Letters_12-16
Back to Home Letters - April 26, 2012
Letters: Apr 26
Re: Old Age Security, John McEwen
Reverse Democracy, Robert Taylor
No beauty in the eye of this beholder, Linda Lord
An open letter to Scott Reid, M.P., Janice Arthur
Re: CF garbage policy, Peter May
Re: Old Age Security
A special thank you to our billionaire MP for the full page ad informing (lying to) us that our "Old Age Security" is being removed from us in the name of "'sustainability". But "it's OK because if there are some really truly needy seniors out there, they can apply for Welfare. Is it not enough to cripple the poor; you must humiliate them as well? There but for the grace of God, Mr. Reid. You have lied to take money away from our poorest, and then took out a full page ad as though to rob salt into the wound. This is the most anti-Christian Act your government has ever committed.
John McEwen
Re: Kudos to Mich Richardson
Let’s Be Fair
Perhaps because there is not much else to do around here, it seems that some people like to take up the hobby of writing letters to the editor (Re: Kudos to Mike Richardson, Public Works Manager, Apr.19/12) to tell their personal stories of the lack of, or poor quality of services provided by the townships. It is clear from their stories that the heads of the various works departments and their crews are failing to do their jobs - or, at least, to do them well.
To provide some balance, please allow me the opportunity to tell my own personal story regarding the Public Works department of the Township of Central Frontenac. In the past year or so, I have called the township office five times and talked with Mike Richardson: twice to report road washouts, twice to report broken trees that were coming down on the road, and once to report some mysterious bottles on the side of the road that I was concerned might contain hazardous materials. In four of the five cases, the problem was taken care of within 24 hours. In the last case, it was taken care of within a week.
Of course, I too am bothered by those pesky boulders that appear on the road after grading. But that doesn’t make for a very interesting story. What I am waiting for is for someone to complain about township services and, at the same time, call for an increase in property taxes to pay for improved services. Now that would be an interesting letter to the editor.
Victor Heese
No beauty in the eye of this beholder
Some towns and municipalities have “beautification” projects in the spring. South Frontenac, however, has taken a different approach. The township has instead adopted a “mutilation” project.
What was formerly a scenic country road just beginning to come to life with pale green leaves and wild flowers, now looks as if a tornado had gone through. Bushes and trees have been ripped and hacked to a degree of ugliness that must be seen to be believed. Even fully grown trees have been mutilated to the point that they are unlikely to survive.
This willful destruction was perpetrated by the township and paid for by our taxes. Yes, it is necessary to trim brush away from roadways, but it is not necessary to desecrate fully grown trees that are more than ten feet from the road. The mess left behind is at best an eyesore but in fact, wanton destruction.
Shortly before the township destroyed the natural beauty of a country road, Hydro One came through to trim beneath the hydro lines. Branches and trees were neatly cut and stacked and smaller material was chipped. South Frontenac could learn a thing or two from Hydro.
If you would like to see your tax dollars at work first-hand, turn on to James Wilson Road from Deyo Road or Bunker Hill Road and follow it to the end. Bring a box of Kleenex, because what you will see is truly heartbreaking.
Linda Lord
An open letter to Scott Reid, M.P.
I sincerely hope that you can help our community survive the termination of the CAP program by your government. This unwise step will affect the constituents of your rural riding - likely more than people in more urban ridings.
No doubt your government believes that by now Canadians are either computer literate and on-line by private means, or by choice living without technology.
However, Industry Canada’s own Internal Audit from 2010 acknowledges that “the digital divide continues to persist in Canada among a number of demographic groups including Canadians in rural and remote communities, low income earners, those with low levels of literacy and education, francophones over 50 years of age, seniors and others.”
This divide is not by choice. For the past 14 years I have taught seniors and low income students in North Frontenac and Addington Highlands, in both literacy and credit programs. Every year, more would arrive wanting to improve their computer skills. Many of them could not afford computers at home, nor most often, on-line service. The desire was there, in spite of age, isolation, lack of self-confidence. The desire was there - just not the means.
My local library in Ompah (not a branch of the KFPL system, but supported by CAP and the local community) is the only link for many people with the internet. They come to do research, email, learn about computers from volunteers, and chat with their neighbours. This is exactly the kind of community involvement that your government should encourage.
A young boy was in the library for the internet on Saturday. He needs to be a part of the computer age - and this was, and should still be, your responsibility.
Janice Arthur
Re: CF garbage policy
I have several concerns about the new Central Frontenac garbage policy, and I have been scheduled to meet with council on May 8 at 6:30. I have several issues I intend to voice at this meeting and I am sure others have things they would like voiced about the garbage policy also. Anyone who also has concerns, please e-mail me at [email protected].
Peter May
