Not worthy of ovation
Dear Editor:
On Sept. 15, The House of Commons offered a one-minute standing ovation following a tribute from Conservative MP Rachael Thomas to Charlie Kirk, the Donald Trump ally and right-wing activist who was assassinated in the U.S. on Sept. 10.
Thomas stated political violence “destroys dialogue, it undermines democracy, and it breeds fear instead of understanding. True progress comes from persuasion, not intimidation.”
Although no peace-loving person would disagree with her condemnation of political violence, I could not help wondering how those eulogizing Kirk could so easily ignore the tactics of intimidation that he himself practiced.
After all, Kirk became famous by establishing a database designed to dox professors whose opinions he disliked so they would be intimidated and silenced. Some of these educators left their profession, while others suffered threats to their and their families’ lives.
In the arena of sports, when American gymnast Simone Biles was forced to withdraw from the women’s team final at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Kirk branded her a “sociopath,” telling listeners, “If she’s got all these mental health problems: don’t show up … She’s also very selfish, she’s immature, and she’s a shame to the country.”
Kirk expressed caustic disdain for Canada as well, describing it as “a really screwed up country and … a self-hating country, as you well know, that prides itself on being polite. This is a great lesson for those of us from the West that your favourable characteristics of being polite, nice and welcoming can also be your downfall.”
The senseless killing of a young father of two because of his political views is reprehensible. Few would argue that.
However, Parliament holding a tribute and minute of silence for a right-wing, Trump-supporting American podcaster whose views many Canadians do not share is disturbing, and seems to prioritize his death over all lives lost to gun violence south of the border, including `school shootings and targeted attacks upon politicians on both sides of the political spectrum, notably the recent assassination of Minnesota state representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. Let us say their names, too.
I remain perplexed as to why the House of Commons chose to pay homage to someone who denigrated Canada and stood firmly against Canadian principles of civility and open-mindedness. Equally baffling is the CBC’s live coverage of the entire Charlie Kirk memorial.
At the very moment that Canada is introducing the Combatting Hate Act, our national broadcaster, supported by our tax dollars, chose to air speeches such as Stephen Miller’s virulent attacks on “our enemies,” by which he clearly meant anybody who does not hold his overtly racist and fascistic views.
Daniel Bratton,
Centre Wellington
Heads in the sand?
Dear Editor:
The housing crisis hasn’t gone away. It’s just been going on for so long it feels like the new normal to see people unhoused, displaced, unable to find safe affordable housing.
Wellington County just earmarked $1.4 million for their winter respond program to house the unhoused during the coldest months of the year.
The town of Erin just passed a short-term rental bylaw, and yet here in Centre Wellington it’s almost been another four years with no movement on the issue, except to waste taxpayer money on a consultant whose suggestions you scrapped.
Our neighbours are being displaced in favour of out-of-town wedding guests.
Get your heads out of the sand.
Maddy Smith,
Fergus
‘The new normal’
Dear Editor:
The subject of speed cameras seems to have created quite a lot of discussion. There has been many well written Letters to the Editor on the subject. Both sides have been addressed in the Wellington Advertiser.
How can one argue with these cameras when it is a matter of children’s safety?
The Hillsburgh automated speed enforcement camera is located close to a fire station. Firefighters drive their own vehicles to the station to respond to emergencies. Are the volunteers going to get “tickets” if they exceed the posted 40km/h limit? If so who is responsible for these costs? Are town residents on the hook?
With all the residential growth that Wellington County will experience in the future, should we be locating schools in low-traffic areas? For example, the public school in Brisbane is located on a high-traffic county road (Wellington Road 124). Maybe this is an example of a poorly located school. Is there a 40km/h speed limit on Wellington Road 124 by Brisbane school?
Residents are somewhat uncomfortable with the aspect of county council’s secrecy regarding the cameras and the “partnership” with a private company on this matter. There seems to be a lot of talk of a “cash grab”.
I was in Huntsville the other day and I observed the local council’s approach to this subject. There are 40km/h signs on the roads in front of the schools (similar to Hillsburgh). These signs incorporate a border of flashing lights that are timed to only operate as required by the school. They seem to be effective and this safety message doesn’t involve the aspect of money.
My final comment is based on a resident telling me that when they now travel down Trafalgar Road in Hillsburgh, they seem to be spending more time watching their vehicle’s speedometer than watching the road ahead.
I am sure given time we will all get used to the new normal.
Dave Dorman,
Erin
‘It’s a cash grab’
Dear Editor:
Cash grab speed cameras – that is exactly what they are.
We received a speed camera ticket just shortly after they were activated and long before school was back in. Leaving Rockwood on Main Street North, by the new Catholic school and childcare centre, there are two cameras, maybe 20 to 25 feet apart; one facing into Rockwood so they can get you coming and one facing north so they can get you going. Just past the last sidewalk the speed limit changes to 60km/h.
So where there are no sidewalks on Main Street North, I received a ticket for 14km/h over, just before the 60km/h speed limit sign.
I’m pretty sure that the majority of us start to accelerate coming up to a speed limit sign change. So I was ticketed $90.25, which included a $15 victim impact fee and, to add insult to injury, a $5 or $8 licence plate search fee. There’s two cash grabs for you.
You can request a “meeting” conducted over the phone to dispute your ticket, but for goodness sake don’t forget about it because if you do they will charge you another $16!
I truly would like to know the percentage the county gets of the speeding portion and who gets those other two amounts.
According to the article in this newspaper, the county has collected $6 million to date – imagine how excited our politicians are about that. I would like to see a detailed breakdown of this. Maybe they are just going to put in an interest bearing bank account. I doubt it.
Put in rumble strips instead, or, and I know this would be annoying for the snow plows, but let’s try speed bumps in those critical areas. We avoid areas with speed cameras and find alternate routes, which just increases traffic in other residential areas. It’s a cash grab, pure and simple.
Jane Cullen,
Rockwood
‘Obey the law’
Dear Editor:
I guess I am another person that does not understand people getting so upset with getting a ticket because they are breaking the law.
Yes, I am well past the age of legally becoming a senior. How many of us know or at least heard of someone killed or maimed for life by speeders every year in this province?
Surely we read or listen to some news! Please tell someone who has had a devastating loss caused by speed that we shouldn’t try to clamp down on this. I could be the next to get a ticket, but who’s fault would that be?
Do we all agree with everything Premier Doug Ford says or just things that suit us? What other things does our government do that could be construed as being a cash cow?
As far as I know, for all of my life, the cash comes from borrowing and from the working people and employers to pay for everything. We are the government, folks.
You know we are allowed a huge latitude on the open highway so why do we have to get all shook up because we are asked to slow down in areas where we should be driving slower anyway? And being people, we will not obey any speed limit if there is not some strong deterrent.
We people in general seem to be getting a lot more impatient on the roads. There’s been road rage incidents right here in Mount Forest. Shame on us. Guess what things we might have to complain about if we lived in certain countries right now?
Now if Mr. Ford would like to spread some positive news, why does he not act on a headline I read in today’s paper: “Man charged in shooting gets bail, despite plea to keep him in jail.”
If we would obey the law it won’t cost us $10, let alone $10 million.
Gary Smith,
Mount Forest
Two tickets
Dear Editor:
I am writing this letter to let someone know the problem with speed cameras.
I know of someone personally with a public-funded job who was doing work along the boulevard in front of J.D. Hogarth Public School in Fergus. This person was there for one half-hour working. All of this is on his truck’s GPS data.
Can someone explain to me why this person received not one but two speeding tickets?
Werner Raab,
Elora
The magic of music
Dear Editor:
I want to give a huge shout-out to the many places that are now hosting music.
Outside in the Elora green spaces, local cafes, the arts centre, Templin Gardens, open mics, the Elora Brewery, Francis Lane, the Creperie, the list goes on and on!
Thank you so much to the many financial sponsors and to the groups hosting these events.
Music truly is a language that transcends all barriers and lifts people up! The outdoor events have been spectacular. Our local artists are second to none. The outstanding talent we have in our midst is fantastic!
Thank you to all, for providing such enjoyment to so many people. It’s truly appreciated.
Brenda Chamberlain,
Elora
Jails needed
Dear Editor:
With the jewelry store robberies and the murder of homeless people by felons on bail, I question the province’s use of funds.
Do we need Ontario Place, tunnels under the 401, the removal of speed cameras and a new highway to Sarnia? What we need are jails on Baffin Island.
Jim McClure,
Crieff