| Feb 19, 2009


Back to HomeLetters - February 19 2009Letters: February 19

Re: Old Road Battles Die Hard, Marg Purtell

Re: Leslie Myles Climbs Kilimanjaro, Jay Abramsky

Re: Communications Towers, Colin Beckingham

Moon Circle Drummers Change Name, Pam Giroux

Re: Old Road Battles Die Hard (Feb. 12)

Sirs: What’s with this council? You hire a person to do a job and then second guess him. The road plan was drawn up based on sound policies. Some of the road problems were inherited with amalgamation and yes, there have been problems, but progress is being made. This prioritizing should perhaps have been done right off the bat.

I live off the Frontenac Road and two years ago, I took an apartment in town because of problems getting out in the winter. I’ve been back several times this winter and I must say I’m impressed with the upkeep. We may have a winner here---let’s hang on to him.

Let’s be an amalgamated township in more than name only.

Marg Purtell

Re: Leslie Myles Climbs Kilimanjaro (Jan 16)

As Chair of the Limestone Learning Foundation (LLF) I am very pleased to welcome home LLF Director Leslie Myles, and express our hearty congratulations and deep appreciation on the success of her recent “Kili Climb for Kids”.

In December we, along with family and friends, watched as Leslie prepared herself physically and mentally for the incredible challenge and personal goal she had set for herself. To reach the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa, and to face and overcome so many difficulties along the way is something that most of us would never consider. But we know Leslie, and we recognize from her actions, her dedication, and her willingness to undertake difficult things (especially things that benefit kids) that Leslie is not like most of us.

She knew this climb would not be easy and she clearly understood the seriousness of the task she had set for herself. But she never doubted for one moment her own ability to succeed, and her ever-present smile never faded. In fact, I think her smile got even bigger and brighter as her climb got closer.

This climb was not simply a personal objective for Leslie – she also used the opportunity to raise awareness and to raise funds for two important causes, both of which benefit children. Leslie and her team raised a great deal of much-needed money for the Amani House children’s orphanage located near the base of Kilimanjaro, and you can tell by the passion in her voice that the experience of meeting and helping these children has moved her deeply. We are also pleased that Leslie used this opportunity to promote awareness and to raise funds for another passion – the Limestone Learning Foundation … and for this we are most grateful.

Money raised by the Limestone Learning Foundation is used to provide funding for innovative, creative, enhanced learning opportunities in Literacy & Numeracy, Science & Technology, the Arts, and Innovative

Practices for elementary and secondary students in schools in the Limestone District School Board. Thanks to the incredible efforts of hundreds of volunteers and supporters like Leslie, we have been able to provide more than $830,000 in funding to over 385 enhanced learning projects.

Leslie Myles is a wonderful example of how one passionate person with a vision can make a very real difference in many lives.

Jay Abramsky, Chair, Limestone Learning Foundation

Re: Communications Towers

In support of Patrick Maloney (Re: Highspeed Internet - Feb 12) who wrote in to say that he deplores the spoiling of the landscape by wireless towers, I would just like to add that many of us in the rolling countryside of the Frontenacs are faced with erecting our own towers simply to be able to enjoy the wireless signal that others enjoy since they have direct "line of sight". Say there are 10 people who could benefit from the wireless service from each tower, but need to install their own tower (say 50-100 feet tall) to get the signal. In this case you can multiply the number of transmitter towers installed by 10. Won't that be wonderful for the landscape?

A few years ago Bell invested in wiring in this area, upgrading poles and installing fibre optic cables. You can see them on the poles, they are black like the copper pairs but every so often there is a red tag hanging. The sad thing is that these cables are part of the huge under-use of the fibre optic network, the "dark fibre". They may be carrying voice, but not internet. And they pass right by my property!

As one person who could benefit from high speed access I would much rather be laying out a capital investment in the fibre network than more wireless towers since I see the former as a much better long-term investment in a superior technology. Maybe we need to recalculate the costs and benefits of these alternate technologies before it is too late and the Frontenacs end up like a pincushion.

Colin Beckingham

Moon Circle Drummers change name to "Sisters of the Drum"

The native women's hand drum group formerly known as the Moon Circle Drummers has changed its' name.Membership in the group had increased to such an extent that the original name no longer applied. The name originated from a group of women who met on the full moon to do ceremony and then drum afterwards. At a recent drum practise we realised we had evolved into quite a different group and we needed a new name to reflect who we are now. Danka Brewer began calling us "Sisters of the Drum" when she emailed messages to us so we all agreed that this would become our new name. Our next performance will be at the Festival talent show this weekend. We are now "Sisters of the Drum" sharing native culture with the community.

Pamela Giroux

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