Letters to the Editor: December 21, 2024

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Grateful for care

I am sending out season’s greetings to the paramedics, firefighters, police officers, nurses and doctors who answered my distress call on behalf of my husband one year ago on Dec. 21, 2023.

Unfortunately, I did not get any names, but I will never forget the devotion and compassion these wonderful people have at the worst of times. Special thanks to the police officer who never left the family’s side the whole time.

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Many, many thanks.

B. J. Neil, London

Support appreciated

Everyone at Animal Aide of St. Thomas Elgin would like to extend thanks to all those who adopted a new friend this past year, made a financial donation or a donation of supplies to help keep our shelter open. We are grateful.

We also would like to wish everyone a merry Christmas and a happy, healthy new year.

Ellen Denomy, Animal Aide of St. Thomas Elgin

Fast response

Christmas came early at SARI Therapeutic Riding. We extend our thanks to our community partners who made our November upgrades possible.

We asked for assistance on Tuesday, and the project was completed by Saturday.

It all began with expert consultation and connections through K & L Construction, McCann and Mar-Co Clay, which led to the generous donation of materials from Lafarge, equipment from Battlefield and trucking services donated by Oxford Sand and Gravel with many of their partners.

More than 20 trucks, with donated equipment, transformed our arena into a best-in-class footing for our horses, participants and volunteers.

We are deeply grateful to all who contributed their time, resources, and expertise to this project, helping us create a better space for our riders.

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There is so much good in the world, and we feel it at SARI every day.

Lisa Citton-Battel, executive director, SARI Therapeutic Riding

Voters denied

Regarding the article London councillor docked 30 days’ pay for ‘bullying’ senior city staffer (Dec. 18).

Coun. Susan Stevenson can’t vote on anything during this 30-day period. This is ridiculous as she votes according to her constituents’ wishes so now, we are silenced.

As for being targeted, Kevin Dickins gave a media interview; just because Stevenson posts about it doesn’t mean that’s the reason for graffiti with Dickins’ name.

Homeless people die all over the city, not just east of Adelaide. The people in the neighbourhood are tired of being stolen from, the encampments on Dundas Street, having to be extra vigilant with their safety and so forth.

At least Stevenson is listening.

Mike Cassino, London

Pay food bank

City councillors finally made a decision on their own, in a swift manner, suspending the pay of Coun. Susan Stevenson for 30 days. Perhaps the money could be redirected to London’s food bank. Sounds like a win-win to me.

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Greg Denstedt, London

Possible shelter?

After months and months of construction and tree loss, I’m not sure what the final tab will be for the Springbank dam deconstruction.

I’ll lay odds it’ll be over-budget to finish the job.

I always wondered why it wasn’t just left to flow freely as it was.

Is the Rowing Club storage facility being used for anything, since there’s no adequate river depth for rowing? Maybe it could house multiple beds for the homeless, as I’m sure there would be washrooms and electricity for heat.

Mike Henson, London

It’s part of the job

Regarding the article Music program at new schools pared down amid $16.5M deficit (Dec. 17) in which Thames Valley District school board trustee Marianne Larsen is quoted saying: “I don’t think, as an individual, I have the expertise to know what is the best way for us to save money.”

A trustee should understand it is their duty to make common-sense decisions on where to make cuts in the budget. She was elected to make those decisions on behalf of the citizens, not surrender it to administration.

Leafing through a $1.2-billion budget to remove $250,000 from the music program should not be rocket science.

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Walt Lonc, London

Whispered message

I bet I know what Prime Minister Justin Trudeau whispered in Chrystia Freeland’s ear when he hugged her at the cabinet meeting. He probably said “Et tu, Brute?”

Dale Manias, London

Not feeling safe

Regarding Tasha Kheiriddin’s column Whatever happened to peaceful Canada? (Nov. 28).

Thank you for articulating my feelings.

My grandparents escaped the Holocaust and came to Canada from Europe, for a better life.

They came with what they had on their backs. They came with gratitude, and they came with love, not hate.

Today, the newly arrived to Canada don’t seem to want to embrace our culture and instead spew hatred and demand we march to their drum. Didn’t they come here for a better life?

I would have hoped someone would be making sure Canada stays peaceful and that we remind newly arrived immigrants that it’s a privilege to live in this country, not a right.

With the increase in anti-Semitism in pretty much every Canadian city, I keep feeling, if things remain the same, I would be safer living in Israel.

Robin Raymond, London

Target rebates

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Here we are at the beginning of the federal government’s $1.6-billion, two-month GST holiday. The federal Liberals also had proposed April 2025 rebate of $250 to those 1.8 million Canadians who worked in 2023 and whose net income was $150,000 or less, at a cost of $4.7 billion.

If Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was really interested in helping the most needy Canadians, he would:

Reduce the income cap significantly.

Increase the rebate amount significantly.

Increase the eligible rebate recipients to include pensioners, retirees, and other deserving Canadians.

Then maybe Trudeau could justify not spending the $4.7 billion on such neglected budget items as defence, health care, and housing.

Chuck Herniman, St. Marys

Rethink rebate

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s proposed $250 rebate to bribe voters is not enough for a working person to achieve happiness. Can you imagine how far ahead on our homeless problem we would be if we spent the $4.7 billion on that problem? Please consider an idea that could help everyone clean up Canada.

Bill Reidhead, London

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