Pierre’s gaffes
Dear Editor:
It is high time Conservative Party of Canada Leader Pierre Poilievre sat down and had a good read of the Canadian Constitution to better understand the division of powers between the federal government and the provinces.
Also it might be enlightening to know that the Governor of the Bank of Canada is totally independent of government interference, although Poilievre did threaten to “fire” Tiff Maklem if and when he is elected to the Prime Minister’s Office.
With a bit more knowledge of how issues are settled between premiers and the government – careful negotiations which involve give and take by both parties – he might be able to answer journalists’ questions without trying to shut them down or accusing them of promoting “disinformation.”
Speaking of disinformation, does anyone remember when Poilievre advised Canadians to invest in Bitcoin for excellent profit? (Sorry for your loss.)
Arlene Callaghan,
Fergus
‘Still stinks’
Dear Editor:
RE: Future Highway 6 bypass route beside Pierpoint Park is off the table, Feb. 8.
In spite of the excitement of Centre Wellington council announcing that there will be no “bypass” on the Pierpoint Nature Reserve, I am left with a feeling that this proclamation just seems to be more of the same thing: a very expensive bridge, months of noise and work, trees cut down, traffic increased, peace disturbed.
There was an Irish expression; “You can dress a pig up and call it Paddy, but it still stinks.”
I think it applies here.
Christy Doraty,
Fergus
What’s council thinking?
Dear Editor:
RE: Council declares Strathallan Park surplus, opens door for new Catholic high school in Fergus, Feb. 1.
Strathallan Park is the only moderate park of its size north of the Grand River in Fergus.
There was no consultation with taxpayers on neighbouring streets. This proposal would mean there will be three schools within two blocks.
Traffic congestion is already a problem die to the Catholic elementary school and there is only one way in and out of Strathallan.
Mothers of young children, taxpayers, sports teams, dogs and humans will all be denied that space.
What happens to the memorial trees planted by loved ones in the green space? Is the green space big enough for a complete high school, including a library, cafeteria and outdoor activities, let alone parking?
An expansion is already planned for the Catholic elementary school on Strathallan. And it will all be located across from the recently-approved condos and commercial building.
What is council thinking?
Janice Ariss,
Fergus
‘Arrogance of council’
Dear Editor:
It’s coming, folks, whether we like it or not. Apparently Centre Wellington council has approved a controversial new building for downtown Fergus sometime soon.
And if local residents don’t like the idea, well, it’s just too bad. The message is: don’t bother raising any more concerns, because “it is staff’s opinion that the proposed development is consistent with relevant planning policy.”
Huh? What about our opinion?
At a public meeting some months ago, many of us voiced objections to the design of this building, proposed for the corner of St. Andrew Street East and Gowrie.
At five storeys, it will be alarmingly big (towering over every other building in the area – taller in fact that anything in downtown Fergus). It will require a change in zoning bylaws. And as for the problem that locals never stop talking about (parking), only 13 spaces will be allocated for 17 apartment units, in an area of downtown where it’s already a nightmare to find anywhere to leave your car.
But were our concerns heard? Was there any scaling down of this proposal? No. The developer apparently submitted a new proposal to council (which they didn’t bother to inform us about.)
And this immensely long document certainly gussies up the original proposal with a few niceties like the addition of “sandy coloured stone to match surrounding buildings.” But it’s still basically still the same: five storeys on a too-small lot, a citified-looking building that will be totally out of character in our historic town – and not enough parking. The arrogance of our council in rubber-stamping this proposal beggars belief.
Sonia Day,
Fergus
*Editor’s note: There are 13 parking spaces on the site of the apartment building, plus another nine across the road, for a total of 22 for this development.
‘Poor planning’
Dear Editor:
An open letter to Centre Wellington councillors.
Just making my usual statements when I read about things like the proposed apartment building on the St. Andrew East site in Fergus that was once the “Opportunity Shop”.
Seventeen units with 13 parking spaces? Where is it proposed the other four tenants will park? Where is it proposed that occupants with two cars per unit put those extra cars? I bet the Ralph Bassett building businesses will have even more parking lot spaces their customers are unable to use – they already lose a few to Gente’s customers who have nowhere else to go.
This reminds me of a situation that began in 1986 at 200 River Street – the first condos in Fergus – where I lived for 15 years. Designers and developers assumed that people moving into condos would have one car per couple. There are 38 units in that building and only 20 indoor parking spaces There were an additional 18 outdoor parking spaces and a visitor’s lot.
So, when couples moved in with one car per person, immediately there was an extra car using visitors. If they had offspring living at home, two visitors’ spaces got used daily. If a couple each owned a car and they had a truck for getting their fifth wheel up north for the summer or down south for the winter, that often got left in the visitors area. The visitors’ lot was frequently inadequate and the indoor garage pitifully so – and this happened over 30 years ago because of poor planning and permissions granted that hadn’t been thought through thoroughly.
This new building can readily go taller – that’s a nice open space on that corner – but there’s insufficient parking. Few people in Fergus can walk to the stores they need access to and even those who can usually need their vehicles to get their shopping home.
Council should only approve this upward extension based on some redesign that allows more tenants’ cars to park on their own property instead of infringing on the rest of the quiet residential neighbourhood and busy nearby businesses.
Please consider this: I haven’t been able to shop in downtown Fergus (which I once loved doing) for nearly four years as parking spaces are never available. This can only make things worse!
Helen Marucci,
Fergus
*Editor’s note: There are 13 parking spaces on the site of the apartment building, plus another nine across the road, for a total of 22 for this development.
‘Spiritual renewal’
Dear Editor:
Ash Wednesday arrived early this year on Feb. 14 – because Easter is early this year: March 31. The time between those two dates for Christians is a time called Lent.
Lent, the 40 days (plus six Sundays) that lead up to Good Friday and Easter, is a time of reflection and spiritual growth. Some people give up habits or certain foods – as a kind of fasting.
It intrigues me that this year Dry February and Lent overlap – giving up alcohol for both physical and spiritual health. Some people take up a new pattern or practice in their lives, such as writing a letter a day to a friend, a relative, an enemy. Seeking to offer encouragement or to express the desire for reconciliation.
Others commit themselves to showing compassion and care to the people they encounter during their day. Still others adopt new or renewed patterns of prayer and reflection on spiritual readings. Lent is a time of spiritual renewal for body, mind, heart and soul.
Such patterns and actions, and more like them, are done humbly, quietly, in service to Jesus whose life, death and resurrection are the motivation and the reason for these acts of charity and spiritual practices.
Peter Bush,
Fergus
‘The road less travelled’
Dear Editor:
Re: The Reflections column in the Feb. 1 issue of the North Wellington Community News.
The depth of truth and the connecting of the spirit to the written word with the spirt of the reader is a breath of fresh air.
The last verse said, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 14:12) which brings this quote to mind:
“When you recognize Yahweh (God) as Creator, you will admire him.
When you recognize Yahweh’s wisdom you will learn from him
When you discover Yaheuh’s strength you will rely on him.
But only when Yahushua (Jesus) saves you, you will worship him.”
Leroy Reibel,
Clifford