Speed cameras worked
Dear Editor:
An open letter to Town of Erin council and Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Joseph Racinsky.
Every morning during the week for the last five years I stand on Trafalgar Road in Hillsburgh with my kids waiting for the bus.
It was only until this June, when the automated speed enforcement (ASE) camera was activated in town, that I finally saw traffic slow down. Now within a few days we will lose the only effective measure that has actually addressed the speeding in our community.
Soon the gravel trucks, commuters and transport trailers will be back to treating our road like a highway, travelling 60 to 80km/h while our kids walk and bike to school.
So Mr. Racinsky and town council, I invite you to come stand with me and my kids the morning the ASE is turned off. Come and watch the traffic with me and tell me what you’re actually going to do to get speeds back to 40 km/h.
I’ll be waiting.
Joanna Mullen,
Hillsburgh
Protection over profit
Dear Editor:
RE: County to spend $4M in speed camera revenue on road projects, Oct. 23.
Wellington County’s plan to use about $4 million in speed camera revenue to fund next year’s road projects is deeply concerning. Speed cameras were introduced to protect communities and save lives, not to act as a cash flow for municipal budgets.
When speed cameras become funding sources, priorities shift from safety to profit. The success of speed cameras should mean less speeding and fewer tickets, not a stream of revenue to use on road construction. Using the fines for road funding creates a conflict of interest and ruins public trust in local government.
If the county actually wants to make our roads safer, that money should go back into school zones and driver education. Treating fines as easy cash sends the wrong message: that breaking the law is just another way to make quick cash.
The cameras are often placed in spots that maximize fines rather than improve safety. The government picks locations where they can make the most profit. This adds to public distrust, especially when minor infractions are harshly punished and private companies profit from ticket revenue.
While speed cameras can reduce accidents when used properly, their questionable placement and revenue-focused enforcement often make them more about making money than keeping roads safe.
Speed cameras should protect people, not profit the government.
Nolan Lodder,
Guelph
‘Wrong answer’
Dear Editor:
Re: ‘Cash-grab revenue’, Oct. 30
This letter highlighted the fact that most of the speed camera revenue has been collected in school zones, yet no safety improvements are being made to these areas.
I appreciated this submission and agree that putting this money towards road projects is the wrong answer!
County officials insist these cameras are for safety, but as the letter stated, it feels more like a cash grab. The money collected is being used to fund road projects such as paving and guardrails.
Instead of spending most of this money on road projects, I believe that it should be spent on permanently creating safer school zones.
Brooklyn Feenstra,
Arthur
‘Wonder and curiosity’
Dear Editor:
RE: Salem students exploring local food connections, Oct. 30.
It delighted me to read that kindergarten students from Salem Public School are walking around town and visiting local businesses, grocery stores and restaurants to learn more about food and to grow community connections.
At the heart of it, this shows a teacher’s understanding of what education really looks like and the impact it plays in students’ growth.
I admire Tessa Heffernan for recognizing her students’ early interest in the food industry and finding opportunities to develop it further.
Students in kindergarten are at a very curious time of their life. Their minds are busy, constantly taking in new information and learning how to work alongside their peers as well as their broader community.
Heffernan’s choice to embrace her student’s excitement is evidence that she is a passionate teacher and she loves her job.
As a Grade 12 student who is soon to graduate, I look back on the experiences and opportunities I have had in school that have led me to where I am now.
All the class trips that opened my eyes to careers and organizations and all the classroom visitors that gave personal presentations and advice have shaped how I embrace my talents and abilities.
I have learned to pursue wonder and curiosity because a number of my teachers made it possible and exciting to do so.
I hope restaurants, chefs, farmers and other food experts are eager to assist Heffernan in this beautiful work she is doing and I hope she continues to be encouraged to create these wonderful opportunities for her students.
Jenny Deboer,
Mapleton
‘Never forget’
Dear Editor:
RE: ‘Striped banner’, Oct. 23.
I appreciated the submission by Nicoline Pieffers, which called Fergus and Arthur to show true patriotism by replacing the overused striped banners with Canadian flags on their light poles.
I would like to build on that idea. In Canada, we take pride in our freedom – freedom that was hard-won by the sacrifices of our veterans.
Every year, on Nov. 11, we pause to remember those who gave their lives so that we can live in peace. Yet it feels as though Remembrance Day receives far less attention than it deserves. If the people who support the striped banners get a whole month to celebrate, why is there only one day set aside for Canada to celebrate our freedom?
When we look at our communities and schools, we should ask ourselves: Are we truly showing gratitude for those who fought for our country? Do our students understand why we stand in silence at 11 o’clock? Are poppies treated with the respect they symbolise? We must ensure that the symbols of Canadian history, like the Canadian flag and Remembrance Day, are given their rightful place of honour.
If we claim to value freedom, equality and democracy, we must ensure that both all are honoured. Remember the sacrifices that made our freedom possible. Let our towns proudly display the Canadian flag – a symbol of unity and freedom – and let us never forget the cost of the liberty we enjoy today.
Danelle Penninga,
East Garafraxa
Harmful traffic
Dear Editor:
RE: Gravel pit remediation could result in excess truck traffic, Oct. 30.
I found many concerns for the proposed plan to truck clean fill into the Hillsburgh quarry for the next 10 to 15 years.
This plan states that trucks will be making 150 trips per day. My concern is that 10 to 15 years is an extremely long period for a rural community to undergo such industrial activity.
Heavy traffic could potentially harm the quality of life of wild animals, the water quality and soil conditions, let alone hearing the constant noise and inhaling the diesel fumes and dust.
Wear and tear will certainly be caused to the roads, adding more cost for the taxpayers.
If the goal is to truly heal the land then a better plan needs to be put in place without sacrificing the peace and health of the community. We should demand a better timeline, fair fees that actually reflect the cost to forego the plan, and save the environment.
Maiya Post,
Guelph
‘Selective stretch’
Dear Editor:
RE: Christians under attack? (Oct. 23).
Pat Woode cites American conservative influencer, Charlie Kirk and his putative conservative principles. I quote Kirk’s opinion of empathy: “I can’t stand the word empathy, actually. I think empathy is a made-up new-age term that – it does a lot of damage.”
I regard this statement as preposterous. Imagine the one human attribute that ennobles us, that enables us to reach out to our brothers, that motivates some of the best of us to choose careers such as medicine, social work, science, teaching and charitable work to be so callously dismissed and undermined.
The author also makes a self-serving and selective stretch by insinuating that the CBC (which many conservative elements in Canada wish to defund) ran an article, “which could be interpreted as justifying [Kirk’s] assassination.” This is redolent of ideological bias.
And, in a similar vein, how can Canada Family Action portray itself as “non-partisan,” if the organization’s mission is “promoting and defending Christian principles in Canadian society.”
Opinions are not principles and we have all witnessed the poor outcomes elsewhere in North America when religion is allowed to co-mingle with governance.
Allan Berry,
Fergus
‘Incredible creatures’
Dear Editor:
RE: New study pinpoints number of birds killed by cats each year, Oct. 30.
I wholeheartedly agree with the article from the University of Guelph. Birds are incredible creatures and deserve our protection. Cats, as domesticated animals, should be cared for and kept indoors.
My mother and I love bird watching, and it would be heartbreaking to see cats killing birds right outside my window. It is understandable that domesticated cats, being closely related to larger wild cats like lions and tigers, have retained the instinct to hunt. However, that’s when humans should step in and manage their behaviour.
I don’t believe the solution is to stop cats from hunting by putting them on leashes as the article suggests. Leashes can be dangerous to cats if used incorrectly. A more effective way to protect birds while still allowing cats to act on their instincts is to put bells on their collars. The sound of the bell will alert or scare birds away, reducing the likelihood of predation. Bell collars allow cats to behave naturally while safeguarding the birds.
Overall, I was thrilled to see this article in the weekly newspaper. It’s encouraging to know that there are people working to care for and preserve the beautiful birds of the earth.
Keylin Devries,
Guelph/Eramosa
‘Grateful’ for parks
Dear Editor:
RE: Harrison Park opens in Elora, Oct. 30.
As an avid runner, local swim instructor and promoter of physical literacy, I must say I am deeply grateful for every park that is built in our neighborhoods.
Opened just two weeks ago, Harrison Park not only includes a large play structure but also boasts a basketball court, covered picnic area, open area reserved for a future ice rink and pathways to the existing trail network allowing for the enjoyment of all ages.
Harrison Park now removes an environmental barrier to physical activity. In the South River community but also in any urban locality, having spaces where residents can connect, make memories and a place for children and adults to become more active is crucial.
For urban populations physical activity is difficult when the minimum average lot size is only 270 to 800 square meters as stated by the Ontario Environmental Registry. Attempting to live an active lifestyle with spacing limitations proves difficult without the presence of parks and recreational areas.
In Canada we face a physical activity crisis where people are not getting enough exercise for their emotional, mental and physical health. No wonder we’ve been seeing a rise in mental, emotional and physical health issues over the past few years.
With the new park in place, it is my hope that the place becomes somewhere activities take root and where people can grow together.
Julie DeBoer,
Guelph/Eramosa