Letters to the Editor: September 28, 2024

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Wider input equals better decisions

Regarding the article Stacked townhouse approved for more streets by full council (Sept. 26).

There are two sides to the argument around this decision, which still needs provincial approval.

On the one side are folks aware that, by interspersing mid-rise housing in lower-density neighbourhoods, it will make them more socially diverse, inclusive, walkable and sustainable, and can help to support a range of neighbourhood-level small businesses.

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On the other side of the argument are folks who think change is scary and the potential for people with less income to move into our neighbourhoods will somehow ruin them. We’ve heard the arguments that mid-rise housing will ruin the “charm” or “community” or “heritage” of Old North and other neighbourhoods with connectors, but let’s be clear; this is coded language intended to obscure an inherent, elitist NIMBYism that is virulent in London, particularly in our more affluent neighbourhoods.

Along with a cohesive transit strategy, our city needs housing to ensure London actually is an inclusive place. Both of these efforts are severely lacking to date. Far too often it seems like council is only listening to the loudest voice and those are often from the privileged and established.

London can be better if we welcome all voices to the conversation. This fresh approach to housing is a good start.

Ben Johnson, London

Long story makes light of deadly issue

I typically enjoy the Long Story, I have breast cancer. So what? I’ve never slept better or laughed more (Sept. 21).

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I feel it was almost irresponsible of The London Free Press to publish such a story about breast cancer that is so far from the norm.

Sharon Dunn was 70 when she was diagnosed. This was her first blessing. Being diagnosed at this age she would not have to worry about who was going to look after her children while struggling through treatment.

She also likely was already retired and did not have to worry about trying to juggle work while receiving treatment or worry about losing her job while trying to stay alive.

She chose to avoid having the double mastectomy, which is a long and difficult recovery.

She did not have to endure chemotherapy, which is one of the harshest treatments you can endure and also comes with many side-effects, physically and emotionally.

She did not have to deal with losing her hair as a young person.

She would’ve already been through menopause, and therefore not had to deal with medical menopause, which throws your hormones completely out of line, again making it very difficult to deal with this disease and treatment

I believe it would’ve been much more beneficial to the community to have done a story on a more typical, more realistic cancer journey.

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I feel like her story was making light of a very serious disease that kills many women each year. Hopefully, next time, you can interview someone who has experienced all the issues that come from having breast cancer.

Marnie Hickling, London

Fairness in short supply, not teachers

Regarding the article As RC school board booms, uncertified teachers fill gaps (Sept. 25)

I recently attended a conference that featured all of the heads of teacher unions. The head of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association said there are 36,000 teachers who belong to Ontario College of Teachers who are not teaching. Some of them would be retired teachers and this number would include all occasional and supply teachers who do not have full-time contracts.

Perhaps teachers are in short supply because of the way they are treated.

Some sit on supply lists for up to 10 years, while others who have “friends” are hired right out of college.

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I know of a case where a teacher with a specialist in religion and a pastoral reference was ignored on the supply list. Out of desperation, she got on the supply list of the public board and then got a call from the London District Catholic school board. When she told them she had an occasional contract with Thames Valley, she was taken off the supply list of LDCSB and told she would have to reapply. Anyone who has gone through this arduous process would be aware it is frustrating enough the first time. Goodbye to a highly qualified teacher.

There is no teacher shortage. There is a shortage of fair treatment.

Almost everyone in the board office, except secretaries, is a qualified teacher. Put them back in these classrooms and stop this insane practice of placing unqualified people in front of our children.

Betty Wright, London

Supremacy of scripture ignored

Regarding Bruce Tallman’s column Evolution leads to cosmic consciousness (Sept. 7).

While I appreciate Tallman’s goal to provide intelligent Christian spiritual commentary, I was saddened his article was not scriptural. I offer an orthodox counterpoint.

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Tallman reduces God to a vague consciousness and unity between all of the created world. God is “cosmic consciousness in all.”

In his framework, man reaches God, attaining such wisdom and perfection through human efforts such as dialogue, reason, mysticism, and technology. As exciting as this sounds, this is not Christian. The Bible illuminates the nature of God, the state of man, and the end of this age.

God is a personal and triune God, not an impersonal force. He is outside creation, which He loved enough to take on flesh so He could die on the cross, atoning for our sins for our salvation.

Rather than naturally trending toward divinization, we are “enemies of God” (Colossians 1:21) and spiritually blind (2 Corinthians 4:4) before we accept Christ as Saviour and turn from our sins. Indeed, we are dead in our trespasses, completely unable to save ourselves. Only Christ can revive us (Ephesians 2), and only then do we receive the Holy Spirit.

Finally, the end of man is not becoming God, perfecting the world by our strength, or achieving some cosmic consciousness. Rather, men will be judged by whether they had faith in the Lord, and perfection will only be ushered in by Christ’s return. Look no further than Revelation to see this.

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A truly Christian understanding of the faith recognizes the supremacy of scripture and the exclusivity of Christ’s atoning sacrifice. Tallman’s theology fails on both counts.

Venture Ciccarelli, London

Cyclists should be licensed, insured

If cyclists are going to be using the roads along with other traffic, they should have to have both a licence and complete comprehensive insurance for their own protection and protection of other individuals using the same roads.

Johanne Nichols, London

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