Letters: July 8

Goose-stepping to the G20, George Balogh

Thanks to North Frontenac Council, Lauder Smith and Patricia Nobbs

Hats Off to Ompah Fire Dept., Jen Robertson

Grateful to be a Canadian, Ray Fletcher

Re: Scott’s “Silly Mailings”, John McEwen

Goose-stepping to the G20

Reflecting on the G-20 Summit held recently in Toronto, especially on Canada’s birthday, is very sobering.   

First, the Chief of Toronto Police Services lied about a special five-meter security zone which was never passed into law. Second, the excessive use of physical and psychological force against law-abiding citizens appeared to be freely exercised by police, causing injury and arrest with little regard to the obvious lack of threat by those being arrested. Third, the Black Bloc appeared to be acting as agent provocateurs, working under some arrangement with police inasmuch as they were not pursued or arrested when acting out violence. Rather the Bloc seemed to inspire reprisals against spectators who were NOT damaging property.

I assure you that Canadians will not let the issue of lying and police state brutality rest. Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair must be held to account in an official investigation of his abuse of police powers. Chief Blair misled the public.  He used the media to lie and under his leadership he caused the Police Services to violate our Canadian Charter Rights under the Constitution. 

We must not allow those who wield power over life, death, and detention to “lord it over us” on the whim of keeping us under control. As a democracy, we Canadians designate power back to government.

The goosestep and the sieg-heil inevitably lead to flashing the baton, triggering electronic soft-kill weapons, and violating our human rights.  The bottom line is this:  This is our country--GOVERNMENT BACK OFF!

George Balogh

Thanks to North Frontenac Council

We wanted to take the time to thank the North Frontenac Council for their efforts to preserve the wonderful Mississippi River system.  We have recently received notice that they will be checking septic systems in the upper area of the river.

This creates some stress for us as householders as we anxiously await the testing process and hope that it passes. If our system proves to be inadequate to protect the watershed, we will be armed with that information to solve the problem.

We are relieved on the other hand to know that the quality of the water and the future of the river are a priority to our council.  Many people along the system drink river water and others, like us, are supplied by wells fed by the river. This is certainly an important health issue.

This is the sort of preventative health care that can help us control health costs in the future by preventing long term illness associated with polluted water!

Thank you for your thoughtful work on our behalf.

Lauder Smith and Patricia Nobbs

Hats Off to Ompah Fire Dept

The fireworks display by the fire department of Ompah/Plevna and Snow Road on June 30 was great. It is amazing what can be accomplished when all people work together. The parking was well-supervised and each person who attended this display received a Canadian flag and a bookmark in French and English donated by Heritage Canada. All the children were given sparklers to light, which really added to the event. Accolades are numerous for any function. The coordinator and the fire department volunteers deserve a tremendous “thank you”.

The fireworks funding was a joint venture by the fire department and the township of North Frontenac. Displays do not happen unless you have specially trained people who co-ordinate the special care of lighting them. Hats off to these people.

A new feature was the playing of 'O' Canada' before the fireworks commenced, enjoyed by proud Canadians young and old. Thanks a million.

Jen Robertson

Grateful to be a Canadian

This July 1st marked my 12th consecutive walk on the beach during our Canada Day festivities. As I strolled (limped) through the gathering crowd, I was struck by the fact that I felt just like a member of an enormous family picnic! I know that a mere 12 years doesn't qualify me as a real native "Sharbot Laker" but, Gee Whiz, it was so uplifting to see, and say "Hi" to so many, many friends, acquaintances and assorted smiling friendly faces. Surrounded as we are by a constant barrage of negativity from all manner of print and electronic media, it is a gift from the Almighty Himself to see the reality of laughing children at play, watched by vigilant, but relaxed and equally playful parents. I just felt so grateful to be Canadian, in this beautiful clean picturesque community of caring neighbours, friends and our annual visiting cottagers, on such a perfect national birthday. To the devil with HST, wars, oil leaks, untrustworthy politicians, et al!

I hope all your readers felt as blessed, as comfortable, as FREE as I did, yesterday, July 1st, in beautiful "downtown Sharbot Lake". As Tiny Tim said, "God bless us everyone"...

Ray Fletcher

Re: Scott's Silly Mailings

In response to a letter by Edward Kennedy (The Frontenac News, Letters, June 30/10)

Edward Kennedy should "put-up or shut-up". Mr. Kennedy's organization, The Ontario Landowners, has boasted about fielding candidates in Frontenac's municipal elections. The Landowners have published both a "Founding Declaration" and municipal platform.

I suggest that Mr. Kennedy run for mayor of South Frontenac. Present your platform to “the people" and see if they vote for it. If Mr. Kennedy wins he can begin his "rural revolution" with the consent of the majority, but if he should lose he should hang up his pen, unplug his computer, peel off the "remember Bill C-68" bumper sticker and accept that his fringe views have no place in 21st century Canada. That's democracy.

P.S. If Mr. Reid was "in touch with the feelings of his electorate" he would be working to stop the farm closures instead of supporting Harper's attack on farms, farming and farmers. Also, Mr. "tough on crime" Scott Reid would answer my letter of June 1st seeking criminal penalties for people who send threatening e-mails. And, Bill C-68 was a good investment, not a wasteful expense like fake lakes.

John McEwen