‘Toronto logo’
Dear Editor:
At the Sept. 26 Town of Erin council meeting, councillor John Brennan’s motion was approved.
It directed “staff to dispense with the newly adopted logo and to assemble variations of the shamrock logo previously used.” It was specifically stated several times that the new logo created by the Toronto firm was not to be used.
Why has this motion passed by council not been respected and acted upon correctly?
On Oct. 11, the town’s Facebook page incorrectly stated the town “will use the recently adopted new logo in conjunction with the former municipal logo until a clear course of action is established…”
That is not what the approved motion directs. Do not use the Toronto logo.
Lee Douglas,
Erin
‘Drank the Kool Aid’
Dear Editor:
RE: ‘Must prevail,’ Nov. 14.
I assume Susannah Sinclair is writing tongue-in-cheek about the glories of Donald Trump. I was appalled that he won the election, but not surprised as the Republicans gerrymandered the electoral districts to their advantage and disenfranchised many voters by removing them from voter lists and reducing the number of polling stations in urban areas.
I don’t know how any self-respecting woman could have voted for a convicted felon, but it seems many did. Both men and women drank the Kool Aid that Trump provided.
Sinclair is correct. Trump’s election is a pivotal moment for the entirety of our globe. But not for the better.
Unfortunately, there are some in Canada who believe exactly what Sinclair described in her letter. In my opinion, Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre is too similar to Donald Trump, except he is more intelligent.
In our next election: beware of Pierre!
Ron Moore,
Hillsburgh
‘Must be a mistake’
Dear Editor:
RE: ‘Must prevail,’ Nov. 14.
I would like to respond to the letter written by Susannah Sinclair.
I think there must be a mistake or a typo. It was vice president Kamala Harris who called for love over hate, and unity over divisiveness … the whole world witnessed that.
Anyone can verify this by Googling: Kamala Harris full speech at: The Ellipse in Washington, DC, Oct. 29.
Linda Rosier,
Erin
Obviously ‘satire’
Dear Editor:
RE: ‘Must prevail,’ Nov. 14.
When one writes a satirical letter to the editor, as Susannah Sinclair did, they must put at the end “this is satire.”
I laughed so hard at the letter when I realized she forgot that last line.
Making everything opposite to the real truth is brilliant, but next time remember to mention “this is satire.”
Also, bravo to the Advertiser for the Donald Trump cartoon last week. It was very appropriate.
Heide Pieper,
Fergus
‘Common sense’
Dear Editor:
For the first time in a long while, I was actually pleased to read the “Letters to the Editor” in the Nov. 14 edition of the Advertiser.
Thank you to the contributors of the letters captioned “How would you feel?”, “Must prevail”, “Police can help”, and “Not the answer” for showing that common sense still exists in society.
Rob Zelch,
Fergus
Not patriotic?
Dear Editor:
I attended the Nov. 11 Remembrance Day ceremony in Elora as I do every year.
A very welcome sight was hundreds of school children that were brought to attend. It was very sad, however, that they did not sing O Canada when it was part of the program.
Do they no longer teach and encourage children to be patriotic and be able to sing our anthem?
Dushan Divjak,
Elora
‘More mindful’
Dear Editor:
RE: Storybrook subdivision residents concerned about speeding drivers, Oct. 31.
Lindsay Duncan is right on the mark about the Storybrook speeders and you don’t need a radar gun to know it.
Me and my family have been living on a main thoroughfare by the Storybrook community – Rea Drive – for four years and continuously see numerous drivers speeding by our home.
Sara Fraser, who wrote in her letter (‘Neglectful,’ Nov. 7) that she has “never seen anyone driving at such overly exaggerated speeds” must live on a cul-de-sac where the only traffic would come from those living there. That’s the only logical explanation we can think of that wouldn’t discredit her.
I often work nights remotely, and even behind closed windows in the early morning hours have heard loud racetrack-like engine sounds roaring up and down the street(s). And it’s not restricted to Storybrook alone. A vehicle passed us on Sideroad 18 heading toward Farley Road. We’re trying not to inch too far past the signed 40km/h, and they were easily doing 80km/h, just as Duncan described.
People speed for different reasons. We are all at different points in our lives. And it seems we all aren’t paying much attention to anything out there. If we were only more mindful of how we affect others around us with what we are doing … or maybe – if we only cared about how we affect those around us.
Loreli Landry,
Fergus
‘Tremendous success’
Dear Editor:
The Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 275 Fergus extends sincere thanks to all those who helped make this year’s Poppy Campaign a tremendous success. Thanks to those who attended our Remembrance dinner; joined us at the cenotaphs in Belwood and Fergus, and wore a poppy.
Thanks to all who sponsored a wreath in remembrance of a veteran and generously donated to the poppy fund at one of our many businesses allowing us to canvass or have a poppy counter box in their stores.
Thanks to all the local schools that helped educate our youth on the importance of remembrance through services, wearing of poppies and participating in the annual Poster and Literary Competition.
A financial breakdown of the Poppy Fund for 2024 will be published at a later date.
Special thanks to all corporate donors who gave generously to support our Poppy Campaign: Upper Grand Refrigeration and Heating. Fleming Fast Freight, Impact Realty Group, Rafferty Insurance Brokers, Fergus Monuments, WHA Publications Ltd., Triton Engineering Services, The Gund Company, Jim White Auto, Wellington Perforated Metal Fabricating, Royalthane Inc., Andy Crane Auto, CSN Hutten Collision, Motion Electric, Grand River Robotics, Arctic Clear, Tony’s Auto, CP Industries, Pryde Truck Service, Newdon Industries, Railmaster Stairways Ltd., Ralston Can Safe Inc., Comhan Canada Inc., Rowe Electric, AG Finishing, CGC Group Inc., Shaw Music, and Anchor Edbar Precision Machining.
Lest we forget.
Randy Graham,
President and poppy chair,
RCL Branch 275 Fergus
‘Pretty disgrace’
Dear Editor:
There is a brand new crosswalk at Smith Street/Conestoga Street this summer near the post office in Arthur. It has flashing lights for all vehicles to stop and allow pedestrians to cross. Pedestrians have the right of way (with caution).
At any stop sign or light in town, a pedestrian can cross and any vehicle should give the walker the right of way, so they can cross (using caution). The roundabout at Eliza/Domville/Frederick St. offers the same courtesy (exercised with caution by the crosser).
Sadly, the new crosswalk downtown is not a crosswalk in any logical safe sense. I see it very seldom used. The cow trail is not where the crosswalk is. The bank, post office, parking and Foodland conjunction is the busiest crossing entirely downtown, approximately 20 feet wide. Sort of like the shadings on the highways where snowmobilers always cross. They don’t cross anywhere else, and shoppers downtown congregate in that narrow area as well – not where the new crosswalk is, even though it is close by.
With moms’ arms full of groceries and leading kids, elderly with packages and canes the provided crosswalk is an insult to the resident pedestrian.
It is very expensive and surrounded with lovely planters and decorative posts – it is beautiful. But how many other walker crossings in town coax the nervous walker out to the very edge of quickly passing cars/trucks while also with four gigantic yellow signs state that the “pedestrian must yield to traffic,” not the traffic to the pedestrian?
It is a “pretty” disgrace and in my opinion a tremendous waste of funds and planning for the resident. I grew up downtown. I was always told by prior councils from childhood to adulthood, that given a highway runs downtown there can never be a crosswalk mid-street. Obviously that was not true.
The same 20 feet where people are trained to cross has not changed in 50-plus years. With more car traffic, more residents, more kids, more large trucks and farm vehicles rushing about all over town, this supposed crossing is ridiculous.
We are likely stuck with it, but at least respect the residents – remove the yellow signs entirely, place flashers at the present location and lower the speed limit to 20 or 30km/h.
And next time you think you have a “great” idea for us, speak with us and forego the photo op and smiles. And if you are driving rushing up the street to get to the next red light, watch for people and even stop to let them cross
It’s not all about you, it’s about all of us.
Dave Hawkins,
Arthur
‘Their own community’
Dear Editor:
I used to live in the Wellington area until 2002 and now live in Finland.
It’s hard for me to understand why there are people living on the street in Guelph/Wellington, but even harder to know that local councils don’t understand what such people need.
It’s obvious they want their own community and when offered rooms here and there it’s like splitting up siblings to various foster homes. Look to successful solutions and invest in these people who have fallen through the (Trudeau) system.
Investing in the “well to do” is inconsistent with Canadian values – people before profits.
I worked in downtown Guelph in the 90s, and it was a vibrant place – now it’s shamefully desolate and bland.
Yvonne Shepherd,
Finland
‘Freeing the trees’
Dear Editor:
I have noticed several trees around town shrouded with green plastic bags. None of them had any water in them that I could fathom. I have planted hundreds of trees, starting when I was eight years old. Not once did we wrap plastic bags around them.
The rule was to water them every day for a week and them once a week for three weeks and they would be fine unless there were drought conditions and then you would water them as needed.
According to arborists these bags give shelter to insects that feed on the bark of the tree and cause rot because they are covered in plastic and the air can not flow around them. If it is too difficult to water them, they would be best left bag-less and would very probably survive happily on their own as young trees have been doing for eons.
A newly planted tree should not have the soil heaped around the base. The rule is that the nub at the bottom of the tree should be visible and the soil should be drawn back around the base in a circle around the edge of the tree. They say it should be like a volcano not a mountain.
Many trees around Fergus have the soil drawn up around the trunk and this also can cause damage to the bark.
Give these little trees a chance. Also, they don’t need to be tied to poles to support them either. These just rub the bark off.
Thank you in advance for freeing the trees!
Christy Doraty,
Fergus
‘Mindset change’
Dear Editor:
RE: Open Mind column entitled Eating Disorders, Oct. 24.
I agree with Paula Frappier that eating disorders are about so much more than eating too much or eating too little and that they affect each individual in a different way.
It is also true that eating disorders are treatable, but it is not as easy as it seems. Sure, you can convince a person that they need food to live and you can offer methods to recovery, but this might not be enough.
In order for a person to get back to full health after experiencing an eating disorder, they need more than a conversation with a specialist. There are many mental health professionals and therapists that offer help to those with eating disorders but sometimes that is not enough to fully help someone recover.
I believe that these types of disorders are very personal and require a mindset change in order to reach full recovery. These people may need a new goal or purpose in life that they can’t find in themselves.
Realizing that there is a God who knows our struggles and helps us overcome them is very helpful and comforting in situations like this. Knowing that we are created by a God who cares and loves those who believe in him gives us a new focus in life.
Brenna Niezen,
Mapleton
No more respect
Dear Editor:
RE: Teach the history, Nov. 7.
Claudette Stevens makes the point that Israel is a creation of the United Nations, but fails to admit that Israel has ignored dozens of resolutions by the U.N. regarding its treatment of the Palestinians.
In fact, Israel recently denied U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres entry to Israel, thereby thwarting his attempts to bring about a ceasefire.
Stevens’ assertion that “Israel is doing its best not to harm civilians” is beyond ridiculous. Palestinian health authorities say Israel has killed well over 40,000 Gazans, which doesn’t include the deaths and displacements of Palestinians in the occupied territories, at the hands of settlers, ignored or backed by the military.
I am Jewish, and grew up respecting the State of Israel. I do not now.
John Liss,
Eden Mills
Magic of music
Dear Editor:
RE: Marden author’s newest book explores ‘the healing power of music’, Oct. 30
I love this article. I would never have known about this book otherwise! This book really sounds like one that I could relate to! Music is important, and its healing power is immense.
Like Flora Parsons, I have grown up playing music. I play my piano almost every day, and it heals me. Playing music has gotten me through many difficult times in my life, and I have become stronger because of it.
Music makes you part of a community, and this community and the music itself can help many people get through many trials in life.
Music can help people overcome trauma in their lives, and music therapy is a big application of this. Although music therapy is not a well-known practice in Canada yet, it is growing, and many people are able to benefit from it.
I have felt the healing power of music, and I wish that many more people could benefit from it!
Jaidynn Kottelenberg,
Amaranth