Termite issues
Dear Editor:
Centre Wellington residents are fortunate council deferred the termite management discussion on Jan. 30 to consider new information. The proposed “option two” would not have solved the termite problem.
The previous council, of which I was a member, was united in our opinion that individual homeowners needed help to face our termite challenge. We endorsed a multi-year termite management control program.
History has shown that termites continue to spread despite individual homeowner efforts. Why? Because homeowners are not responsible for eradicating termites beyond their properties and on public lands.
Imagine raking all your leaves only to see more return because there is no concerted effort to simultaneously clean up neighbouring public and private locations. Termites present a similar challenge. They will return because they have places beyond your property to reorganize and assault again. Termite nests can contain up to one million termites, encompassing a 328-foot radius. Workers may forage across 250 feet and over half an acre in a colony’s foraging territory. Urban termites are becoming non-territorial, accepting rather than fighting other colonies. It’s clear why householders need help to solve this problem.
As a former Ward 1 councillor, I studied the termite problem. I learned a lot from homeowners, pest control companies, chemical makers, a university entomologist who studies termites, and termite management control approaches in other municipalities and nations. Guelph’s termite management is one of the most effective.
Dr. Myles’ successful efforts in Guelph relied on the coordinated treatment of private and public lands block by block, shrinking the termites’ territories and colonies. It also relied on educating the public about living with termites. Our previous council proposed a similar approach which option two ignores. Option two wastes public money and locks homeowners into a perpetual termite control levy.
Option two’s proposed $500 to $1,000 grant per impacted homeowner is a drop in the bucket to homeowners paying up to $8,000 every four to five years for inspections and treatment.
Who of you has spent thousands of dollars removing trees and stumps, tearing apart your home or tearing it down to remove termites? These scenarios are realities in our community.
In 2021, we had approximately 250 properties with termites. That number will rise until we get serious about addressing our collective problem. Given their persistence, your neighbour’s termites may become yours.
Guelph demonstrated the benefits of block eradication and public education programs in limiting termite populations and spread. Option two ignores it.
Over time we can shrink the termite population and hopefully eradicate it, but that requires a force of will and commitment.
Ian MacRae,
Elora
‘Little time left’
Dear Editor:
An open letter to Steven Guilbeault, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change.
Thank you for your comments in support of stopping development of our critical Greenbelt in Ontario!
Many of us agree: “Ontario’s push to develop Greenbelt land flies in the face of everything we’re trying to do in terms of being better prepared for the impacts of climate change.” Those words gave many of us, alarmed by the threat to our Greenbelt, an important message of support.
Former mayor of Toronto David Crombie, in his Toronto Star article, applauded your intention to fight for Ontario’s Greenbelt. He notes that opposition in Ontario to the development of our Greenbelt “has been wide, deep and constant.”
In our town of Centre Wellington you see many lawn signs on various streets in both Fergus and Elora stating
Doug Ford: keep your Greenbelt promise!” Reassuring to hear you’ll look at the potential use of federal tools to stop some of these development projects.
There is so little time left to reverse the accumulating loss of biodiversity in our world. This Greenbelt land is not needed to create sufficient housing. There is, though, money to be made. Greed and an ignorance of the ramifications of losing ecosystems have brought our Earth to this point.
Thank you in advance for taking action.
Carolyn Crozier,
Elora
‘Ignorant letter’
Dear Editor:
Kudo’s to the editor’s reply to the ignorant letter regarding the drag show in Elora.
Who in this day and age can be against something as fun as a drag show, of all places, in liberal Canada? The ignorant couple of people who protested against this show should just do us all a favour and relocate to the southern part of the U.S., right to the heart of Christian-country, where all other ignoramuses who are against this type of show, and those who took part in the convoy last year, can live happily ever after.
We have all seen how this type of thinking can affect a country, and what problems it causes. If you are so unhappy with our country, do us all a favour and move.
I am an immigrant from South Africa, living my dream life in my dream country, which I never stop singing the praises about.
Maybe those that complain about the drag show should go and spend some time in a country like South Africa or in South America, then come back, and see how little you have to complain about.
Jacques and Elze Bredenkamp,
Elmira
God discriminates
Dear Editor:
RE: The Elora drag show opposition controversy.
There will be many more conflicts such as this as Canadians work out how different religions/world views can live side by side. How do we solve them?
Publisher Dave Adsett advocates for choosing peace in this situation. Will that always be possible?
A western Canadian news source reports that a transgender woman, with intact male sexual organs, repeatedly walked naked in front of young girls changing in the women’s change room for swimming lessons in the Saskatoon Shaw Centre. The municipality cites the human rights of trans people and Premier Moe threw the issue back to them when asked to intervene. Thankfully, there was no violence, just ongoing protests by parents.
How can what the parents see as indecent and child threatening behaviour be reconciled with the rights of trans-identified people? What one person sees as truth here is not what the other sees. The reaction of the authorities indicates that it is the girls who will lose out as no sane parent would allow their child to be exposed to such behaviour.
The Advertiser is doing a great job at allowing for a civilized discussion of these difficult issues.
I do not admire the letter writer who uses the pseudo-Christian lyrics of a Ron Sexsmith song to try to shame Christians into accepting ideas their holy book deems wrong. God certainly does discriminate against sinners and without repentance and belief in Jesus Christ there is no salvation or a place in heaven.
Jane Vandervliet,
Erin
‘Dubious’ words
Dear Editor:
RE: God loves everyone, Feb. 2.
So God loves everyone? Really? What about Esau whom He hated? Judas, maybe? How about Cain? Or perhaps Jezebel?
Maybe God is some kind of dotty old white-bearded grandfather figure, who just loves everyone so much, even though they carelessly reject His word and choose to do that which seems right in their own eyes? Maybe we’ll find out too late?
Meanwhile, should we rely on the dubious poetic words of Ron Sexsmith’s little ditty for our authority? Maybe not.
Roy Pegg,
Orton
‘Judgment’
Dear Editor:
RE: God loves everyone, Feb. 2.
Yes, God absolutely loves everyone, but according to scripture, his judgment is just as sure as his love and mercy.
Jeff Martin,
Alma
Don’t forget
Dear Editor:
There needs to be encouragement to know Jesus personally as your Saviour. He died for mankind and our sin, however that was on the basis of accepting Him and knowing Him as our personal saviour.
In general, humanity tries hard to go off the rails with “whatever turns you on.” Selfish ideology is not what brings us as humans closer to the Lord. Ideologies show up from wherever and then get put forward as “I can do whatever I want.”
When it comes to following Jesus through the dwelling of the Holy Spirit, the selfish ideology screams out as our right but often not given a check whether it is what scripture says is honouring to the Lord.
I encourage all to pursue a personal relationship with Jesus through the Holy Spirit and ask our selves “does this honour the Lord?”
When in doubt, consult scripture and seek spiritual guidance.
It is interesting that we have traffic laws to help control our actions. However, in light of being a Christian and following Jesus, well just mind your own business! Really?
Our children need guidance as do we all. So when there are comments and criticisms and we view them in light of our own ideology, please don’t forget that, in light of being Christian, and God fearing, our Lord has the last word.
Please do not forget that.
Bob Baker,
Erin
‘God brings judgment’
Dear Editor:
The recent attention given to the drag show that took place at the Elora Distilling Company has brought mixed reactions.
The first article of Jan. 19 highlighted negative comments received by the company. It is unfortunate that some of the comments were strong emotional reactions to the event the company was hosting.
The letter by Carol O’Neil of Feb. 2 addressed the issue of “disagreement is not hate” and is well written.
A second article about the drag show was in the Feb. 2 edition. I found it interesting that one of the performers, Karma Kameleon, actually talked with the three protesters and none of them were described as threatening or abusive but the performer for the first time was scared. I was puzzled by this.
Then further in the article it said that if 90 per cent of the people making negative comments online “just went to a drag show … this wouldn’t be happening.” The remainder, she added, are those who have gone so far into their beliefs that they can’t be educated – and “that’s terrifying”.
I can understand if violence and abusive behaviour are used to express a person’s view, it should be dealt with measures to stop it. We must be careful with what might be classified as hate. Too broad a definition could be harmful to all involved.
I feel some clarification is needed in the Feb. 2 letter from Paul Gooch concerning the lyrics he submitted from Ron Sexsmith. Yes it is true that God loves everyone, but scripture is quite clear about who God is and how He deals with those who break His rules. I realize that this is a song or a poem but unfortunately, God does judge and there is adequate scripture where God brings judgment upon both Israel and gentiles. The fact that Christ died on the cross to pay for the sins of the world illustrates a judgment has taken place.
The idea that “There’s no need to be saved” does not line up with any scripture. You do have the choice to believe if scripture is true or not, but there are consequences for the choices we make. Just like there may be consequences for the individuals that commented on the drag show.
Michael Thorp,
Mount Forest
‘Many examples’
Dear Editor:
RE: Not very ‘Godly,’ Feb. 2.
Christy Doraty appears to blame “religion” for the backlash against transgender ideology that is displayed in drag shows, citing examples of the harm done by the church, mostly in the distant past such as in the Spanish Inquisition.
I’m not sure why she included the Reformation in her list, as I would view that as a positive development in church history.
Certainly there are many examples where the church has not acted very “Godly”, but it has departed from biblical Christian teaching when it has done so, much like many liberal churches are doing today. However, I am curious to know why Doraty chose only examples from past church history, when she could have chosen many current examples of harm done by other religions or by communist governments.
According to the religious liberty organization Open Doors, more than 360 million Christians currently suffer high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith. They reported that 5,621 Christians were killed for their faith last year, mostly by Muslim extremists.
Doraty also fails to mention that many (most?) people who would not be considered “religious” don’t buy into many aspects of the transgender movement, author J.K. Rowling and TV show host Bill Maher being two prominent examples. They have received many hateful threats and harassments for expressing their views.
Henry Brunsveld,
Puslinch
‘Brutal dismantling’
Dear Editor:
I recently attended a meeting of the Ontario Health Coalition, via Zoom, and have subsequently devoted time to understanding the important work of this organization, on behalf of all Ontarians.
We have all heard of Premier Doug Ford’s three point plan to privatize Ontario’s public hospital services and that he will table his legislation when the legislature resumes on Feb. 21.
But does each of us, young and old, understand the implications of this dangerous legislation?
The premier lied to the Ontario electorate, pre-election, saying this government will not and would not expand private clinics and hospitals! And now, it is announced that this government will privatize our public hospitals’ surgeries and diagnostics. Premier Ford and his government have the arrogance but no public mandate to ignore The Canada Health Act, guaranteeing no charges for medically needed hospital and physician care. Health care is to be provided based on need, regardless of your geographical location or your ability to pay. That’s what public medicare achieved!
Rather than financially supporting our existing health care system this premier will divert taxpayer dollars to private for-profit clinics. That’s a take-away not an add on to our existing system!
Familiarize yourself with the extensive research done by the Ontario Health Coalition and gasp at the exorbitant costs you will pay for services if this government is allowed to gut our public hospital services; gasp at less regulatory oversight, and for sure, don’t forget, but be prepared, to gasp at death rates at private, for-profit clinics.
I am imploring MPPs, Ted Arnott (Wellington-Halton Hills) and Matthew Rae (Perth-Wellington), to step forward and host a public meeting to acquaint all taxpayers with the facts re: privatization of our public hospital services.
Let’s act now to stop this government’s brutal dismantling of public hospital services. We can do so much better in addressing our health system crises!
Marta Hoyles and Ken Feakins,
Mount Forest