‘Formula One wannabe’
Dear Editor:
Every time I hear someone whine that speed cameras are a “cash grab,” I can’t help but roll my eyes. Honestly, it’s laughable.
Only in this upside-down world could people complain that being caught breaking the law is somehow unfair. You don’t want a ticket? Here’s a wild idea: don’t speed. It’s not rocket science.
In England, they’ve solved this little pity party by installing average-speed cameras on the motorways. You get clocked when you enter and again when you exit, and if your speed doesn’t add up, you’re nailed. None of this slowing down for the one camera and then blasting off like a Formula One wannabe. Imagine that, accountability that actually works.
But of course, in Ontario, we treat lawbreakers like they’re the real victims. It’s the same mentality behind those liquor store “shopping sprees,” where thieves waltz in, fill their arms, and stroll out without a care in the world. Different crime, same arrogance: “The rules are for other people, not me.” And then oh, the audacity; they moan about being punished when, surprise, the law finally catches up.
Let’s stop pretending speed cameras are the problem. The real problem is the culture of entitlement that says obeying the law is optional, but whining about consequences is mandatory.
If you’re being “robbed,” it’s only because you robbed yourself the second you pressed your foot too hard on the gas.
Carl Gray,
Fergus
Save severances
Dear Editor:
Are you considering applying for a rural severance in Erin? If so, don’t wait.
Erin council has directed the county to remove the 120 units of rural severances currently allocated to Erin and transfer them to Puslinch. There are already a considerable number of restrictions on severances, the primary one being the necessity of being classed as secondary agricultural land in the official plans of the town and county.
Why are rural severances important? They are a major input into the local economy. Rural severances help employ local people, lawyers, surveyors, excavators, builders, plumbers, electricians, etc., and purchase a lot of supplies locally (building materials, landscaping, furniture, appliances). They lead to employment of local young people as assistants in the process, and help keep them in the community.
They also allow the property owners to provide children or older relatives with a piece of land at a very reasonable cost, so that families can live together and support one another.
Ask your local councillor to rethink their decision, considering the impact it will have on our economy. Ask them to choose a more recent cutoff date if there has already been a severance on the property.
Currently, if your property had a severance after March 1, 2005, you would not be allowed another. County has proposed moving that date to either 2015 or 2025, so that additional severances can be taken from qualifying properties. This is an opportunity to have input into the planning process, and will determine how development takes place over the next 30 years. Don’t waste the opportunity.
Speak to your local councillors (John Brennan, Jamie Cheyne, Cathy Aylard and Bridget Ryan) and to your county councillors (Mayor Michael Dehn, and councillor Jeff Duncan).
Rod Finnie,
Erin
‘Protect yourself’
Dear Editor:
I attended a recent presentation at 622 Squadron Headquarters at Waterloo Airport. The Speaker was Detective Constable Mike Payne of Waterloo Regional Fraud Squad, who highlighted both old-style scams and the latest schemes.
He informed us that most of the big scams are operated by organized crime cells that are typically headquartered in foreign countries and recruit local individuals to do their work.
These individuals are instructed to perform certain acts, which are merely part of a complicated chain of events that eventually leads to financial loss being experienced by the victim
Payne said police only get to hear from about 10 per cent of fraud victims, but that involved approximately $637 million last year. He noted police are two years behind on most investigations and said the chances of getting the money back is very slim. The main scams are crypto currency at the moment, but new scams are constantly being devised. Payne advised against using Facebook, especially with the new artificial intelligence systems now available, which can create extremely convincing presentations from the simplest of information.
Basically his message was that you must always assume everything is a potential scam and protect yourself accordingly.
Mac McCulloch,
Fergus