‘Taj Mahal’ project
Dear Editor:
RE: Cost of Centre Wellington operations centre climbs to $44 million, Nov. 21.
The new operations facility in Centre Wellington, the Taj Mahal, truly has all the bells and whistles of the uber-elitist environmental crowd but it now is four times the cost at over $44 million, just for the first phase. The second phase is another $10.7 million but that is 10 years out, so look for that to go up.
Nice financial bait and switch to lower the cost to get approval. Every meeting about it is an add-on to make this even more expensive. The consultant was flubbing around answering why Brantford and Barrie were used as cost comparisons. Brantford is a regional government and Barrie is a city of over 145,000 and a single-tier entity. It turns out they did not do a real apples-to-apples comparison with second-tier municipalities like Centre Wellington.
The consultant just had them as customers and it gave a favourable comparison to the mayor and council. Pathetic rationalizing. This will be the largest debt-financed project in Centre Wellington history.
The secret words to clinch the deal will be “no tax increases no matter what the cost. It is all development charges and selling land assets.” Everyone should be thrilled right?
Unfortunately, development charges, which account for 8% of every new housing unit, will have to go up. Development charges in Ontario have increased between 144 and 200% over the last 20 years. Housing has increased 330% on average.
The More Homes Built Faster Act 2022 states that non-profit and affordable rental and owned housing is exempt from development charges. Any real effort to make even 10% of our housing affordable will mean that council will have to say no because no development charges can be applied.
Say bye-bye to significant affordable housing projects in Centre Wellington. The new Taj Mahal for the privileged staff just can’t afford to let that happen.
Stephen Kitras,
Centre Wellington
‘Caters to the wealthy’
Dear Editor:
It is with utter dismay that I read your front page from last week’s paper.
There were three headlines and a picture of a very cute baby. One might think with that picture and the headline about Strathallan Park that we are a society that cares about providing support for our families and those less fortunate than others.
But please, dear reader, keep reading. We really don’t give a tinker’s darn, as confirmed by the other two headlines Community Living facing $3-million deficit, closing two group homes and a picture of protesters under the last headline, City of Guelph removes tents from downtown encampment.
These headlines prompted me to do a very quick research with Google by asking the question “What has (blank) cost the Ontario taxpayer?” So here is a small list of what Premier Doug Ford prioritizes over the vulnerable in our society
1. Cancellation of German wind farms in Prince Edward County, $231 million in 2019.
2. Beer store contract cancellation, could cost more than $225 million.
3. Cost for dismantling bike lane infrastructure in Toronto, $48 million (it cost $27 million to build), October 2024.
4. $200 per person gift to buy your vote, $3 billion dollars, Oct. 29, 2024.
5. Private health clinics. Very hard to say. Perhaps if you are interested you might contact Christine Elliott, former health minister now paid lobbyist, to raise payments from your tax dollars for Clearpoint Health Network Inc. Her role as lobbyist is to “engage the government in updating and increasing base funding for her employer.”
6. The much discussed 413 highway, all 66km of it – Doug and company won’t let anyone know what projected costs are, but one expert is estimating that it will be around $4 billion.
7. Registration for vehicles waived, at a cost of $1.1 billion per year in lost revenue. Please note no mention of money to assist people with public transit costs.
These are just a few of the dollars spent from your tax dollars by the amazing Doug Ford and company. Do you see any dollars allocated to address two of the headlines on last week’s front page? Of course you don’t, because this is a government that caters to the wealthy and not to the most vulnerable in our communities.
I personally value the people and their families who truly need our support with real solutions and sharing of much-needed resources.
Burna R. Wilton,
Centre Wellington
‘Disgusted’ by photo
Dear Editor:
I am writing to express my disappointment; no, rather my disgust that you would publish the photo associated with the article City of Guelph removes tents from downtown encampment (Nov. 21).
Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie’s religious beliefs have nothing to do with the homeless issue in Guelph. This photo blatantly attacks a person’s personal religion over a social issue.
Ms. Barker and Ms. Bakker show poor taste in displaying such a sign and The Wellington Advertiser should be ashamed that they published it.
Please try to do a better job of reviewing articles before they go to press.
Roy Paul,
Guelph/Eramosa
‘Inspiring letter’
Dear Editor:
RE: Popularity of poppies, Nov. 14.
I read this excellent letter written by Pat Stornebrink of Belwood regarding the poppy tradition and their readiness to explain it to others.
I have actually met people in Centre Wellington that required an explanation and I also used to hand out leaflets explaining what the Poppy Fund was all about. We should not take this tradition for granted and advise as required.
I noted the use of the words “selling poppies” included in Stornebrink’s letter and would like to mention that we avoid using that term as best possible. All funds received are accepted as donations, which in fact, is what they are.
Other than that one detail, it was an exceptionally inspiring letter.
Malcolm McCulloch,
Fergus
What’s the plan?
Dear Editor:
With the recent flooding in Ontario, wildfires, tornadoes and the general lack of sincere efforts to stop or even mitigate climate change, I am concerned about our safety, especially since Erin is on a flood plain.
Credit Valley Conservation provides “Alertable”, for which I have signed up, and which will let me know of possible weather hazards. But then what? If there is flooding, where do we go?
When asked, the town office suggested going to Centre 2000, but it’s next to a swamp and several years ago when there was heavy rain during construction at the north end of the village, the rising water table pushed water to the doorstep of the arena.
Does the town have a plan for extreme emergencies? Is it posted where people can readily access it? If a person lives alone, has mobility issues and flooding occurs, what should they do?
It would be helpful when the town publishes the list of where to get help, if they could include a link to the town’s plan of action for dealing with extreme emergencies. In these events a plan is only as good as peoples awareness and understanding of it.
Sue Braiden and Ron Moore,
Erin
Women of Afghanistan
Dear Editor:
The world is a busy place! The major powers appear to be preparing for a third world war. Ukraine and Israel are in different parts of the world but many countries are gearing up for what comes next, including China, Russia, the United States, Germany, Britain, France, Australia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and others.
Competition between the big players is leading to new trade partners, with winners and losers. The “made in China” brand is quickly being replaced with brands being made in Vietnam, Indonesia and other eastern countries that do not yet rival the western world in technological capabilities, manpower and an ability to challenge the interests of the U.S., as does China.
However this letter is not about the above. It is to pay attention to a less influential group whose voice is no longer allowed to be heard, not only in its own country, but more importantly, abroad.
Does the average person in Canada truly know the appalling conditions in which women and girls in Afghanistan live? Education for girls is now limited to Grade 6. Women are literally restricted to their homes, and their voices cannot be heard. Many are covered from head to foot and cannot leave home without a male to accompany them.
Young boys grow up with an abnormal, distorted view of what it is to be a woman. People of Canada and the government need to know and care, but that is too easy. Refugee status should be offered to all girls and women seeking asylum, as all women living in Afghanistan are considered to be persecuted. Canada’s feminist foreign policy must be shown to work in action not just in words.
I am not the federal government. I have almost no power to influence action, but I have a voice, and so do you. Why Afghanistan women? Why pick and choose when the world is a busy place? Too many issues, too many problems?
While we celebrate our freedom here, while we worry about living in safe communities, while we build more houses and close our doors to those who wish to study and live here, I think we are smart enough, wealthy enough, kind enough to petition our politicians and those with influence to put the women of Afghanistan topmost on their list of priorities simply because it is the right thing to do, and to do today.
Janet Calderwood,
Rockwood
‘Caring community’
Dear Editor:
On Remembrance Day I did some shopping at Zehrs before attending the service at the cenotaph.
At checkout I mentioned to the cashier that it was very cold and windy outside and I had forgotten my hat and she said she would offer me one if she had one.
I then responded that for all the military had done for us, a little cold and wind should not stop me for attending and paying my respects.
As I was getting into my car a lady approached me and said she had heard in the store that I did not have a hat to wear to go the cenotaph and she offered me a cozy, warm set of ear muffs.
I thanked her and asked where I could return them and she told me to just keep them.
I am so thankful to be living in such a caring community.
Terry Spadafore,
Fergus
Loves column
Dear Editor:
A sincere thank-you to Kelly Waterhouse (and her “Carpenter”), for the beauty, laughter and reminder of how we are all woven together in life and nature, which she shares with us every week in the Advertiser.
Bronwen Stanley-Jones,
Orangeville
‘Wow’
Dear Editor:
RE: “Drank the Kool Aid,” Nov. 21.
I have just one single word in response to Ron Moore’s letter in last week’s paper: wow!
Delsie Drover,
Belwood