Try a face shield
Dear Editor:
RE: Too quick to judge, Oct. 8.
I was very sorry to hear about the dirty looks and being denied service from multiple stores, but it is their right.
This global pandemic is very serious stuff and you just can’t be too careful.
I have seen some people with full plastic face shields in place of the mask. I spoke with one person who said they could not wear the mask because of the breathing issues. This might be worth a try for your family, Doris, so that you could have access to all the stores in town without dirty looks.
Dennis Ransome,
Mount Forest
Masks essential
Dear Editor:
RE: Insulting, Oct. 15.
Pat Kelly is of the opinion that every issue should have both sides of the argument aired. On the topic of wearing masks, there’s a preponderance of evidence that they are essential to the community’s health.
The case for not wearing a mask during this crisis is largely bogus, and to grant equal newsprint space to the pros and the cons would only lead to more needless deaths.
It’s true that a person’s sense of liberty may be harmed by our pandemic rules. There appear to be some in our area whose principles lead them to resist draconian laws, but society has long been okay with seat belts, for instance, in spite of the passionate debates that took place 40 years ago.
Why would a community paper even deign to publish an opinion from someone arguing that “I have a constitutional right to drive through a red light” because every controversy merits a balanced exposure of opposite views?
Karl Dick,
Waterloo
Pick up the poop
Dear Editor:
While walking with my sister on Belsyde to David Street in Fergus, between the school and the seniors residence, hoping to show off my beautiful town in the fall, I was “distancing” from her by staying on the grass near the road while she travelled on the far side of the sidewalk.
First one load of dog excrement, then another and another and it was if I was on a jagged tightrope of avoidance and very nearly lost my equilibrium (heaven forbid!).
I kept thinking it would end soon but finally gave up the precarious balancing act and moved back on to the sidewalk and dropped behind my sister. It seemed like it was a well used spot by the same dog or dogs who could smell their own poop and continued to use that “bathroom.” It went on for about 15 feet or so, which was very unusual.
Please, people, remember to bring a bag and pick it up. Just because it is not in front of someone’s house doesn’t mean it isn’t going to bother anyone.
Christy Doraty,
Fergus
Dreams vanquished?
Dear Editor:
I am writing this letter to inform our community of the decision CLGW (Community Living Guelph Wellington) has made – that the Harriston Day Program will not be opening their doors.
A call was made to all the families, that an email would be sent and to complete a survey – Aug. 21. While we all were completing this survey, it was not mentioned that the doors were being closed at the day program. People completed this survey thinking this was a temporary option while COVID was still looming over our heads – questions were would you like weekends, evenings, mornings, and afternoons etc.
CLGW has a new vision and mission for our loved ones and it is called “Peron centred”; with each individual they help them achieve their goals and dreams, which is not realistic for my son and others as their verbal communication is limited.
Again all is well for the higher functioning verbal individual, but this is not so for my son and others at the day program; I believe one person lives independently and the remainder either live at home or with host families. And please do not try to brainwash me that a worker is going to know the individual goals and dreams from working with them for many years; a parent is going to know what the dreams are for their developmentally challenged child.
What support is going to be given to these individuals – looking at the big picture: strengths, weakness, social, quality of life – what is being is done for them once the program doors are closed – questionable a worker 1:1 for what, one, two, three hours a week. We live in north Wellington with limited options; how many times can one go to Tim Hortons? I can’t stress enough – we are in rural north Wellington.
What plans are there for friends and gatherings – the base has been my son’s connections for 18 years, where his circle of friends are, a big part of his life outside of his home. At the day program was social interaction and the feeling of self worth, there was structure that helped to sustain growth with ongoing activity of daily living, but our fear is there will be regression and depression for many in the long run.
I am sure our community can remember when the Community of Living building was being built; it was assisted with donations from the community, the land, the architect, the people involved all worked hard to make this successful for the individuals in our community to attend. The gold bricks that lined the wall with donations, what do you think they will have to say about this matter?
What has happened to the rights of these individuals; Greg’s rights to make choices to go to the day program, rights to be treated with dignity, rights to be treated with respect? I can only feel a domino effect of failure for the individuals and the families/caregivers with limited outings, limited stimulation and being home bound, eventually invisible to the community.
The Harriston day program has come a long way from the bottom of the United Church to this beautiful building, a place they felt safe, full of laughter, a place that gave them meaning to their lives and accomplishments – social interaction which is now empty and hollow.
I am feeling angry and betrayed that the board members have not taken into consideration the huge impact long term this will have on the individuals, the parents, and the community.
I had a neighbour one day stop me and say “you must be so proud of Greg, that he walks every day to the day program by himself.” Of course he does; the Harriston Day Program is his life, this is Greg’s dream.
Gregory Blagdon, Victoria Kingsley and family,
Harriston
‘There for all of us’
Dear Editor:
When I was younger I worked for Canada Post. Dave and I were doing a round – him mail and me flyers. I was going from downtown out to the golf course. I smelled rotten eggs.
Dave was coming down St. Andrew heading back. I told him; Dave took care of it and said it was a propane leak.
You know “posties” are as much security as our beloved police and taxi guys and construction workers – all with keeping an eye on our kiddies.
When we had the fire in one of my building’s units Larry the fireman climbed our tiny attic stairs to check and see if our daughter I mentioned earlier was alright and out. I’ll never forget these men I see every day doing their bit, with impossible stress, of being there for all of us.
Dori Steele,
Fergus
Mount Forest fan
Dear Editor:
We have lived in Mount Forest for over 50 years.
In our opinion we have the best little hospital, clinics and many great, friendly merchants, an ice cream shop with 56 flavours, an appliance store (free delivery, set up and all), good grocery stores, convenience stores, beauty salons, restaurants, a meat shop, dress shops, real estate offices, insurance offices, barber shops, carpet and furniture stores, a number one thrift store, pet grooming, aesthetic shops, veterinary service, a museum, coffee shops, top quality fabric and everything from wool to clothing shops, a store with colours from afar, pharmacies with friendly staff and delivery services.
You could say we have it all. Why go out of town when one can shop at home? If I have missed a business, space is limited in your weekly newspaper that is read by so many and delivered to our doors free of charge.
The LHIN Integrated Assisted Living Program has been fantastic to my husband and myself recently as we coped with health issues. The VON Meals on Wheels Program in its kitchen in Mount Forest has delivered nutritious and plentiful meals for us.
The public works department servicing Arthur and Mount Forest does a good job. Our municipal councillors in our ward are to be commended for their dedication in Mount Forest (sidewalks, etc.). Our volunteer fire department is the best, as is the policing by the OPP.
Did I mention building supplies, drive-thru restaurants and a top-notch greenhouse?
Save the gas and your time, and be “high, happy and healthy” right here in Mount Forest, only a short drive to theatres, airports, a print shop and computer and high-tech stores.
Bob and Mary McIntee,
Mount Forest
Kind cab company
Dear Editor:
I have not needed to use a taxi service and living rural, didn’t think that was even an option. I know differently now after finding a lost person on my doorstep and calling around to find out who could give them a ride.
He said he had walked from Fergus after his car battery died and needed a tow. He was trying to get to Mississauga. Unfortunately he had been walking the wrong way. He also didn’t have a phone or any phone numbers he could call. He had been walking all morning. On top of that, he was not dressed for the cooler weather that was coming as the afternoon wore on.
He said he didn’t have cash but had debit, so I called around to find a taxi that could take debit and would give him a ride. After a few calls I found one, Fergus Elora Taxi Ltd. They were busy but managed to arrange for a taxi that could come and get this lost person and take him to where he wanted to go.
The amount of the fare was pre-arranged and agreed on by the lost person. The taxi showed up in good time and I left them to do their business.
As far as I was concerned, things were handled and done but shortly after they had driven off I got a phone call from the taxi service. It appears that the lost person didn’t have any money. The taxi was nice enough to take him somewhere other than my door step but didn’t get paid for the trip. I did offer to pay for their trouble but they declined.
I have become a huge fan of Fergus Elora Taxi Ltd. Not only for their service but also their kindness. They went above and beyond and ended up having to write off the trip as a loss. If ever I need local taxi service, they will be my first call and I’ll make sure to include a generous tip.
Thank you again, Fergus Elora Taxi, for your help with my very strange situation.
B. Franklin,
Alma
No need for bottles
Dear Editor:
RE: Not so simple, Oct. 8.
It is possible for the Canadian public to stop buying bottled water, it just takes effort and no one in today’s society is willing to do it.
I too worked in construction back in the day. In 1973 and 1974 I worked as a plumber doing all the underground services for the Metro Zoo; believe me it was the Gobi Desert in summer and Siberia in winter. In summer I had a cooler full of ice and water with me (it prevented me from dying) and at lunch break I would go to my pickup truck where I had a cooler full of water and ice and refilled it.
Imagine, I survived without bottled water. A little effort was involved and that is what the people need to do today – make a little effort.
I don’t know if you have seen the satellite shot of the island of plastic floating in the middle of the ocean, but I personally do not want to contribute to that.
By continuing to purchase bottled water, think of the impact you are having on your grandchildren and great Grandchildren, let alone the planet.
Dennis Ransome,
Mount Forest
