Letters to the Editor: July 20, 2024

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Fix intersection

Regarding the article entitled Oxford County teen’s pitch to improve safety at intersection hits home (July 12)

Nathan Bean needs to be commended for making a presentation to an Oxford County council meeting about safety at the intersection of Oxford Road 6 (37th line) and Road 96 (Oxford Road 28).

This intersection, known for many crashes, has claimed lives. One such life was my husband, John Sangster. On a bright, sunny day in March 2022, a driver went through the stop sign on Road 96 and hit my husband’s car broadside. Perhaps if there had been rumble strips, flashing lights, a four-way stop, or lower speed limits my husband, as well as others, might be alive today.

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I echo Nathan Bean’s concerns and am heartened that Oxford County council decided to investigate the feasibility of added safety measures at this intersection. I urge them to do this in a timely fashion before other families are devastated by the senseless loss of a loved one.

Toula M. Gerace, London

One job at a time

I agree with Robert Webb in his letter to the editor, Expedite roadwork (July 18).

From what I have observed, it seems the city’s “method” is to identify all mayor streets that are full of potholes (a huge number), divide the workforce by all of them, and dig them all up at the same time. Then, by virtue of having very few workers and not enough machines per job, each repair drags on all summer long, blocking all the fastest routes (and minor ones, too), forcing detours and idling all over the place.

How about listing all streets in need of repair, and sending the full workforce to each one, repairing one street properly at a time. This would hopefully finish each job faster. The disruption would be kept to a minimum at each work site.

Ana M. Porzecanski, London

Enforcement key

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Regarding the article Lower speed limits eyed for major roads near schools (July 16). I live around Kains Road and Westdel Bourne where the speed is 40 kilometres an hour. There also are three speed bumps, which has reduced speeds to around 60-plus km/hr. Once the SUV drivers know they can go over the bumps at 60 km/h or more, they don’t even touch the brakes.

These drivers have young children, but speed still does not matter. Even the school buses speed. The only way this can ever work is enforcement. If you want to slow drivers, enforce it or else save money on useless signs.

Ron McNish, London

Insult to injury

Regarding the article Alice Munro fans and friends shocked by exposed family secret (July 10).

When asked if she was disappointed in how Munro profoundly failed in her duties and responsibilities as a parent to Andrea Skinner, Verna Steffler throws another punch at Skinner by stating: “They’re both dead. I don’t appreciate the fact that we’re digging all the dirt.”

Skinner was sacrificed by every adult who was supposed to protect her to keep Munro’s reputation clean. It’s a crime.

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Steffler insults every abuse survivor by wishing this just never came up.

Victoria G. Chiu, St. Thomas

No consideration

Why is there no consideration anymore, regardless of where you are? Certain individuals always have to be the centre of attention.

Recently I was in a local library and two women were talking, bothering others like myself. Nobody wants to hear your jibber jabber. There’s a library rule you cannot talk on your phone in libraries, however, these women chat to each other and bother patrons.

Gary Robson, Ingersoll

Sickening

Regarding the article Ford pushing ahead on booze sale expansion (July 18).

Do I have this right?

Alcohol consumption increases numerous health risks.

Health care in Ontario has reached a crisis level of underfunding.

Doug Ford’s booze sale expansion will lead to costs of $1 billion in direct payouts to the Beer Store, grocery chains and convenience store owners, as well as foregone revenue from the LCBO.

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Why is the province expanding access to alcohol, losing money in the process, and continuing to underfund a health-care system that is broken?

Carol Lewis, London

Bias the result

Regarding Michael Taube’s column, Ontario’s groundbreaking journalism plan (July 17).

Funding an unprofitable business is a poor use of taxpayers’ money.

It is better for the business to fail and to be replaced by a business that can support itself.

Further, providing government funding to support a media business that cannot survive without the funding will lead to a bias in their reporting of news and opinion.

Whoever pays the piper calls the tune.

This is a poor use of taxpayers’ money.

Jim Horne, Dutton

Plan not working

I’ve been fed the line that more housing in London means prosperity, with more people paying property tax thus reducing the overall property tax bill. We’re told infill takes advantage of existing infrastructure, thus it’s a bargain for the city.

If this is true, why is my property tax bill going up eight per cent while inflation is at 3.4 per cent?

I can only deduce that London’s housing growth does not pay for itself and I’m getting stuck with the bill.

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Let’s return the $74-million cheque the feds gave to the city from the housing accelerator fund and tell them thanks, but no thanks.

Walt Lonc, London

Claims incredible

I listened with interest to the various speakers at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee who were supporting Donald Trump, most of them senators of various states. They praised Trump, making him out to be a martyr now because he was fortunate to have survived an assassination attempt. Yes, this was tragic and I am relieved he did survive, for the sake of his family.

His supporters all promised that Trump, if elected, would make America great again by fixing every single thing President Joe Biden has done basically to destroy the country.

If Trump manages this feat during his presidency, I think we should invite him to come to Canada so that he can also fix all the problems we have and make Canada a paradise, just has he has done for the people of the United States.

What planet are all of these Trump supporters living on?

Genevieve Grech, London

Case closed

I have been to The Open and learned a valuable lesson attending. It is called “The Open.” Yet, The London Free Press calls the event The British Open. It is not The British Open. It is simply The Open. Please, have your coverage corrected.

Jo-Anne Bailey, London

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