‘A great reminder’
Dear Editor:
RE: We carry their stories and remember each of them, Nov. 9.
I recently read this article on your website. I was deeply moved by the strong tribute to the local war heroes of Wellington County.
Reporter Jordan Snobelen did an exceptional job of capturing the essence of the remembrance ceremony held at the Wellington County Museum and Archives.
The vivid descriptions of the ceremony, the Legion members, and the atmosphere created a sense of respect for the brave men and women who served in the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, and in Afghanistan.
The stories of people like George Arnold, Ashford Earl and Alice Cook, who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, were touching.
This article serves as a great reminder of the sacrifices made by our local heroes. It shows the importance of remembering their stories and honouring their memory.
Lest we forget.
Sean Flach,
Ariss
Day program closures
Dear Editor:
There is a small population of beautiful people living in Wellington County that are often not acknowledged.
They are local adults with intellectual disabilities. Often they are marginalized by many factors out of their control, like housing, finances and employment. They are people who want the same things in life as you and I: to be a part of our community, be needed and loved.
Many attend a local day program in Wellington County where they enjoy time with friends, and participate in local day trip outings.
Sadly Community Living Guelph Wellington (CLGW) has announced the planned closure of day programs effective Dec. 4.
The reason for closure is not entirely clear, however the CLGW and the provincial Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services are both responsible.
Our local communities have been very supportive of efforts to keep this program running, with 2,000 signatures in support on the petition “Stop day program closures” on Change.org. Please consider adding your name to this petition, and urge your local MPP to make changes to allow this segment of our society to live life to the fullest.
As Gandhi and former U.S. Vice President Hubert Humphrey said, “The measure of a society is how it treats its weakest members”
Linda Devries,
Palmerston
‘Should be ashamed’
Dear Editor:
It is with disgust that I am writing this letter to the editor and sending a copy to the Fergus BIA. I have also sent a letter by email to Shawn Watters, mayor of Centre Wellington.
I went to the information booth in the weigh scale building on Provost Lane in downtown Fergus. So nice to see old buildings reused.
The stand holding information for visitors was filled with elastics, dust, leaves and expired info for past activities in the area. It was basically empty, holding only three or four info/booklets.
Frankly it was dirty and appalling. Nothing for visitors looking to see what was in the area.
Oh well. People could use the bathrooms. Maybe that is the purpose of the visitors/information centre.
Everyone should be ashamed to treat visitors this way.
Lucy Dyment,
Fergus
‘Offering kindness’
Dear Editor:
While driving along Wellington Road 18 at Gerrie Road recently, my husband and I spotted a crow with a bad wing.
My husband got out of the car with a blanket while I drove home to grab a cat carrier. Within 15 minutes, we’d managed to collect and contain the poor beauty.
We called the Guelph Humane Society (which assists orphaned/injured wildlife in our area) and were shocked to learn that they knew the crow we were calling about!
It turns out, a concerned woman had already attempted to catch the bird herself, but with no luck. So on the chance that this woman reads this paper as avidly as I do: I want you to know that the crow’s injury is considered treatable and they are now with a licensed wildlife rehabilitator — this is not a common outcome for wild birds with wing injuries.
Thank you so much for offering kindness to a fellow creature in need.
Shannon Kornelsen,
Elora
More ‘disturbing’ math
Dear Editor:
A couple months ago, I wrote a letter to the Advertiser (Disturbing math, Aug. 24) that was critical of the aspirations of the various levels of government who promised to build a house every 12 seconds.
I now refer to a press release by the City of Kitchener on Nov. 3 which pledges the construction of 35,000 new homes by 2031.
Some disturbing mathematics translates this pledge into three homes every hour of every work day. Good luck!
Jim McClure,
Crieff
Residents want it done
Dear Editor:
RE: Mini Lakes promises to get wastewater treatment plant in compliance, Nov. 2.
With regards to the article in your paper about the septic system at Guelph Mini Lakes, I’m not sure where your information came from but as I recall the residents actually voted overwhelmingly to have it repaired or replaced.
I wish I could tell you why the work has not been done but we are told it will happen soon.
Rick Mitchell,
Puslinch/Mini Lakes
Need more light
Dear Editor:
Your question in the Nov. 2 online poll was wrong regarding changing the clock.
You asked, “Should daylight saving time be scrapped?” The question should have been “Should we keep daylight saving time all year?”
I spent many winters driving to work in complete darkness and returning home in complete darkness. It would have been nice to have some time after work with some daylight left to do chores or play with the kids.
We need more light in the afternoon after school and work.
Peter Meyler,
Brampton
‘Look at the bright side’
Dear Editor:
Seasons were God’s invention. He created the Earth’s tilt to the sun in order to create seasons, with which comes longer and shorter days.
As summer rolls to fall, and days become shorter, our perspective needs to change.
Being negative about shorter days makes us forget the beautiful side. For example, the fact that stars are out earlier, and the moon shines brighter.
Darkness gives us time to pause and enjoy time with family, rather than being busy all the time.
Shorter days, and the darkness that comes with it, also gives us new appreciation for when the days are longer.
We are not in control of the seasons and darkness, but we are in control of our attitudes towards them. It’s only dreary if you allow yourself to believe it’s dreary.
“Dark too soon” can be turned into “look at the bright side”
Hannah Thalen,
Elora
Crime sure to increase
Dear Editor:
RE: Crime, calls to police remain below pre-pandemic levels in county, Nov. 9.
As a resident of Centre Wellington, it is very nice to hear that crime rates are falling on average. It’s always a good thing to hear that the rates are lower, but I am worried that it is just an outlier of a larger trend.
With Wellington County and its towns getting bigger and bigger, I fear that there will be more crime yet to come. Our peaceful small town will slowly grow into a city, which brings along with it more crime.
Not only is it worrisome that there could be increased crime but it is even more worrisome that the type of crime could be changing. Bigger towns bring with them more drug crime which is never a good thing. Even though this one year has a little bit less drug crime we cannot deny the fact that it is going to increase in the future.
I think that we should be very careful when looking at the stats each year and instead of comparing it only to the year before, we should also be comparing them to multiple years prior to better identify the trends.
This will help to keep citizens and especially law enforcement aware of what types of crime are happening so that they are more prepared. Being better prepared is key to helping keep crime levels low, even in a growing town like Fergus.
Wesley Niezen,
Fergus
‘For our own safety’
Dear Editor:
Re: Crime, calls to police remain below pre-pandemic levels in county, Nov. 9.
I found it quite interesting how you mentioned that the number of people caught with drugs in their system increased by 70% from 2021 to 2022.
This is a large increase in just one year. I wonder why, after seeing this great increase, the government is still legalizing more and more drugs to this day.
If drugs weren’t legal in Canada would the amount of people caught with drugs be so high? I think not. People wouldn’t have the availability of drugs if it weren’t handed to them. There are many drug stores just in town making it an easy task to have them available at all times. Ever since the legalization of marijuana, there are an astounding amount of cannabis stores appearing in Guelph.
If the government looked at the facts presented, not just in our region, but in all of Ontario, they would see the increase of accidents, injuries and deaths that are all connected to the intake of drugs. If people wish to create a more safe and healthy environment we should not be promoting drugs, alcohol or any substance that can cause harm. We as a society need to tackle this issue together for our own safety.
Katelyn Vanderloo,
Centre Wellington
‘Remember me’
Dear Editor:
My face is smiling or serious,
I look down from my banner above.
I’m leaving the village and farm;
City and town has answered the call.We hoped to see you again;
Some of us came home,
Too many did not.
Nov. 11th we ask one thing
Remember me.
Liz Hughes,
Puslinch
Diabetes a concern
Dear Editor:
Nov. 14 was World Diabetes Day – a day to remember that diabetes is a major concern globally.
The Fergus Lions in the past illuminated with blue lights the pedestrian bridge linking the Fergus Market area to the downtown river walk and Templin Gardens. Due to repeated vandalism, this practice was cancelled in 2021 after six years.
To mark World Diabetes Day this year – we are going to light up the rear (riverside) of the downtown library with blue lights. Blue is the international colour for diabetes.
The idea behind this visual reminder is that diabetes is a growing concern, and by making people aware of this, hopefully they will take the time to get a checkup.
There is no cure yet for diabetes, but there are steps you can take to lessen the impact or reduce your chances of contracting diabetes.
Brian Martin,
Fergus Lions Club
‘Getting out of hand’
Dear Editor:
Re: Fergus victory homes tell story of post-war Canada, return to regular life for veterans, Nov. 9.
It’s interesting that Laura Wickett said “the focus was on affordable” about wartime homes. These homes in Fergus were intended to provide affordable housing for returning war veterans.
These homes were meant to be cheap. Currently, as most people in Fergus are aware, house prices have skyrocketed.
I looked at Victory homes on Churchill Crescent currently or recently on the market. Though there weren’t many, the one I did find was priced around $650,000. Victory homes were said to have been sold for between $6,000 to $7,000 originally. That means the price of that house has gone up by about $644,000, or 108 times the original.
I looked for the average cost of a regular house in the 1940s and found a reliable source stating that the average home cost about $42,000 in today’s dollar value. The average house price today is about $880,000. The price of the average home has increased by about $838,000, which is just over 21 times the original number.
I find it unbelievable that the homes originally meant to be affordable for war veterans are no longer like that. They may be cheaper than the average home today, but they increased much more in price.
Canadian homes are no longer affordable, not even the ones specifically built to be that way. I hope that our government will find a good way to solve this problem, because it is getting out of hand.
Keisha Vanleeuwen,
Centre Wellington
Reflect on our past
Dear Editor:
RE: Reflections, Nov. 9.
I agree with Dave Tiessen when he says that we are “born with silver spoons in our mouths”. We have it too easy. Especially in the younger generations, we have not experienced hard times like in the past.
We have everything “handed to us on a silver platter.” We tend to take everything for granted.
We should reflect on our past. We live in a time like no one else in history. Many of us have been blessed with everything we need. Why do we have such a good and prosperous life?
We are so graciously provided for because of ancestors’ actions. The veterans who fought in the past, fought for a better future for their children and grandchildren.
Even those who had a hard past can still reflect and be grateful for what Canada has done for them. The veterans provided a free country for us to live in. One where we don’t have to worry about being attacked by other nations.
As a granddaughter of those who were affected by World War II, my childhood was filled with tragic stories of their struggles and difficulties. Thank you to all those brave warriors and Canadians that fought and saved us from these dreadful wars.
Thanking our forebears, for what they did in the past is a necessity. They fought for our better future. Their lives were drastically changed for the worse so that our lives could be changed for the better.
Henrietta Thalen,
Elora
Playground vision realized
Dear Editor:
Thank you! The vision of a new playground has been a long-standing goal at Palmerston Public School.
The old playground had seen better days and was in dire need of an upgrade. The importance for providing a safe space for the children helped launch the ambitious fundraising campaign.
Local businesses and individuals played a pivotal role in bringing this dream to fruition. We received numerous donations, big and small demonstrating that every contribution counted.
We extend our deepest gratitude to these businesses and individuals, without whom this project would not have been possible.
To all who made this playground fundraiser a success, we extend our sincerest thanks and gratitude. The smiles on the faces of the children today are a testament to your kindness and dedication.
The new playground, now stands as a symbol of what can be achieved when a community comes together.
Palmerston Public
School Council