Letters

I’ve recently finished reading an excellent book, “Fractured Homeland: Federal Recognition and Algonquin Identity in Ontario”, by Bonita Lawrence. It is an eye-opening and moving account that clarifies the outrageousness of Canada's long and...

Our Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Paula Stewart, has recently said her role is to educate municipalities on the possible human health risk of spraying Dow Chemical’s Clearview poison to manage Wild Parsnip. I think she has it backwards. If there...

I was very impressed with the road crews with the ice/snow storm that we had. They take the safety on the road very seriously. I greatly appreciate the job done and the hours put in. I have to come understand at the next council meeting the two...

I am writing to communicate my frustration as a property owner on Bull Lake, Central Frontenac. I have been trying to get some action on property violations in our bay from the Township. I have officially complained to the building inspectors both...

In last week’s News, Craig Bakay had an article about a workshop aimed at rejuvenating the Sharbot Lake Legion. It was a very nice article and I, for one, appreciate the publicity it gives the Legion. However, I may have misled Craig with respect...

When the prison farms were closed in 2010 my daughters were 5 and 8 years old. For half their lives the Save the Prison Farm Group has been a rich source of leadership and learning opportunities for my children. The story of these local activists is...

Thank you for last week’s article about the recent developments on the prison farm front. This decade-long saga touches on so many related issues, local and national – among them, the value of farming, the importance of prisoner rehabilitation,...

Media reports should clarify a complex issue not add to the confusion. The header "Protecting a species that may not exist – Algonquin Wolves" attempts to add a confusing bias before the article begins.   Statements that the Eastern Wolf has been...

I am a resident of Central Frontenac. We are one of the communities that is affected by the substation that have their truck out of service. Much to my surprise the truck has not moved out of the garage and gone for any service. I have made attempts...

There is an article in the Toronto Star this morning regarding the inequality of fundraising for public schools across Ontario. I heard recently that the Land o Lakes elementary school had a bingo fundraiser at which only 40 people or so attended. ...

Lanark County recently brought in an expert on how to fight flooding with organized forces of trained volunteers. Technical tricks for fighting the floodwaters once they have threatened your home. That is too late. We need to understand that...

The article on Central Frontenac budget was misleading in the costs of heating/ electricity for halls. Piccadilly Hall showed $8500.00 and the lowest. However, they didn't mention that includes the cost of heating the fire hall next door for at...

I commend you for your initiative in reaching out to your ardent readers. My wife is a HUGE supporter of yours and is giving the equivalent of the cost of a subscription. I hope you can also make your seasonal readers aware of your initiative in the...

Re: Reader-Supported News Part of the fallout of the Trump victory in the US and the rise of populism globally has been articles, interviews, essays and books about the future of democracy and our individual freedoms. One such publication is a thin...

I am writing as Chair of the Food Policy Council for Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington, an independent body consisting of a diverse group of people who live or work in KFL&A area. The Council’s mandate is to work towards the KFL&A's Food...

The Mayor and a group of his friends have banded together to form something called C&T North Frontenac and are pitching the Contribute and Thrive concept to whomever will listen. If we adopt this self-rewarding dogma of Contributing (that is to give...

To my mind the fundamental block in follow through on the septic re-inspection issue has been the "us vs them" mentality. Either it was one neighbour pointing at another; land-access cottagers vs Island residents; village residents vs lakefront;...

This was a good discussion of the domestic radon issues but some issues might need some clarification. Radon is all around us, in and outside, resulting in about half of the radiation dose we all receive (medical x-rays excluded). The ambient...

A welcome challenge "outside the box" I came back from Newfoundland in October to find that exciting things have been happening here over the past few months. Thank you for your coverage so far on the "Contribute and Thrive" bundle of projects that...

On October 19 we lost our house to a fire and although it was devastating we were reminded that there are so many good people in this world and how wonderful it is to live in a small community. Some people that we would like to send a HUGE thank-you...

We are so fortunate to live in a community where neighbours, friends and even strangers care for the less fortunate among us and help make life a lot easier for the elderly who are not as mobile or energetic as they once were. We are in that Elderly...

I am at a loss to understand the thinking of some of our councillors. At the meeting on October 24th regarding the septic inspection issue all of them stated at the time of their introduction to the audience that they were in favour of the proposal....

NFLT Canada 150 As a tribute to the community ,during 150 celebration, I am collecting and compiling a list of the names of every person that has been involved with our Little Theatre productions from 1979 to present. I have over six hundred names....

As a retired registered nurse living in Denbigh, I am writing to tell how important it is to keep the Denbigh ambulance. Working in intensive care as I did. We were instructed by the Doctors the importance of “Door to needle”. That is this...

While applauding the well intentioned efforts of Terry Kennedy and John Duchene with respect to the septic systems inspection proposal, it would be simplistic and unfair to brand the decision by Central Frontenac Council as a shirking of...

Access and accessibility are important principles in our world today. A real part of open society, they matter to everyone because we all need to know, to speak, to participate. They also matter very much to families with small children, seniors,...

In response to Ken Fisher’s letter in last week’s paper, Via Rail is planning a “designated passenger track” through the Quebec City- Windsor corridor, NOT a high speed train through Sharbot Lake. If you Google “Via Rail designated...

Another mailing from MP Scott Reid reveals that he lives in passive abstraction. In September he wrote about electoral reform, a theme he has maintained since his university days. In October, he reports on his constituency referenda – base solely...

I felt a need to respond and share information surrounding the issue of septic system failure and the treatment of our water, or, as I prefer to refer to it as, liquid gold. Droughts that we have been experiencing of late (climate wierding...

I am so disappointed to see you falling for the uninformed, populist notion that the monarchy is irrelevant to modern democracy in Canada (“Time to leave the monarchy behind”, Oct. 5.) Dismissing the Governor General’s role as merely...

In the early 80’s, the Township of Oso applied to the Ministry of Health (MOH) for a thorough inspection of all the wells and septic systems within the hamlet of Sharbot Lake. The survey confirmed that many systems were contaminating neighbouring...

I respectfully disagree with reporter Jeff Green's editorial assertion that "the role of local township officials is to work with developers in order to make sure that any proposal that makes it to the stage where it will face public scrutiny it is...

I would just like to add to Craig Bakay's article 'Just how big of a problem is septic system failure in Central Frontenac?' Some of the more hysterical views of the proponents of mandatory septic inspection, would have us believe that we are one...

My family has had a cottage on Skootamatta Lake in Addington Highlands since 1922. The Provincial Government set up an ambulance station at Denbigh originally, with responsibility now downloaded to L&A Council. AH is the most northern/remote, least...

In his article on Wintergreen’s seminar concerning electricity options, Craig Bakay quotes Angela Bischoff as saying natural gas is a better option than nuclear. Having discussed this with Angela, I wish to clarify her position. Craig drew this...

Your article, "K&P request rejected by County" 14/09/17 requires clarification. I would ask CEO Kelly Pender if their refusal to look after the fence requiring attention is at all in reference to the responsibility of the "trail" that requires them...

In regards to your editorial in your September 7, 2017 edition on Sir John A. MacDonald: First of all, a minor correction – the organization that called for the removal of Sir John A’s name is the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario...

Kudos to Dianne Lake and her cohorts for their imagination, ingenuity, time, effort and their “stick-to-it-iveness” in producing 150 Women – Their Stories as a Canada 150 project. It is a most interesting read, bringing back lots of memories...

I suppose it is a key indicator of failing to grow old with grace and resignation that one greets with relief the news that "5 Years in Ardoch Lake Development Still Needs Work". Hopefully, the planning and evaluation will take forever, unless the...

Here we are, just days away from an event that I have been working to make a success since January, the first Parkinson SuperWalk to take place in Lanark North Leeds. This walk is only one of over 80 walks taking place across Canada on the weekend...

My name is Bill Gooderham and I have been seeking an artifact (Verona Honour Roll) featuring names of Verona men who served in WWs I and II, which I am told once hung in the Legion in Verona where my grandfather Robert Gooderham was custodian and...

I hope whomever stole the two large flags from the fence on the new Robinson Road in Harrowsmith fly them high and proud! I purchased them and installed them out of respect for Bill Robinson. He was a War Veteran and our former Councillor and much...

My name is Mike Clobridge and I own property on the north shore of Eagle Lake at the Tichborne end. Our property is not accessible by road. In the early morning of July 20 my wife had the misfortune of falling and breaking her hip. We called 911 and...

I would like to applaud Craig Bakay (author), and Ron Higgins (Mayor) for the article to promote the idea of Ubuntu contributionism. I have been following with great interest, Michael Tellinger, and his Ubuntu movement, and am excited to hear of any...

In the Frontenac News on July 13th, there was a picture of Verona School. It was not always there. At one time it was on the rocky knoll across from the Verona Medical Clinic where a house has recently been built. One Sunday, Mr. Mckeever and Mr....

Rumours are flying around the village of Harrowsmith that there is a new pizza restaurant opening in a vacant building. While I welcome new businesses to our village, I do no support someone who will be competing with a very longtime family run...

Mr. O'Connell has suggested that council take Adam Smith's "level playing field" into account while they ponder where a chip truck should go. I agree that you'd want to put a chip truck somewhere level, so that the grease didn't spill but I'd like...

Craig Bakay’s report in the July 13 News about NF Mayor Ron Higgins being “two months away from futuristic plan”, missed making one point very clear. This does NOT have the backing of North Frontenac Council. The Mayor brought these ideas to...

While North Frontenac Mayor Ron Higgins wastes his time in dreamland on the Earthship of Ubuntu he should be reminded of two things.  First and most importantly, the mandate we gave him and his Council when we elected them was to manage the...

At last Tuesday’s (July 11th) meeting, SF Council voted to defer consideration of water quality testing for hydrocarbons (BTEX compounds (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Xylene)) in the wells of residents of the hamlet of Hartington. This despite...