Liked coverage
Dear Editor:
Congratulations to the Advertiser on giving such caring attention to May 5, the day when the Canadian Forces freed Holland in the Second World War.
COVID-19 could not stop the Wellington Advertiser promoting this important day!
The cover photo of the adorable child placing a bouquet of tulips at the Drayton cenotaph, plus the article regarding the 2021 Tulip Festival in Mapleton next year and not forgetting the very interesting background story of the connection our local MP Michael Chong has with Holland – all these showed readers some real hometown local connections to the 75th anniversary of the day Canadian Forces liberated the Netherlands.
As a Dutch emigrant and also a veteran, it did my heart good to read it all – and I even read it twice!
I am sure there were other Dutch Canadians who really were happy to see the coverage you gave to this date on their behalf, and I also thank you.
We will all be looking forward to next year’s celebrations! And then we can also celebrate the absence of COVID-19.
Sytske Drijber,
Rockwood
Virtual fundraiser
Dear Editor:
The Fergus and Marsville Lions Club have gone “virtual” and now so has our annual Walk for Dog Guides. In past years we canvassed our neighbors and friends and many of you became “walkers” in our fund raiser for Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides. You helped raise $17,735 locally last year and that went a long way to raising and training an assistance dog, that was given free of cost, to a Canadian with a disability. (And for that we Lions thank you )
We can’t go door-to- door with pledge sheets as Covid-19 has stopped all that; but the puppies being raised are growing and have to be fed and cared for. Most puppies are now back with their foster families around the area and the expenses of operating continue.
The Lions are asking you to go on-line and join the 2020 “Virtual Walk” and show your support. Walk your dog or your “virtual dog” in a physically distance manner, or lift weights, or run on your treadmill, or dance in your living room. Your virtual activity and pledge on-line will provide real dollars to enable Lions to assist Canadians with a medical or physical disability by providing them with one of these remarkable dogs.
One hundred per cent of funds raised go directly to the program.
To get started Go on-line to….. walkfordogguides.com
Go to – Virtual walk
Go to – Register or Donate
Find – “I want to support …a team”
Or form your own walking team.
On the website we have listed our club team (Fergus and Marsville Lions Clubs) if you want to acknowledge your local support we would love to receive pictures of your virtual qalk and post them on our local Lions website at: ferguslionsclub.org
Ben Collings,
Co-chair, Fergus and Marsville Lions Clubs Walk for Dog Guides
Bigger than cancer
Dear Editor:
When Wellington County residents signed up to participate in Relay For Life in our community this year, they showed their support for friends, family, neighbours and colleagues who have been affected by cancer.
That’s why we wanted to remind you that during COVID-19, you can still help us prove that community is bigger than cancer. While we may not be able to come together in-person to celebrate right now, there is so much we can do virtually to support people living with cancer.
On June 13 from 7-9 p.m. we invite you to join Relay At Home, our re-imagined virtual event that you can enjoy from the comfort of home. With interactive activities and time to celebrate survivors and remember those we’ve lost, Relay At Home will show no one in our communities has to face cancer alone.
Cancer isn’t taking a break during this global health pandemic, and neither are we. Funds raised through Relay At Home will go towards the Canadian Cancer Society’s vital services that support the one million Canadians currently living with cancer.
With the help of Waterloo Region residents, we can make a difference in the lives of Canadians with cancer during COVID-19 and year-round. We may not be able to meet in-person, but we all still have a reason to Relay.
Join us and register at relayforlife.ca.
Karen Griffiths,
Senior manager, Canadian Cancer Society Waterloo-Wellington
Applauds gun ban
Dear Editor:
RE: ‘Gun grab’ wont work, May 14.
I find it interesting that Irma DeVries starts her diatribe against the elimination of assault weapons by saying they are not the type of firearm used in the Nova Scotia tragedy.
So? Is she saying that, because of this, assault weapons should not be banned and are a viable addition to the civilian armories? She asks if this ban would have saved any lives in the Nova Scotia incident.
Perhaps not, but maybe it will save countless lives in the future. She goes on to imply that firearms are essential for the common citizen to defend themselves. She obviously has no knowledge of the requirements for gun ownership in Canada. Does she realize that conscientious gun owners in Canada must lock their firearms in a safe and secure manner and the same with ammunition?
As a rule, we Canadians don’t keep a loaded firearm by the door in the umbrella stand or under our pillow or in the glove compartment. We don’t issue carry permits except in extreme circumstances.
She claims her party supports the rights of professionally trained, law abiding citizens to possess and use firearms for hunting, sport and self defence. Canada does not professionally train citizens for self defence with the use of firearms. She must have lived in the U.S. at some point. We don’t have the second amendment in our constitution.
The firearms being banned are assault-style weapons. You know, the ones that make shooters look macho and cool and have no place in our society for the common person. In addition, this type of firearm can easily be converted to automatic action. You can do it from YouTube.
Actually there is an opportunity to learn to use this type of firearm. Join the Armed Forces, the only place for assault weapons along with peacekeeping agencies. These firearms are not necessary for hunting, target shooting or, as she would imply, self defence. I have been a member of the Armed Forces and taught marksmanship for over 20 years. In civilian life, I was a handgun safety instructor as well as a competitive biathlete for several years, so I have a bit of experience. You don’t think Canadians feel any safer with assault weapons off the table? I, for one, applaud this move. DeVries sounds more like a card-carrying NRA member that a candidate for the Christian Heritage Party.
Terry Filce,
Belwood
Forecast not valid
Dear Editor:
One of the basic statements for a business is the income statement. By comparing income and expenses it reveals if a business has a profit, loss, or breaks even. It depends on the most accurate information obtainable.
On May 4, 2020, local council resurrected itself from oblivion and discussed the approved budget based on a forecast that no longer is valid. One side supported juggling expenses and the other revisiting the budget. Neither of these will solve the problem (municipal bankruptcy or scraping through) without accurate information.
To make an informed decision council should have a copy of the budget forecast, how current income and expenses have changed and several forecasts of possible income and expense scenarios. This income statement could be presented in columns for easy comparison and prepared by staff (no consultants please) for council.
With this information, council could make the necessary changes to financial allocations and transfers. If the accepted forecast does not pan out the subject should be revisited.
Chris Woode,
Fergus
Shame on us
Dear Editor:
Shame on us Canadians. We think we are holding our heads high facing the virus when we clearly have them buried in the sand.
China has managed to get control of the coronavirus in their country at 58 people per million population contaminated (to date), compared to over 1,800 per mil. in Canada. Are we taking the virus seriously, it doesn’t look like it. We are now only a few thousand cases away from having as many as China and they have over 35 times our population. By the time you read this we may be there or past them. Shame on us and our government. It shouldn’t content anyone either that the States is worse off than us.
I am in a position to see up to a thousand people a day with only a handful wearing a mask to help prevent contracting or spreading the virus. I see most rummaging through the stores with almost nobody wearing gloves to help prevent contaminating or being contaminated by others. Hey, when you are inspecting the apples next time consider how many people had the same ones in their bare hands before you. And it’s the same risk with every single thing you touch in the store, not just the cart.
I hear so many people whining because they feel inconvenienced that stores considered unessential remain closed. Shouldn’t the employees of those stores be granted the same precautions as the many other Canadians that have opted out of work or had their employers close temporarily for their safety. A little selfish of you don’t ya think. Many feel that they should be able to roam freely through the parks and common areas to fill their new time off regardless of the risk to themselves or others and our health care system. They’re mad because their kids can’t play group sports. What happened to social distancing to protect them from potential exposure. It doesn’t make sense. They’ll argue that churchs and other groups should be restricted from meeting (even with recommended social distancing space available) but have no objection to their children congregating for group sports.
We need to stop being so self centered and help stop the spread of this virus. The more serious we are about it the less time it will take. It’s simple, only go out for essential items and wear a mask and gloves, then stay home. Other countries are doing it, why shouldn’t we?
Paul Dunnill,
Fergus
No to referendum
Dear Editor:
RE: Citizens call for referendum on wastewater treatment facility in Erin, May 21.
Erin does not need a referendum on whether or not to go ahead with the wastewater system. Mr. Piccolo should have read all the reports on the town website and all the newspaper reporting that has been done over the years since the idea for wastewater servicing began in 2005 before he started a petition. If he had done that he would know why his petition is redundant.
There have been several municipal elections fought over this issue all of which resulted in councils favorable to development and the wastewater servicing required to do so.
Public meetings and opportunities to engage with the council and the town have been many.
While I know the town has not always been forth coming with information (re: severances information) in this case there has been open consultation with residents. The residents voted for development several times already!
This project will be good for the environment. This project will provide varied styles of housing which Erin now lacks. This project will provide economic opportunities for more people to work where they live as now three quarters of the population drive out to work. This project will provide a waste treatment plant that will benefit all residents of the Town of Erin, not just the villages of Erin and Hillsburgh, as rural properties not hooked up still need a place to process septage.
Mr. Piccolo, read before you proceed with your nuisance making.
Jane Vandervliet,
Erin