pressing issues. This includes increasing the required training hours for new truck drivers, strengthening enforcement measures and implementing stricter quality control standards for driver testing.
By working together, we can create a safer and more reliable transportation system for all.
Travis McDougall,
Co-founder,
Truckers for Safer Highways
‘Enough is enough’
Dear Editor:
Re: ‘Anti-war,’ Oct. 10.
Congratulations and thanks to Richard Baumgarten for having the courage to voice what many others have been afraid to say, lest they be labelled antisemitic. I, too, am not anti-semitic or pro-Palestinian. I, too, am anti-war and the persecution of people.
Baumgarten is right on many fronts, including the fact that this current conflict did not begin on Oct. 7, 2023, that Israel has illegally occupied and suppressed the Palestinians for decades and the irony of a country that was born out of persecution in turn persecuting others.
When is Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) going to decide that Hamas has been vanquished? When they have killed another 40,000 innocent Palestinians; 80,000, or more? When in the process they have managed to kill all the remaining hostages that are still alive?
Israel has practiced Apartheid for years. When it was rampant in South Africa, the world was vocal and united in their condemnation. Why is Israel so different? Apartheid disappeared in South Africa, not because of sanctions, but because two peace-loving individuals recognized that, for peace to be established, they had to lay down their arms and talk.
That is what must happen in the Middle East. Unfortunately, it is unlikely with Netanyahu and his cabinet in charge. The last thing they want is two separate states where the Palestinians can democratically rule themselves without control and interference from Israel.
The end goal, as expressed by Netanyahu and members of his cabinet over the past year, seems to be for the Palestinians to be moved into the desert and for Israel to claim the whole of Palestine as its own. Is the world, once again, going to stand by and watch this happen?
Thomas Jefferson famously stated, “All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.”
Enough is enough is enough.
Sandra Solomon,
Belwood
‘Approaching anarchy’
Dear Editor:
The demonstration in BC on Oct. 7 led by Samidoun, an anti-Israel group who openly support The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. This group (PFLP) was designated as a terrorist group in the 1970s. The burning of our flag and death threats to all Canadians cannot be tolerated.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has declared that if elected he would designate them as terrorists. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s response was “We are looking at the issue.”
It is time to stand up for our country, demand anti-Zionists and other terrorist groups be brought to justice. If these people don’t support the Canadian culture, then leave.
Perhaps the most glaring indicator of our complacency is that Canada continues to provide shelter to Samidoun even though Canadians citizens are suing them and other members of the PLO for injuries and murder in the October massacre.
Enough is enough if the current government stands idly by while the country is approaching anarchy. Get out and let people who care get us back on track.
Michael Fleming,
Fergus
*Editor’s note: On Oct. 15 the government of Canada designated Samidoun as a terrorist group in a joint action with the U.S.
‘Justice from feds’
Dear Editor:
Finally, some Justice from the federal government – long overdue but right on time. The terrorist group Samidoun (Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network) was placed on the terrorist watchlist of the U.S., the E.U. and Canada.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilevre recently requested the federal Liberal government take action. They have and it didn’t take years! Courage.
The Samidoun has links to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and recent anti-Israeli protests on campuses. It was quoted by the U.S. as a “sham charity.” The protesters burnt the Canadian and American flags, chanting, “Death to America, death to Canada, death to Israel.”
The Canadian leader Charlotte Kates received a high award from the president of the evil Islamic regime of Iran earlier this year for her malicious, hateful efforts and an arrest since then in Vancouver for celebrating Oct. 7, 2023.
Anti-Israel protestors, you all have our permission to leave Canada permanently this year and plan to go to the evil Islamic regime of Iran and I dare you to try protesting anything there.
Did you know the terrorist leaders have actually thanked you for your efforts, by calling you all, “useful idiots”?
They are not going anywhere so get used to it.
David Hawkins,
Arthur
‘Human safari’
Dear Editor:
On Thanksgiving Monday my wife and I went on “safari”. We got in our vehicle and took a short drive and checked on a friend’s house while she was out of town. We then took a walk through a popular area in Elora and marveled at the number of people enjoying the peaceful afternoon and the good weather.
Years ago in our youth the term “safari” meant touring around in our vehicle wasting gas and time, eating chips and drinking Coke. We were humans and were on safari. Today if you research “human safari Kherson Oblast” the definition is one of horror and misery. The term describes the practice of the Russian military using civilians as target practice in training of drone pilots. They then broadcast videos of the assaults openly as if it were great sport and entertaining. My understanding of such action meets the criteria of a war crime.
While among other tourists that day I noticed no one had to run from a grenade dropped from a drone, no emergency responders were present, and those looking up were admiring architecture (with no damage caused by artillery shells, etc.) or checking out the clear and sunny skies.
It was Thanksgiving, and I’m sure most of us are thankful for what we have, but I also think there should be outrage at what is taking place in Kherson. The fact that it is not reported in mainstream media, and most people don’t know about it, I’m sure is one reason the general public is not upset over these atrocities.
Perhaps more members of the U.N. need to take a “safari” in Kherson to experience what it means to go grocery shopping, or to school or to church…
Al Hayes,
Fergus
Never again?
Dear Editor:
After a day of setting up my Halloween display I dozed off and had a nightmare of sorts. It was about a land with some blue zombies led by a big blue zombie who was created by power, greed and corruption.
He gobbled up forests and farmlands and guzzled the wetlands dry. He stomped on the Greenbelt and all the denizens that called it home. Then he crapped out concrete and pavement and spewed out a flatuance of carbon that created huge floods across the land.
He looted and pillaged science centres, public places and exhibitions all for a fancy back rub. He stomped on public health care with a joke and a smile. He transformed the schools into crowded poor houses with cheap flimsy portables.
He distracted the meek with propaganda and created alcohol stands everywhere to keep them happy but not so healthy.
He forced hundreds of thousands of the vulnerable, sick and addicted to sleep in dangerous lice and bedbug-infested so-called shelters. The rest slept in tents or exposed on cardboard, park benches and under bridges. They existed this way in absolute filth in every city and town across the land.
Without a bat of an eye the blue zombie told them they were living in the best place.
I’m sure glad that was just a nightmare! In the end I’m sure the people would rise up and boot that greedy corrupt big blue zombie off their land and never let it happen again.
Terry Brooker,
Orangeville