Mail bag: 06/04/26
Education is key
Dear Editor:
RE: Speed limit on all Rockwood streets to be reduced to 40km/h, May 28.
I obey the posted speed limits, and am concerned with the safety of young and older alike. However, I am concerned with the recent committee’s recommendation to Guelph/Eramosa council to reduce the speed limit within all of Rockwood to 40 km/h.
First of all, the article states that “the prevailing speeds (85th percentile) were below the posted speed [limit] in all but two locations in Rockwood.”
In those locations, “the prevailing speed exceedance was nominal and generally outside the enforcement range.”
I do not see how this justifies changing the speed limit for all of the town.
Secondly, I do not think that such an action really addresses the situation. When I was a young person, we were taught to embrace the responsibilities that driving entails: consideration, respect and safety for ourselves as well as for others who share the roads.
As we learned to drive, this extended to other drivers, pedestrians and the laws of the roads. It seems that teaching has been hijacked and replaced by more and more regulation.
Good sense and safety have been neglected. Children are distracted by cell phones, bicycles, scooters and inattentiveness.
Drivers are in too much of a hurry to focus on others. A “need for speed” prevails over safety. I think that the time and expense that is required to change the speed limits, signage and debates on the issue would be much better spent on education of old and young.
I realize that this requires commitment and great thought from all of us, but everything good comes with struggle. Are we willing to fight for a better way?
Educate rather than legislate! You cannot legislate stupidity.
Beryl McDougall,
Rockwood
‘Be mindful’ of spaces
Dear Editor:
I’m posting this as a reminder to our community about the importance of respecting accessible parking spaces – specifically the accessible spot downtown in Fergus by the crosswalk.
Twice within five days I arrived needing to use that space and found it partially blocked by vehicles without accessible permits displayed. The first was a large RV parked ahead of the space with the trailer extending into both the crosswalk and a large portion of the accessible spot.
Then it was a Dodge Ram parked with the front extending halfway through the accessible space, taking up two spots, again with no visible permit.
Most people already know that accessible parking spaces are reserved for those with permits. Those permits are not handed out casually – people who have them rely on those spaces for safety, mobility and access.
If you genuinely need accessible parking, apply for a permit. Otherwise, leave these spaces fully available for the people they were designed for.
Please be mindful. A few extra feet for one person can make a huge difference for someone else.
Robin Vanheeswyk,
Belwood
‘Remarkable years’
Dear Editor:
Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate Fraberts Fresh Food’s 18th birthday last Saturday in Fergus!
Thanks to our amazing local suppliers – Pattie Mon, Laura’s Sweet Sauce, SNickelFritz Kitchens and Cocoa Beau Chocolate – for sampling their wares and chatting with customers.
Our customers tell us every year they love the opportunity to meet our amazing suppliers.
Thank you to the Wellington 4-H Exchange Club for serving pulled pork sandwiches in that miserable weather, and thanks to everyone who supported them. Despite the weather, they raised nearly $700 for their exchange with Alberta this summer.
It was a wonderful day of connecting with our community, family, alumni and friends over delicious local food. We truly appreciate the support this community has provided for 18 remarkable years!
Jackie, Derek, Charlotte, Emily, and the rest of the Fraberts Team,
Fergus
‘False confidence’
Dear Editor:
Last year Doug Ford was riding with the OPP when their car was in a crash. And why is this a big deal?
They were coming back from a “press conference” at Ontario Power Generation. We know about the incident only because the car Ford was in was in a collision.
Why would the premier be hanging out elbow to elbow with the OPP? At an energy meeting? Come on!
Where are the checks and balances? Why would an OPP be in on such a meeting and in such a context, why chauffeuring the premier? And here’s where me and Wayne Baker might share a lens. A lens focussing on the Sunshine List. And who is at the top of all that sunshine, basking in the pot of gold? If you checked out the Sunshine list the top earner was Ontario Power Generation’s Kenneth Hartwick—getting almost $2 million last year. And this in an advisory capacity. What does that mean? We should at least have the right to follow the money since we foot the bill. It makes sense to me.
I, like Baker, still consider $100,000 a considerable sum – out of reach of most of the workers in Ontario. Not only the difference between those who can “go private” and get a timely hip-replacement and those who can’t, but between those facing mounting bills and those evicted (85,000 in Ontario). Between the haves and have nots falls a deepening shadow.
We are being duped, living in false confidence. Canadians might not realize it, but they live in one of the most secretive countries in the developed world.
What’s cooking behind closed doors? Cutting programs in education and social care and medical care to put it elsewhere. Where? Into private pockets? Remember the deficit which they’ve doubled. We Canadians are no longer apologetic. Some of us need to know before the world of serve-and-protect disappears in the rearview mirror.
And why the secrecy around those issued-then-recalled license plates? And did you know cops can come onboard your cell phones without you knowing? Look it up. Look it all up. We’ve never faced such a rapid degeneration of human rights in Canadian history.
David Courtney,
Belwood
‘Link up’ success
Dear Editor:
What an awesome day! It started out with disappointment due to the cancellation of the golf tournament because of the inclement weather, but that did not dampen spirits. Some of the golfers joined the euchre tournament with a record 64 euchre players.
The annual Link Up with Duff’s “Fun Day with A Purpose” was held on May 23. We had a full house at the Puslinch Community Centre. A vibe was in the air which added to the festivities. Lots of fun and laughter. A soldout crowd of 126 golfers, 64 euchre players and 190 hearty eaters enjoyed a fun filled day from start to finish to support Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington and Hospice Wellington.
We do not have final tally of monies raised, but our event was another huge success thanks to all our many supporters and sponsors. We are hopeful we will be able to provide the same or even more financial aid to our two organizations.
Josh Heller was our champion MVP to take the honour of wearing the Duff’s Masters Green Jacket. Margaret Hauwert was the recipient of the Euchre Crown with high score.
During the amazing steak dinner with all the trimmings, prepared by our amazing Judy and her crew and Ken and Bob on the barbecues, our emcees Alan and Bill kept everyone entertained with jokes and trivia.
We had several silent auction items generously donated by community members and local businesses and everyone was able to take home a prize.
Two elderberry pies and one apple prepared by our baker extraordinaire Bill were auctioned off by Ken in the live auction, along with Marion’s famous fruit cake. Also auctioned was a patio party gift package generously donated by GrandWay Events Centre in Elora.
We are grateful to the participants, corporate sponsors, local businesses, organizations and individuals in the community and all the workers who helped to make this day a marvelous success.
Thank you to you, Duff’s community and friends!
Please thank and support the following corporate sponsors plus all the generous companies, businesses and individuals who donated.
Capital Paving, Dr. Abraham Aho-Morriston Vet Clinic, DarMax Inc, Global Currency Services, R.S. Gordon Transport Inc, HD Mutual Insurance Company, Harden Environmental Services, Michael’s Mobile Truck & Trailer Repair, Optimist Club of Puslinch, Van Harten Surveying Inc, Vinnie’s Mr. Fixit Inc, Wall-Custance Funeral Home Ltd, CK Vernon Construction, CRH Cananda (Aberfoyle Site), Tvan Excavating, Brennan’s Tire Service, Collaborative Structures, and Sloot Construction.
Brenda Law,
Puslinch