Forgotten taxpayers
Dear Editor:
An open letter to Guelph/Eramosa Mayor Chris White and councillor Corey Woods.
We are 73 years old and we both worked two jobs most of our lives. We raised our kids, paid our bills and never took a dime from the government. We built our own home with our own hands and only had help with special items.
We are now on a fixed income and with another round of taxes coming, it looks like we cannot stay in the home we built in 1995. Please, Mr. White, what do we do? We know you really don’t care; you have your raises coming and your pensions.
It is no surprise that the homeless situation is increasing. So where do we go?
Some townships are deferring property tax until the owner passes. If the property is paid for and the owner over the age of 65 or 70, even with five per cent interest, this keeps people in their homes and they are not a burden on the system. Why should we be faced with being put out of our homes for the sake of pet projects, which I could name many. The bridges that are out can stay out. We prefer it that way and traffic is still flowing.
I worked in road construction for 35 years and cannot see the cost of a bridge on a county road being in the millions of dollars. There is a better way. If you think you got a homeless problem now, well it’s only going to get worse. We must find a way to keep people of age in their homes. This is not the Canada I knew growing up and it is not the Canada I want.
My heart hurts for my grandkids and what they will face.
We love the home we built when we were kids and don’t want to leave. You really do not understand how bad it is out here.
Bob Foster,
Guelph/Eramosa
No more ‘Kool-Aid’
Dear Editor:
RE: ‘Poisoning the well,’ Nov. 20.
Unlike the writer, who sometimes votes Conservative based on affordabilty, accountabilty and responsible governance. I have voted for the Conservative Party in every election except my first time voting in the early 1970s.
As for the current leader of the Conservative Party, he stands up for all those conservative principles he has never changed his party’s platform or principles to gain another vote – as the other guy did in the last election.
I completely agree that the House of Commons is toxic. You can say it’s Pierre Poilievre or you could look more closely at certain Liberals who are just as (or even more) aggressive and personal as any Conservative.
It’s a dog fight every day in the house, with insults and complete non-answers. The prime minister, like his predecessor, changes course and treats all Canadians and the house as stupid when asked basic questions about spending less and investing more.
I certainly hope that the Conservatives retain Poilievre as leader. If an election was held in the near term … the Liberals probably will still win, as Mark Carney will blame Donald Trump again and sell more fear. But eventually Canadians won’t drink the Kool-Aid.
As for floor crossings, I’ve said for years that regardless of party, they should not be allowed – a by-election there should be called. The person should resign the seat or, at the very least, sit as an independent MP for the term.
Doak McCraney,
Guelph
‘Stoop and scoop’
Dear Editor:
To the dog owner who let his dog do its business on my front lawn on Marr Drive in Elora and didn’t stoop and scoop: shame on you – do the right thing next time.
Mike Bauman,
Elora
Successful bazaar
Dear Editor:
On behalf of the St. Joseph’s Parish Catholic Women’s League (CWL), thank you to all the people that sold raffle tickets, baked delicious treats, parishioners and community businesses for their donations, the volunteers before, during and after St. Joseph’s recent parish bazaar. Thanks also to the Knights of Columbus for the delicious meal they offered at a nominal fee.
This year we sold out of our raffle tickets. The lucky winners are as follows: first prize Bonny Nevett, second Brigid Reilly, third Mary Sykes and fourth Brent Cotter.
There were a total of 167 silent auction items donated by parishioners and community businesses. The toonie table, bake table, knitting table, cafe and Father Robert’s famous cheesecake were all very successful.
Thank you for your continued support of CWL events for the betterment of St. Joseph’s parish. The proceeds raised with the raffle and toonie table will be shared with the Groves Memorial Community Hospital.
Joanne Gregson,
President, St. Joseph’s CWL
‘Shatters families’
Dear Editor:
RE: Impaired driver sentenced to seven years for deadly Highway 6 crash, July 14.
On Dec. 29, 2023, Micheal Shular, an impaired driver outside Fergus, swerved and collided with the vehicle of Dave Genereaux who was pronounced dead at the scene. Shular was found to be impaired by fentanyl and methamphetamine at the time of the crash. Impaired driving brings devastating consequences – too often, it ends in tragedy.
Following the collision, Shular took responsibility for his actions and pleaded guilty in court to impaired driving causing death. He received a seven-year prison sentence, and a 12-year driving suspension.
However, some felt this punishment was insufficient, given that he had been given an impaired driving conviction in 2012. While he expressed sorrow and regret for what he had done, punishment for his actions is still necessary. No matter how sorry one feels, remorse cannot undo what has been done. Accountability and justice remain essential.
Many believe that Schular’s expression of remorse may have been motivated by a desire for leniency on his sentence. Genereaux’s widow, Sabrina stated that although she was glad that Shular had owned up to his actions, she was worried he was not truly remorseful. Her concern is understandable – true repentance is shown through change not words.
Some others believed that Shular’s impaired driving stemmed from medical and addiction issues. John Smart, Shular’s defense lawyer, stated that, “Mr. Shular has lived his adult life plagued by addiction and medical issues.” While addiction is a serious and tragic issue, it does not excuse the devastating consequences of impaired driving.
We are all imperfect, but we must all be held accountable for our mistakes. Compassion for those struggling with addiction does not mean excusing their actions – especially when those actions destroy lives. Impaired driving does more than hurt people, it shatters families and whole communities.
Kara Jonker,
Elora
‘Profoundly special’
Dear Editor:
Imagine someone you love deeply – a spouse, a parent, a best friend, or a favourite aunt or uncle – facing the last few days or weeks of life. They want to be at home, surrounded by familiar comforts, but the level of care they need is more than family can provide alone.
Will loved ones be close by, or will winter roads and long drives keep them apart? Will family members become overwhelmed and exhausted as they try their best to meet the demands of round-the-clock care?
I am a retired registered nurse with 35 years of bedside experience, and I have had the privilege, and at times the heartbreak, of being with many patients and their families as they faced the final chapter of life.
Hospice care offers something profoundly special. A hospice is a warm, home-like environment where people receive round-the-clock care from compassionate professionals. Pain and symptoms are managed quickly with skill and kindness. Families are given the gift of precious time together in a safe, beautiful setting, while medical and emotional needs are met with exceptional attention. Every need, wish or desire is treated with respect.
That is why building Saugeen Hospice matters so deeply. It will be centrally located in Walkerton to serve this region closer to home. There will be seven private patient rooms, each with a view of the rural countryside.
My decades of nursing taught me one very clear truth: when all else falls away and time is running out, what remains is the need for love. A hospice is where love has room to breathe, where hands can be held, words can be whispered, and goodbyes can be spoken and treasured.
Saugeen Hospice promises to make those moments possible.
Debbie Ribey,
Saugeen Hospice board member