Letter to the Editor - May 4, 2011

Election signs and such

First I would like to commend incumbent Jeff Watson and challenger Taras Natyshak on running what I felt were well run, above board campaigns for the voters of Essex.  

I did have a question for Nelson Santos and his campaign though: Why were a large number of your signs (at least 20 at last count) on municipal property, shoulder of the roads, at stop signs and intersections instead of in supporters yards? 

Brendan Byrne
Essex

A war veteran's view on the election

They are politicians’ elections. The Canadian people don’t want the elections. The Canadian people’s money, millions and millions have been spent recklessly. There is no need for elections.

Since, Mr. Joe Comartin, the NDP said only police and military should own firearms. What about peaceful farmers? What about peaceful hunters? Criminals don’t register guns. The registry cost $2 billion to Canadian people – spent recklessly.

I am a veteran of World War II. I entered the war at 17 years of age – RCAF. I am 85 years old and been married for 62 years. I have one leg and one eye and my wife has rheumatoid arthritis.

I say, best army, best navy and best air force - Canadian. Where would England be without Spitfire fighter pilots – “the best!”

In the war, England sent Hurricane fighter planes to protect Malta. The Hurricane – no match for German fighter planes. England sent Spitfire fighters – German fighter no match.  The Spitfire “the best!”

Canada buys 65 new F35 fighter jets. Australia, Japan, India – all interested in the F35. The F35 is “the best” for the Canadian air force.

In the paper, politicians say Canadian government is hard on veterans.

Canadian government gives me pension. Ground maintenance, grass cutting and snow removal – Canadian government pays for it. Every day a lady comes and makes my bed, helps me with bathing, dressing and eating – Canadian government pays for it. Once a week, the lady cleans my home – top to bottom – Canadian government pays for it. Sometimes I go to London hospital for doctors to check me over – Canadian government pays for it. Something wrong with my wheelchair – Canadian government pays for it. If I wanted services, such as meals on wheels, the Canadian government would pay for it.

My wife and myself are very grateful for the Canadian government. We are able to stay in our own home – until God calls us.

God Bless the Canadian Armed Forces and all Allies. God Bless Canada – “the best” country in the world.

Ronald H. Burningham
Essex

RE: Youth Appreciation Dinner

On Tuesday, April 26, my mother and I attended the Essex Optimist Club Youth Appreciation Dinner.This is the second annual event and I hope that the Optimist Club continues to do this.

Not only did it give the local youth, including my son, a chance to be recognized for all of their hard work in the community as volunteers, but also it was an opportunity to realize what these young people are doing.

From the young man, who through the Essex Youth Centre created a video on drug abuse, to the eight-year-old boy who helps out with the Food Bank, it was amazing to see the work they do.

Also, both local politicians and the Optimist Club noted that these young people will be the adult volunteers of the future, and really it is volunteers that are the backbone of every community.

The Optimist Club and all the other service groups of Essex should be congratulated for the hard work they do each and every day.Probably the highlight of the night was when the Optimist Club presented a cheque for $7,000 to the Essex Youth Centre.

Keep up the good work.

Fred Groves
Essex

RE: Stone, Stone, Stoned  (Apr. 27, 2011)

After reading this letter, I found it shocking and disturbing that a councillor, someone representing a town, could have such disregard and a lack of respect for the residents she represents, her fellow councillors, our employees and our company.

I would like to set the facts straight.

Coun. Bondy states that we have an inferior product. This statement could be no further from the truth, as our stone will meet and exceed all specifications that govern the construction industry and is accepted and used in every other municipality.

Coun. Bondy says, “All wards want, want, want – a new $300,000 splash pad, a soccer park and downtown beautification.” Well, all these things are what makes a community strong and brings the residents  together. You achieve these things by working with the community, local community groups and local businesses, not by bashing them in the local papers.

Coun. Bondy states there is no difference in cost. We believe the difference in the cost of stone will be $50,000 this year. If there is no difference, then why shut out the only local producer from bidding? In doing so, you are taking well over $100,000 of hard-earned tax dollars, paid by local residents and businesses, and sending it hundreds of miles away to the USA.

Coun. Bondy states that we cannot claim that Essex is preventing us from tendering. We are prevented from bidding on the maintenance stone tender because the town’s administration placed a specification that is never used for this type of stone and can only be met by two quarries that I know of, one in Northern Ontario and one in Northern Michigan.

Coun. Bondy says, “Preference can't be given to those who donate the most, it is against our policy and so is buying local for the sake of buying local.” I have never asked to have this work given to me. All I have asked  is for the opportunity to bid on it.

Amherstburg, Lakeshore and Chatham-Kent use our stone on their gravel roads and other projects, including Huron Line from Cabana to EC Row, a stretch of road that see over 10,000 trucks a day, and has performed flawlessly for over 20 years. Last year, 200,000 ton went to the new airport taxiway, and we have all seen the giant cranes building the windmills in the county. The stone supporting a lot of those cranes is ours and, if it is strong enough to support a crane that is lifting over 100,000 lbs 300 feet in the air, a cargo jet that weighs in excess of 700,000 lbs, and a road that handles 10,000 trucks a day and is the gateway to the busiest border crossing in North America. Why is it not good enough for the Town of Essex's gravel roads?     

Ed Smith
Amherst Quarries