Letters to the Editor: September 14, 2024

Article content

Take back river

Larry Cornies’ column Put ‘bank’ back in Springbank with river views (Sept. 7) was a penetrating glance into the obvious, that it is the river that has attracted people to Springbank Park for more than 150 years.

Why we have this practice, indeed obsession, with naturalization is pathetic.

City leadership has decided not to celebrate our heritage river as do virtually all great cities of the world. Our leadership has turned its back to the river. We need to take it back.

Article content

Cities around the world recognize the importance of their rivers and are taking significant steps to clean and revitalize their waterways, making them accessible for swimming, paddling, and other recreational activities. These river celebrations reflect the importance of rivers as historical trade routes, sources of recreation, and focal points for community life.

Not in London anymore.

Our city continues to pour raw sewage into the Thames, only for it to be carried downstream.

The decision to remove our recreational reservoir by decommissioning the Springbank dam was counter to everything we see happening in other great cities in Canada and around the world. We no longer exploit or celebrate this wonderful natural asset in London. Shame.

John J. Eberhard, Middlesex Centre

Selfish neighbour

Regarding the article Tension flares as Western closes campus roads (Sept. 11).

Time and again, Western University proves it doesn’t care about the citizens of London. Deciding to close campus entrances and closing a lane on Perth Drive due to construction, right as school starts, while forcing buses to change their routes, is proof of that.

Article content

Students, staff, patients at University Hospital and all residents in northwest London are impacted by the arrogance of university leadership.

This happens every September, but the strike this year has compounded the problem. The city needs to step in and do something about this untenable situation.

Craig Hawkins, London

Limit enrolment

Regarding Mohammed Adam’s column Can nurse practitioners fill Ontario’s care gap? (Sept. 10).

I have a better idea. Why don’t we stop foreign enrolment in our medical schools? I have had the occasion to visit two different specialists recently. The intakes were by doctors from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Both told me they were returning home in the next year. That means we have been training doctors, which we badly need, who will never practise in Canada.

I know universities will howl that they are underfunded and may have to cease building new facilities, but it would solve the problem. These universities are funded by taxpayers, who are not reaping any benefits!

Betty Wright, London

Danger is real

I sent emails to Mayor Josh Morgan about the safety of pedestrians with the increase in ebikes and scooters, as well as bicycles, on city sidewalks.

Article content

Well, my fears came true. I was walking to work between 5:30 and 6 a.m. when, the next thing I know, I’m in hospital with a concussion and stitches in my elbow and back of my head.

As you know, these vehicles don’t require insurance. They are covered under house insurance, if the owner has it. I’m out of pocket two weeks’ pay, medical expenses and new work clothes, as they cut mine off. I broke my watch and glasses. I am left to replace my stuff on my own as I don’t have too many avenues to get reimbursed.

These electric units need to be insured.

John Dillabough, London

Enjoy our ads

Every time I turn around, I see advertising for MP Peter Fragiskatos (L-London North Centre), to contact his office with any questions or concerns.

The first time I contacted his office with a question, I was told they didn’t know the answer and I should go on the internet.

The second time I approached his office, my nephew, who was born in the United States to Canadian parents, wanted a Canadian passport. I was told to contact Immigration.

Article content

I contacted the office of MP Lindsay Mathyssen (NDP London-Fanshawe), and they invited my nephew to contact their office. The next time I spoke to my nephew, he had his passport and spoke very highly of Mathyssen’s staff.

The third time I contacted Fragiskatos’ office, I wanted to know the allowed contribution to the tax-free savings account for the year and I was told they did not know. I contacted Mathyssen’s office and they provided me the finance minister’s email address and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland’s office responded within a couple of hours with the answer.

A while ago, The Free Press published how much each MP in our area spent on expenses for the year and Fragiskatos exceeded the other members. His explanation was advertising. So, next time you see Fragiskatos’ advertising, enjoy it because your tax dollars are paying for it.

Norman Barton, London

Cut federal jobs

The federal government increased the federal labour force during the pandemic by 40 per cent and now, under a back-to-work directive, they don’t have enough office space to hold the expanded workforce.

Article content

Could the government be more incompetent? Clearly we can’t afford a pumped-up workforce.

R. Webb, London

Vaccine inequity

I wonder how many seniors have seen the Shingrix TV commercials that talk about the painful skin rash that can occur.

A shingles infection can be very serious and may lead to complications, such as loss of vision and debilitating nerve pain.

Well, we need not worry because our government of Ontario has seniors covered. Or do they?

In October 2020, the Ontario government came out with a publicly funded shingles immunization program.

The bad news is, the publicly funded immunization program is covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), but only for seniors age 65 to 70.

In October 2020, I was 77 years old, so I didn’t qualify for the publicly funded immunization program.

Seniors born before 1949 never did qualify for the publicly funded program, even though they are in the higher risk category of getting shingles.

If you are concerned about perhaps getting shingles, as I was, be prepared to pay approximately $170 for each dose unless you have coverage with a private insurance benefit plan.

Article content

Everyone is told to get their second shot two to six months after their first dose, but seniors who are on fixed income have real difficulty coming up with the $340 within six months.

So much for expanding Ontario’s publicly funded immunization program to help seniors stay healthy as a part of the government’s plan to build a better Ontario.

Ken Powell, Blenheim

Article content