‘On our doorstep’
Dear Editor:
Last Thursday I was very happy!
I bought a Gorge Cinema membership and it was only $20 to support our freshly painted, renovated and licensed cinema with a beautiful courtyard.
It was so refreshing to be able to walk down and watch a great movie in our community.
No need to drive to the big city for popcorn and a film, it’s all here on our doorstep.
This is another great thing postCOVID to support in our town.
Sheena Costello,
Elora
‘Negative image’
Dear Editor:
We have heard that MAID (medical assistance in dying) has been offered to people in place of treatment geared to getting better (MAID is considered treatment).
MAID is considered a “natural death.” Doctors as a group must end a person’s life under qualifying conditions, but they do not as a group have the right not to kill people. I can not think of any other sector in society working under these conditions. MAID is considered palliative care in Ontario.
The government can state they have increased the budget for palliative care and direct the money to MAID. As MAID statistics have been moved from the coroner to the health department, numbers are hidden.
If doctors bill four times a year for a collection of services under palliative care, there is a $2,000 bonus. Ten times a year means a $5,000 dollar bonus. I doubt that this amount will have much influence but it does present a rather negative image.
Chris Woode,
Fergus
Breakfast a success
Dear Editor:
The Elora Firefighters Association hosted our 27th annual pancake breakfast on July 1.
This year was a huge success and all proceeds will be forwarded to support three local initiatives: Team Addy, public skating and the Centre Wellington Food Bank.
The Elora Firefighters Association would like to extend a huge thank-you to Heritage River for their generous donation of pancake batter and syrup, as well as Paul Weekes and the many staff members for their time and patience in ordering and organizing everything that we would need to get this event off the ground. We could not have done this without you and look forward to working with you again in the future.
We would also like to thank everyone who came out to support all of the events that were happening in downtown Elora on Canada Day. It is always great to catch up with people we haven’t seen in a while and meet some of the newcomers to our beautiful town!
Thank you again for all of your support, and we will see you all again next year!
Elora Firefighters Association,
Elora
Narrative ‘silenced’
Dear Editor:
On July 12, U.S. President Joe Biden spoke to the participants at the NATO summit at Vilnius University in Lithuania. Six words stood out for me. Referring to the war in Ukraine, he noted Russia’s “craven lust for land and power”.
Anyone who even slightly knows the long history of the United States understands those words are easily applied to our southern neighbour.
In 2023, the U.S. has 313 military bases in Asia alone, and a combined 750 bases in 80 countries, more than any other country in history.
It is a wonder to me, rather than receiving thunderous applause during and following his speech, the NATO members and others didn’t burst out laughing.
Where in Canada is the movement for peace in Ukraine ever discussed or given serious air time? The narrative for peace has been effectively silenced here and elsewhere.
Peace has become a subversive concept and the war in Ukraine will continue. Ukrainian soldiers and civilians will die while NATO countries support them with money and weapons.
The U.S. continues its limitless desire for land and power, all in the eternal name of “democracy”.
Janet Calderwood,
Rockwood
‘Slice of heaven’
Dear Editor:
There is a little slice of heaven in Fergus.
This is a place where everyone runs free. Friendships are made, people smile and everyone has fun. Even better, snacks are often available to those who sit and be patient. In all types of weather you will meet a friend here and it will be the best day.
The stewards of this place work very hard to keep it beautiful. There are new trees, flowers, lush grass and memorials to those who played here before. A few simple rules keep it clean and safe. This is a community where like minded people mourn losses and celebrate new beginnings. This place is the Fergus Dog Park.
This happy place is a landmark for people trying to do the right thing. People bring their dogs to this designated area where they won’t infringe on the enjoyment of other public spaces by people who don’t appreciate their pets as much as they do.
Construction has begun on a multi-use trail that currently “ends” at the dog park. It is a concerning that a jaunt through the dog park will be a quicker route than retracing one’s path at its end.
While an off-leash pup might find it a great adventure to run after a jogger or cyclist, it is unlikely the recipient will feel the same. It is a recipe for disaster.
Life is simple when you are a dog. Be joyful and try not to get in trouble. Let’s figure out how to make that happen.
To our patrons and friends, please come to the meeting at the Fergus sportsplex on Aug. 15 at 6pm. Learn about the changes and express your concerns.
Sherri Moyer,
Fergus
‘Important people’
Dear Editor:
The top levels of movie stars, TV personalities, sports athletes, stage singers and others of the type have an annual income in the tens of millions of dollars.
In my humble opinion, they could all stop “working” tomorrow and the world would continue quite well, albeit maybe a little quieter with a more bored population.
Meanwhile, nurses, doctors, firefighters, teachers, police officers, farmers and many others take home exceedingly less pay, but the world would totally collapse if they stopped working.
I wish that this vast income difference would change to potentially improve the lifestyle of those most important people, but sadly I doubt it ever will.
No, I am not jealous of the rich, just always concerned about the future of my great grand children.
Max MacIntyre,
Elora
Trucking petitions
Dear Editor:
We thought this would be an opportune time to update your readers on our efforts to call for serious change within the trucking industry.
Recently the OPP reported that the province has now reached a ten-year high in regards to collisions involving commercial vehicles.
We have now had petitions approved by the federal clerk of petitions and are open for signature.
The first petition is calling for a unified training program across Canada in order to ensure all new drivers are prepared to drive in each different terrain our vast country has to offer.
Our second petition calls for amendments to Section 16 of the National Safety Code. These amendments would ensure that when a unified standard is implemented across Canada, the minimum standards will be more involved and will better prepare new drivers for the industry.
It will also call for instructors that are training new drivers to have sufficient training and certifications, which in many jurisdictions across Canada is not the case.
Lastly, we would like to welcome new federal transport minister Pablo Rodriguez to the industry. We hope we can work together to promote meaningful change in the name of safety for all users of our highways.
Travis McDougall, co-founder,
Truckers for Safer Highways, Kitchener
‘Ethical thinking’
Dear Editor:
RE: Windscreens removed, July 27.
I would like to thank Rob Voisin for his honourable action of removing the unsightly windscreens from the tennis courts opposite the Fergus cenotaph.
I went over to observe the pleasing change to the general atmosphere. However, the very next day, a folding board directing persons to a new construction site towards Elora had been erected immediately in front of the cenotaph.
Persons involved should know that this kind of action is very disturbing to veterans and their families and should engage in more ethical thinking regarding this sensitive area.
Malcolm McCulloch,
Fergus