‘Snitching’ neighbours

Dear Editor:

So, Guelph/Eramosa Township has hired a full-time code enforcement officer. I have spoken to many neighbours and we feel this is nothing but another tax grab through fines. Enforcement is also taking away our property rights at an alarming rate.

One of the reasons, if not the main reason, people choose to live in the country is more freedom, and now they want people to report to this code officer any small matter that could be resolved between neighbours, but the township is more interested in fines to justify the code enforcer’s wages.

This is not justified in our opinion. Do we really want to live in a community where neighbour is snitching on neighbour to local government? Definitely not us in Guelph/Eramosa.

One more thing: we have noticed, we have people selling big city properties (Toronto) etc. and moving to the country, but they want to bring city mentality with them. Like no fixing machines or trucks or cars on property, no smells from farming, no noise, no parties, property lines to an inch.

As a rule, the way of life in the city is different than the country, as it has been for years and years, and has always worked, neighbour helping neighbour.

With everything families have had to endure the last two years - COVID-19, closed schools, suicides, job loss, etc. - the last thing we need is someone peeking over our back fence or using drones to see if we have a new garden shed. How dare we!

We don’t need a code officer.

Bob Watson, Guelph/Eramos