Education ‘competition’
Dear Editor:
RE:’Education broken,’ May 22.
I read with interest Rebekah Jamieson’s letter and I do concur with a couple of points she makes: “challenging time to be a student” and “education funding formula is flawed.”
However, I do take objection to a very sick equation that permeates every short-sighted request for government resources. That equation is: more money = better outcome. Without some form of practical accountability, the equation is a recipe for horrible mismanagement leading to bankruptcy.
The provincial government allots a given amount of money for each student attending school. Why not propose allowing the parents of those children to choose how that money will be allotted?
Let’s say for argument’s sake each child is allotted $15,000 per year. Assuming there are two children in a given household, that would entitle the parents to $30,000 per year to assign towards their children’s education.
The parents would be free to choose where those resources would be used, whether towards public education, payment towards private schooling, or on successful completion of each grade standard, payment towards pod or home schooling.
Our current system is not working. We are seeing high levels of indoctrination in our children. We are seeing our children being pushed forward with substandard skill sets, and we are seeing parents becoming more and more frustrated with the lack of response to their expectations of a good basic education for their children.
On the other side, we are seeing teachers consistently on the Sunshine List, board administrators making well in excess of $200,000 per annum, and boards arrogant enough to lock out or shut down any outspoken opposition.
For the sake of our children, it is high time to bring competition to our education system.
Wayne Baker,
Wellington North
Bridge bid error?
Dear Editor:
RE: Bridge rehabilitation to cause four-week road closure, May 22.
I read with concern the article on the Victoria Road bridge over the Speed River. Bridge rehabilitation is a serious endeavour and if not done properly can actually shorten the lifespan of the structure.
Wellington County staff recommending acceptance of a bid that is 35% below the high bid should indicate an error has been made.
This error will eventually be paid for by taxpayers, repairing shoddy workmanship or, worst case scenario, replacing the bridge.
I seem to recall this bridge being resurfaced not too long ago. Remember, you get what you pay for!
Keith McEwen,
Guelph
*Editor’s note: Large discrepancies in tender bids for such projects are not uncommon, particularly during the summer when companies are busy and some purposely inflate bid prices to reflect that reality. Accepting a much lower bid does not necessarily mean an “error” has been made.
‘Speak out’
Dear Editor:
We need to stand up against anti-semitism. If we do not speak out, pur silence emboldens nutcase home-grown terrorists.
Here in North America, who think it’s okay to kill Jews?
Here in Canada, Canadians are tolerating an alarming increase in attacks on synagogues, schools and places of business, with few consequences for the perpetrators. These are hate crimes, that should incur swift punishment and shame on those who commit these criminal acts.
We need to crack down on this hatred, starting with making sure it’s not in our schools. Where does this hatred come from? It is the exact opposite of our Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
I encourage everyone to speak out.
Claudette Stevens,
Southgate
‘Big-city solutions’
Dear Editor:
So apparently the S-Bend road (Colborne Street) will be closed from June to December while it is being re-routed through Storybrook. The suggested route for all traffic will be Wellington Road 18 from Elora then turn left onto Beatty Line.
Won’t this be precious. No left turn lane, no advanced left turn light, so ultimately at certain times of the day everybody will be going nowhere fast, as they say, if the only car making it through the green light is the one waiting to turn.
It is legal but not advised to pass on the right side of the car in the intersection but that sounds like an accident just waiting to happen. Plus a lot of drivers don’t know that is an option.
The other spot needing attention this summer is the corner of Mill and Metcalfe. The pedestrians need to have access to all-way crossing at the same time (north, south, east, west and diagonal, such that there is no crossing at all when traffic moves).
It only takes one car not being able to turn right because currently pedestrians cross at the same time and suddenly traffic is backed up to the roundabout.
Small town with big-city solutions needed in regards to lights.
Carol Anne Pinkney,
Elora
Health care concerns
Dear Editor:
I feel obligated to inform veterans and seniors both of the latest situations that they may encounter, during eye surgery or joint replacement procedures.
They may be approached with several recommendations regarding extra treatments, all of which are not covered by OHIP .
Veterans may be covered for some on their “k-card” of course, but usually, out of fear for want of a better word, they pay for the extra services suggested. In most cases, these extra services may not be required, but that decision is usually difficult for them to make.
The only answer is to stay informed before the fact, when you are consulting with the surgeon and stay on top of things, by asking lots of questions.
You should be able to get successful surgical procedures performed and covered by OHIP alone.
If you have any concerns, you should contact your local MPP.
Malcolm McCulloch,
Legion outreach volunteer,
Fergus
‘Awesome ecosystem’
Dear Editor:
As someone who has been fishing at Belwood Lake for many years, I have noticed a very big drop in the fish population and size of fish. Many people are ignoring the rules and regulations.
A few years back, I used to be able to catch tons of little fish (such as perch). Now, I would be lucky to even catch two. Way too many tourists are overfishing the lake, and the fish population can’t keep up with the amount being pulled out.
Lake Belwood is home to many species of fish, including pike, bass, trout and many species of panfish. These species play a very important role in their ecosystem, and their numbers are decreasing. This is impacting the lake’s biodiversity and the lake could easily fall off. This wouldn’t only affect the plants and animals, but it would affect the people who use Belwood Lake for recreational activities.
I think we need stricter rules to properly protect the lake, like limiting the amount of fish you are allowed to keep. We should also enforce the catch-and-release policy, and inform tourists with signs and/or posters about this problem. I am sure that if you are reading this and live near Lake Belwood, you will know exactly what I am talking about.
We can’t let this awesome ecosystem go to waste, so let’s work together to get this lake healthy again.
Josh Dorie,
Belwood
‘Overpopulation’
Dear Editor:
I am a Grade 7 student at John Black Public School. In Fergus there’s a problem with overpopulation. It used to be quiet, allowing kids to play road hockey and run in fields, but now there are cars and houses in the way. When I was younger I used to play on this big hill made of dirt with my siblings and friends. We would be there almost every day, and would go sledding in the winter and climb it in the summer, but now that hill isn’t there; instead there are houses and buildings in the way. I cried really hard when I found out it was leaving. All of the kids would play there and now it’s gone.
Let kids have their fun and be able to have those fields to run in and forests to climb in and parks to play in. Protect our green spaces, protect our forests, protect our Earth.
Dog owners have nowhere to walk their dogs. Teens that are applying to jobs have a difficult time getting them because so many kids are in Fergus that need them.
Since the government won’t do anything, we have to rise up and do it ourselves. I love meeting new people and I think that it’s healthy for our town when there are new people, but it’s getting really excessive.
So let’s take a step back and slow down to stop over-populating our town.
Sophia Ham,
Fergus
‘Crazy-expensive’
Dear Editor:
As a student, I believe housing affordability is crazy nowadays. I think we could all agree. I sometimes think it’s talked too much about, or not enough.
In Fergus the rent has increased steadily over the last few years.
It might not seem like a lot, but for example compared to the 1980s or before that, it’s gotten far worse. This is one reason why people struggle with affordability more now.
People have lots of bills like food, internet, phone, cars and can lose their place because of how expensive housing is. Everything is crazy-expensive now.
My opinion is that housing should be less expensive. I know there are new people coming to Ontario, more houses need to be built and prices need to be raised. But, building more affordable houses, speeding up construction for houses, adding duplexes, triplexes, and making houses meant for people who struggle with affordability could really help.
Housing should be affordable for everyone. There are houses like these in Fergus and Ontario, but adding more could improve life for everyone.
Lily Johnston,
Fergus
The great outdoors
Dear Editor:
I am a student at John Black Public School. I think that we should go outside more because it is important to be outside.
It can help with a boosted mood and focus. Spending time outdoors can make kids feel happier and less stressed. Studies show that kids who play outside are better at paying attention and are less anxious than those who spend more time indoors.
Secondly, many studies show that time outside encourages curiosity, creativity and critical thinking. Finally, spending time outside improves our physical health and helps us develop our skills. It can also improve our muscle strength and immune system.
These are the reasons why you should push for being more active outside and why students should be outside more often.
Lately I’ve noticed that we have spent too much time in class and we should be going outside more often. I hope you agree with this message.
Kaylen Reid,
Fergus
Bumpy-road boy back
Dear Editor:
I’m a Grade 8 student from John Black Public School and if you read these letters often you might remember me from last year. And I’m back and better than ever.
This is getting to be a bigger problem than it was last year. The bumps and potholes are still there. And they are getting more annoying as the days go on. It does not just make people mad when they are driving by. It can be a serious problem for injured or sick people.
People who live on Beatty Line need Colborne Street as a way to get to the hospital. I think the town of Fergus needs to do better. Take this as an example. Let’s say you are injured. You obviously need to be driven to the hospital. And you need to be there as quickly as possible. If you live on Beatty Line you have to take this treacherous road to get to the hospital.
It’s a health hazard for people with serious injuries. It doesn’t just affect people who are going to the hospital. It affects everyday citizens who just take the road to get somewhere.
Jace Giles,
Fergus
‘Time is money’
Dear Editor:
We are students at John Black Public School. We are writing in an attempt to persuade you into having four-day weeks instead of five days.
First of all, the teachers can have more time to mark and prepare for work and build amazing lessons. The school board saves money and the kids can have more time for their homework. If people know that they have a long weekend they might want to do their work more.
These are some of the schools and places around the world that have four-day weeks: Colorado, Japan and New Zealand. Over 50% of these schools have extra time for work and learning. When they take the standardized test, their scores stay the same or improve.
There are very little downsides to this idea and a lot of upsides. For those who say staff might get paid less, time is money.
We hope you agree.
Penny Y. and Rylan C.,
Fergus