Celebration cancelled
Dear Editor:
The Arthur Optimist Club has held off as long as possible, but have finally voted that our annual Canada Day Weekend celebration will be cancelled this year.
We want to thank everyone that supported this event in the past and to the members that have made sure this event is such a success year after year. This is not the end of our events; we are always striving to do better and at the end of this we will come out stronger and with a better perspective.
Please keep fighting the good battle by social distancing and washing your hands.
Remember to support local as well. Our local businesses are the backbone of our community and with out them we would not have very much.
Stay tuned to future posts as we have some ideas in the pipelines.
Again keep your head up through this and stay “Optimistic”
Arthur Optimist Club
Likes plastics ban
Dear Editor:
We are not particularly comforted by the fact that Nestlé Waters’ bottles are “fully recyclable”.
According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), a mere 8.4% of single-use plastic actually gets recycled. That is the relevant point.
Thus it is obvious that making more “fully recyclable” plastic is not the answer. The obvious solution is to stop producing single-use plastic.
We are pleased to learn that the federal government recently released a report on plastic pollution. The report states that “imminent action should be taken due to the harmful nature of plastics, and a ban on select single-use plastics is planned for 2021.”
We sincerely hope that ban will include water bottles.
Rob Mackay,
Save Our Water, Elora
Keep them in prison
Dear Editor:
RE: Wants prisoners freed, April 23.
We already have a Canadian Rights and Freedoms Centre. It’s called the Charter. Check it out.
Canadians are indefinitely under lockdown in their own homes, some facing egregious fines for daring to walk their dog or sit alone on a park bench! The professor wants actual convicted criminals set free so they can – what?
The numbers he states are Canada wide. Compare those numbers of positive cases in prisons to the number of seniors locked in nursing homes across Ontario and are actually dying by the dozens!
How does one identify criminals who are unlikely to re-offend? One cannot predict the future as the New York City mayor found out recently. Mayor Deblasio was shocked to discover that some freed prisoners from Riker’s Island immediately reoffended.
Finding and rearresting the perpetrators took time and personnel which were now distracted from the real problem facing the city.
If the professor wants to assist the prisons, then volunteer your very learned self to solve the problem. Releasing convicted criminals into a hurting society will not protect, and is an affront to, law abiding Canadians.
Doreen Henschel,
Rockwood
Share your story
Dear Editor:
Advertiser readers, please keep busy during COVID-19.
It’s a wonderful time to write “your story” for future generations. It is also a good time to sort old pictures and papers. Please consider donating them to the Wellington County Museum and Archives.
Be sure to label them as thoroughly as you are able – names, places and dates, even approximate dates. Your old family pictures and memorabilia are priceless. Share them with your family and with future historians, via the museum.
Happy sorting!
Muriel Steeb,
Cambridge
‘Grossly unfair’
Dear Editor:
I would like to comment on two letters to the editor in the April 23 Wellington Advertiser – those of Jane Vandervliet and Danny Schreiner.
One letter criticizes the prime minister and the other the Ontario premier for their handling of the COVID-19 crisis.
Firstly, let me state that I have frequently criticized our politicians and although each of these gentlemen represents opposing political views, I respectfully feel both letters are grossly unfair.
There is a time to forget politics and deal with one of the greatest threats to Canadians that we are likely to face during our lifetime. The COVID-19 disaster threatens the lives of many Canadians as well as dealing a serious blow to our economy.
I have been impressed with the handling of this disaster by both leaders; they have openly cooperated with one another and I am sure while neither has managed the issue perfectly, this is the time for all Canadians to pull together.
It is time to support our frontline health care workers and our leading politicians as we will best manage this crisis united while following the guidance of our public health officials.
Glen Duff,
Rockwood
‘Big brother nanny state’
Dear Editor:
Concerns expressed in my previous letter (Freedoms diminished, April 2) extend far beyond anecdotal personal relationships (one’s partner working frontline) but rather, was intended to allude to the erosion of societal norms, the allotting of extraordinary powers restricting citizen’s movements and behaviour and, as well, the silencing of opposing voices and/or dissent.
The increasing array of voices alluding to the negative impact of a big brother nanny state, complete with snitch lines and the violation of natural rights further confirms my position. The current lockdown has taken away any semblance of normalcy, particularly when playing ball with your child in a park constitutes a crime.
Or that a taxpaying citizen can be charged with trespassing on conservation lands that are closed to “protect the health and safety of employees” working remotely from home.
Dominique Fitzpatrick suggests the LCBO is subject to strict health and safety regulations but churches — that have congregated for the last 2,000 years without incident — are unable to achieve the same.
Indeed, the historical track record of churches should serve as a coveted model for hygiene and health standards, given that beyond weekly services, many host meetings for the addicted, bereaved, the homeless, care for the mentally unstable, while similarly visiting patients in hospitals and clients in long-term care facilities.
Noteworthy also, no science has ever proven that people congregating in a church are any more susceptible to COVID-19 than those frequenting stores, picking up mail, or seeking banking services. But granted, you are entitled to your opinion, as am I.
But it is the bias that I object to — that opines churches that open “happily risk the lives of fellow faithfuls” — while every other government approved activity (specifically, money-makers) poses no risks to the consumer.
Nevertheless, as the provincial government’s essential list declares, churches do not need a permission slip from government(s) to operate. Likewise, neither should our individual rights and freedoms “under the supremacy of God and rule of law” (as dictated in the Charter) require one either.
Janice Kaikkonen,
Mount Forest
Booze vs. pet food
Dear Editor:
Obviously Doug Ford thinks it’s more important to have a fridge full of booze than food in your pet’s dish.
He thinks food for human consumption is an essential item but food for your pet isn’t.
For most families, pets are part of the family. How can you deny food to any family member?
This just caused more panic buying. The pet store shelves will be as empty as grocery store shelves. You can buy pet food at grocery stores. However, many pets, like humans have health issues and must have special food.
Then again, you can buy booze at many grocery stores, so why can’t humans settle for what is sold there and close all beer and liquor stores?
They say things happen for a reason. The COVID-19 is a horrible things. However, over the years, families have become so far apart. Everyone is so busy, they never spend time together. Work and sports take up most of their time.
During these tough times, I’ve seen families spending time together and actually getting to know one another. They do things as a family and sit down to meals together. We see acts of kindness all around us even with the social distancing law.
Kids are learning to be creative instead of just sitting in front of a computer. There really is something to be gained amidst all the horror.
I would like to say a huge thank you to all of our frontline workers at our local nursing homes. The extreme measures taken to try to keep our senior family members safe is very much appreciated.
Also, thank you to our local ministers. They have brought extra prayers and services online as well as phone calls to check in with members of their congregation.
Hang in there. Keep up the social distancing. Check in with your friends and neighbours (by phone).
This too shall pass and we’ll hopefully be stronger than ever.
Janice Wilson,
Arthur
Protect police
Dear Editor:
As a retired registered nursing assistant and pro-cop, I disagree that one brave frontline officers needlessly be exposed to any virus or bodily fluids. Instead of officers going to residences of travellers quarantined at home I have a simple solution.
Get a writ from a legal firm stating the facts of actions stemming from non-compliance of this particular virus.
A very matter-of-fact lawyer’s writ would knock some sense into people who would needlessly infect our trusted police. They have enough to contend with – crime, drugs, etc. – without using precious police resources (time).
Dori Steele,
Fergus
‘Petty politics’
Dear Editor:
RE: Centre Wellington grants emergency powers to CAO despite objections, April 9.
Things never change at 1 McDonald Square. A few weeks ago we had a dispute at the council meeting and here we go again, with the episode about the CAO.
I wasn’t aware we had elected a lawyer as a councilor to make recommendations to council on certain matters concerning the township.
I guess if you have a lawyer buddy write a letter for you to bump up your job it is okay with the mayor and his puppets.
I am surprised Neil Dunsmore has fallen into this trap.
Who is going to do the job if the CAO is sick or unable to complete the task?
We elected a council to do a job for us, no matter what happens, not some lawyer with an opinion.
The mayor needs to stop propping up his friends and get his fractured council working as a team for the good of the tax payers.
Stop the petty politics of us versus them.
Jay Alexander,
Fergus
Vaccine flip-flop
Dear Editor:
When was it that mothers were not wanting vaccinations? Was it only just before the COVID-19 virus came to this area?
Now these same people are seeking a vaccine to protect their children from the evil COVID-19 demon!
Aren’t people funny; what does it take to cause a change in their minds or opinions?
Pray that the government does not listen to somebody’s views when we need to know what is best for everybody!
Sytske Drijber,
Rockwood
Hair scare
Dear Editor:
I’ve got to trim my hair today.
I can’t wait ‘til the month of May.
I’ll just cut the sides and back.
Clip, clip, clip. Hack, hack, hack.
Darn! I trimmed too close to the scalp!
What’ll I do? I need help!
I have to hide my messy mistake!
I’m stressed out! I’ve got a headache!
Maybe a head band will do the trick.
I need it fast! I need it quick!
I know! I’ll go to the dollar store!
I’ll buy three or four – or maybe more.
If they don’t have what I badly need,
My hair will grow like an unwanted weed!
In that case, I’ll just grin and bear it
And be a long-haired freaky furry ferret.
Sandra Owen,
Fergus