Letters to the Editor: October 2, 2024

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Higher doesn’t help

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

What is the logic behind these increases in building heights? In what way does this help the homeless or low-income families? Unless these units are for sale at below cost, these will be rental units. Who would sign a rental agreement in a new building when there is no rent control in Ontario on buildings completed after November 2018?

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Who does council think the four-year, 33 per cent property tax hike will hurt in these situations? It definitely won’t be the corporations that own the properties. That will be passed on to the tenants annually.

This, along with the renoviction licence requirement, is nothing but a city hall cash grab which will cause more traffic headaches and cost big bucks to upgrade infrastructure, but will fix nothing.

Mike Cassino, London

Control ebikes

I was hit by an ebike Aug. 19. Who is responsible for ebikes and electronic scooters driven on the sidewalks, even when there are bike paths? They don’t need insurance or a licence. They can travel up to 30 km/h.

I’ve sent emails to the mayor and councillor, but get no reply. I’m at a loss at why the city is turning a blind eye. One day a pedestrian is going to get killed. I hope it’s not me.

John Dillabough, London

Unfair to landlords

Regarding the article London ‘renoviction’ bylaw approved but tenant advocates not happy (Sept. 25).

The notion that owners have a greater responsibility than tenants seems unfair.

After the stipulated time in the lease, be it one, two or more years, the tenant can give the owner 60 days’ notice to vacate the unit without penalty.

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So, why does the owner not have the same options?

A “renoviction” bylaw somehow infers the owner has a greater moral responsibility.

Let’s do the right thing, not the politically expedient thing.

Walt Lonc, London

Arboretum a joy

I took a walk through the Graham arboretum in Springbank Park and noticed the informative plaques about the many species of trees. There has been much cleanup of undergrowth.

Kudos to the city. This was a good use of tax dollars.

Mike Henson, London

All talk, not action

Since the city made a climate emergency declaration, they don’t seem to be in much of a hurry to do anything about it.

The goal of widening the underpass on Wharncliffe Road and Horton Street was to ease congestion that occurs there every day.

Part of the cost to achieve this goal was to buy and tear down Nan Finlayson’s house, which still stands. Since then, the city has diverted the funds for this project to the bus rapid transit project.

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Cars, trucks and buses will continue to be held up by the bottleneck at that intersection, spewing CO2 and other noxious gases as they idle.

So much for the climate emergency.

Steve Matthews, London

It’s the cars, man

Regarding the letter to the editor Ditch bike lanes (Sept. 27) from Robert Webb.

We’re talking about bike lanes, again? Could any serious person not see the problem is cars? Collisions, deaths, traffic calming, road widening, speed cameras, construction delays, carbon emissions. It’s the cars, man.

Andrew McClenaghan, London

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