Letters to the Editor

LINDSAY

ADVOCAT E

Save Pigeon Lake member defends group’s position

Brenda Wall of Bobcaygeon made it sound like the members of Save Pigeon Lake are upset about nothing. (Re: Letter Spotlight: November Advocate.) Well Brenda, if you saw the CBC documentary (Cottagers & Indians) you saw Larry Wood, founder of Save Pigeon Lake, who can only be described as a “true gentleman.” He exudes no hatred, anger or resentment, but just wants a fair and equal resolution. He has said from the very beginning that we don’t want rice growing to stop, we are looking for some guidelines such as sticking to a certain area so everyone can continue to enjoy the lake, as well as harvesting times. Brenda Wall, do you know Mr. Whetung uses a large diesel-powered mechanical harvester all hours of the day or night that is loud enough to be heard for miles? The CBC documentary then showed Whetung, who stated that he doesn’t care about the homeowners, and he is going to do what he wants, and his hope is to re-seed all of the area lakes. Inflammatory statements, Brenda? We attended a town hall meeting where we were told we are behaving like “Nazis.” We have been trying for years to develop “meaningful relationships” but just know that Curve Lake/First Nations are not interested. Susan Sladky, Ennismore

Dietitians likely helped in recovery

Re: An International Journey and Incredible Recovery for Local Man (online Advocate, Oct. 19). I would guess that the registered dietitian played a large role in his recovery before and after he regained his swallowing ability. It was unfortunate that there is no mention of their contribution to his recovery. Dietitians are an extremely valuable members of any acute-care team and need to be given their fair share of the credit. Melinda Heidebrecht, Lindsay

The ‘Our Place’ Dilemma

Basil called recently. He is a 35-year-old Bay Street “numbers guy” living in the impersonal and ruthless city of Toronto. I knew Basil when he was a boy growing up in a small, rural town in southwestern Ontario. His father was a tradesman with a range of handyman skills. Basil and his two brothers were encouraged to go to university for degrees that would allegedly lead to high-paying professional positions in big corporations.

Today, Basil is disillusioned and disappointed. His career track in the financial district has proven to be less rewarding than he was led to believe as a teen. Basil called me to discuss his career, his challenges with work stress and to vent his frustration in being no closer to his early career and financial aspirations than when he was a new university graduate over a decade ago. The high cost of living and housing have also factored into those elusive dreams. Basil is at a crossroads and contemplating which way to turn.

Local tradesmen have told me how difficult it is to find reliable, able-bodied workers. I suggested to Basi that he consider the simpler and less expensive life offered here. It’s a reasonable option since he is intelligent, resourceful, able-bodied and understands life in rural Ontario. Knowing that the lure of big-city corporate success has finally lost its lustre, I wondered if it is time for Basil to return to small-town living and pursue work in the trades as his father had.

Basil hasn’t yet decided where to settle. Maybe the sentiments expressed in Roderick Benns’ recent column, “Our Sense of Place” (Nov. edition) will inspire Basil to join us here in the Kawartha Lakes. Gene Balfour, Fenelon Falls

Acts of kindness hold us together

We enjoyed reading Rev. Joel Holtz’s letter about all the great work that he and his congregation at Calvary Pentecostal Church have done for the community when the pandemic hit.

This time last year we were getting ready to celebrate Valerie’s Blessing, the Christmas dinner the church established in the late Valerie Brunst’s name. Acts of kindness like the dinner will never be forgotten. They are what holds the community together in these hard times. Let’s continue to help our neighbours. Love and kindness will never grow old. Stay safe everyone. Mina Coons, Lindsay

Advocate magazine and podcast fan

Love your publication! I enjoy the previews and podcasts on social media but also love to pick up a copy to place on my coffee table for my children and their spouses to reach for during a visit. Wendy Steeves, Cameron

Rural challenges for business

Regarding Geoff Coleman’s article, “Tending the Rural Economy” (Oct. Advocate), I found it both interesting and informative. The context was abundantly evident early on into the article.

I would like to add that the mention of “no help from Bell” struck a nerve. For over a year, we have had very poor signal coverage for our cellphones and seeing that my wife and I are seniors, I have complained every day to Bell for the last six months for fear of a life-threatening situation whereby we could not call for help on the cellular network. Inbound calls do not generate a ring on our phones and many times, while trying to make a call, a text box appears saying, “Not registered on network.” What?!

We have had enough and are switching to Rogers after 59 years of being Bell customers.

In years past, I was a charter pilot and flight instructor and did teach at Lindsay. I am, presently, a member of their Kawartha Lakes Flying Club and just have to mention that there was no mention of the airport in the article as a valuable asset for conducting business in the area. As I understand it, quite some time ago when various companies were being lobbied to set up in or near Lindsay, the stipulation from most of the executives being lobbied, was “Will your airport accept multi-engine aircraft re: deliveries and executive movement?”

Do not forget that there is a life-saving element to having a municipal airport and that is the rapid transport of casualties and desperately ill patients for specialized care and treatment. I am sure that Ms. R. Mustard (manager of economic development for Kawartha Lakes) agrees because there is further improvement being made to our airport as we speak. Jim Baldwin, Omemee

Government’s action belittles efforts of PSWs in retirement homes

In Ontario, over 700 retirement homes support thousands of seniors. Within these homes, hard-working teams provide essential services to these seniors, just like in long-term care homes. In fact, there are more retirement homes than long-term care homes in Ontario. Retirement homes fill in critical gaps in our current health care system, often bridging the need for long-term care beds and helping to free up much-needed space in hospitals. Throughout the pandemic, retirement homes have worked diligently to keep seniors safe and healthy with less than two per cent of retirement homes experiencing outbreaks of COVID-19. Throughout the pandemic the Ontario government has taken steps to recognize these efforts, until recently.

The Oct. 1 announcement of additional compensation for personal support workers (PSWs) who work in the public sector only, blatantly belittles the efforts of the PSWs and all team members within retirement homes, and the industry as a whole. Specifically, the Ontario government’s actions send a clear message that retirement home team members are worth less than their counterparts in publicly funded facilities and it threatens the well-being of residents by crippling recruitment efforts in an already existing staffing crisis. The government’s actions also draw dedicated PSWs away from their retirement home careers and sends them to long-term care, and hinders the ability to recruit into retirement homes by offering incentives to new and existing PSWs to work in long-term care only.

We implore upon the government to right this inequity by recognizing the efforts and contributions of all personal support workers, and all front-line team members, regardless of what sector they contribute to during this pandemic. Adrienne West, Executive Director Adelaide Place

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