Letters

Reader: Community Consultation Important

Tuesday, 14 May 2013 09:02 Letter to the Editor Letters

Editor,

Thanks for a strong editorial, and a good rebuttal to those that might want to shut down everything in Meaford.

But - and a very important sort of 'but' - kindly reread this part of the argument: "The fact is that ... you can't put a dollar value on providing a quality of life that is beneficial to your residents".

Well, if we don't put a dollar value on the benefits, then, very simply, the time wasn't taken to analyze the spending decisions adequately.

Do the benefits outweigh the costs ? Is there better value available for those same funds ? Are smart decisions being made for the limited funds available ? And, just as important, are follow-up reviews made to ensure that the benefits were as expected and the costs in line ? Without a detailed statement of the expectations, we can't know if the money was well spent.

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Reader: Ontario – from Have to Have Not

Tuesday, 07 May 2013 07:56 Letter to the Editor Letters

Editor,

I was born in a time when we learned that “every person is equal” – white, black, brown, Catholic, Protestant, Agnostic – “a person is a person”. I was also raised with the understanding that “we the people” are the government.

Well, somehow today neither of these principles exist in Ontario! Let me explain...

We live in a time when certain groups are allowed by all levels of authority in Ontario to block highways, railway lines and anything else they choose to with no fear whatsoever of consequences. We also live in a time when our elected government “negotiates agreements” such as the SON Fishing Agreement and the Algonquin Land Claim, both of which costs Ontario taxpayers hundreds of MILLIONS of dollars, while refusing to allow any input whatsoever from Ontario taxpayers. Democratic governments are elected to carry out the wishes of their constituents. Democratic governments are NOT elected to become dictatorships. Somehow the Ontario Liberal government has forgotten that “we the people” are the government.

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