‘Disgusting scam’
Dear Editor:
RE: County to spend $4M in speed camera revenue on road projects, Oct. 23.
This is a disgusting scam.
Approximately 50 per cent of speed camera proceeds, in the millions, goes to a private Alberta-based company? What a gross overreach and money grab.
The county has lost millions from the economy as drivers avoid our businesses. Locals have less money to spend in the local economy as they get dinged going 51km/h in a 40 zone while commuting to get groceries after hours.
These cameras don’t make neighbourhoods safer; the data is clear.
Tracy Gibbs,
Fergus
‘Cash-grab revenue’
Dear Editor:
RE: County to spend $4M in speed camera revenue on road projects, Oct. 23.
So I read last week that the County of Wellington will put $4 million of the 2025 speed camera revenue toward paving, highway turning lanes, guardrails, rural lights and consultant fees, with the leftover going into the roads capital reserve. Wrong answer!
What happened to the safety improvements of school zones where most of this money has been collected? There was zero mention of the word “school” in the report. And yet county officials insist these cameras are about safety?
I believe the county should put a bit more thought into the permanent improvements of the areas which are generating this cash-grab revenue and use our enormous annual tax increases for the occasional OPP cruiser presence at some of the rural problem areas where speed is quite often the cause.
(I am not referring to the deadly Highway 6/Wellington Road 22 corner. That’s Dougie Ford’s jurisdiction and a whole other issue).
Carol Anne Pinkney,
Elora
‘Phenomenal’ response
Dear Editor:
On Oct. 9 my husband had a bad fall on our driveway and was unable to get up. A family driving by noticed him lying in the driveway and stopped to assist. They were able to get a chair from our home and get him seated before I was able to get outside.
They left before I got their names, but this was just another example of the great community we are privileged to live in.
I called for an ambulance, which showed up very quickly, and my husband was taken to Groves hospital. He had emergency surgery at Guelph General the following day.
We know that our health care system is stretched to the limit, but in a case of an emergency the response was phenomenal.
Brenda Chapman,
Elora
‘Thoughtful planning’
Dear Editor:
RE: County starts farm succession planning help for local farmers, Oct. 9.
I was pleased to see this submission, as it’s an inevitable phase for all farms. Although I am curious how we can continue to highlight the importance of local agriculture to the broader urban community, especially given how many farms will be changing hands over the next decade.
Wellington County has grown and developed rapidly over the years, and my hope is that as the farming landscape changes over time, we can continue to help the urban community to better understand the importance of agriculture.
I didn’t grow up on a farm and don’t have first-hand experience with farming, although I’ve had the amazing opportunity to participate and learn about agriculture through my involvement in the local 4-H Eramosa Dairy Club.
While I realize that not everyone has had exposure to this extensive industry, to understand and appreciate its importance, my question is, how can the urban areas stay informed about the role that agriculture has on the community?
As Wellington County continues to develop, it’s important to ensure there is thoughtful planning where urban and rural intersect, to ensure it is not seen as a divide, but rather where the two zones connect and coexist.
Introducing educational programs on agricultural succession planning is one of several essential steps in continuing to ensure that Wellington County remains a key region within the agricultural industry. As farms change hands, what remains is their commitment to the local land and dedication to a business that fosters community connections.
The area has a strong, deeply-rooted history in agriculture, and it remains essential to continue educating urban community members as to why it is important to maintain a strong local agricultural presence.
I grew up in Wellington County, and each time I return to the area, I am amazed that despite the growth and development, it has not lost the agricultural focus that I’ve grown to love.
Beth Lang (McMaster student),
Fergus
‘Unwavering support’
Dear Editor:
On behalf of the Erin Agricultural Society, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Wellington Advertiser for your generous community sponsorship and unwavering support of the Erin Agricultural Society’s 175th anniversary celebrations throughout 2025.
Your contribution played a vital role in the success of our milestone year, culminating in the memorable 175th Erin Fall Fair.
Your commitment to promoting local events and sharing the stories of our community is invaluable. The coverage and encouragement you provided helped us reach more residents and visitors, celebrating Erin’s rich agricultural heritage together.
We would also like to draw special attention to the outstanding work provided by Katie Clarke of the Wellington County Museum and Archives. The archives’ creation of a wonderful slide presentation, showcased all weekend in the Erin Fair 175 Heritage Tent, brought our history to life and allowed fair visitors to connect with our past in a meaningful way.
It truly takes many partners to host a fall fair – and the Erin Fair is fortunate to have so many dedicated supporters in Erin, Hillsburgh and neighbouring communities throughout Wellington County and beyond.
Your partnership, along with those of others, helps ensure that our traditions continue to thrive and our community remains vibrant for generations to come.
Eileen Brown,
The Erin Agricultural Society
‘Better alternative’
Dear Editor:
RE: ‘Whitewashing,’ Oct. 23.
Brett Davis’s letter to the editor totally misrepresents Charlie Kirk and the nature of free expression.
Labelling Charlie Kirk’s rhetoric as incendiary because it challenges progressive “wisdom” is not a road we should travel down if we wish to preserve democracy.
Free speech gives people the right to debate controversial topics even though some may find it offensive. Charlie Kirk was a proponent of dialogue and free speech.
It’s foolish to discredit Thadeus Williams’ findings without providing any evidence to the contrary other than your reference to Helen Keller being “able to see and hear this evidence to the contrary.” One could see this as offensive to disabled people; is Davis himself now being incendiary?
You accuse Henry Brunsveld of politicizing faith. I don’t think he ever claimed Christian equals conservative. He identified Kirk as a Christian and a conservative.
There is no fine line between the First Amendment rights and hate speech in the US. Like it or not, hate speech is protected under the First Amendment in the U.S. unless there is incitement.
The Canadian Charter of Rights and the U.S. Constitutional Amendments have some similarities, but are legally and fundamentally different; conflating the two is ill-informed. We should condemn hateful acts and violence, but silencing speech by labelling it “hateful” does little to uphold democracy. The better alternative is to encourage dialogue so bad ideas can be replaced with better ideas, freely spoken.
Jeff Leicher,
Fergus
‘A revenue stream’
Dear Editor:
RE: Not a good safety era, Oct. 16.
I disagree with Mr. Fast’s letter. I do I think we should return to the era of:
– parents stressing to look both ways before crossing the street, only crossing where the school entrance is and never presume a vehicle will stop for you;
– parents not dropping off kids living 10 blocks from school;
– bicycle safety programs taught in the school, where it was stressed you are on the road with vehicles for which you are no match;
– understanding that when you see a right-turn signal on a car you did not pull up on the right side of that car;
– 50km/h speed limits on city streets, with no special zones, and 60km/h) on secondary or four-lane roads, with no speed bumps, etc.
We have stopped teaching our kids and created an environment of entitlement in so many areas. This includes obliviously walking while on cell phones or wearing ear buds listening to music while we cross roads, believing that magic technology will protect us.
I agree that it is reasonable to have large flashing signs approaching school zones during school with during school start stop hours a large 40 during that time,
What I don’t agree with is speed reductions 24 hours per day. Speed cameras provide a completely false sense of security. If someone is speeding and hits a child, it does little to say we got them on a speed camera.
Speed cameras were not a reaction to something that occurred so please save me the prevention talk.
We have to get past this notion that if we build a bike world they will come. They are not coming. We are congesting our main arterial roads by reducing lanes for bike lanes. More cars jammed up creates more hazards.
I have never had a speed camera ticket so this is not moaning from an action. City mayors are admitting speed cameras are a revenue stream.
Doak McCraney,
Guelph
Proud resident
Dear Editor:
As a proud Palmerston resident, I want to share my appreciation for how wonderful the Town of Minto – and Palmerston in particular – looks this year.
The downtown core has bright new banners and decorations that create such a welcoming atmosphere.
The planters and hanging baskets looked absolutely beautiful, and the red, white, and black tied in perfectly with the Palmerston 150th Homecoming colours.
I would also like to recognize the hard work of the volunteers on the Palmerston Homecoming Committee.
This small but dedicated group spent two years planning to bring together a wonderful weekend long celebration that brought old connections and new families out to experience our community.
We couldn’t be prouder to call Minto home.
Connie Robinson
Palmerston