Run it ‘into the ground’
Dear Editor:
RE: Township combining tourism, economic development into new municipal service corporation, Oct. 2.
This article states that council and staff are excited by the idea of a tourism tax – presumably, due to the fact that it will ensure their wages, as increased work comes with accommodating guests.
However, the lifestyle of the community members living in this town will continue to be changed for the worse. We sacrifice our animal inhabitants for excess construction, our rural farmland for tightly packed residential housing, and our downtown conveniences for our elderly population for tourist shops that sell home necessities at a premium.
We have no right to turn away guests, but we reserve the right to form our town in a way that benefits us. It is our tax dollars funding the maintenance of the necessities of this town. We are not work horses. We will not work for a town that defiles our values of peace and interconnectedness with our environmental resources.
You don’t grow wealth by telling people to come fill their greed with a $14 hotdog or $20 soap. You fuel a way of living that’s focussed on the elite. You create exclusivity and an utter neglect of people whose only wish is to survive another day … or for someone to recognize the injustice taking place.
What you are doing, by fuelling a tourist money-grabbing culture, is redistributing wealth. You are not inventing solutions to poverty. You are encouraging it.
“Buy another hotdog while Mike, who lives in the gorge, loses a foot to frostbite this year. Don’t you deserve to come live within your abundant means? Wouldn’t you like to capture the exact moment you realize you’re not as unfortunate as Mike?” Not that you’ll never be.
The wealth only lasts if you’re the one running the town – the show, I should say. The ones who promise more, with more, with more … so long as there’s a tax on it. A price to pay their wages.
They’ll run this place into the ground and simply move on to the next town to start the whole process over again.
Courtney Pamela,
Elora
‘A good laugh’
Dear Editor:
RE: Township combining tourism, economic development into new municipal service corporation, Oct. 2.
I nearly spit my coffee out reading last week’s Advertiser. I had a good laugh.
During the last municipal election, here in Centre Wellington, most – if not all – the current council members campaigned on being different from the previous council and mayor, who they seemed to believe were doing a poor job.
Yet, they’ve now hired former mayor Kelly Linton and are taking his advice on how to run tourism and economic development. So you thought he was useless four years ago but now need him to do your job?
Maybe you should get him to draft the short-term rental bylaw too.
Maddy Smith,
Fergus
Flashing lights help
Dear Editor:
The automated speed enforcement cameras have been around long enough to show their drawbacks and limitations.
Many drivers do not always notice the speed limit signs. They drive going with the flow, following the vehicle in front of them. It is simplistic to say “pay attention to your driving.” There are just too many distractions inside and outside of your vehicle.
The cameras have been shown to cause other problems: drivers are using side streets to bypass the cameras so they don’t inadvertently get a speeding ticket. Homeowners then complain about all the traffic on their once-quiet street!
Worse, cameras are being vandalized because of the perceived unfairness of the system. Drivers who have driven for decades without a ticket suddenly get one.
With the cameras, the infraction occurs and then, three weeks later, the driver is notified. If safety is the top priority, would it not be better to prevent the infraction in the first place?
A week ago, while driving through Cambridge, I saw my proposed solution in action: there was a double flashing amber light with a sign, “Speed Limit 30 when lights flashing.” There was no missing this sign. And it’s timed: no need to be on at 4:30 in the morning.
Enhanced visibility is why flashing lights are put on construction and road-maintenance equipment, on bicycles (they want to be seen) and on police cars (think how fast you notice the red and blue flashing light in your rearview mirror). Dangerous intersections, low bridges, sharp turns: any hazardous road condition has a flashing light to grab your attention.
Narrowing of streets, speed bumps, bigger signs and other “costly” traffic-calming measures would all be unnecessary with the use of a flashing warning light.
The way I see it, the municipality/township/county/province has two options:
– hire an outside company to install a less-safe, problem-causing system which generates a lucrative profit; or
– opt for a safer system with only one drawback that I know of: the taxpayer foots the bill for the installation of the flashing warning lights.
For those in government who are still trying to convince us “it’s not for the money,” add a flashing light like the one I mentioned in Cambridge ahead of the camera. Then watch the revenue drop like a stone!
Erwin Ellen,
Ariss
‘Unreasonable’ change
Dear Editor:
I obtained my driver’s licence over 60 years ago. Back then a 10% leeway was unofficially given over the speed limit, with exceptions for school zones during the day and evening activities.
County roads did not lend themselves to high speeds for the average person.
Several years ago I was driving in a line of cars traveling at 100km/h in an 80 zone on Highway 6. In the middle of the line was a police car. No one got a ticket.
Driving marginally over the limit has been an accepted practice for many years.
Changing the norm overnight with speed cameras in the way it has been applied is unreasonable. Anything over the limit in school zones should be kept during school hours. The rest should be allowed at 10% now and eased down over a period of time to the limit.
Much of the discussion about cameras will become academic. Soon, if not now, one will be tracked by their cell phone, smart watch or other personal device and/or the electronics in your vehicle.
This would monitor all roads.
Chris Woode,
Fergus
Speed cameras work
Dear Editor:
Again there is a proliferation of letters against speed cameras with misinformed reasoning. Emergency response vehicles are registered with the authorities and don’t get fined for speeding to an emergency.
Speed bumps and road width restrictions are also a hazard for emergency vehicles. We only just got the many potholes repaired and now “they” want bumps back again.
Instead of getting veterans and seniors tested by drawing clocks, etc., we should get the younger folks to take tests having to draw road speed signs to see if they know what they mean.
It’s like the wild west in some parts and there is that element of drivers who let you know they are coming because they have tampered with their exhaust systems, which of course is illegal, and then there are vehicles with wheels sticking out, which is also illegal and unsafe.
Speed cameras are the only things that really work, but unfortunately, the people in charge of it all can’t seem to get anything right either.
Malcolm McCulloch,
Fergus
‘Erin’s wealth’
Dear Editor:
I have been a resident of Wellington county for over 40 years and a resident of the Town of Erin for the past 26 years.
I am a licensed journeyman carpenter with 37 years experience in residential construction.
It is from this perspective that I want to submit my opposition to the transfer of 120 rural residential severances from Erin to the Township of Puslinch and to question why the date for severance has not been changed in 20 years.
The transfer of this wealth out of our township is shortsighted and poorly thought out and will have long-term negative impacts on the residential market in our town.
Imagine the number of real estate agents, contractors, electricians, plumbers, landscapers, carpenters, surveyors and lawyers who live and want to work in Erin whose livelihoods you’re threatening. Never mind the taxes the town could be collecting for the rest of time on these homes.
At $1 million per home you are giving away at least $120 million dollars of business to a neighbouring township and for what?
I can’t think of any time when our town said it’s a good idea to give away our wealth and our opportunities to some other municipality. We are in a period of uncertainty right now but I think a longer view would suggest that we need homes of all types and sizes.
I hope officials will consider this idea flawed and will reject it outright and keep Erin’s wealth in Erin.
Tom Carroll,
Erin
Canada Post ‘pickle’
Dear Editor:
It appears that the Canada Post corporation is in a bit of a “pickle”. And sadly, it seems many employees could be losing their jobs over this.
So, let me get this right. Canada Post is a “Crown” corporation. If so this means it is run by or supervised by the federal government.
As I have had some background in how a very successful company works, let me see here … who exactly is the CEO of said company? Who is their accountant? As in, their chief financial officer?
I suppose it is possible these upper management positions have changed hands through the years. But, just say for instance, you or I were running a large corporation of this nature, a Canada-wide company.
It would be troublesome, to say the very least, if at the end of each month you took a look at the financial report only to discover that you were losing money and not even breaking even. And, at year end, oops, getting deeper in debt. Now, that would send up a red flag for certain. And yes, cause heart palpitations for sure!
Liz Hughes,
Puslinch
*Editor’s note: Crown corporations such as Canada Post, while owned by the federal government, operate independently and are structured like a private company.
Boot drive a success
Dear Editor:
The Fergus Firefighters Association extends a heartfelt thank you to the community for helping with our Muscular Dystrophy Boot Drive on Sept. 13th.
The Fergus Firefighters Association has a long-standing history of raising funds for Canadians with neuromuscular disorders. Thanks to our community generosity, Muscular Dystrophy Canada has successfully connected with over 1,600 locals and funded 13 equipment request for clients in the area.
Thank you, Centre Wellington, and we will see you next year.
Fergus Firefighters Association,
Fergus
‘Restore our nation’
Dear Editor:
Dear Liberal voters and my fellow Canadians, please help the rest of Canada to remove the Liberals and Prime Minister Mark Carney from power.
You are finally getting some accurate news reporting that Canada is on the precipice of financial destruction. If you want to help to restore our nation, then please, help us to remove Mr. Carney and his Trudeau parliament. They do not deserve to have the positions we entrusted them with.
We must be unified and understand that we are fighting for our freedom and our country. Britain suffered financial mismanagement by Mr. Carney also.
Former British Prime Minister Liz Truss reported that Mr. Carney ruined England’s finances. We were warned but CBC and CTV did not bring the news to the public at that time.
So, please, we have to address the problem correctly and make wise decisions. We need a thriving economy to do this and to return this beautiful nation prior to Carney and Trudeau. Carney has worsened the deficit with higher spending than Trudeau and broke his promises.
For your children, for your own future in Canada, please don’t be afraid to vote Conservative. Leader Pierre Poilievre is a well educated leader who has worked hard since his youth to earn our confidence and respect and truly does have a plan. He loves Canada and wants to restore our nation for us and his family.
It is a tough job to take on but Poilievre will put Canada first in all ways, including environmental concerns. He has children and they are his future. He wants a strong healthy democratic Canada.
Please Guelphites, my home town, please quit voting Liberals into power. Help your fellow Canadians restore our nation while we can.
Carolann Krusky,
Fergus
‘A sincere Christian’
Dear Editor:
Re: Not worthy of ovation, Sept. 25.
Daniel Bratton appears to be doing a bit of cherry picking in painting a negative picture of Charlie Kirk.
No doubt Charlie had his faults, as we all do. However, from my reading and listening, I believe he was a sincere Christian who sought to speak the truth about often controversial moral, religious and political issues, while inviting his opponents to make their case.
Although some might be turned off by his support of Donald Trump, and by some of the speakers who eulogized him, I believe Charlie spoke for many conservatives who are silenced, vilified or worse, by the mainstream media, leftist politicians, academia and other left-wing extremists.
One theologian and writer, Dr. Thaddeus Williams, analyzed 100 videos featuring Charlie Kirk, in an experiment to determine whether left-wing claims that he was a proponent of hate, violence, white supremacy and other dangerous phobias were true. They were not.
He found that Charlie was called names like “stupid,” “piece of trash,” “Nazi,” “Hitler” and many unprintable terms 59 times by those who disagreed with him, but that Charlie never responded by calling the person who disagreed with him a derogatory name.
He often thanked his opponents for their courage in publicly engaging with him on hard topics.
Charlie did resort to name calling 11 times, but appeared justified in doing so, such as when he called a young man who had praised Hitler a “low IQ individual.” Three of those times, he called himself names, admitting “I’m a sinner,” “I’m selfish” and “I’m broken.”
Charlie Kirk’s assassin likely thought that by killing him, it would silence his conservative Christian views.
I’m hoping it will result in more conservative Christians having the freedom and courage to speak about controversial issues without fearing violence and censorship.
Henry Brunsveld,
Puslinch
Trailway survey
Dear Editor:
The Elora Cataract Trailway Association is excited to announce that we are conducting our annual trail user survey. Our survey teams are out and about, conducting pop-up surveys at various locations along the 47km Elora Cataract Trailway, including the Trestle Bridge Trail.
They will be observing the number of users, the types of activities, and handing out cards with information on how to access our online survey. We are very interested in hearing about your experiences using the trailway and Trestle Bridge Trail.
Your feedback is invaluable and will be shared with the Credit Valley Conservation authority, the Grand River Conservation Authority, Township of Centre Wellington, Town of Erin and Wellington County.
The information you provide will help us improve the user experience. As a token of our appreciation, providing your feedback will enter you for a chance to win $100 cash. The survey ends at midnight on Oct. 31.
If you miss us on the trails, visit our new website at trailway.org and look for the blue pop-up with the online survey address. Thank you for your participation and support.
Ian MacRae,
Chair, Elora Cataract Trailway Association