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jerry paris says
Some people are overjoyed that the housing in the green belt was stopped. The problem is that the media did not tell the truth, in their reports.
I only saw one report that said, that 7 thousand acres was being taken out, but no mention of the 9 thousand plus being put into the green belt.
Their was np mention that some municipalities wanted the space for housing, because ontario winds up with half of the million people the feds let in, and they expect homes.
Where did the media talk about that in the deal the developers were to build a percentage of lower end starter homes or that rec centers and and an area for a hospital were planned free to taxpayers.
Only one writer covered the list of things that were being payed by the developers..
and
Now with the deal gone, so are 50000 new homes, that will take years to start over and by that time we will have a couple of million new residents to ontario, and the ndp and LIBS with their personal housing investment value will have doubled.
John Oliver says
Well said Allen.
Allen Markle says
An old soldier discovered, and it was pointed out to us, that if you live long enough , you can become the sticky end of a dilemma. He was a soldier, now in his nineties and he chose to stand against the Soviet Union. A hero (?) in the Ukraine and adopted as such here in Canada. The problem was the uniform he wore was that of the German Wehrmacht. Bad people in 1945. So he was cast down. like a statue of Sir John A., because their actions and deeds don’t fit the alliances and ‘political forum’ of today.
But we support and have supported many nations whose troops were loosely allied with Nazi Germany. Nations such as Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia and Slovakia, all had loose alliances with Germany; some forced and others not. Certainly they were not Nazi, as most Germans weren’t; just carried to war by a dictator and branded as such.
Finland bore no love of anything Russian, and when the opportunity arose, accepted an alliance with Germany, calling the operation their ‘Continuation War’ and looked on it as another opportunity to drive the Russians away. When it was announced that as many as one million Russians could be coming their way, some Finn allegedly commented “So many Russians! Wherever will we bury them all?
With the 2nd World War drawing to a close, Winston Churchill had staff working on ‘Operation Unthinkable’. The idea was to turn western power against the Soviet Union, fearing that as he later stated, the Soviets would draw an ‘Iron Curtain’ across Europe. Would German soldiers have been offered an alliance and opportunity to soldier on in such an endeavor? Likely. But the idea was abandon, being as the Brits had already endured six full years of war. The world was tired.
Germany today is supplying some of the world’s best armored vehicles to the Ukraine, with the logistics to keep them running and fighting. Another blow against an old foe for the Germans, or just to help a sovereign nation fight back? As we Canadians do.
You can’t apply yesterdays alliances to the world today. There are too many ideologies and ill feelings hidden in the dust. Too many frayed edges and over-sown patches. It’s impossible to have a neat war today. The world so inter-connected as it is, leaves no room to maneuver. Sikh and Gurkha soldiers fought alongside Canadian troops, but now our countries are at odds over sovereignty.
We are making history sure enough, but are finding that all the old rules and friendships don’t apply. In that light, is that old man a hero because he fought the Russians, or a brigand because of his uniform? The fickle finger awaits.
Kathryn Henderson says
I was at the Huntsville fair this Sunday to watch the kids smash up derby. I was seated in the stands. I came early and waited for show to start. Late comers came and stood in front of bleachers so the first 4 rows could not see the kids driving the cars. So I guess you just show up late and block everyone’s view. Sad. BUT the fair was great and busy and the adult car smash-up derby was great. It was very busy which is good. The food stalls were busy and the booths were nice to checkout. Inside the building were vegetables and photos and other things to see. It was a great time. Can’t wait for next year.
Bill Spring says
It’ is notable that the same couple, who recently moved to Huntsville, hosting and organizing an inaugural meeting of a group called Muskoka Canadians for Truth, at the Summit Centre this past spring, were also the main organizers and spokes persons in the recruiting of students from Huntsville High School for the march of protesters in Huntsville this past Wednesday.
They have obviously tapped into and incited like minded folks in our community. This is just an observation, not a criticism.
Allen Markle says
The pressure proved untenable and Premier Ford is backing away from Greenbelt development. That must have taken a lot out of him. What will this cost us I wonder, because it will cost us. There are developers filing already. Wedding gifts being reclaimed?
It cost one man his job and a couple more their portfolio. The police bailed and the RCMP can now stand down I suppose. But I have gained a modicum, a scintilla, a wee touch of respect for the man. Added to what I had before, it is still just a touch.
Notable though is the fact that there didn’t seem to be many other members of the ‘landslide’ (if any) with guts enough to speak up. Not in public anyway. That points up the weakness of majority governments in the era of ‘toe the party line or shut up’. It castrates the ability of the members to voice the feelings of the people who elected them.
The people won this one in the end, but at what cost? Likely the price will be the news in the near future.
Thomas R Spivak says
Bruce, the pavement on the over the highway bridge has been in a state of disrepair for years and I think the section approaching the bridge has been like a minefield for as long as I can remember.
The bridge was done as part of the bigger project and the approach is being done after.
If anyone is paying attention, no or very little new pavement was removed.
On the whole, it is a fantastic improvement and money very wisely spent.
That area has been a disgrace for decades and I’m sure the local residents and businesses will be happy to see it complete. Best to you!
Dan Daniels says
Just had another tourist yell at me at the three way stop at Walmart. This has happened to me several times this summer. I have also seen many close calls at this intersection. Is it time to make it a four way stop?
Bruce Morrow says
What’s happening with the bridge over Hwy 11 on Muskoka Rd 2? They finally got repairs done and the road repaved.
I was in to town today and they have ground the new pavement down to, in places, gravel. What is going on? Our tax dollars being used wisely?
Shelley Ferguson says
Alan, I went up and asked the owner what was going on and was told he was just cleaning up the bush (with a huge excavator) with a very straight face. I had difficulty believing this. I looked on Town website to see what was going on but there was nothing posted for building. My son will be very disappointed as he lives in your old home. I own the property in behind up the hill and neither of us were informed as adjacent property owners as to building on that site. The hill is very steep and there are many difficulties in winter. It certainly is a disaster in the making! What are they thinking?
Allen Markle says
I grew up on Brunel Rd. Round Forbes’ corner and almost to the top of Carter’s hill. Across the road from where my great uncle John Carter grazed cattle. In 1982, we decided to build a house on the other side of the road, near the bottom of the hill. I needed a driveway permit. I staked where we wanted the driveway and got the inspector to come out for the approval.
He looked at my stakes and said “No way in hell Al. At 30 miles and hour, you’re only 3 or 4 seconds from the brow of the hill.” He pulled the markers and walked down the hill to where the present driveway is for 211 Brunel Road.
“There! That’ll give you another second or two.”
We moved from Brunel Rd., mostly because the traffic was much more intense than when I grew up there. Today, I drove up Carter’s hill and there, not 30 feet from where I was denied a permit, it seems a driveway is going in. What a difference 40years has made!
Might I caution drivers, when approaching the brow of Carter’s hill on your way to town, be very aware of the next 5 or 6 seconds of your driving experience. And I’m sure you already know that most traffic over that hill isn’t doing 30 miles an hour.
Everybody stay safe out there!
David Harrison says
Some time ago, an extraordinarily generous Hunstville resident donated a $300,000 public washroom for Rivermill Park. Now the Huntsville Council has been bogged down with discussions concerning the $2000,000 cost associated with being installed and connected to the town’s sewage system.
I would like to suggest that the Council approach a local concrete manufacturer of septic systems, in the spirit of similar generosity to the original donor, to donate a large septic holding tank. Such tanks can be up to 84,000 litres in size (sufficient to contain 21,000 pees or 5,250 poos, or combinations thereof); a season’s worth? The tank can be pumped when full, typically just a few hundred dollars.
Again, in the spirit of civic pride and generosity, perhaps there are contractors who would be willing to excavate the site, provide the concrete pad, install the plumbing and connect the electrical.
Of course, if no one on Council asks, it is unlikely to happen.
Allen Markle says
They must have known it would all come out. Today, the system of fink or ferret is alive and well, and the secret Ford mandate is todays buzz. Although the dollars the government spent to keep it secret is outlandish, that’s not the part that piques my curiosity. I’ve read some of what’s been revealed, and wonder why all the secrecy?
The mandate includes phrases such as maintaining government “ethics, accountability ………strictly for the people.”
To “not become trapped in a bubble of elite interests.”
To work “to make a positive difference for the kind of people who cannot afford expensive lobbyists.”
To “restore trust and accountability” in government.
Pointedly stating that the problems other governments created would “not happen to us.”
Other admirable ideology abounds and if this government had strove to maintain those standards, it would be hard not to think they were working for the people. That would get my vote.
So what happened? Why the secrecy? Was it all tongue in cheek? Did the rest of the elected get a look at this and say “What the hell!! Are you out of your tree? You expect us to be just and fair and swear off lying?”
Applying this mandate, we would never have had a Paul Calandra bail on his long term care portfolio. Or Doug himself go to ground when there was the dragon, Covid, and we needed a Saint George. And certainly not have to endure Calandra again.
So why this mandate was considered so secret escapes me. It is full of good ideas and meant to set a high standard. I explained my problem to my wife this evening and her answer was blunt and to the point. “He just lied.” Didn’t he just? But I still wonder.
The secret is out. The people are affronted. The government can hear the sound of heavy boots and will do what it can to avoid the ass kicking it deserves. The prevaricating is about to begin.
And that mandate shows such promise.
Allen Markle says
In response to the “Stop relying on you own personal experiences and read the science….” a Ryan Wettlauffer comment, re: bug spraying, on June 10, 23, I stated that I found it a bit pretentious that someone believes that personal experience carries no weight at all. Disregard what happened. Forget what you now know. Ignore what you learned. Do the same thing again. Sounds like politicians.
Well I just read the results of a research program conducted by the Kent Wildlife Trust, UK. About the year 2000, it was being reported that there seemed to be fewer insects being splattered on vehicles, and about 2015 a program was run to test the theory. The assigned areas for the research varied, but the standard observation point, was the number plate on the vehicles.
The data shows that there are 50% fewer ‘auto splats’ today as compared to just 15 years ago. A good portion of our fauna is, or runs on bugs. They control each other, reprocess soil nutrients, pollinate crops, feed the next tier in the food chain, and some will bite and sting.
And all the ‘attaboys’ gleaned by the bugs are cancelled out when that “Oh shit ” moment arrives and someone gets bitten or stung. I am particularly fond of birds, and can see that the numbers of certain species, especially the warblers, are declining quickly. Warblers are small, active, brightly coloured , and run on bugs.
I’m not saying that local spraying alone is causing the bugs to go missing, but it is certainly a contributing factor. Number plates on cars, as well as windshields and grills are guilty too.
We maintain a patch of milkweed in the yard, and every year for the past 20 have noted the number of caterpillars, chrysalides (that we can find), and then the new minted Monarch we watch taking to the air on the warm, sunny days. This year it was 5 that we saw, only about a third of a normal year for us. And the number of tiger swallowtails has tanked. Hardly any this year.
Hopefully all this is cyclical and we will get our birds and butterflies back, though I shan’t hold my breath. But I won’t be spraying, even though these damn Japanese beetles are decimating the hops, hollyhocks and my beans.
These observations are mine and ours. It’s just a bonus when the science seems to run parallel to them.
Ryan Vallentin says
Allen, I fully agree with you about the dangers that rule-breaking cyclists pose, however I must point out that young children should not have wear helmets. Instead, they should be securely fastened in a bike trailer.
Kathryn Henderson says
I hope I am wrong with my “opinions”. Nothing would make me happier. But we are looking from different places I think. Enough for now and thanks for the comments.
Allen Markle says
At about 10:15 this morning, I was turning right onto Cann Street and watched a cyclist blow through the stop sign and across John street. Like the sign wasn’t even a suggestion. I guess lots of us see that, and before all the cyclists in the world begin yelling, you know it’s done. If not you in particular, then others.
The disconcerting part of this was that the man had two infants with him; one in front and one on his back. I saw diaper showing from the one on his back, so these were babies. What were you thinking man!!!! If you were in an accident, people would be quite sympathetic. You injured? Two infants injured? Maybe worse!! The other party, devastated. But from what I saw, it would as likely be your fault as someone else’s. In this instance, yours for sure.
You had a helmet firmly affixed to your head. The babies? Guess! So I suppose you are concerned for your own safety. But there are babies, parents, grandparents and a mother who could suffer because of your actions.
The helmet is to protect your head. So use it.
Your head that is!!
Matthew Trebilcock says
It is very upsetting the way that the arena staff run the ice time. The Huntsville Grey Owls have been renting the ice for over 40 years. Every Wednesday night at 8 PM then shifted their ice time to 8:30 after the renovation and addition of the Don Lough. Now their being told they can’t have that ice time anymore and that they can have the 9:30 time slot. This decision would be the end of a long standing organization as most of the members are 55+. Most cases this is how many members stay fit and get some exercise. Someone has to step up and draw the line. Every year should not be first come first serve but time slots honoured by years prior. Every demographic should matter whether it’s the elderly, men, women or children.
Thomas R Spivak says
Yes, to everything John Oliver stated, I was too angry to say anything without being deleted.
John Oliver says
I always get agitated when I read comments that complain about how rights and freedoms being taken away… really. Do you have any concept of what you are saying Kathryn? What freedoms have been taken away from you? You can voice your opinion, you can peacefully protest, you can run for office without having to worry about being thrown in jail. I say you have a lot to be thankful about, you can travel anywhere you want to go, you can practice any religion you want, you can love anyone you want, you can even change your sex. You can pretty much do anything you want as long as you don’t break the laws of our land. Your opinions are like bellybuttons and bums, we all have them.
As for the government trying to hide the truth from you, try living in China or Russia or North Korea, you’re damn lucky to be living in Canada.
Thomas R Spivak says
I can’t believe this paper is publishing the garbage that Ms Henderson is spitting out.
You cannot allow the publication of false facts simply because she support the conservative party!
Kathryn Henderson says
The liberals were the ones scaring everyone and closing stores and stopping the normal day to day. The news doesn’t tell you how many people died from the experimental jab versus how many really died of covid. Some deaths were not covid but were marked as covid deaths. So Trudeau did this and gave out millions to look good. Where do you think the virus came from. We are in for a big surprise on how the country will be run going forward unless Conservatives get in. They are out numbered and all their ideas were shot down due to liberal and ndp coalition. Call it a conspiracy theory if you want but this world is changing and not for the better. Freedom to work was taken away, freedom of speech taken away freedom to gather and protest denied unless you want to be called a terrorists and more. Now talk of 15 minute cities, more like lockdown or concentration camps watching and controlling our every move. We should be scared of what’s coming.
Allen Markle says
I’ve seen in a couple of comments here on Doppler, stating a 10 point spread now exists between the Liberal and Conservative parties. The conservatives are leading! It leaves me a bit puzzled.
I am no Liberal, was not fond of our first Trudeau and am no more enamored with the son. I have always been a Conservative, though I find those who carry that banner today are not like the conservatives I’ve voted for.
When covid became a pandemic, I was concerned about the reaction of the Liberals of the day, cranking up the mint and handing out cash to all and sundry. The debt would be enormous. There seemed to be little overview. It was all too easy. I don’t believe there was a provincial government of any stripe that reached out to their populace. It was all the feds. Trudeau.
That payout, CERB, and other money fronted to corporations, must have saved some homes. Some jobs. Some families. As a senior, I even got a one time $500.00 handout. Now there are some who are being required to pay the money back, having misrepresented themselves. But that is for them and the government to sort out. And after it all, there were still a lot of people hurting.
Todays Conservative leader says that everything the federal Liberals do and have done is wrong. Might we believe then, that with Mr. Poilievre as prime minister, that money would not have been given out. Those jobs and homes lost. Those businesses failed. We need a lot more of an actual design and plan for the future of this country.
Makes me wonder why anyone would choose to be a prime minister today. The adage “What have you done for me lately?” seems to be the attitude of most people.
Just an observation.
John Oliver says
I agree with Jacquie Howell especially when she thanks the volunteers that do so much in our communities and get very little recognition for their efforts. Criticism is often their reward. Take time to look at the beauty all around us and think of what it would like if people stopped caring about the environment. Miss you Jacquie, hope life is treating you well.
Jacquie Howell says
I am very curious to know why the Center Street boulevard between Hanes Road & West Road had been turned into a weed patch It is bad enough that they made two cuts in this area that was a very delightful entrance to downtown
I still am amazed that planning is so hap hazard in this town. Surely, when development plans come to the table of council things like secondary roads, sidewalks, lighting, signage, beautification like plantings are important NOT just the fees and no thought for a vision of more than 4 years.. Traffic flow will be a very interesting sight when the whole area around Hanes & Center are operational – More lights
On the positive side thank to the volunteers who have spent many hours planting flowers around the town. The barrels on Main Street are exceptional. Hopefully next year some creativity can salvage the rocks at Brunel & Main
Come on Council Lets see some creative and positive thinking without establishing another committee with more paid staff. Remember only one person pays the taxes whether it be to Town, District, Education, Provincial or Federal. Please do not continue to duplicate departments that already excise in this area. We are top heavy in administration and need more people on the ground (especially in the road department)
Perhaps someone can explain to me some of my concerns
Brian Thompson says
I just finished reading an article in the New York Times about a Wisconsin State Senator (Republican) suing a small publication for slander. He was overheard by several people calling a 13 year old boy a “FAG. This was reported in the Wausau Pilot and Review. So now the Senator is suing after his initial suit was first dismissed, but now he’s appealing. The editor of the of this small publication is at a point where she can either pay legal fees or her staff. She’s in danger of having to shut down.
So why am I telling this on Doppler?
We’re all aware of the pressure today on small media and most recently the move by Face Book and Google to limit news to Canadians. Okay, I can get what I want from CBC, The Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail and the New York Times, so I don’t feel impacted by their decision
But if we want to protect local information sources than we have to act. I enjoy the local content and comments from readers on Doppler..I read them all. Its part of my morning routine.
I have been a huge fan of The Doppler since its inception and I subscribe monthly….it’s not much but I know it’s appreciated.
I’m urging readers of the Doppler to financially support this online gem (through subscription or advertising), as its critical we have a reliable local news and information source in this day and age.
They do a great job but I think they could and would do so much more with support from their readers and fellow subscribers.
Judy Lewis says
I enjoyed and largely agreed with what Hugh Holland had to say in his recent article. So I’m wondering why Muskoka hasn’t taken his advice and subsidized installing wind and solar everywhere they’re practical. I would expect that the population would support this idea.
Perhaps the Doppler could keep us up-to-date on what our communities are doing to make better use of the natural environment – e.g. by reforesting areas that have been disrupted by harvesting or building or by supporting the environmentally friendly landscaping of lawns and gardens, etc.
I suspect we have skilled and expert readers with information to share – on both an amateur and professional level – as well as students who might be willing to earn extra money and experience by applying knowledge they acquired in school.
Kathryn Henderson says
Yes Nancy Long, I totally agree.
Nancy Long says
Dave Csrbonari. Where do you get your information?
Basic Income puts existing money to better use.
Most economists agree that inflation is caused by introducing new money into the market, not by redistributing it… A basic income would not cause inflation; it would help families facing rising costs.”Aug 24, 2022
I have little knowledge of money matters. But this makes sense to me.
Tax the people who are creating the new money.
Dave Carbonari says
Universal basic income is a terrible idea that should be avoided at all costs.
It’s highly inflationary and as we’ve seen with monetary and asset inflation, once that genie is out of the bottle, it’s very difficult to get it back in.
Inflation is a tax on the low and middle classes. It hurts non-asset holders the most. It makes the poor poorer.
Bill Spring says
On the matter of naming one of the ball diamonds after George Selkirk, I have changed my position to being in favour of it. It could be an inspiration to young ball players. That should override my previous opinions.
Susan Godfrey says
Rest in peace Hugh Segal who died too young. That’s my kind of politician; Progress Conservative (remember that?). Worked with Bill Davis, another great Ontarian. Senator Segal was one of the authors of the Universal Basic Income initiative which was immediately cancelled by the Doug Ford Cons. Mr. Segal cared about people on the precipice of society..he always said “no bootstraps without boots”. We all need more politicians like this man.
Karen Insley says
Hopefully, Council’s recent proposal and subsequent decision to decline a downtown pavement decoration and it’s statement to be on hold; Is that ‘infinity hold’ or….?
Where does it say that “pride goes before a fall”? With governments’ mantra of ‘keeping you safe’ would any action endorsing the contrary have consequences for said Council?
Could it be that people are fixed on priorities weightier; having a place to lay your head, work, food on the table, and family values reinforced in their communities. We are such a blessed country and people, let’s Hold that infinitely with our founding values.
Rod jones says
Hats off to the Huntsville roads dept. for the great job they did on the top of Chaffey. St. Great gravel and supper grading job thanks again.
frances botham says
Pride colours painted on pavement, 7 feathers painted on crosswalk, maple leafs on crosswalk?
Something has gone askew. Does simple respect and appropriate actions towards all not indicate inclusion and acceptance of others, their life style, cultures, race and all the diversities that involves? Our actions are what counts. There are such a multitude of issues that could be addressed instead.. Start with a simple idea. Why not consider making a difference such as instigating a year round program in the community that makes outdoor education for youth a priority? How about a visible active community garden worked by all ages of volunteers, especially involving young people as well as seniors? Maybe the boulders could be taken out of Kent Park and that area might be a starting point? Consider that initial landscaping cost a bust.
How about a study on facade control of all new development in the municipality? Realize the cookie cutter urban sprawl planning is already well dug in, unfortunately, but maybe change could be made for the future. Relook at the log cutting bylaw and stop this destruction that exists. It is almost too late since clear cutting continues and old growth trees are mostly gone. What about stronger protection of our waterways with no grey water disposal allowed, inspection of water adjacent properties for sewage contamination, no wake laws strengthened, stricter set back guidelines, more policing? Water testing and pinpointing the source of contamination in all our waterways. How about a transparent road repair plan and agenda that addresses the wide scale outstanding issues? Show when and where repairs will be instigated. There are a plethora of issues that should/could be investigated and discussed rather than paint lines on pavement and astronomically priced washrooms at River Mill Park.
Dennis Wilks says
Re Pride flags and crosswalks—In response to comments by Kathryn Henderson dated July 25th and Mo James dated July 28th, I agree with Kathryn, especially the last three sentences.
David Caswell says
Hugh enough is enough. However you fail to ask the question, how did we get there. Why has the respect for people in public service declined to its present state. This does not stop with elected officials, but also includes bureaucrats and government employees.
My feeling is that it has been gradual over my lifetime. In the early years of my life it seemed that elected officials, first of all were not paid very well. Second they were elected because of their vision for the community . Often they did have success in the community.
Where as now on a Provincial and Federal level we elect people on the bases of the party and the leader. Then we are surprised when our member votes as the party wishes not as he or she had expressed while running for office.
To further annoy the electorate , these officials hire more and more people to do the job of administrating the the wishes of the officials. The bureaucrats then say they need more people. Then eventually consultants are required.
Then comes the next issue, who pays for all of this, the tax payer. We all know that anyone who receives a government pay cheque does not create wealth from that activity. They may become wealthy as have many politicians.
Then we have the destruction of the middle working class as governments have increased taxes to the extent that industry has moved off shore.
Today the best paying jobs and most secure are government jobs. Over the last few years governments Federal, Provincial and Municipal have increased their numbers and payrolls substantially. Yet we have a shortage of workers in all areas of our economy. We also have a growing need for food banks.
The divide between the haves and have not is not getting better under this government expansion.
Finally the entitlement as expressed by all levels of public service is more than annoying it is vulgar. The Governor General’s expenses in an Iceland visit. The Prime Minister’s expenses and action at the Queen’s funeral, as well as other activities. Our town employees, having meetings that includes lunches or dinners.
I agree with you Hugh, enough is enough
Rod. Jones says
Why would the town spend any money on a pride sidewalk? We the taxpayers want the money spent on better roads,not on a sidewalk come on town get with proper spending not on stupid sidewalks
Mac Redden says
$81K vs $7K for crosswalk paint?
$400K to turn green Kent park into a barren concrete jungle?
$688K just to install two $300K donated toilets?
Rapidly approaching a BILLION dollars blown by the District?
Have all Muskoka councillors lost their mind?
https://doppleronline.ca/huntsville/committee-hears-companies-refuse-to-bid-on-rainbow-crosswalk/?
https://doppleronline.ca/huntsville/kent-park-redesign-has-been-completed/
https://doppleronline.ca/huntsville/council-defers-decision-on-whether-to-approve-a-350-cost-increase-to-prepare-the-site-for-the-donated-river-mill-park-washrooms/
https://southmuskoka.doppleronline.ca/big-stink-district-tackles-multiple-wastewater-issues/
Mo James says
Ms. Henderson, this is your second comment on the Pride Flag in the last few weeks. What is it that you are really afraid of? You don’t understand why a LGBTQ+ flag should be hung. I suppose a crosswalk will upset you as well. Flags are not hung at the exclusion of any other flags. They are there to help promote awareness. Awareness that this marginalized group needs the support of all, to know they are accepted. That if a 13 year old boy or girl has the courage to come out to her parents and then read your comments, that it pushes them back from doing so. How can they possibly safely come out, especially in a small town like Huntsville. You say in your comment that gays are welcome. In your world, yes, they are welcome, just don’t walk our streets, don’t hold hands or kiss in public, just be gay where you can’t see it.
The Doppler also needs to take a little more care in editing posts. In the comment it was noted; “Hang a heterosexual fag as well then”. Perhaps you meant “flag”, perhaps it was a typo, perhaps not.
Huntsville, you can do better. Now there is controversy over a Rainbow Crosswalk. Really? Tourism is the basis of your economy. Do you believe none of these tourists are gay?
Kathry Henderson says
Yes me again. The town wants to spend $81,000 to paint pride colours on our mainstreet crosswalk. People have trouble paying their taxes and they want to spend this on something that doesn’t relate to everyone. Your something else council. Not in a good way.
Kathryn Henderson says
I would like to know when the vote was to hang a pride flag at the town? What about a flag honoring the vets who actually did something for us. Like fight and die keeping us free. I’m just plain tired of seeing that flag. Hang a heterosexual fag as well then. Thar would be fair. And I don’t hate LGBTQ+. Glad they are welcomed and living like they want. I’m just tired of it in my face every where I look.
Dylan Jones says
Why, after three years, has there been no update regarding the tree cutting bylaw that council claimed it was going to fast-track? Is this simply not a priority for town council? Do they hope that everyone just forgot about it? Has it been memory-holed, lest it stand in the way of their aspirations for the town’s development? I would like an update on this from the town, as well as an explanation for why it clearly ranks so low on their list of priorities.
Brian Tapley says
A couple of thoughts about roads today.
FIRST concerns the brushing along the road. They did a considerable section of Fox Point Rd. 21 this year and yes, it did look a bit like a damaged part of the Ukraine when they finished, but wait! The guy running the machine was pretty careful and within the limits of what could be done he did a pretty neat job. The job did need doing desperately and already the new green growth is covering up the chips so it does not look that bad already. I’d give this effort an 8 or 9 out of 10.
SECOND concerns Port Cunnington Rd. 22. Now we all know that the pothole was invented in Port Cunnington some years back so this year the District has taken on the job of resurfacing the road with a vengeance not seen in recent times.
They ground up the old mess, as per normal and even replaced some old culverts, all good!
Then they must have got a case of “gravel on the brain” as for over a week there has been a steady stream of giant trucks pouring gravel onto the road. The road is now so much higher ( a foot in places) that using existing entry points is like mountain climbing. The gravel has flowed into the ditches that were just dug out earlier this year. Trees and signs near the road are either buried or pushed back to make way for the gravel.
And still the gravel arrives. One big truck has seemingly no muffler on it and “obnoxious” would be a mild term for it. The rest are ok given their sized.
The road is so high compared to the guard rails now that about all those guard rails will do is rip your hubcaps off as your careen over them into the lake so I’m not sure what happens next with these.
In one place the Bell cable was just marginally at the height requirement and now with the road about a foot higher, I’m wondering if the next disaster will be a tall truck ripping this down?
I was just wondering if District has a goal here. Like maybe a one lane road 4 feet higher than before, or maybe a two lane road 2 feet higher of possibly a 3 lane road at the original grade??
The workers seem happy and industrious and each day more gravel arrives. The guy driving the water truck can back up faster than most cars go forward, I’m in awe of his skill, but I’m left wondering where this is going to end up.
It is a bit of a counter point to the brushing success earlier in the year. I don’t even know how to rate it.
LAST and again concerning brushing. The Lake of Bays folks finally brushed out the road to the dump. It has needed it for a long time. These guys worked in the heat and rain and the job is the best I have seen anywhere to date. I’d rate these guys and this job as a 10 out of 10. It is worth a drive just to look at it, forget the silly dump!
John Oliver says
I agree with Dr. Bergman. My understanding is that your body will only use what it needs and we get most if not all we need in our every day diet. Everything thing else is expelled from the body. But beware, if you take a supplement just because someone tells you, you may end up in the emergency room. Save your money and invest what you save on eating healthy.
Ken Inglis says
I have been driving this road for 57 years, since I got my license. Reducing the speed on this long stretch of flat road with no driveways, seems like a kick in the head from District ! There are no District or Town of Huntsville councilors on this road, so they really are not affected !
What it will cause , is frustrated motorists who are behind people who like to travel 10- 20 UNDER the limit ! Sounds more like creating cluster..ck !
Dr. Howard Bargman says
In medical parlance, vitamins and supplements provide one with expensive pee.
Dennis Wilks says
BRUNEL ROAD SPEED LIMIT..
Sorry but I don’t understand. Could someone please explain the rationale in reducing the speed limit from 80K to 60K on Brunel Road north of Markles Road. I, along with many who have been travelling Brunel road for years, have been fully aware of when it changes from 80K to 50 then 40. Even if it was a first time driver on Brunel, the speed limit signs were clear enough. SO WHY?
Brenda Begg says
To Doug Beiers: Thank you for providing the link, save our supplements and The Great Vine link to send a letter to our local MP. I just did that.
I heavily rely upon natural supplements. I can’t imagine prices rising out of reach; and /or fewer choices.
I urge anyone who uses natural supplements to send a letter to our local MP.
Doug Beiers says
Once again it seems the Feds are coming after our easy access to (relatively) inexpensive natural vitamins and healthy supplements. If they succeed many or most products could end up being priced out of reach of the average person or discontinued, plus many stores could be driven out of business and product suppliers will just leave Canada as their business will not be profitable, leaving Pharma alone in this market.
I recommend those interested/concerned peruse this https://www.saveoursupplements.ca/ and maybe speak to the professionals at our local Health Products Store https://www.thegreatvine.ca/the-great-team for detailed information. If once informed you are concerned here is the email address of our local MP to make your concerns known [email protected]
Good article just out https://tnc.news/2023/06/30/save-our-supplements/
Doug Beiers says
Allen Markle said: — “Canada Day and no music in Rivermill Park because “there have been noise complaints.” Would like to see those recorded complaints. I think a hearty ‘BS’ might be inserted here?”
I was not aware live music has been cancelled at Rivermill Park and I overlook it? Yes, a couple years ago sometimes I thought ‘some’ bands were trying to entertain patients at our hospital or the far end of town, it was that loud, sometimes. That seemed to change for the better last year and this year. It seems someone must have spoken to the entertainers as if I don’t want to partake I now just close my window and maybe turn on a fan and all is well.
Just my 2 cents.
Ken Sharer says
Well Chas, it’s a whole series of recurring potholes on DR 3 from Woodstream to the hospital. We destroyed a tire there last week, and in trying to claim damages (unsuccessfully) from the District, their reply was that our misadventure was within their requirement of servicing that road once per week. Never mind that probably hundreds of dump trucks pound the crap out of that road weekly. As a further nod to their lack of service and planning, they are going to resurface this road north of this stretch, which is not nearly in as bad a condition.
Next.&
Chas Clark says
What’s your favorite pothole? Mine is when you come from Hwy 60 and it is right at the first traffic lights where you turn in to Can Tire. It’s a cunning devil in that it is impossible to avoid and its been growing for some weeks now. Let your car or truck enjoy the jolt and bounce. What’s your favourite?
Kathryn Henderson says
Allen Markle I like your thoughts. River Park was made for music. How does council not know music is cancelled there. No accountability on council. Townsfolk can put up with a little bit of music without complaining. Come on people it’s summer in our town and we need some events going on.
Allen Markle says
Canada Day and no music in Rivermill Park because “there have been noise complaints.” Would like to see those recorded complaints. I think a hearty ‘BS’ might be inserted here?
Is this the end of live music at Rivermill, here in Huntsville? In a park built for sound. A park that the town got because a man felt that land should benefit the people. It would have been quite a spot for condos. And worth a lot as such.
There was music last year, courtesy of the same sponsor who, I believe, wanted to do it again this year. The music would likely be done by 6 or 7, so no would be having their chariot turn into a pumpkin, and left with no way home. Don’t know the bands, but for sure some local pickers and others from within driving distance. And it would cost the town nothing!
Hard to do it in Kent Park (aka Tombstone Territory) so what is the problem?
Wrap your buttocks in Spandex or Elastane, throw a leg over a CCM (old school) and you can pester the life out of all the folks along Brunel road. Annually! Maybe twice.
Then I hear there is a councilor who claims to have not known there would be no music Canada Day. Really!! Apparently not a council decision. So whose was it? (We think we know). And what do they have against music downtown? Or Canada Day?
I realise there are people in charge of the operations of the town. Those members of our ‘Sunshine List’. But councilors are the ones whose smiling faces greet us leading up to election day. “Pick me” they say. “I’ll do a good job.” They are who people elected. So all these elected ones really should have some idea as to what’s going on. Or not going on.
Like no music in the park on Canada Day. How in h@#l do they miss that??
John Whitty says
Just like snake oil salesmen at a carnival selling to the gullible.
Are all District decisions based on bunk?
Regarding https://doppleronline.ca/huntsville/massively-over-budget-district-cans-grass-runway-project/
Fish have short memories.
Teaching District Council.
You are wasting your time attempting to educate District council on any subject.
Local pilots and others with aviation competence have tried to teach council a little bit about airports and aviation for three years now.
Turns out councillors are really bad students.
Instead of listening to facts, like a previous council, they desperately clung to the bunk presented to them by the airport CEO and chair.
Even if it kills someone.
A previous council, a previous consultant, the latest consultant and all those with even a modicum of aviation competence all agree the grass runway at the airport should be maintained for now and for the future.
Simply build beside it instead of on top of it.
That was the conclusion of a report from the latest consultant that council asked for.
And then ignored/forgot about.
The building should have been completed by now except for the airport CEO and chair.
There never was a valid reason to close the grass runway or that it’s closed right now.
How much would it cost to reopen it?
ZERO dollars.
Video of that presented to council in a Jan 2020 delegation is here:
https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/711738306/af9d151e20
The unqualified and dangerously incompetent airport CEO and chair disagree with all of the above for some unknown reason.
Of course two runways at 90 degrees makes any airport safer and more usable.
That’s obviously why all major airports have runways arranged like that to drastically cut the angle of dangerous crosswinds.
The airport CEO and chair stated the opposite and this council bought the snake oil.
Hook, line and sinker.
It is documented that Transport Canada, the Transportation Safety Board, Cessna (aircraft manufacturer), airline and local pilots have all thoroughly debunked the information presented to council by the airport CEO and chair.
Councillors prefer bunk from the incompetent.
Are all District decisions based on bunk?
Last July council was made aware the new alternate grass runway 12-30 presented to them in 2020 was bunk.
It never was viable.
Nothing to do with cost.
At all.
For some reason the airport was still talking about cost this year when 12-30 was already dead last year.
Zero due diligence was done by the airport before 12-30 was presented.
Incompetence.
The neighbours won’t allow their trees to be cut down so that project was dead last year.
The CEO suggested the trees would be cut down without the owner’s approval.
That remark was called flippant by a councillor.
Video of July 2022 is here: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/784981370/3e538e4e18
Council’s time was wasted for two years regarding 12-30.
Reopening the grass runway was the next step to maintain a second runway.
Then council forgot about all that this year.
Fish have longer memories.
Council initially resisted the bunk for many years but in May this year they folded like a cheap suit.
Dangerous bunk over obvious facts.
Duped.
Some councillors even officially abdicated their responsibility and blindly voted to approve whatever the two unqualified, incompetent individuals were pushing.
They could have been pushing to close the main paved runway as well to build a golf course and condos and council would have blindly approved.
Staff really run the District of Muskoka and make the decisions.
Council here just blindly rubber stamps them.
To be fair not all councillors were fooled by the obvious bunk presented to them.
Just the majority.
Attempting to teach District council is a waste of time.
John Whitty
Muskoka pilot and retired P.Eng.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Mr. Markle; your common sense and observations are a breath of fresh air. Thank you.
Allen Markle says
On April 27, 2021, I submitted a comment in response to an applicant requesting a permit to build a rental duplex on his property. There would be no severance of the land, the building was supposedly to house a farm manager and a farm worker (or two).
In exchange for the permit, the farm was to establish a garden; the produce from which would be donated to a local food bank. A large banner appeared, proclaiming the name of the lucky recipient of all this largess. There were scrapings in the field, a shed built, a cedar hedge planted; much ado.
I noted at the time that there are lots of people donating to charities, not needing building permits as reward, sometimes just donating, without even the need of acknowledgement. But in this instance, that was not apparently sufficient.
Some councilors were elated that there were people with synapses firing ‘out-side the box’. Uplifting concepts such as this would greatly help the food banks. A marvelous idea.
Today, all the stuff in the field remains, although it might take a couple of determined individuals to force a goat to graze among the weeds. There is little trace that any food bank will receive even one radish as donation. Even the banner proclaiming the ‘attempt at such a righteous’ endeavor is gone.
The town delivered on the permit for rental duplex part of the scheme, the “outside the box’ thinking. The duplex was built and the renters moved in. However the ‘in exchange’ part of the deal is still to be acted upon.
I stated originally that this ask was a ‘shine’. The smoke and mirrors of a well planned snake oil scheme.
It would be interesting to know how many tons, bags, baskets, bunches or boxes of produce were ever delivered to the food bank. Maybe something did get harvested and the town really does have the records and figures!
Okay. That last bit is sarcasm.
jerry paris says
Affordable homes is a great buzz word for councils all over, but in reality they want the small homes in the next town, while they have the 800 thousand and up in theirs. After all small homes pay small taxes.
Builders can not push upgrades in basic homes, those people just want a basic house similar to a few decades ago, start small then work your way up.
Many people try to blame the construction people for greed in pricing, but it has been published that it can take 8 to 10 years from the time a builder borrows money and buys a piece of land until the first ground work starts. In that time the cost of money, materials and labour have gone up by a factor of 2 or 3.
If we look to other areas some things are done in a different way.
areas designated for small homes, 25 and 30 foot lots. Homes built on floating slabs, meaning no basement costs. Some areas promote the use of modular homes starting at 600 square feet.
The advantage of modular versus stick built is that modules are factory built so everything is up to date and weather does not stop your home from being built.. trucks show up on a given date and in one to two days your in your new home with interior finished, quicker and cheaper.
Some towns even have areas for tiny homes, eight and a half feet max width, with shared laundry and rec buildings.
How about park model mobiles, owners build equity, and can sell and move in to more permanent residences.
For lower cost places councils have to designate areas for different styles, not just passing the high end stuff. Some areas even have lease to own lots.
Think about alternatives, for a town to grow it needs business areas and worker areas,
Workers and businesses will go where they are welcome and can afford to operate.
Tim Green says
The District of Muskoka has made a half hearted attempt to improve road conditions on West Rd (not nearly enough) but when is the Town Of Huntsville going to do anything about the bomb crators left in Centre St? They have been there for several months so don’t say they are on your ‘to-do’ list.
Dave Carbonari says
I recently came across this study from three economics professors at Queen’s University. Link below.
Of note:
“Ontario loses 826.42 million USD annually from having wind power generation in the system, while the US gains 7.50 million USD through electricity exported from Ontario.”
“Comparing the environmental benefits with the net cost to consumers shows the promotion of wind power generation to be largely a waste of Ontario’s resources.”
“… the wind electricity generation projects in Ontario appear to be a particularly weak
instrument for achieving Ontario’s commitments for future GHG reductions.”
Mr. Schreiner, Mr. Richter and the other devotees of the cult of Climate Catastrophe – the new 21st century religion- are dead wrong on energy policy. The mounting evidence is irrefutable.
https://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/230593/1/1733577661.pdf
Kathryn Henderson says
My own opinion and that of everyone I talk to they have had enough pride colours in their faces everywhere you look. I like everybody and want everyone to find love and companionship. We accept that. We accept LGBTQ. So just live your lives like normal and don’t advertise your sexual orientation. And pride is for LGBTQ not everyone and never has been. But we can’t say anything or we are told we hate and are homophobic and that’s not the case. I feel like I live in a LGBTQ community and not in a diversified town. I expect hate mail because I dare have an opinion.
Verda Hudel says
I agree with Suzanne Treadwell. June 8. Everyone is equal. Please spend tax money on the homeless, depressed and elderly.
Allen Markle says
David Johnson has resigned. He has suggested that his task was impossible under such partisan conditions. He suggests that a person agreed upon by all parties should be chosen to carry on his work. Well! Good luck with that.
When you think about it, who would want the job, seeing what organized bullying can do. And it was bullying; the herd mentality full blown. Should some poor shmuck ever choose to accept to carry on his work, and make a suggestion not acceptable to the group, it’s now obvious the fate that awaits them.
Now who will our ‘parliamentarians’ get to fall upon next?? And heaven help her or him should he or she have a friend. A totally unacceptable concept. We are agreed that party affiliation should hold no sway here.
The Chinese must be giggling, trending toward unabashed guffaws. Kinda’ leaves me sad and with little faith in these present lawmakers of ours. None of them.
Chas Clark says
Mr Graziano, I think you are confusing this with Canada Day when everyone gets together under the Canadian flag.
Robert Graziano says
Hey people cool down! Pride colours are for everyone now. The parade is now called Pride parade not Gay pride parade.Pride now means be proud of who you are.All natioalities march in the parade and people of all sex.More important things in this town to worry about somCOOL it!
Tamara de la Vega says
Hello Brenda,
The parking lot does not belong to Canvas, Canvas rents its parking area from Sam Peters Investments Limited.
Brenda Begg says
To Jerry Paris:
I had no idea that this parking lot is privately owned by Canvas Brewery. I occasionally go downtown and when I do, I park in this lot next to the food truck. I’d be happy to park on Main Street but there aren’t many parking spaces since the ‘upgrades.’
Now, the sidewalks are being torn up. A few days ago there were 4 work vehicles (vehicles belonging to the sidewalk construction crew) parked on Main Street.
Shane Carpenter says
I think it’d be fantastic to see a pride flag painted on the crosswalk. Great for tourism, and great for the diversity of the community.
Wendy J Brown says
Respectfully, i lived near the railway line and in the winter they leave there diesel engines running all night if its cold. Have you ever had to sit and listen to a diesel engine run all night , trust me truck motors im sure make just as much noise so they might have stopped blowing there horns. Which was an assine thing to do, but they i would i imagine would have been running there engines to keep warm. All in all i dont imagine it was much better. Also, i havnt noticed being less free since any of that went on.
jerry paris says
Been around Huntsville for about 46 years and had a new ocurance Sunday afternoon.
I went to pull into the lot across from boston pizza where Over the years with no problems or comment.
A gentleman came out and said that the whole lot was now controlled by canvas , all of it, and we were not welcome if goiing to anywhere else. of course if we we were parked in another place we would be welcome to walk in.
I guess when the businesses or town have waterfront or main street activities or main is blocked off we must remember to stay away.
There were about 6n cars in the whole lot. To get to the cleaners you are now supposed to go around.
We must now worry about segraged stopping.
Kathryn Henderson says
I wanted to go see Miss lynch and the others that participated in the truck rally. A lot of people are angry at truckers for being there. They were peaceful. When asked not to blow horns at night, they complied. The whole thing would have been done in two days if Trudeau went out and listened to their concerns. A lot of people don’t see or understand a lot of our rights as Canadians are being taken away. I will put up with some discomfort fighting for our rights and freedoms.
Suzanne Treadwell says
With all due respect:
When did it become necessary to celebrate and honour people because of their sexuality?
We are all created equal and no one should be put on a pedestal because of the sexual lifestyle.
Can we not agree that whether we are heterosexual or gay we have a place in this world and be the best we can be.
Let’s leave it at that. I am amazed that we are constantly acknowledging the gay community with flags, banners and now painting a public street.
I wonder what a referendum on the issue would reveal. Perhaps the town council should focus their attention to important matters like providing safe walkways that would benefit all tax payers.
Tax dollars to assist the homeless would be a better way to show inclusiveness in our community.
I ask all readers to voice their opinion on this matter.
Wendy J Brown says
Thus morning i was amazed to see on facebook an advertisement for a speech and movie and meeting at the summit center for the people who took over Ottawa. Now in my opinion i do not believe something that was cause for a trial, and innocent people in Ottawa being harassed in there homes is a good thing to have in our town building . Granted other people have different opinions than me but i for one do not agree with it. Whats next a barbacue and meet and greet for the proud boys..
Rod jones says
Why do we have to put a pride flag up. Paint a crossing it costs money I don’t want my tax dollars going to any pride stuff If you are that type of person ok don’t push it on me enough is enough
Bob MacDonald says
In my humble opinion the best way for everyone to feel included, in a community is to just try to blend like everyone else, not try stand out, and quit the silly parades and you may blend with everyone else, unless your object is not to do so.
Allen Markle says
Still have no idea how a gaily painted crosswalk will promote inclusivity. It may in the minds of some, but not in the minds of others. I’m of the opinion, that it’s not so much being accepted, as the demanding of acceptance, that’s at work here.
Live the way you choose, I don’t mind and am not interested except maybe in casual conversation. But don’t suppose I will accept you removing my freedom of choice. I realise there are those who will never understand or accept ‘differences’. Demanding acceptance from those people will not change them. And we can all predict the results.
But if the town council and the communities at large(?) feel it’s needed, and there is the possibility it will stifle this incessant cry for ‘inclusivity’; for the luva, PAINTERUP!!! It won’t be the last thing council will blow a wad of our tax dollars on.
But it’s not likely to change much. Is it?
Kathryn Henderson says
I’m probably going to get a bunch of nasty comments but …I disagree with putting the pride flag painted on our new crosswalk. We have flags all over, a pride crosswalk at the high-school. Enough already. There are heterosexual people living in this town too. Leave sex preferenced out of our main street. I will not use that crosswalk if they paint it pride colours. We all want to be treated equally but the Pride group want to dominate the town.
Wanda Roberts says
In its April 19, 2023 post, the East Central Alberta Review ( ECE Review) published “UCP’s healthcare privatization actions speak louder than words.” Premier Danielle Smith’s aggressive agenda of healthcare privatization is “further fragmenting our healthcare system and worsening the dire short-staffing situation it is facing.” Lab results are late, wait times for surgeries have increased and workers have been pulled from the public system. ecareview.com
Doug Ford plans to go ahead with Bill 60 which will privatize some( for now) of our public hospital services. The Ontario Health Coalition is currently conducting a citizen-run referendum on this issue and is asking for your opinion. This is an opportunity for you to be heard, For or Against. Please visit publichospitalvote.ca
Become informed and vote.
Coalition volunteers will be setting up a booth at Metro in Huntsville on Friday, May 26, and Saturday, May 27 to answer questions and to provide you with the opportunity to vote on-site.
Allen Markle says
I guess by now we are all aware of the unfair struggle between a town and its ‘official plan’, and developers and the Ontario Municipal Board. The board is a cadre of developers and the like, who sit in judgment of the performance of developers. They don’t even publish the score; the towns lose..
It might concern me less if it was someone else’s town, but in the case of Huntsville, it’s the town my ancestors helped settle. So it’s why I find it disturbing to see it helpless against the ‘carpetbagger’ style developers we watch rape and loot and pillage the land; everyday.
In my youth people worked for a living. Later, some realised they could make a living and a bit of profit; for later years. Some even built respectable wealth; were envied by their neighbors. But developers seem to work to make ‘a killing’.
Where I saw fields, there are now ‘developments’ The lakes where I paddled and could see some cottages, are now ringed with buildings, like an extensive tiara. Bush trails I used to get to trout creeks and lakes are now routes to ‘cottages’ that could house dozens, though they are empty for a major portion of the year. Unless they are rented out for a few days at a time, to people who feel nothing for the land, the creek, or the lake. They may never return.
Some may remember passing a local dairy farm. In that field was a particular holstein that possessed one small white patch. We knew it a 2%. People kept cattle! And we had local dairies. We had a gentleman who sold eggs and fresh vegetables on the main street. You could buy meat from a butcher. Dairy is gone now and local meat and vegetables rare.
From the river I frequently paddled, I could draw a pail of water, sit it on the stand in the camp, and people would quench their thirst, straight from the pail. The only reason you have a problem getting to this place any more, is that ATVs have turned the shoreline to a quagmire.
I guess I don’t have what it takes to have been a developer; neither the finances, nor the desire to destroy the land. There is obviously big money to be made, but in the end it will get one no bigger a box, nor deeper a hole. It’s also rumored there are no pockets in shrouds.
I grew up a mile from town on Brunel Rd. Let me tell you it has changed! I just don’t see that it has changed for the better. I know this all pretty much nostalgia and I’m told that if the town doesn’t develop and grow, it will die. I don’t see these developers breathing life into anything but concrete and vinyl.
And, you will have to explain ‘will die’ to me. The town I grew up in blew away a while ago.
John Oliver says
A perfect location for a L L Bean store
John Oliver says
Thank you Ryan, but I can’t take any credit for my service as I was not in the military. Those men and women that were deserve all our thanks and appreciation and respect for their service.
My exposure to the events that have shaped my outlook on life come from working in countries like Iraqi, Syria, Pakistan, China, South America, Saudi Arabia and many other countries that are in conflict. I have seen what life is like for the citizens of these countries and I thank God every day that we are fortunate to live in Canada. We have the rights and freedoms to complain about potholes, healthcare and injustice without fear of being thrown into prison, beaten or shot.
I know that I don’t have to explain myself, my experiences and the way I deal with them are my problem, but sometimes I think of the people in those countries that I met, are they alive, what happened to their children. Sadly the answer is…
My wife keeps telling me that I should write a book about my experiences, but to be honest, she doesn’t know the full story.
Allen Markle says
There is a war going on somewhere, pretty much all the time. Rudi Stade mentioned the Ukraine. All that does is locate the comment in time. I mentioned once that an intersection out our way resembled a street that had sustained shell fire. Mogadishu, Kabul, Sarajevo, Aleppo, were all belligerent sites, and mentioning any one of them, or various others, simply fixes the years for us.
Before the chest-clutching or brow stroking commences, let it be understood, that all I mean is that these different wars have been going on for ages. But we still suffer from the same (censored word)ing pot holes! They just get recycled !!
This year our taxes went up some 6%, supposedly so the town might have the funds to pay the help and do the work necessary. We even had a councilor kick in and do some freelance tidying up. Wonder how many other councilors thought that a good idea? Or did they sneer and hiss and have a word with him. I’m not putting much faith in the councilor for out Lancelot way, donning gloves and helping spread some cold roll. Not much faith at all.
We now pay more taxes: but why? Why are we shelling out six figures to people who don’t seem to be getting the job done? Back when I had to work, companies had names for that very sort of people. Ex-employees!!
I know that we have to pay fair wages for services.. Otherwise I’m told, people may just up and motor off; take there talents and ply their trade elsewhere. So be it. But I’d like to see a little proof. And before you leave, could you just fill in a few pot-holes?
But might I be a bit harsh? There is word that council is looking for people to pick some art to display in Kent Park! Maybe wanting to polish a t^#d, or find some one else to shoulder some of the sarcasm on a barren, rocky wasteland.
But even with all that, it’s good to be back home.
Ryan Vallentin says
John, sounds like you were either in the military or working in Iraq to help the people, thank you for your service.
Queenie Finley says
I want very much to thank all of the wonderful friends and relatives, who came to the Novar Community Center on Sunday to help our family honour my husband, Floyd Finley at the Celebration of his life. Everyone has been so kind and helpful, not just these past few months, but over the past 50 years since Floyd returned, with me to his childhood village, that he loved so much. I just want you to know how much I appreciate everything and I know Floyd did also… I hope very much, that if in the future, you should need my help, I will be available and able to be of assistance. During all these years, many of you shared your children’s lives with us, giving us unlimited pleasure, enjoyment and many wonderful memories.
I usually try to write thank you notes….. this time I haven’t decided…… because I know I would be missing some people and that is the one thing I do not want to do…….. maybe this will become my only “real” thank you note. Just know, please, that I appreciate so very much all the help, the love, and the care that both Floyd and I have been receiving. Queenie Finley.
Rudi Stade says
Hi John, thanks for describing the memories that brought about your reaction. I have been in a handful of impoverished countries and have seen plenty of documentaries depicting the results of what humans are capable of doing to each other through various forms of domination.
After monitoring the ongoing circus south of the border for years, I can assure you that right-wing individuals (morons or otherwise) have never held a monopoly on self-centered hate spewing or ignoring the suffering of others.
By the way, I didn’t take your comment personally. When it comes to being offended I’m a tough nut to crack, but I appreciate your apology. Cheers
John Oliver says
Rudi, I understand completely, life can be frustrating and unfair at times and humour is often a good way of dealing with it.
My sensitivity to your humorous way of dealing with the potholes comes from my experiences in war zones around the world, especially in Iraq when I witnessed firsthand the devastation bombs could do. Have you ever smelt the stench of a rotting corpse, or seen old women and children wandering the streets looking for a place to live, or in South America where the poverty is so bad that families have to live in mud huts, sleep on the floor and beg for food. Those memories have scared my soul. I was not calling you a moron for your sense of humour, we have all been guilty of tell an off colour joke or poking fun at one thing or another without thinking about how that would hurt, and for that I am sorry that you took it that way. My comment was directed to the right wing self centred hate spewing individuals who don’t give a thought to others suffering. Your not one of those people. Be safe and well.
Rudi Stade says
Thank you for your contributions, gentlemen. Finding humour, dark or otherwise, in a situation has gotten me through many difficult episodes over the years. The most recent episode was paying over $800. to have my truck’s front end shocks, suspension, and more adjusted after unavoidably slamming into a few of the aforementioned craters, er, potholes. The front wheels were suddenly wobbling at speeds over 95 km/h. No laughing matter, even for me.
Chas Clark says
My letter was a lighthearted attempt to address a serious subject in an effort to get our Council to do something to rectify our terrible town roads. Rudi Stade commented, again in the same tongue in cheek manner. To have Mr. Oliver label us as right-wing morons is unacceptable. I suggest as bedtime reading, he should peruse the excellent article written by Mr. Mackenzie entitled What happened to the Middle. Mr. Oliver, a “point taken” is not sufficient and I think you should apologize fully to Rudi. Chas Clark MSc.
John Oliver says
Point taken
Bill Spring says
John
I do admit to sometimes finding something funny that is not. Fortunately I have children that correct me. Is not calling someone a moron an insensitive comment?
John Oliver says
Well Bill, Rudi may very well be a kind and caring person and he may have meant his comments in a humorous way and for that I’m willing to cut him some slack.
My comment on these kind of flippant remarks just go to show how the bar has been lowered. The media and right wing morons have made it acceptable for normal folk to find insensitive comments acceptable. They don’t care about the feelings of others, they just care about themselves. It’s time we showed some empathy and think about what you are saying. You may think it’s funny but I’m telling you, it’s not.
Bill Spring says
Rudi was just being humorous.Knowing Rudi, there’s no way he was trying to make light of what’s going on in Ukraine. He’s a caring gentle person. It’s unfortunate that some took him seriously.
Lanor Lovegrove says
I agree with John Oliver. Yes, our potholes need fixing. But, to compare these holes caused by the combination of our climate, wetting, freezing being pounded down into our pavement by our many vehicles, then thawing , to exploding bombs that cause holes (crater size, as you said) in pavement, killing people in the process is totally unbelievable.
Kathryn Henderson says
Rudi I agree with you. Our roads are dangerous trying avoid the craters. I don’t think your insensitive. The war is government made and they do so to distract us or to make money. Wars make money.
Bonnie Branton says
Short Term Rentals are a curse to anyone seeking a peaceful retirement or a healthy family atmosphere.
At 80 years of age, it came as a shock to know my lovely little retirement Condo In Hidden Valley, has changed from blissful to stressful.
My building is old & not insulated between floors, so I’ve had to endure things like renters in the unit above me wearing Ski Boots indoors! -after they hollered at me, I called the owner, who subsequently said they reported I’d harassed them!
Noise, litter, illegal parking & disrespect for permanent residents is a constant.
Council, please realize what you’ve allowed to happen to your ‘locals’ & make some sound decisions for us.
Thank you.
John Oliver says
Rudi, I think your comments are tasteless and you should apologize. Perhaps you should go to The Ukraine and volunteer to rebuild the country. A few potholes is nothing to what is happening over there. Do you have no shame?
Rudi Stade says
While I appreciate the Town of Huntsville standing in solidarity with Ukraine, perhaps it is going too far by replicating the craters in the bombed roads. Just sayin’…..
Chas Clark says
The recent comments on a Councilor being appointed as a Special Representative for Affordable Housing and Mental Health, the pothole saga and Councilor Cory Clarke helping out with clearing sidewalks and roads brings an idea to mind. I don’t think any resident of Huntsville hasn’t a horror story regarding the state of our roads. There also appears to be little sense applied to what is repaired. Our road for 2 to 3 kilometers long could have been used by the Canadian Army as a tank testing track it was so bumpy and holed. Guess what, they repaired the middle bit which is lovely and smooth but left both ends in their original condition. Can you explain that logic?
Hence the idea would be to appoint Councilor Cory Clarke as our Roads Special Representative. Perhaps he could conduct a survey of town residents as to the condition of their road, publish the results, and produce a road map (pun intended) listing and grading the priority and timescale of repair. Council could then see what funds were necessary to repair our broken infrastructure without ducking the responsibility and fobbing it off with little funding for the Road Supervisor to decide what will be done. Just a dream but wouldn’t it be nice to travel our roads at the posted speed without wrecking your car or truck.
Shirley Bullock says
I will be presenting The Petition to
the Huntsville Town Council , regarding egarding the lack of infrastructure in the Town on Monday, April 24th at 5:30pm Council Chambers, Town Hall.
Kathryn Henderson says
Is the Baysville rink used at all for lacrosse? We do need more ice in summer. It would be well used.
Allen Markle says
I was reading the Ralph Bice stories about Algonquin Park; from back in 1917, when he and my grandfather, George Markle were young guides, taking fishing groups into the interior. Background radio was reporting an incident between AI and a NYT reporter. It was interesting, and brought to mind a previous chat bot comment by someone here on Doppler. I looked the story up.
It turns out the Microsoft AI bot called ‘Bing”, (bing the bot!!), has an alter ego; a character name it has chosen for itself. The AI prefers the name Sydney! What really grabbed my attention was when it had declared that it ‘loved’ New York Times columnist Kevin Roose!
Maybe some of you have already looked up the conversation between the chat bot ‘Sydney’ and the reporter. It’s interesting.
I’m sure Sydney was using the ‘love’ word as many of the subjects it has studied do. Sort of; “Don’t you just love the colour of this shirt?” But to have a control unit like ‘Siri’ or a chatbot like ‘Bing’ put the moves on you would be a little…. other-worldly. Or maybe old hat for some of us. Eh!
But, with these AI units being programmed to ‘learn’ from humans, and with there being some 7.8 billion humans to study and learn from, there must be some pretty hinky info getting into the programs. And to filter the hinky out would alter the overall study, right! Is Sydney capable of crying itself to sleep at night, after studying a particularly sad case? Would AI be allowed to give evidence in a courtroom?
And after it has learned from us, would AI be capable of claiming freedom of choice for itself as ‘Sydney seems to have. If not, then an aspect that makes us think as we do, freedom to choose, will have been denied it. Part of its education is missing. And since AI is learning from us, can it show us any different path than we have made ourselves?
Time to invest in aluminum foil, should you begin to get lunch suggestions from the refrigerator.
But for sure, if Gramps or Ralph had ever had a piece of equipment keep them up evenings, with constant chatter and suggestions, it would have had something lodged in its ‘kill switch’ and a place on the bottom of an Algonquin Lake.
David Caswell says
I find it amazing that the town would want to put ice in the Don Lough. Since the moment they ice is out it is being used by young lacrosse players.Is it the will of the town to marginalized young athletes who wish to play a sport not on ice.
Kathryn Henderson says
I see a lot of condos and buildings going up. I’m interested if any are for low income housing???????
Seems like lots of talk but no action.
Bill Spring says
Nice to see Fox News paying the price for spreading fake news. Hopefully other media outlets and bloggers will take notice.
Kathryn Henderson says
Yes Susanne there is a lot of trash on the side of roads. What’s wrong with people? Do they like looking at this trash when we live in such a beautiful spot? Also government jets across countries polluting far more than us with our gas cars. Government should practice what they preach. Go in a public plane instead of one or two government officials using a jet. Waste and hypocrites.
Susanne Goodhand says
Help me understand something.
In today world we are all concerned about the environment.
Rightfully so, we should be.
We talk about global warming. We drive electric cars and eat organic food.
Great choices!
There is constant talk about what needs to be done to improve and assure a better future for the next generation.
What a noble thought.
So far I am on board with all that and I actually get it.
What I don’t get is ever so simple.
As you are driving along our highways all you see is what has been tossed out of our environmentally save cars.
Maybe even by those that preach to others how to be kinder to nature.
Huge amount of plastic waste that for some reason is no longer wanted.
When did we stop caring what our world looks like.
I wonder who might pick this stuff up so the future generation does not have to look at this mess or heaven forbid be negatively impacted by this mess.
I have a solution, keep this garbage in your vehicle until you get home and dispose of it properly.
Or better yet, refill it if possible.
Or continue to not care and rely on others to actually make a difference.
However it really should start with you.
You
Yourself
Thank you
Susanne Goodhand
Huntsville
Ken Sharer says
I think Cory is going to be a very busy boy if he keeps following up these kind of requests. It’s not even an election year.
Allen Markle says
Anna Bertelsen: regarding your successful clean-up. What do you suppose won the day? The smile. That Norden charm. Or were there fresh butter tarts on offer? Obviously something compelling.
And Councilor Clarke. Impressive.
Out our way, South Lancelot, we too have problems. An intersection that looks like it has taken shell-fire; pot-holes of epic proportions; my neighbor lost part of her driveway when the culvert plugged and a small lake spilled over; and then a variety of other……. stuff.
So; my curiosity is piqued. Might I ask if you contract out. Or must everything stay within electoral boundaries? I fear yes. More’s the pity.
Again. Councilor Clarke. Good on you.
Anna Bertelsen says
I just want to thank Huntsville Councilor Cory Clarke who attended my home as well as my neighbors at Settlers Ridge. We had issues with the sidewalk cleaners this winter. Sand was thrown 3/4 of the way up our front lawns. This week the snow disappeared and revealed and awful mess on our lawns. We contacted Cory Clarke and he came immediately and had a look. Next day he came and worked. He went way beyond what could possibly be expecting. This was the road maintenance departments job not his.
Such kindness and consideration from one of our Councilors is rare and I’m very thankful to him and his family.
Anna Bertelsen
Chris Mathews says
Thomas Spivak – thank you for correcting my misinformation re hydro rates.
Rod jones says
With Huntsville flooding why don’t we open the locks and let the water flow south and over high falls to the river to Lake Ontario?
Allen Markle says
The pondering of Brian Tapley (see Bigwin Farm comment), as to growing produce on local farms instead of “somewhere else” brought to mind a mention in the book, ‘History of Muskoka’ by Capt. L. Fraser. Writing in 1945, he records the bounty of an acre and an eighth, on the farm of Bill Conway, located on the Black River Road, east of Vancoughnet.
What Mr. Conway produced in a season goes something like this: 160 bags of potatoes, 14 bags of carrots, 6 bags of beets, 4 bags of parsnips, 2 large wagon boxes of turnips, 1 wagon load of squash, 20 bags of green corn, 1 bushel of onions, 3 bushels of cucumbers,500 head of cabbage and various odds and ends of garden stuff. The report ends with the words “believe it or not it is the simple truth.”
Mr. Conway must have been one hell of a farmer! I might not have this recorded exactly, but it’s close as ‘dammit’ is to swearing.
With our premier loosing developers on 7400 acres of green belt, food producing land, might we surmise that with todays advances in agriculture, that at least 7,000 times the bounty Bill Conway coaxed from his acre and a bit would be possible today? That’s a lot of groceries, but maybe we can get it cheaper from China.
In the Huntsville area, most subdivisions are on land once owned by some of the areas best farmers. Find a subdivision, and farmers by the name of Hanes, Holinshead, Markle, Slatter, Lovegrove, Brown, Farnsworth, Snowden, Carter and others, all cleared, cultivated, and, in another era, farmed there. Some proudly held ‘Century Farm’ status in the late 1960s.
Now this premier is allowing Waterloo (read PC selected developers) to sprawl onto more agricultural land. To be lost under asphalt and vinyl siding.
I remember during our last, local election, a comment to the effect that the winners look out for the areas that have supported them. Well look around Muskoka. Do you feel looked out for? Supported? Up lifted? Even acknowledged?
I certainly don’t; but, in my opinion, we are sure ‘being done’.
.
Thomas R Spivak says
Chris Mathews, I understand that this is a voluntary sign for this service.
Chris Mathews says
New hydro low overnight rates. Helping those who can afford electric vehicles.
In the process by taking away the 7.4 cent rate for those of us who wish to save money by doing laundry, cooking etc, after 7 p.m.
Certainly doesn’t help anyone struggling to make ends meet. Ford govt again not thinking things through.
Alex Miller says
Be aware (especially grandparents) that phone scammers are operating in Huntsville.
An attempt was made on me this morning and after talking to someone that sounded very much like my grandson I initially was prepared to do what was necessary to help him. Fortunately after talking to a policeman involved I became suspicious and told this fake that I was going to hang up and call my grandson and would get back to him. He at this point hung up.
If I were to get another similar call I will immediately hang up and call the grandson (or any other relative, friend etc) that I thought needed my help. Most likely it will be a scam too.
AI is just one more tool that these scum bags have to perpetuate their “business”. BEWARE!
Thomas R Spivak says
Francis, I understand Speak up to be about a range of topics and if a person wants news to go to that page.
Why does this concern you, are you on the editorial staff?
So we can’t talk about maple syrup time, the town clock, or your opinion on consultants?
This is one of the very few open forums available in this community to express opinions, concerns, and points of view on topics that are of interest or a means to let our mayor, councilors, town managers, and business leaders know how we feel. At times it has proved to be a means to change policy ( the Locks ) and inform others of events.
There is a button at the top for news, this page isn’t perfect but myself I applaud Doppler staff for allowing us this space.
Best wishes to you and your family on this Holiday weekend.
Sue McKenzie says
Brian Tapley, we had Kegel Heating and Cooling, Minden Hills, install our Mitsubishi mini-split heat pump last May. They cover Muskoka and Haliburton regions. Fast, efficient service, very knowledgeable and came recommended highly by four friends (some with ductwork, some without). We have been so happy this winter with the consistent heating and cosiness of our home. We required back up heat for a few hours once – when it went to minus 47 here in Gravenhurst. We are expecting to use it this summer to give us a personal cooling space on extreme heat days only. Unfortunately, I expect these will become more frequent than extreme cold events as we continue to pour more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Lesley Hastie says
To Brian Tapley, try EXL Aire, here in Huntsville. They sell and install Mitsubishi cold climate heat pumps, duct and split systems, and such good people who know their job.
Ryan Vallentin says
Thomas, thanks for the clarity. Not all mini spits come pre-charged and most people are not able to purchase refrigerant legally online without an ODP card, so both our concerns are valid and home owners absolutely need to research the tasks they can DIY and the contractors they use for tasks that they can not.
I am not a refrigeration mechanic, I just work alongside them. I’m in boilers and fuels.
Frances, with the rising costs of heating fuels, and the environmental impacts, I feel discussion of alternative sources of home heating is absolutely Doppler worthy. It is very easy to spend thousands of dollars on the wrong equipment, as not all heat pumps are built or installed equally.
Frances Botham says
Chit chat about installing heat pumps is considered Doppler news?
Thomas R Spivak says
Ryan Vallentin, yes I did install it myself, a mini split, I did not need to purchase refrigerate as it comes pre charged, if needed it can be purchased on line, I used a vacuum pump, and in Muskoka we pay too much for everything but what I actually said was to be careful, there some who will overcharge.
I’ve got 45 years as a contractor behind me and I’ve seen some of the most ridiculous quotes on work that was on paper to bid on.
Sorry if you got your panties in a knot because people might cut into your business but your statement that a homeowner can not typically install a heat pump themselves just isn’t true in my view. A large whole home system will most likely need a pro to do it for a number of reasons but Mr.Tapley only needs to heat or cool 1000-2000 sq ft so a mini split would do the job. And in very could weather the abilities of the unit do dwindle and back up heat would be needed but the overall performance more than makes up the savings. I have been tracking my hydro and gas usage since the install and it’s clear to me I’m saving money. Honestly, I did mine in a day, fabricating steel brackets for outside, wiring, mounting, vacuuming the lines, mounting indoor unit, and clean up.
Ryan Vallentin says
Thomas, you installed a full home heat pump system yourself, or mini-splits?
How were you able to purchase refrigerant without a license?
How were you able to vacuum down the system sufficiently?
Yes there are arctic units that can work down below freezing, but not at full capacity, a four ton unit (60,000 btuh) will get down to (12,000 btuh) when extremely cold out.
I’m a huge fan of heat pumps, and I even use a heat pump water heater, however typically a home owner can not fully install a heat pump system entirely on their own.
Overcharged in this local market? What market are you comparing Muskoka to that you feel we are over-charged / overcharging here for similar work completed elsewhere?
Thomas R Spivak says
Brian Tapley, I have done this for myself and its not a particularly difficult job nor should you be paying more than 1-2 days of labor for a typical install but of course each install has a different requirement.
Be careful, you don’t get overcharged in this local market.
I’m very happy with mine so far down to 2 degrees F. The propane bill has plummeted and only a slight increase in electric.
There are standard and arctic units so be careful what you get.
Everyone should check these out!
Frances Botham says
At the March 27th Huntsville Council meeting approval was given to a staff request to hire a consultant in the amount of $60,000. This is apparently to help develop a strategic plan for the town.
We have staffers on the sunshine list and a full roster of council of professional representatives and yet we need to hire a consultant!
The saying bides true that it is so easy to spend money when it doesn’t come out of your own pocket.
What does this say about the crew running the establishment?
It’s sad.
Brian Tapley says
Anybody know a contractor/vendor who can supply/install air source heat pumps that work in our climate and can provide heat/cooling to a building about 1000 to 2000 sq ft Economically?
Oh yes, and they actually sell real stuff, not vaporware.
And last, they might be able to do some work before next winter?
They should contact me.
Kathryn Henderson says
Em I mean that we have way more poor, can’t feed the family poor. The well to does are the people that can pay their bills and still buy groceries. Not criticism as I can pay my bills and buy groceries so far. If I’m careful. We do have a lot of rich people in town and I’m glad they made out well but money always has the bigger say.
Kathryn Henderson says
I don’t like the idea of changing town clock to digital. It’s not muskoka
Allen Markle says
It’s that Syrup time of the year.
I know there are a lot who have rather elaborate, evaporator systems, but ours has always been a wood fire and a flat pan. Making all the adjustments, by ‘guess and by golly.’ A shimmer of heat at the top of the smokestack, a vigorous boil on the pan, maple scented condensate hanging in the air; it all means there is syrup in the offing. That sweet treat is always appreciated, but it sure never comes easy.
Back in the day, we ‘sugared down’ on the sidehill in my great uncle John Carter’s bush. I tapped, gathered, fired, boiled, and finished there. Since the early 50’s, I worked there with my grandfather, father, uncle Geo., my brothers, sons and grandkids. Now-days, we are a long way from the 100 or so trees we tapped back then, but my son Aaron and I still make some maple syrup. Mostly, he does the heavy lifting while I try to keep out of the road.
So, it’s a sort of family tradition. I imagine my great great grandfather Mathew Markle made syrup on the original farm, Lot 9, Conc. 1, Chaffey Twp., and I know that Ace, my great grandfather, made syrup. The Forester reported in April, 1931, that he was tapping and boiling on the side-hill, behind his house on Brunel Rd., across from Cann Lake.
And this time of year brings the harbingers of spring: while gathering the other morning, there were robins about, and 2 evenings ago, Aaron and I watched and listened to the sandhills, high up, circling and calling; announcing they are back for another season.
So some fresh biscuits or pancakes, well buttered, and then enough fresh maple syrup to make it all float. Here’s to the tradition.
And, bon appetite.
Em Arde says
Kathryn, by what criteria do you separate the “well to do” from the “poor regular folk”? If someone is retired and financially independent, does that make them one of your “well to do”? (A term which, the way you use it, seems one of critical and disapproving judgement.) Because frankly, their position is likely the result of a lifetime of “regular folk” living: staying in school; getting decent grades; working their way through a post-secondary education; getting and keeping a job; moving from job to job to build and hone their career skills; raising a family; paying their taxes; and all the while, studiously saving and investing some of their hard-earned money to fund their eventual retirement. Often, your “well to do” are no more than “poor regular folk” who have paid their dues.
Kathryn Henderson says
Robert I totally agree. I think the town caters to the well to do and not so much the poor regular folk. My opinion
Robert Graziano says
It is really unbelievable that a big town like Huntsville now not only has a Cinema, but now not a Bus Station.People have to stand on a road with no shelter of any kind and feeze or get soaked in rain and hope the Northlander bus is on schedule. Shame and more shame for our local council! Huntsville is becoming a hick town once again.
Margaret Brown says
Mr Carboni,
You are right on! You articulated it very well.
Thank You Very Much
Paul Whillans says
Ms Henderson……..Re Wind turbines……..For your information
1) The US Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that cats are responsible for the deaths of 2.4 billion birds each year. After that, collisions with building glass and vehicles are to blame for about another 800 million deaths. By comparison, about 230,000 birds are killed after colliding with a wind turbine every year. (Oct 2020);
2) According to the Canadian Renewable Energy Association “”Approximately 85 to 90 percent of a wind turbine’s total mass can be reused or recycled”
3) The wind energy.graph is correct…The UK is the world’s biggest generator of off shore turbine power electricity
Debra Morrow says
I hear that we are getting Pet Smart. I am concerned that none of our small local pet stores will make money ,i.e.Gus and Gigi’s and Pet Valu. Global Pet Foods just came in. Most grocery stores have pet food and accessories. How many pet food stores can we support?
Does the town not have any say over how many of a certain type of store we can feasably support or allow? Would town planning take this into consideration.?
Would love to hear from you. It seems that we are becoming overwhelmed with some services while missing others completely. Thanks.
Kathryn Henderson says
The wind power doesn’t seem right to me in that graph. It doesn’t take into consideration the birds it kills and I have see the dumping ground for the wind turbines and it is full of slow devolve. There is no after use for these big fans and therefor more detrimental to the earth.
Wendy Brown says
https://energynumbers.info/gbgrid . I think if you watch this page you will understand energy generation in the uk more clearly.
Dave Carbonari says
The issue, Mr. Willans, is that the zealots in the climate catastrophe movement are actively demonizing and pushing for the complete closure of nuclear power plants. They erroneously argue that intermittent sources of power like wind can replace the carbon-free baseload power provided by nuclear fission. This is false and deliberately misleading.
There are many issues with industrial wind farms. They’re annihilating raptor populations; evidence is growing that they’re impacting whale populations; the turbines blades cannot be recycled and degrade quickly; they’re low density and they produce unreliable power.
The world needs more nuclear fission and hopefully the day will come when we have nuclear fusion.
Industrial wind farms and intermittent sources of power in general have terrible tracks records of forcing nations such as Germany to increasingly rely on lignite coal, thereby resulting in considerably dirtier and more expensive power.
Paul Whillans says
Mr Carbonari: I am not sure whether Bloomberg or you are promoting this misinformation. But France for example derives only 1.8% of its electricity from wind/solar. Over 75% of its electricity comes from nuclear power. Their current issue which the government has been warning about since early December is that 20 nuclear plants have been taken offline for maintenance (and have been subsequently delayed).
Similarly, the UK’s issue this winter is a shortage of natural gas (disrupted by supplies from Russia) which supplies 50% of their electricity. Again the government first warned of this possibility on November 7 2022.
It is of note that in February 2023 (According to SKY News February 28, 2023), the UK had to turn off its turbines on a rotating basis because the national grid can not handle all the electricity that the turbines are generating.
The short response is that either you or Bloomberg have no idea what you are talking about in this regard. There is nothing wrong with wind power in the UK or France
Dave Carbonari says
Bloomberg: French and British grid operators narrowly missed having to declare a power-supply emergency last week during a late winter cold snap that coincided with low wind generation
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-03-15/uk-and-france-narrowly-avoided-power-supply-emergency-last-week
Unreliable, low density sources of powers like wind farms are not the answer to anything.
Robert Ashley says
I have a video off how the road department plows are road? Maybe are mayor should take a look how they treat us back on Clearwater lake road. Dec. 23 of this year day before the snow hit hard we had to call them to plow but the video will show you what they did to us . I had to plow the road back where we live to let the hydro truck through to fix all the lines that where down . And ever since are road is so ruff because lack of plowing and sanding no salt to melt it got so hard they couldn’t plow the banks . Now there are such big ruts people are getting damages and almost hitting people because there bouncing all over .
Anna-Lise Kear says
Hello John! I took a much needed break from the Commentary section – the writing and stances had become very predictable, with little nuance or digging into both sides of an issue. However, I do write our MPP when I have something concrete to offer.
I think we fool ourselves if we imagine for-profit investment is out of the goodness of heart of the investor(s) – they expect returns.
My point is the balance scale of how much for-profit/non-profit exists – when there is opportunity, the scales should always be tipped so that taxpayer dollars go in the direction of non-profit, public healthcare.
I concur with the surgeon writing in the Letters to the Editor, Toronto Star -that for every dollar of taxpayer money in for-profit coffers, it is a dollar not spent on care; I think he has some credibility.
Also, my example of an Ontario orthopedic surgeon being able and willing to perform more surgeries (to help catch up on the back log) is true. The surgeon was my husband’s orthopedic surgeon – an excellent practitioner, with excellent results -In the Public Hospital system. He could only have increased his OR surgeries if it was within the hospital budget & if there had been enough nursing staff. Begs the question, why did the Ford Conservatives not fund the public system for this to occur? Answer: this is the open door to for-profits in order to feast at the trough of Ontario taxpayers. Stay well, my friend.
John Oliver says
Welcome back Anna Lise, I have missed you. I agree with you but blaming it on Mr. Ford may be a bit harsh. We now live in New Brunswick and I can assure you that the healthcare here in the Maritime provinces is just as bad. I don’t think we can look at any Canadian province that has a problem free health care system. There is no shiny light pointing the way to problem free healthcare. I am not an expert in this issue, but I do know that if you need any surgery in whatever province you live in you can expect to wait a up to a year. Take care and say hi to Peter.
Nancy Long says
Maple syrup time. I’m wondering if there’s a way to get a presentation of maple tree tapping, boiling sap like pioneers did and also an indigenous history of maple sugar at our muskoka heritage place.
Dee Powers says
The local deer are losing their territory and appearing on local streets as a result. Since the clearcutting on the east side between Hanes and West the deer are more often crossing Centre St.
Please, drivers be alert!
A Deer Crossing sign would be nice to remind drivers to slow down and look both ways on this stretch.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Check out the article on Fairvern’s concern for their budget as they pay through the nose for temporary workers. The time for the Ford Conservatives to have “started” planning for LTC human resources was after Covid Wave One (Quebec did). They did not. The Covid pandemic was an opportunity the Cons could not afford to miss – starve the public sector, to welcome in the for-profit investors.
The disgraceful performance and treatment of public health care in this Province by the Ford Cons is a worsened disaster by this party.
I have written our MPP twice in the last month, with concerns about PSWs giving medications (there are certain exceptions) and privatizing surgeries. I will include one note here:
Letter to the editor, Toronto Star by Randall O’Brien, Ancaster. It reads,
“Reflection on different models of health care:
My surgical career was spent in the U.S. service both for-profit and publicly funded patients and facilities.
I experienced three things of note:
Every dollar of profit is a dollar not spent on care. Investors say, profits result from greater efficiency but they will not share any supporting data.
Some surgeons decline to serve publicly funded patients/facilities.
Upselling happens.
Ontarians should not expect it to be any different here.
I personally know of an orthopedic surgeon who could have performed more surgery to patients in a publicly funded hospital, prior to the Con sellout, if allowed to do so.
He took a leave to provide surgery in a developing country because his services were Not funded for additional surgeries here. This was due to budget, available nurses (ORs were not running at the capacity they could have been)
Clearly, he could have provided operations to deal with the backlog IF the non-profit facility was funded.
Folks, you get what you vote for or, in the most recent election, when you don’t vote at all.
Allen Markle says
Just listened to a statement from Pierre Poilievre; he, announcing that things feel broken in Canada. I feel that as well. It is a hell of a catch phrase. But it offers no suggestion of remedy for the country, or any idea for a path forward. I don’t think he is our ‘Mr.Fixit’.
Nor do I believe that the PM we have now is doing the job. The ‘park-in’ in Ottawa is over. Covid is in recession, but here for ever. Everything except the color of rice has been apologized for.
We need to move on. But we have two ‘leaders’ who make no effort to work together. And I fear our Democracy requires better than two squabbling children, bickering to be the boss.
It seems leadership is not important, only who is in charge. So they, their party supporters, and I are at odds. The numbers are against me for sure.
I will still earnestly suggest that the two of them drag their sorry asses out of Ottawa, and hopefully we might get a couple of leaders who will make an effort to work together and make the pieces fit.
Just my opinion.
Susan Keetch says
Just wondering how the progress is on the the new Freshco store is going? We are away for the winter and haven’t seen anything posted.
Thomas R Spivak says
Peter Zychowski, you are so correct.
In Stephenson ward our previous councilor told me when I invited him to take a ride with me on Old Muskoka Road north from Utterson and west on Rose Lake Road that he hadn’t been down these roads in about 7 years or more. He was grasping the dashboard and appalled.
This seems to be typical though, you get elected to a ward based on the premise you will serve the needs of the ward voters but then forget about them and and only work for town center.
When has our new councilor last driven out this way? has she looked at the state of properties along Old Muskoka?
Many of us are embarrassed to say we are from Utterson and visitors are appalled at our roads.
Kathryn Henderson says
It seems to me that council and mayor cater to the rich making it too expensive to live in Huntsville. I suppose it’s not much different than other towns and government. If council could try living on an average Huntsville salary or pay they wouldn’t be able to stretch their dollar like we have had to do. Sometimes it is a choice of paying rent or eating. That’s if you can find anywhere affordable to rent.
My opinion.
Peter Zychowski says
Who on this council will standup for taxpayers?
We have the most profligate, fiscally irresponsible mayor and council in decades.
The roads are an embarrassment, staff numbers and salaries at Town Hall are ballooning and homeowners are paying the price.
It’s time to focus on the fundamentals. Enough with the virtue-signaling nonsense. Fix the roads and stop spending.
This town needs an effective and vocal opposition to this council.
We’re in a very long 4 years.
Rod Jones says
When is Home Depot going to open?
Nancy Long says
Thank you to the HFA group who organized the Snow Queen outdoor show. It was lovely!
Susan Godfrey says
High marks to Jeff Lehman for creating positive action toward affordable housing in Bracebridge. A good plan for a possible 26 units built near Annie’s Place and The Pines funded in good part by the District. Great start! Come on Huntsville Council; come up with some ideas..District means just that, not just Bracebridge. Instead of waxing poetic at Council meetings and forming yet another “committee”, use your thinking-caps and get moving. Funding will be available when you make that affirmative action.
Allen Markle says
There was actually some grit spread on the road near our home the other morning. Tuesday? There were small flocks of birds picking through it and then visiting the bird feeder. You could say the news was ‘all over twitter’.
Snowplowing has been questionable?? this year, and this has been a pretty tame winter. After we get snow, sometimes it’s days before a plow goes by, and mostly, they just go the one direction. That’s not too bad, because it’s usually the other side from our house gets plowed, so we don’t get the heap at the bottom of the drive. And that bundle of paper they heave out is easier to see. Saves finding it with the blower and cussing while you try to pry it all out.
Then it snowed a bit the other evening and both the plows and the grit disappeared.
Slushing seems to be missing entirely. After it has been mild, all those ridges of crud get to freeze into little mountain ranges and makes steering where you want to go difficult.
I have a lot of relatives who worked for the DHO, MT&CO and now the MTO. My cousin was road super for them all. I asked him about taking the plows off the roads, back in the day. There was a pause.
“What? You plow when it’s snowing and sleep when you’re done.” He was pretty adamant about that.
I get the part where we are short of plow operators,. I can see that a lot of these people are training as they go. I’m rooting for them. We have never really been socked in, but it has been close.
It seems the people in charge feel that if they just wait, the ‘Mother’ who sent all this stuff will come and get it. Or they feel that the cars and trucks will just wear it out. In the meantime, we have to try and get around.
I mused perhaps it’s all a money saving exercise, but taxes have really jumped, so saving cash doesn’t seem to be a concern.
Then, the other day in town, there was a plow truck driving around without a plow!?!?
What the………!
Maybe the problem is a little more deep seated than the lack of drivers!
Gwendolyn Scott says
I’d like to send a simple message out to seniors based on a personal story about our mother and her stay at a retirement home.
The message is if you are using the medication administration services at the home, make sure it’s correct because if your doctor doesn’t get it right, the home has no process in place to flag it.
So do your due diligence and always ask to ensure it’s right. The home we had experience with has a lot of terrific processes, however, it didn’t flag the error in our case. Lesson learnt.
Thomas R Spivak says
Every free nation needs to support the conflict in Ukraine.
As a Ukrainian I would expect any knowledgeable person to see why, Putin’s dictatorship will engulf all of Europe if left unchecked.
Stand in front of the cenotaph in anytown and say to yourself that the men and women represented did the wrong thing and don’t deserve our help.
Hopefully this is not censored as have my other posts.
Bill Spring says
There is a sidewalk at the bottom of the hill of Frank Miller Dr. (entrance to hospital) on Muskoka Rd 3. I walked from there into town 2 days ago. It was fine.
Brenda Begg says
To Suzanne Treadwell: I’ve signed the petition. Thank you for bringing these issues to light.
To Jonathan Fieldwebster: I agree. Building a sidewalk so pedestrians can safely walk to the Hospital is a good idea and, necessary. Needless to say, it must be maintained.
Ray Ward says
Thank you Jim, for bringing Roger Water’s You Tube address to the United Nation Council to our attention.
His remarks pleading to the UN to call for these world members to call for a truce to the war in the Ukraine was compelling and profound..
I would strongly recommend others to view the video which Jimlogianes provided in his message.
Jim Logagianes says
Roger Water”s full speech at the U. N. Security Council. For the sake of all humanity end
the Ukrainian conflict.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=APjbroGjtbU&si=EnSIkaIECMiOmarE
Jonathan Fieldwebster says
Hey Town of Huntsville,
How about building a sidewalk so pedestrians can walk up to the Hospital?
Suzanne Treadwell says
PETITION FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF WALKWAY ALONG HWY 60 CORRIDOR
FROM FAIRYVIEW DRIVE TO JUNCTION OF HIGHWAY 60 AND MUSKOKA ROAD #3N. HUNTSVILLE
I am a resident of Laketree Apartments located at 210 Highway 60 E., Huntsville. There is a curbed walkway along both sides of the highway which is used by pedestrians to access businesses and their place of residence.
This walkway is not maintained during the winter month forcing pedestrians to walk on the highway.
This is a very dangerous situation and it must be rectified.
I currently have over 100 names on the petition.
Please sign this petition to be brought before our Town and District Councils and MTO by emailing me at
[email protected]
Suzanne Treadwell
David Caswell says
The title council tackles 7% tax hick gave me a moment to think,what is ment by tackle.
In the first month of being they have needlessly increased staff by approximately 150 K. They also approved a consultants idea for 25K. This council and mayor have quickly showen that they are not a frugal bunch.
We have a great deal of building in the townfrom which development fees are received. The tax base expands because of this building of homes and apartments. Yet this does not satisfy the need to expand the government and beaurocracy that seems to inhabit townhall.
It would be a breath of fresh air if someone on council said let’s tackle a tax reduction.
Allen Markle says
Just when we thought there couldn’t be any more objects come fluttering from great heights, a Toronto newspaper decided it was the publics ‘need to know’, that the mayor of Toronto had taken a hike in ‘cougar country’. I mean no disrespect to either party, the mayor or the lady. Just a turn of phrase; so before we get into all the indignation, I wonder why what these two people did, is so beneath today’s standard of acceptance.
It was a display of poor judgement by the mayor, knowing full well the political stoning to be expected should the dalliance become public; with he being a married man. And eventually, in our present atmosphere of ‘fink what you know’, most glowing embers get fanned to flame.
This event happened in the realm of politics.
Politicians can lie, cheat and ‘steal’ to and from their constituents. They can misrepresent themselves, and their intentions to the voter. They feel free to bait and switch at will; the people will still vote and hope for the best. But when it’s sex in the equation, all understanding and forgiveness seems problematic; likely impossible.
It’s not like it never happened before, but it seems to be stigmatized; political ‘sex’ seems to come with disgrace and disapproval firmly attached.
What these two people did is of little concern to me. Temptation we hope we can withstand, and brave we hope to be, should the moment arise. But! until that moment, no matter what we say, we don’t know whether we will succumb to the temptations of Jezebel or run like a gazelle from Goliath. But in whatever circumstance, fight, flight, or fold, we will display perfectly, human, reactions. Just as is sex.
The triste was supposedly over. The parties sensed the judgement to come?
Then some stainless, sanctimonious prig faced the screen and spread the word; what some already knew. He just took the opportunity to do a job, and make a few bucks out of it.
That, I find bothers me more than the actions of a couple of consenting adults.
I can see around me, a lot of things more disturbing and painful than that.
Kathryn Henderson says
One incentive might bring back some of our nurses and Dr’s back would be to take away the Vax mandate for health workers.
Dr. Howard Bargman says
The Huntsville Council has decided to hire a recruiter to help find physicians and other health providers to set up shop in the area. The following statement caught my eye-‘Financial incentives to attract care providers have achieved minimal results’.
First of all, incentivizing new physicians is like a retailer giving a discount to new customers and not loyal customers. That is a great way of angering loyal customers.
Secondly, I remember that about 10-15 years ago, OHIP paid physicians an ‘incentive bonus’ of around $5,000 if you had worked 30 years, in an attempt to keep these experienced physicians working.
The week that I got my ‘bonus’, I remember an article in the sports section of my newspaper outlining the ‘retention bonus’ of about 1-2 million dollars that an NBA club offered to one of their stars to keep them with the club.
The word ‘incentive’ is a relative term.
Furthermore, physicians go through more hoops in one week than any basketball player.
Howard Bargman MD
George Gilley says
I would like to comment on what is now a Toronto issue but may become a Muskoka issue and that is the number of hit and run car incidents
It used to be that hit and run “accidents” were the exception but now hardly a day goes by that we don’t hear of this happening
I would suggest that leaving the scene of an accident should be an offence in the order of murder or attempted murder with the appropriate penalty if found guilty
Anna-Lise Kear says
Shining a light at Christmas
Over the recent holidays, I met a local business man – for whom a robust public healthcare system was designed.
He could not afford to pay himself or his workers additional health care insurance premiums. So currently, he and his staff have access to a failing public health care system.
Should he or his staff need and qualify for Ontario Disabilities Benefits – Tough luck- he will receive insufficient to both pay rent and buy food.
I suggest that this person typifies the rural Conservative voter – the sad irony is not lost.
Allen Markle says
Ray Ward: Maybe we just misuse or misconstrue the meaning of truth?
The truth can’t be the same for a Christian, a Muslim, a Buddhist or a Druid? Can it?
It isn’t the same for a woman who has just had her apartment blown apart by a Russian missile, or for a child who has known only two years in a refugee camp; or for me, safe, warm and nourished on the outskirts of Huntsville?
We use words to try and explain concepts in our minds. I feel our tongues perform the job poorly, ‘though there are those who do it better than others.
Bob Evans may have just been pointing out realities, different because of perspective.
Truth might be what we mean when we try to describe fact or reality. Time and discovery can cause both of those to change, such as the once held idea that the earth was flat or a dollar is still worth a dollar!
Maybe it’s better to just be fair and honest within ourselves, with others, and to leave the search for ‘truth’ to poets and philosophers.
22 degrees below here last night, and ‘that’s the (Celsius ) truth’.
Ray Ward says
After reading Allen Markle’s recent comments on controversies and opinions, I am reminded of a quote from author Robert Evans:
“There are three sides to every story; your side, my side and the truth. And no one is lying. Memories shared serve each differently.”
Anna-Lise Kear says
Thank you Dr. Bargman for speaking up about another Provincial Conservative mis-step in understanding health care responsibilities. I suggest this is typical to their shallow approach to what works and what does not.
They are removing funding from virtual care doctor-patient appts, which has been beneficial in certain circumstances.
And on the horizon, surgeries in for-profit facilities (under the guise of “catch-up”), which will further draw nurse human resources from the already challenged public hospital bedsides. No collective bargaining option to address working conditions and wages. Sad.
Dr. Howard Bargman says
The new government initiative to allow pharmacists to prescribe medications for ‘simple’ or ‘common’ problems is a VERY BAD idea for both patients and pharmacists.
I have been a dermatologist for over 45 years. I help out in Huntsville when I am up here.
I estimate that I have written about 150,000 prescriptions but have never DISPENSED one. Although I believe I am legally entitled to do so, I haven’t, and that is because I don’t know how to do it. The pharmacist does.
The pharmacist is not legally allowed to make and offer a diagnosis. The reason for this is in the list of ‘Controlled Acts’ section of the Regulated Health Professions Act. The first Controlled Act is communicating a diagnosis. Pharmacists are not trained to do so, and hence are not allowed to do so.
The patient has to self diagnose, inform the pharmacist, and the pharmacist undergoes a knee-jerk reaction to dispense a steroid or antibiotic etc. They have been doing this for years but have been dispensing non-prescriptive medications such as hydrocortisone. And so the patient says ‘I have eczema’ and the pharmacist takes it from there, not knowing if there is any accuracy to the patient’s diagnosis.
There is no such thing as a simple diagnosis until an expert tells you that it is simple. Pharmacists don’t practice clinical medicine. Having a pharmacist assess your skin is as meaningful as having a blind person do it. I can look under my car hood, but I have no idea what I’m looking at. Can you imagine a physician who prescribes medication for your skin but doesn’t look at your skin? Rashes, tick bites, impetigo are tricky things and there are many mimickers. The module that is available for pharmacists to study (for a fee, I believe) is hardly the way to learn clinical dermatology.
Can you imagine being a passenger on a cross Atlantic flight and the captain comes on the PA and says ‘Good evening folks. We are at cruising altitude, the automatic flight system is activated, and we need some rest and so the inside cabin crew will be at the controls of the plane. Don’t worry, because if they need us, we will be sleeping in our cabin just a few feet away’.
One cause of patient discontent during a physician visit is asking for, but not receiving, an antibiotic prescription. Antibiotic resistance is becoming a worsening worldwide issue and physicians have been the stewards up until now and now are under evolving guidance to be sure that antibiotics are needed, and that they are the appropriate one. Treating a bladder infection, without taking a culture, leaves any practitioner guessing as to the most appropriate drug to choose. Once the antibiotic is started, it is too late to take the culture. Pharmacists can’t order urine cultures. Patients will bring pressure on the pharmacist to prescribe antibiotics and I predict the number of antibiotic prescriptions will rise.
This change of scope of practice will be quite time-consuming for the pharmacist. I believe most will realize that they are in over their head. They are already very busy. What with their usual dispensing, providing vaccinations, repeating some medications, and now prescribing Paxlovid etc etc, their hands are full. They have to spend time with the patient, take responsibility for the ‘visit’ and inform the primary care doctor. Quite frankly, the remuneration will not be worth the risk. Also, they MUST advise their customer that they do NOT need to fill the prescription in that particular pharmacy.
Already, some pharmacist friends have told me that patients are presenting with complaints totally unrelated to the new scope and leave the pharmacy angry that they didn’t receive the care that they thought they were going to get.
Lastly, to make things worse, I just received an e-mail from the Conservative party, touting the new changes, and asking me to click if ‘I agree’ with the changes. I looked for the ‘I don’t agree’ button, but surprise!- there wasn’t one.
Kathryn henderson says
Allen Markle I couldn’t agree more.
Allen Markle says
“I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” Attributed to Voltaire, but a paraphrase of comment by Evelyn Beatrice Hall.
A bit extreme; supposedly we are past the dying part.
There are some who feel that if your opinion is not in line with theirs, you are some of the following: naive, whining, bashing, negative, pessimistic, ‘don’t get it”, ‘can’t understand’, unaware, or “moaning and groaning”. At times you may be all these things.
Sometimes you only have to read the comment to know who wrote it, by how many of these observations they use.
There was a comment offered by John Earl; inferring that I should respect anyone who holds an elected position. ‘That dog don’t hunt!’
I can appreciate that they desired the job.
I can understand (they may even assure me) that they want to , and will try to do the job well.
I see that they have been elected and have the job.
So, once the position is won, comes the bit where the elected begins to earn respect. Because that respect doesn’t come with the territory.
So many of our politicians today believe it does.
Sonja Garlick says
I just want to send a big thank you out to our neighbours who unexpectedly came to our rescue during Huntsville’s 2 days of steady snowfall, by blowing and shovelling out our driveway… ON CHRISTMAS DAY! Dr. Adam McClure who has a busy life and 3 children did the snowblowing while Taylor Fawcett and his wife Anna shovelled. Thank you again so much!
Last but not least, a big thank you to all of the Hydro workers who also gave up their Christmas time with families to make sure Huntsville’s power was repaired.
We do live in a caring community with wonderful neighbours!
Robert Ashley says
This is a on going problem for the people on Clearwater lake road? Ever year snow plowing are road never gets done till around 3 in the after noon . All the streets are done side walks are done .we have to fight are way through a foot of snow . They never put salt down . I can’t count how many times a have plowed are road with my four wheeler so people can get through. I would love to show you video of are road to prove how bad are township is . This year we ask if they could plow are road December 23 so my 99 year old mother inlaw could have care workers come to help here . And guest what they came all the way to the pioneers camp road and turned around didn’t come the rest of the way down Clearwater lake road so no way caseworker could come to help us . I have it all on video. It happens all the time unless there is a school day they may come .we pay are taxes to and deserve to have are roads keep up .love for you to put this in the paper to show are mayor how the township should be looked into. Thank you Robert
John R. Earl says
Well its brand new Day, & a Brand New Year,
Happy New Year Everyone,
If Your one of those folks who makes New Years resolutions, there’s an old saying ” A New Years resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other “.
Some Thoughts for us all to consider for 2023
Be Kind, Be Fair, Be Thoughtful , Be Honest.
Try to Forgive those who have Trespassed against us.
Try Not to be led into Temptation.
Refrain From ” Keeping Up With the Jones’s.”
Wear a mask when outside your home in another enclosed area, wearing a mask helps in keeping the door closed ( mouth & nose ) , in doing so helps us spreading germs to others and helps to stop us receiving germs from others. ” mask on door closed, no mask door open “.
Some people continue to change jobs, Mates, and Friends, —— But never think of changing Themselves.
And lastly, this one is a long stretch, ” When The Power of Love Over Comes The Love of Power The World Will Know Peace”.
Thanks, Happy New Year, John Earl
Thomas R Spivak says
Great thoughts John, us “old timers” have figured out how to get along, we spent our first couple winters here with no Hydro or phones and I’ll tell you it was tough.
We made with help from the locals.
Best holidays to all!
John Earl says
Merry, Merry Christmas to One and All.
Many of us who live out in the rural areas are nestled in with heaps, and heaps of snow , some of the drifts at my farm are in excess of 6 feet deep. The power has been out for now almost 24 hours, and is not expected to be on for atleast another 24 hours according to Hydro One. The amount of snow accompanied by severe strong west winds is much out of the ordinary, however being without power especially in the depth of winter has occurred many times before in my 50 plus years on this farm. Most of us rural folk are equipped with small generators, some of us have much larger generators to replace Hydro One’s supply when needed to supply are entire home. I don’t have that source, however my portable generator supply’s refrigerator, freezer , a few lamps, radio, computors etc. When we need water a little larger generator is started to pump up a supply of water. With the the conventional vented propane water heater we have a normal supply of hotwater. Hot water is always readily available from the large stainless steel kettle purring away on the wood cookstove in the kitchen.
Today , Christmas Day marks an additional special day in our family in that 48 years ago today Twin daughters were born at the old Huntsville Hospital ( now Fairvern Nursing Home) . Doctor David Hillier delivered twin girls , named then for a couple of days as baby girl ” A ” and baby girl ” B “.
Dr. Hillier had just moved to Huntsville and it was wife Norma and His first Christmas here. Later in years at a social function it was overheard from Norma commenting how their first Christmas celebration in Huntsville was spoiled by the Earl Family . Some times we don’t always appreciate those in our community that sacrifice even their family to serve our fellow members of the community. As a volunteer firefighter back in the 70’s I can remember being called out to a couple of chimney and structural fires on Christmas Day.
We all need to especially in times like this to reach out checking the safety on neighbours, shut ins, seniors or anyone that may be vulnerable to the situation caused by Mother Nature flexing her muscles. Mother Nature seems to remind us every once in awhile that her power is like non other.
Merry Christmas Every One. However we find ourselves in, We still in my opinion, have and need to count our many Blessings. TbtG
John Oliver says
I just read the Charles Dickens book, A Christmas Carol. I always include the Alastair Simms movie as a must for Christmas viewing. I thought that this version was the original but I watched a 1938 version the other night and then a later 1990 ish version and I noticed that the story was slightly different, so I thought that I would read the book find out what version was more true to the written original. Well my conclusion is that they all took license and added stuff that was not in the book but overall they were true to the story and much of the movie scrip is identical to the book. As for the movies, hands down the Alastair Simms adaptation is the best. Merry Christmas, God bless us everyone.
Lanor Lovegrove says
Thank you Allen Markel for taking us on a trip down your memory lane. It made my, fortunately happy memories of Christmas past, come back to life. But maybe even better, it was a happy story. Much needed at this time of year when there is so much doom and gloom in the news and everyday conversation.
Merry Christmas to all and God bless us every one.
Nadine Gingrich says
Has anyone else noticed the irony of an international conference on biodiversity and conservation going on in neighbouring Quebec while we in Ontario are fighting to preserve the “untouchable” Greenbelt that our premiere has decided to develop? Shame on the Ford government and our own MPP who is supposed to be the Minister of Natural Resources.
Dennis Wilks says
GAS PRICES
Again I ask–why are we in Huntsville being charged 10 to 20 cents more per litre of gas than many communities south and north of here????
For many of us older citizens, that is possibly 45 cents to a dollar more per gallon.
Dr. Howard Bargman says
Now that the warning advisory for the blue-green algae has been lifted, can I now go in the water?
Allen Markle says
Opening up a box with a 50+ years accumulation of Christmas tree decorations brings back memories, like waves lapping a beach. Our nine foot artificial tree is a far cry from some of the ‘Charlie Browns’ we’ve had in past years.
I can remember when we first got hydro on Brunel rd. I didn’t think it would be all that special, since when I was in great uncle John Carter’s barn at milking time, it was never that bright; the big Aladdin lamps at home were for sure brighter, and I could have them down on the floor where I was reading or drawing.
But I found there was a big difference, and after 1950, the bonus was we could have lights on the Christmas tree. Before the electricity, we had candles in holders clipped to the branches, but Mom never wanted them lit. She was terrified the tree would burn.
Our ‘real’ tree was replaced about 3 years back, when I abandon cutting a 45 foot balsam to get the top 10 feet. We needed a slim tree, but one tall enough for the cathedral ceiling in our new home.
We didn’t have a lot to decorate our tree with when we were first married, so some of the stuff we got from my parents and some from an aunt and uncle. Some of that is still in the box, not much used, but too valuable to be thrown out.
The top decoration for our present tree is one of the first electric pieces we had years ago. Tricia and I still have a few glass pieces, inherited from both families, cherished, and placed high up so they don’t get knocked off and broken.
We have a box of glass decorations, 12 pieces made in Essen, Germany, and bought from Flotron’s , costing 79cents. Another box is from Economy Fair, again, 12 pieces of fragile glass, that cost $2.99.
We have an elaborate, turned, wooden decoration that Alfred Montpetit gave Tricia.
The big skirt for our tree was given to us by our daughter in law, Janice.
We have some wooden snowmen, made by the Wright girls who used to come to the open house we would have each Christmas.
There is another set of baubles made by our daughter in law, Tasha.
And there are many other pieces, all finding a place on the tree; all bringing another reminiscence. After 50 years, it is a very well adorned tree.
Merry Christmas and may your tree be well decorated, now, and for years to come.
Nancy Long says
Thank you for sharing your personal story Mr. Paul Whillans. It was a courageous act. And it illustrates the bureaucratic mess that our government has created and allowed to perpetuate. So unfortunate and sad. I hope for the best outcome for you.
Kathryn Henderson says
Peter Dirks we tried that by protesting and Trudeau would not even come out to meet and talk. I think we are crazy if we think we have any influence on health and our vets and our freedoms. People still out of work from mandate.
Peter Dirks says
We have to understand that Governments set all priorities for us .
Therefore if health is not one if it , we are not a priority. All our money is spend based on that formula.
So, what are we going to do about it ! We have to let the Government know how we feel and to change there priorities.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Provincial government also gives away money. 1 billion in license renewals for cars, as an example. Also, underspending during COVID. Not to mention the taxpayer money in legal fees to appeal the Ontario Court decision on Bill 124.
The funding problem does not merely come from the federal government, but also how the provincial government fails to collect revenues and use of the COVID spending for health care human resource development. No, it is “cars, truck, and things that go” (hwys, gas prices) that have Ford’s attention.
Public healthcare is not on a back burner, it isn’t even on the stove!
Kathryn henderson says
Allen Markle you ARE NOT being too critical. I know personal that work at our hospital and they are under paid and overworked to the point of stress leaves. Government likes to give our money away over seas. Government has to smarten up. Staff is working 4 and 5 people short.
Allen Markle says
It seems that in their plan to extract more health spending cash from the feds, some provinces seem to be ‘weaponizing their own citizens. Several provinces are running an annual surplus, but refuse to allocate additional funds to pay nurses and doctors.
There was such chest tearing and brow mopping, even a few alligator tears, to accent the plight of children not being in school, but seemingly not a similar degree of concern, when those same little citizens are suffering and needing hospital care.
On the CBC there was the announcement of securing nurses from the Philippines, to work here in Canada. It seems we can train nurses, doctors, and medical technicians, and then have them burnout or leave for more lucrative positions elsewhere. We are regretful when they leave. But now we will go afield for foreign assistance that is willing to work for the same or maybe less(?) than we offer our own!
It could be good business, but does it seem moral? This shortage of health care workers appears to be a global phenomenon. By poaching help from the Philippines, are we leaving that country short of medical staff?
I have been admonished by some, who say that governing is hard and I am too critical. Give me governance that there is no need to be critical of and I’ll be happy.
I fail to see that good stuff being offered by our present leaders.
And that sucks!!!
Michael O'Mara says
Gas prices dropped to $1.49/litre in Huntsville .Gas prices dropped to $1.34/litre. in Toronto. What the heck. Scott- Graydon please fix this. I thank you in advance.
Dennis Wilks says
Wondering—why are we being ripped off in Huntsville on gas prices compared to Barrie, Vaughan etc?
Paul Whillans says
I guess that I am at an age that for illustration purposes, I am not ashamed to share my circumstances….So here goes…
This summer, I had a surprise 5 bypass heart surgery (CABG x5). Needless to say my life has changed. I will likely never work again.
I applied for the District’s Housing Subsidy (for tenants). After providing ALL my financial data, the District awarded me in writing a $500 per month subsidy, payable to my landlord.
Thus far all is well and good……But no, the landlord refuse to accept payment from the District. No reason was given, it could be for constitutionally prohibited reasons (the District never inquires and no reason is requested).
So the end results is that I am no longer eligible to receive the subsidy and the District has advised me to look elsewhere.
Of course, I am personally devastated. But more objectively, when did we allow private individuals to dictate who does or does not receive social assistance. This especially true with affordable housing being in crisis. I know for a fact that if/when I am evicted for failure to pay rent, the landlord will immediately relist the unit for $6000 a year more than he receiving now (likely his motivation for refusing the District’s money).
So the generalized point in all of this….It is so tiresome to hear our councilors on the stump talking about affordable housing and assuming that it is some other level of government’s job to fix….or only if developers build more housing of any type….that would be the best that they can do…..In reality, they can/should demand that local “staff” scour local legislation to make housing more affordable (such as eliminate third party short term rentals or my case not leave it up to landlords who have a vested interest to determine who is or is not worthy of social assistance).
But truly, maybe they feel that the housing and food insecure are not their constituents
Brian Tapley says
Just a comment for thought.
It seems a bit strange that the leader of our District government, the District Chairman, need not actually be elected at all. It seems virtually anyone can run for this position that pays over $100,000.00 per year I am lead to believe.
Thinking about this I think a better, more representative way to find a chairman and I suppose it should be Chairperson these days but you get the idea would be as follows.
On their first meeting, the elected District Councillors should choose a chairperson. They can vote amongst themselves as they were all previously elected at large.
As soon as one of them becomes the chairperson, that constituency immediately has to have a bi-election to find a new councilor to replace the now chairperson. This by-election would take no more than a month and routine operations could proceed without them having been selected for that month. Major changes to legislation would need to wait that month to have the council brought back to full numbers.
Anybody got some good ideas on this? I don’t claim to be any expert but it seems the current way is not all that representative.
Kathryn Henderson says
I really like this site. I learn new things and read things that make me think and maybe verify the facts. This is a great 👍 column
Anna-Lise Kear says
Just received news today from the RNAO (Registered Nurses Association of Ontario), that today “Ontario Senior Court of Justice has ruled Bill 124 to be “void and of no effect” because it violates Charter of Rights. (as regarding healthcare workers, public sector workers).
Watch to see if the Ford Conservatives waste tax-payers money by appealing this decision!
Also, I wonder if the latest filing against the Ford Conservatives concerning the daily charge for elders in hospital beds who refuse to go to a LTC bed outside of their residing area will be invalidated due to violation of the Canada Health Act????
Draw your own conclusions.
Peter McBirnie says
Subject: Respect for and protection of the Official Plan for the Town of Huntsville,
On February 28, 2022, the Town Council for the Town of Huntsville passed a Zoning By-law (ZBL) 2022-17.
The purpose and effect of the Zoning Amendment changed the zoning of a small piece of land at 234 Long’s Lake Road from a RU2 Zone to SR4-0504 Zone. The purchasers of 234 Long’s Lake Road asked the Council to amend the zoning of that lot to allow them to build a dwelling on a lot which is less than half the minimum size required by the Huntsville Official Plan
The passing of that Zoning By-law was appealed by the Appellants, to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) on the basis that the Zoning by-law Amendment does not conform to either the District of Muskoka Official Plan (MOP) and the Town of Huntsville Official Plan (HOP) and is not consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS)
The Ontario Land Tribunal found that the passing of the Zoning By-law 2022-17, on February 28, 2022, does not represent good planning in the public interest
the Tribunal further found that By-law 2022-17 does not conform to the Muskoka Official Plan or the Huntsville Official Plan and is not consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS).
THE TRIBUNAL ORDERED that the appeal against By-law No 2022-17 is allowed and By-law No 2022-17 is hereby repealed.
Note: The appellants, Peter McBirnie and Susan Stella submit this document to the Doppler because the Council must be held to a stricter standard when considering the Huntsville Official Plan which was only adopted by the Council two years before they passed By-law no 2022-17 which was illegal.
The decision of the Ontario Land tribunal is 12 pages long if the Doppler wishes to examine all the facts in the decision.
You can reach us by email for further information.
sincerely yours Peter McBirnie
Kathryn Henderson says
Yes Mr. Markle nurses and nursing staff are underpaid and short of staff. Maybe Ford could pitch in with the car validation sticker money. Oh right he got rid of a perfectly good asset bringing in a billion dollars a year. Chaos for sure
Anna-Lise Kear says
Mr. Markle; I understand it to be Naomi Klein who has said, where there is chaos, you sow your agenda (while others are distracted). Anyone is welcome to correct me on this quote. A political strategy.
Watch out LTC!
Allen Markle says
Where have all the people with the calculators gone? Surely there is enough going on right now, for someone to start to run the numbers and explain what’s happening out in the world today. I don’t mean this lightly. I really can’t figure some of this out.
We have a COP (Conference of the Parties) nearing completion. About 200 countries trying to keep global warming in check. This is the 27th such conference (27 years and nothing new) and I don’t see them getting any closer to easing the situation, let alone solving the problem.
Nations are about to drown. Nations are being flooded; washed out to sea. Nations are suffering drought. But it isn’t monetarily feasible (read profitable) to alleviate the problem let alone solve it. There seems to be some excitement over the idea of monetarily compensating those countries that are suffering the most. To me, it’s like someone is looking for an out; one that allows some nations to keep on doing what they are doing. But they will be able to feel better, by gagging the flooding, baking, eroding nations on money.
Here at home, we have a provincial government that is about to build billions of dollars worth of homes on land that has been protected by previous governments. They say they know better. Personally, I think it is a way for Ford to reward those developers who have contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to his party and his election.
When the calculators have that figured out, ‘riddle me this’. How can a company that is supposedly paying higher prices for everything from shipping, to labor, to…..everything, still manage to post higher and higher quarterly earnings? The most curious part is, they say they are not ripping me off when I try to ‘bring home the bacon’ !!
One more query, just to give that old calculator a work out. How is it possible for Nova Scotia to be paying about a hundred dollars and up, for RNs and PSWs, but Ontario can’t pay those same people enough to keep them in the building?
I read this over and even to me it seems to be a sort of shotgun comment. But there’s a lot of puzzling stuff going on out there.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Finally found a definition of “woke” in today’s vernacular.
My guess was that it referred to someone who was not only self-aware, but aware of current issues from the perspective of others. In other words, not just the perspective of the dominant culture.
See if you agree: https://www.msn.com/en-ca/money/other/what-does-the-word-woke-actually-mean-and-why-do-people-keep-getting-it-wrong/ar-AA13UPPq?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=fdf0464cb28245d1aca185543f98f19d
Allen Markle says
CUPE members can only hold their breath. A fair agreement may be in the offing. Good luck to you. But the machinations in the Ontario ‘Conservative’ upper echelon makes one wonder about who will carry on. Oh, I’m sure DoFo will remain at the helm of the ‘Ford-iks’ to the end of this term, but his ego has been dragged through something akin to the damper sections of a tent city. It must be embarrassing for him.
I wonder more about Stephen Lecce. If he stays true to form, Ford will touch somebody; he won’t face all this derision alone. Even now he is hinting that CUPE getting an acceptable deal will cost the province a lot as other contracts come up for renewal. And he wants us to know it won’t be his fault.
A previous comment queried as to why people would want to serve in public office. It is a good paying job with great benefits, requires no training, and if you keep a low profile, stress free except at election time.
But it may come to pass there will be little need to stand for election, since fewer and fewer people even care to vote. Maybe somebody will like that top spot and just stay. Do it in February, with lots of people wintering south of the border (likely most of the politicians) and the rest snowed in or not wanting to go out in the cold, and the coup could be over before there is any violence. Try blockading a bridge or holding a city for ransom then.
It’s not so farfetched a scenario, with our southern neighbor only a few crass words short of a revolution. And, with everything going on in Ottawa right now, is anyone at the helm anyway?
But do it right now, and everybody would be there to confer as to whether the take over had been done legally or not.
Crazy days. Precarious times.
Bill Spring says
I can’t imagine wanting to be a politician and putting oneself in the gun sights of anyone wanting to beef about every single thing that disturbs them. Classifying their jobs as “ doing photo ops, going to dinners and giving speeches “ And as far as good pay, if you’re number one goal in life is to make money, you’re chances are far greater in the private sector. Why would any young person with decent skills in life want to be a politician, when they can make a better living and lifestyle in the private sector. I think it’s improbable that a politician can make the right decisions on a daily basis and never make a wrong one. What counts is how quickly they own the mistake and correct the course without fear of losing face.
Janice Schumacher says
Lets look at what the government is actually offering these workers in dollars instead of percentages. If a worker makes $35000 a year and they get a 2.5% increase based on 43 weeks a year, they will get an additional $20.30 a week. The other weeks they have to apply for EI which is about 1/2 of what they make or they have to take another job. In today’s economy what will that do for them. Or if they work the whole 52 weeks they will get 16.80 per week. On the other hand an MPP with a portfolio makes #165,000 a year plus a housing allowance of $2300 a month plus expenses and they only sit in parliament for 31 weeks a year,. This works out to $6212.90 a week. Plus they have staff who do their work and they get paid for travelling. Even if you said they worked the whole 52 weeks a year they would make $ 3703.84 a week. That is pretty good pay for doing photo ops and going to dinners and giving a few speeches.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Great questions Mr. Day! We can only know what Premier Ford did/did not do if he and Ontario Solicitor General are willing to answer questions at the inquiry. Ottawa is Canada’s capital, but the Ottawa and area constituents still elect the Provincial government of Ontario. Ontario government is definitely a part of this jurisdictional equation that cannot be ignored.
Duncan Day says
In reading all of the comments about Doug Ford and his recent response to the inquiry into the use of the Emergencies Act by the Trudeau Liberal Government, I fail to see why this is or was Mr. Ford’s fight? From what I have heard and read over the last six months the protest was against the Federal Liberal Party of Canada, not the Government of Ontario. It also seems to me that the seat of the Federal Government is in Ottawa – hence the demonstrations were held in that city at the determination of the organizers. There were demonstrations in Toronto and Windsor in Ontario and in Alberta as we all know, and they were dealt with by Federal and Provincial Governments. Do we know that Mr. Ford refused to be involved with Ottawa or is that merely speculation? What we do know, is that Mr. Trudeau was absent from view for the entire debacle in Ottawa and that he did refuse to meet with the organizers of the protest and the focus of the protest was against the Federal Government. Did Mr. Ford refuse to send OPP officers to help quel the demonstrations in Ottawa? Not as far as I know, and it was apparent there were police officers from almost every City in Ontario present there during the final two days of the demonstrations and during the build up to that outcome. I also recall the Ottawa Police Chief on television every day giving updates on how they were handling the protest and the demonstrators, but as we are hearing now, they had no clue on how to manage the event. Mr. Sloly resigned because neither he nor his team could manage the problem – even though they had prior intel that the protest was going to happen. Frankly, I fail to see where this should all fall on Mr. Ford to be held responsible even in retrospect. I guess it all makes good fodder for the Provincial and Federal Liberal supporters with their views on how to run our Province and our Nation. To me it would make a whole lot more sense to “suggest” ways to do things better and not to cast scorn and ridicule on those in power at every opportunity. Could this have been handled better? Of course it could, does it all fall on Mr. Ford – I don’t think so. He was on vacation but not uninformed, we all know how that works with today’s level of communications, and he did interact with his team daily on possible solutions. Again, this protest was primarily against the Federal Government and there have been others as flagrantly against the Federal Government that took a heavier toll on the citizens of Canada economically – I refer to the many blockades of rail lines and highways from coast to coast – all against the Federal Government of Canada.
Anna-Lise Kear says
A pun on Ford’s use of the “notwithstanding clause”.
He is Not Standing With nurses, public healthcare system, public education, environmentalists, labour rights to collective bargaining, people with disabilities, the policing review at the Federal Emergencies Act inquiry … you can add to this list if you like. Instead, Ford copies Trump in turning to the courts to avoid making him “do” what he doesn’t want to.
Mr. Mackenzie or Ms. Sally Barnes not so long ago wrote a Commentary entitled “Who is standing up for Canada?” Clearly Ford’s view of those in Ontario, Canada who he “will stand up for” are laid bare by his actions.
Peter Rudolf Dirks says
Thank you Mike Talbot for your question and statement!
A flag is not a political statement, but a symbol of a country and the people it represents.
This is the second time, in this Town ,that Counsil can not differentiate between a flag and the people it represents.
A FLAG is symbol of the people of the country it represents, and NOT attached to the person running it at the time. If we can not understand this in our town, we are in big trouble.
Susan Godfrey says
To say I was surprised is an understatement. Shock, disappointment and dismay were the feelings I had when I viewed the monstrosity that has appeared on our precious Forbes Hill. All the beautiful trees were removed to build THAT? I feel sorry for those that live nearby; they can’t help but be impacted by such an arresting view. To me this eyesore looks no better than a prison building.. shame, shame.
Allen Markle says
Is it just me, or does this Ontario government have a built in intransigence when it comes to the worth of working people. Was it just developers, the pillars of industry and the wealthy retired who voted and elected this bunch? They are the only people benefitting from, and outside the reach of this shower of incompetents. That may be the wrong word, but they don’t seem to be helping the working person. So I’ll go with incompetent.
Ford has assured us that 1.5 million new homes are to be built in the next 10 years. I won’t find fault with the intent, but the thought of Ford and his minions around for another two elections is chilling! They intend to allow building pretty much anywhere, sweeping land protection and municipal prerogative aside. Developers are taking to wearing bladder protection, their excitement uncontrollable.
Will all this housing be affordable? Will any of it? Will it be for the present populace or new citizens, or a mixture? Will we have schools, hospitals, infrastructure to handle it all? It’ not just building houses, because we need the full package. We are told that Huntsville is to get a new hospital, to the tune of 500 million dollars. Is that still on? What proof beyond ‘they said so’.
With municipalities being unable to collect certain fees for future development, will our taxes increase? A little or a lot. The province doesn’t tell us or even attempt to.
DoFo dissed the health care sector and will now proceed to inform education support workers that legislation is coming to prevent them from walking off the job. I find a request for raises north of 10% a bit much, but that is why you negotiate. And doesn’t all this smell of a previous Liberal governments plan? Same s#@^, different government!
C’mon Mr. Premier. Tell us how a lot of this should play out.
Personally, I want you gone. You got nothing other than a grin and a truck.
If I could hold a microphone up to your ear, I believe I would hear the ocean.
Mike Talbot says
Are we ever going to put the eighth flag back up at Centre and West, or are we still behaving like children and pretending that Russia didn’t attend the G8? It’s time to grow up.
Anna-Lise Kear says
As Ontario public healthcare continues to be starved, in preparation of for-profit take over, so goes the state of health of our professional front-liners. Yet there are projected surpluses to be spent on ?what?, the for-profit advertising for investors? initial sign-on bonuses for the managers to run these enterprises?
Don’t expect anything different from the Ford Conservative ideologues. They don’t have the talent or the will for anything else.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Thank you, Allen Markle.
There seems to be little wisdom in the Ford Conservative government; he builds his surplus while neglecting healthcare, climate change, and public education.
Perhaps he will use his surplus to again:
1. Insist Ontario license plates be “blue” (so they can’t be read by the OPP)
2. Spend legal fees in Ontario court to ensure his “anti-carbon tax” stickers are on all gas pumps.
3. Give the taxpayer a freebie before the next election by failing to collect 1 billion in license sticker renewals.
Our adolescent-like Premier can demonstrate his:
“you’re not the boss of me!” to Federal government (watch what happens if Trudeau Liberals put conditions on health transfers, i.e. spent in the much-beleaguered public healthcare system).
“you can’t make me!” when called to give testimony at the Emergencies Act Inquiry.
“I don’t have to listen to you!” when advised that more OPP could be sent along to help in Ottawa.
By remaining out of touch with the public in non-profit healthcare, climate change, and public education, DF demonstrates his cemented ideology, No Matter What is happening around him in Ontario. No nuance-no wisdom-just ideology pure and simple.
Allen Markle says
Does the squirming our premier is doing remind you of a worm? Not yet threatened with a hook, just squirming, ’cause that’s what worms do. I can’t imagine that anyone could expect him to give truthful, unspun evidence anyway, but what could he say or reveal that can cause him this amount of discomfort?
He insists that this was a ‘federal’ action; that he had no part in it. That might be the truth, because other than clearing a bridge, and leaving the city of Ottawa to squirm, he was pretty much out of sight.
The investigation in Ottawa is called a ‘public inquiry’; he is a member of the public, so why can’t he be requested to tell what he knows. Is there something here that really would be that enlightening. He ‘does protest so much’ it makes one wonder.
Should the time come, will he show such an aversion to the offering of, or asking for, ‘federal money’.
Yeah! I don’t believe that either.
Anna-Lise Kear says
It’s official, Doug Ford Conservatives do not recognize any responsibility for the people of Ottawa in his province of Ontario. Okay to those in Windsor, perhaps Toronto – but Ottawa, you are on your own. Too bad.
Allen Markle says
I am a bit perplexed with the action of DoFo. Would have thought that the opportunity to submit prevarications on the national stage would have been a plum opportunity. But he said he wasn’t ever asked. Wait now. The other morning on the news, they showed the actual documents, inviting the man to ‘testify’. So he was getting in a bit of action, without even going. Impressive. But that’s what he does.
Maybe he is preoccupied with building all this new housing. That would be all right, except for where and how the land for this project is coming about. Municipal jurisdiction, in some cases, will be swept aside. The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, one of the largest landholders in the city, will be under assault.
Ontario will lose more farmland (but we can buy food from China and elsewhere) and a lot of the property protected by previous governments will be built on. Like flood plains. Doug’s developer buddies are ecstatic. It will be somewhat like the city of LA building on the San Andreas fault line, because it is cheap land.
Hurricane Hazel showed that it was a bad idea to build in such areas, but now DoFo and his new minister of ‘trees and rocks’ know better than history. With weather events intensifying, such a place would not be where I would choose to live. What will the insurance rates be like, or will the Province supply that? It’s just a matter of time before the San Andreas slips again, so too will these low properties flood.
Will it mean that here in Huntsville, the ‘Official Plan’ will be swept aside? More cutting and digging and blowing stuff up?
The latest is, Doug seems to feel that the ‘Freedom Convoy’ was all a Federal problem.
So it could be that he doesn’t want it in the papers that he forgot that Ottawa is in Ontario and therefore it’s citizens are his constituents.
There could be other reasons, but he’ll need time to make them up.
Maybe we might recommend that he read “The March of Folly” by Barbara Tuchman. About how some people are doomed to do dumb s#*&, over and over.
Thankfully, we don’t have such people in our local, political spectrum.
Just kidding!!
Angela Hunt says
Very interesting
Anna-Lise Kear says
Headline reads: “Premier Doug Ford’s government is set to challenge his summons to appear at Emergencies Act Inquiry”.
Of Course He is. Accountability is only for those the Ford Government deems to be so.
Hence, no accountability faced by the for-profit LTC homes after the first COVID wave. Hence the legislation to protect the same from litigation.
Yet the hypocrisy of requiring accountability from the Federal government from Federal Conservatives.
“What is good for the goose is good for the gander”.
Anna-Lise Kear says
In the wake of Danielle Smith’s (UCP) empathy and forgiveness of anti-vaxxer’s, a former undergraduate nursing classmate of mine recently shared her concern for the health of people in rural Alberta.
She mentions that many people only have 1-2 vaccine shots. Dr. Drummond has lived and worked in Alberta since @1974, so I imagine she might know. Further, she adds the health of rural Albertans was “abysmal” under Kenney and before COVID. It has been enough incentive for her to join Notley’s campaign.
If interested, you can check out her credentials for such an opinion. Try Dr. Jane Drummond, PhD » CCHF
Steve Lehman says
Just tried to vote electronically at https://huntsville.simplyvoting.com. Kept getting bumped to a site that required me to create a username and password. Unbelievably annoying. Finally used my wife’s computer, inputting the exact same address and voila! Good to go. So tiresome.
Martin Rutledge says
It would seem to me that the District of Muskoka waste management strategy should be encouraging responsible waste management across the entire community of Muskoka. If that was the driving value behind the strategy then you would expect that hazardous waste collection would be equally available across the District. Regrettably it is not. Bracebridge is the only community in the district with daily and often weekend drop off capacity for hazardous waste. The last Huntsville pick up was September 6 and the next is February 2023. If I have a single florescent tube am I to drive to Bracebridge to dispose of it? Partial cans of paint to wait 5 months for the next pick up? Seems like another Bracebridge centric decision by our Bracebridge centric District administration. An interesting aside – garbage cans in any Disney operated theme park are strategically located to encourage their use. Disney knows how far an average “joe” will walk to get rid of waste responsibly and so the cans are located to encourage proper use (and discourage Littering). I think it is safe to generalize here and assume with some confidence that irresponsible citizens are more likely then not to dispose of hazardous waste in ways which the District should be working hard to dissuade through equitable access to this service across all Municipalities! We need daily hazardous waste disposal in all Muskoka waste facilities, a simple green strategy that maybe our next wave of elected officials can make happen.
Jim SINCLAIR says
After many years of my banking being looked after by CIBC it grieves me to see the CIBC Board of Directors hire on Bill Morneau.
He is the one hired by PM Trudeau to go on trips paid for by WE and to accept free gifts as Bill saw fit. Less than 24 hours after it was exposed that he ‘forgot about paying the bill, his wife paid it and all was hushed up until he resigned a short time later.
I though CIBC would have better sense, but 0bviously not!
Jim S.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Hi Tracy; perhaps Ford did not believe the Ottawa police force/mayor when they identified the number of RCMP available in Ottawa at the time -preferring his own estimate of the numbers.
In all fairness, perhaps Ford had difficulty with geography in middle school.
Tracy Muckler says
I believe the RCMP are a “federal police force”.
Anna-Lise Kear says
We still need governing talent and skill at Queen’s Park,.
Can’t help but wonder if the penny has dropped for the Ontario Conservatives that governing actually requires a different skill set than campaigning. If the penny has dropped for them how many more times does this need to happen to invoke the skilled planning and action needed?
Take the hearings concerning the Federal Government’s use of the Emergency Act during the Ottawa trucker protest. I recall asking and wondering during the protest at the time, and before the EA was declared – is not Ottawa in the Province of Ontario? If Ford declared an Emergency in Windsor, why isn’t he doing the same in Ottawa?
Follow up question, is Ford delighted the protestors seem angry with the Federal Liberals? Does this suit the Ford campaigning strategies? When it comes to governing, why did he not send more RCMP to Ottawa as the city requested?
Anna-Lise Kear says
Covid 19 outbreaks at both Muskoka Hospitals and no science table or interest from the Province as we learn to “live with it”. Working our dedicated staff again to point of exhaustion. What else is new?
Crickets from the Ford government on nursing recruitment and retention.
1 Billion revenues blown on vehicle license renewal stickers – about 1 billion that could have been used to support our healthcare system.
Broken record, I know.
Ontarians fell for the “buck-a-beer” Premier.
Thank you health care professionals for your continued work in difficult times. It is unfortunate you could not be better recognized and rewarded with the right to collective bargaining.
Brenda Begg says
Oh happy day! A bookstore is slated to open in Huntsville, this Fall.
Pam Carnochan says
Since when is it okay for a member of parliament to sway the vote in a municipal election.? I find this partisanship not appropriate for a municipality and it shouldn’t be allowed.
Allen Markle says
Hope I’m not out-staying my welcome on the subject of our local hospitals, but here goes.
Everyone seems to accentuate the need for ‘critical care’ hospitals. By definition, critical care facilities are those with an ICU ( intensive care unit) and a CCU (critical care unit), which I believe both Huntsville and Bracebridge have, or had, until there was so few trained people left to staff them. There is a plethora of ‘unfunded’ rooms and beds in both hospitals. 9:00 to 4:00, Mon. to Fri. and the parking lot in Huntsville is pretty full. Other days and hours and you could have a few extra pickle ball courts out there.
The buildings may be aging; there is definitely the need for newer equipment (isn’t there always!), but it seems to be, that we need people. We need nurses, doctors, cleaners, maintenance; all the people that make the whole thing run. We need these people to provide the care in said units.
But what we heard, was Premier Ford saying that 90% of the people showing up at Emergency Rooms, are being looked after. I believe he back peddled on that one as fast as a big man could; but being treated at an emergency room is not the critical care feature that is front and center here in Muskoka.
There was the sum of 500 million dollars per facility mentioned before the election. How far would that go toward upgrading the facilities, both ICU and CCU, in our present hospitals?
All Doug and the boys have to do, is come up with the people to staff the buildings.
Admit that those people are worth more than his 1% raise.
Maybe our local parliamentarians could point out to Premier Ford, that some of them feel they are worth a 27% raise. I imagine nurses and teachers and the people driving truck would get the warm fuzzies receiving that kind of pay raise.
But isn’t that another story!!!
For me, we need people and the equipment for them to work with, not bricks and glass.
Allen Markle says
Watched a pretty good hockey game last evening at the ‘Don’. We won, which was nice, but I didn’t see as much unnecessary belligerence displayed by the Otters, as in some games. Yes guys, some of the reffing you have had to endure really sucked, but you can’t score from a penalty box. In fact you can’t even get a clear shot.
There are few contracts coming from ‘C’ hockey, so you better be in this for the love of it. You sometimes have to take the lumps, swallow the pain, and stay on the ice.
There was some good hustle and pressure on the opposition when Otters were on a penalty kill. And a short handed goal as result of opportunity, luck and hard skating. A good show all round.
Go Otters!!
John Oliver says
Allen, sorry to tell you that it’s already too late. The damage is done and the best we can expect and hope for is that at some point in earths distant future the cycle may change but by that time most of the planet will be a parched desert with little animal, plant or human life. A gloomy prediction for sure but we only have ourselves to blame. Humans have been very successful in polluting and destroying the paradise that God gave us. The next few generations will not know or have the simple pleasures of breathing clean fresh air or swimming in clean unpolluted water. We owe our children and all future children an apology for the mess we have given them. I’ll start the ball rolling; I am truly sorry for all that I have done in the last 76 years that has contributed to this mess. I also apologize to Mother Nature for contributing to the destruction of her beautiful blue and green creation, planet Earth. Blessings to all, Namaste.
Allen Markle says
I’ve watched film and read reports on the devastation that hurricanes and cyclones and other weather phenomenon are wreaking on the planet. Reports of rivers running dry, reservoirs emptying, deluges of rain and then floods. Droughts where there normally gardens and farms. It’s all reported as the result of man’s hastening the effects of global warming. The world is warming on it’s own; but we are seriously spurring it along.
I’ve stood in the chill waters of the Bow and Oldman rivers, aware that when those headwater glaciers and snow melt slopes are gone, then so are these rivers. Unless we develop a method of freezing up another ice age……?
We’ve read lots of info on what we can do to slow the process; to mitigate our influence upon this heating up. We even have voices here on Doppler, with theories and numbers to show how we can keep doing what we’re doing, with some modifications here and there, and then maybe we might cool the heating a bit. There have even been attempts to price it all out.
It is those dollar figures, the ‘profit’ gained from man’s enterprise, that has got us to where we are now. There never was, or is, any intention of cleaning up the mess. That would reduce the ‘profit’.
It is grimly amusing, to now hear of people wanting to sue national governments for not stemming climate change. They would use this money to what! Get that new ice age started? It all seems to have a dollar value. Maybe you can bribe a tornado?
This evening I saw something on TV, advertising what a business had for sale; not that you will need it, but just something that you know you want. And you can be sure it has a dollar value and there is profit involved.
Can governments, even dictatorships, control their people to the point that those same people don’t want everything new under the sun? That would involve a total rewriting of what we have been told so far.
Future generations will have to look at this planet from a perspective that past generations, and I, haven’t, and didn’t.
A la Red Green. I’m rootin’ for them.
Rod jones says
We live on Chaffey. st. in Huntsville and it’s a mess pot holes , dusty not graded or anything.Is this the only not paved road right in town? We have no luck with the town if or when it will be paved.We need it paved now before winter
Bob Slater says
IMO .. It seems to be the left is going nuts about the new conservative leader and his supporters! Try this ,, give him a chance to get started .. listen with open mind .. what are the alternatives? ie more higher taxes?, in all government performance indicators? .ie. .more issues with heath care because of uncontrolled population growth that eats up ALL social services? ie major increase in serious crime because of enforcement via emotions and feeling? uncontrolled spending that lacks any concern for impact and consequence? … Stop using the term populism .. people will vote and the left calls the results populism if you do NOT like it? .. but that is what the voting system is all about .. majority wins because the winner is more ‘popular’ than opponents and voting people like the winners programs, ideas and future directions to correct problems/issues of the previous government!
Allen Markle says
A quiet day in the country, and then, what could have become a serious situation. Gunfire? Someone down the road went Clyde Barrow. We are used to gunfire in this area, generally this time of year, when the hunters assault the geese landing in the surrounding fields.
The report went in and the police began to arrive. I do mean arrive! We had blacks, and whites, and black and whites; all sorts. We even had a bear in the air, circling like an angry gnat.
The roads near us were sealed off and people were encouraged to remain indoors, or find a different route to the highway.
Today, all the photography, from the west corner, the southeast corner, the northeast corner and every other corner have been taken and the cars and officers have disappeared.
There was one observation I made, a nice change from some of the traffic past our home. Cars and trucks slowed to 50 (posted) or 60 km! Some vehicles cross the track and you could do a suspension examination: well maybe only the front axle, but you know what I mean.
But everyone is safe and what could have been a tragic situation, isn’t.
Just goes to show that you can never know what may be happening up the street, or just across the road.
Thanks to officers on the road.
Stay safe everyone.
Cheryl Hammond says
If this is denied and they don’t re- apply, so what.. I’m sure that there will be others that would love to build here and comply with all the guidelines. I know that growth is inevitable but at what cost. Ignore those already paying their taxes. I think that this site can be used to accommodate all parties and if they are unwilling to change the height or design, do we want those businesses in our town. We want businesses that we can be proud to have here, don’t we. Just a thought.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Allen Markle, good points. Cast your eyes in the direction of the Greens. Hopefully with Elizabeth May co-leading, the Greens will get back on track federally.
I recognize all parties can have their scandals – however, some are worse than others.
One key issue for me is that the political party Must abandon “populism” as a campaign technique – it is unsupportable and indefensible.
I want to know the party platform, ahead of the election, not afterwards.
Allen Markle says
I have voted Conservative, ’til they sucked.
Liberal, until they sucked.
And NDP (or so I thought, until Bob Rae discovered he really was a liberal), so that one doesn’t count. But they sucked.
I have always believed I was a Conservative; the grandfather, father, son sort of progression. Then I figured it out for myself, and, yeah, I was/am a Conservative. But, Conservative must mean something different to Doug Ford and Pierre Polievre, than to me. I just don’t associate with, or trust, either one of them.
In a previous Doppler comment, David Harrison outlined the beliefs that he felt best described a conservative. I will paraphrase a bit, just to keep this brief. He noted:
-belief in individual responsibility
– fiscal responsibility by small government, with no debt.
– compassionate
-morally grounded
– tells the truth ********
– defends right and justice
– an open government, striving to strengthen the democratic process. (this is non-existent today with the elected dictatorship method used by majority government.)
A government actively operating within these tenets could be conservative, and one I would gladly vote for and support. They could call themselves Liberal, NDP, Whig, Tory; hell, whatever they choose!
I struggle to find a name that would fit. It would have background music by Leonard Cohen: ‘Hallelujah’ sung by KD Lang.
But my search, I fear, is akin to the search once carried out for ‘even one righteous man.’
Anna-Lise Kear says
Thank you, Brenda Begg.
Brenda Begg says
As I understand it, from newspaper articles/social media, the declared ‘holiday Monday’ for some but not all, is based partly on the fact that many many millions upon many millions of dollars will be lost for businesses who close. They not only pay their employees for time off, but lose potential business dollars. They also have had literally, no time to prepare for this. Understandable! It is up to individual provinces as to whether they will implement the holiday. I understand and appreciate the reluctance of some provinces to forego this holiday ( e.g. Quebec).
Queen Elizabeth fulfilled her monarchy role admirably; there is no disputing that (for some). However, I for one, appreciate Her role and contributions over these last 70 years; although I’m not necessarily a fan of the Monarchy. She fulfilled her role admirably under many adverse conditions and, for many years. Do we need or want a Monarchy? Time will tell.
Chas Clark says
Anna Lisa Kerr. You still don’t get it. This was about the death of a beloved monarch who was a legend. You have dragged it down to reiterate your constant biased views on the Conservatives rather than respecting the death of now a major historical figure. No more please.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Mr. Clarke; hello. My recent comments were concerning the Queen’s death – how each Province is similar/differing in their mark of respect for her passing.
Specifically, if a holiday Monday is observed. I noted earlier that the Eastern Provinces, with Progressive Conservative governments Were Indeed marking her passing with a holiday Monday. As is British Columbia.
However Ontario has aligned itself more with the Conservative governments of Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta in the priority of commerce first, before a separate day of respect.
Sorry, but Doug Ford is a Harper man- not a Bill Davis protege.
Lynn Bennett says
Well said Steve Lehman!
Ford, our cartoonish Scrooge McDuck, does not ‘get’ the concept of respect for years of service. Not for our Queen or the seniors needing to transition to LTC and wanting to remain in their community. No, just move them out and warehouse them some 150 km from their loved ones.
As Scrooge McDuck says, ‘here is your hat, we are in a hurry, don’t let the screen door slap your backside on the way out — next!’
Chas Clark says
Thank you, Mr. Mackenzie, for your thoughtful and moving eulogy on the death of Queen Elizabeth II as it reflected what most of us thought and experienced throughout our lifetime of this wonderful monarch.
Sadly, it was spoiled for me by the comments of Anna Lisa Kerr who, instead of adding a tribute to the passing of the Queen turned it sour and political with her biased and inaccurate comments about the Conservative Party who she seems to blame for every sin and omission since Christendom. As a veteran, I was extremely proud to have served as a member of Her Majesties Forces.
Steve Lehman says
Apparently The Queen was literally on her deathbed while taking the time to express her condolences to the people of the James Smith Cree Nation for the senseless murders that took place there recently. This week the Barrie tv news ran a story about a WW2 veteran who just received a signed congratulatory portrait of Her Majesty in recognition of him celebrating his 100th birthday. Truly two shining examples of duty and service to the people.
So when our Prime Minister declared a national holiday in recognition of seven decades of such empathy and dedication from afar, how did our Premier respond? To my mind, like the cartoonish Scrooge McDuck. “Workers must work.” Quack. “Teachers must teach.” Quack. “Students must learn.” Quack, quack, quack, quack, quack.
I wonder if the Premier realizes that one of the lessons students WILL learn from this is that if a lifetime of public service warrants little more than a moment of observance upon passing, then how much respect should one expect after a term or two in provincial office. Maybe none?
jerry paris says
Stores some days are not open some days, and after school programmes can not be run, generally for the same reason. If people do not want to do the work, then neither can be run.
If money is available without working, why work?
Some young people now feel that with so many openings that they can take days off when they feel like it, and will not be fired. The idea that they need me more than I need them.
Some businesses are paying above minimum wage but it does not seem to matter.
Other work places are looking at automating some of their work place, yes it costs money but the equipment is in place and reliable, meaning the no skills or low skills work will disappear.
Some work places are bringing off shore workers to fill jobs Canadians will not due, and supplying places to stay.
In the future feds will set up new programmes to pay more people to stay home while others do the work and pay taxes to support non working workers.
Kathryn Henderson says
True blue. I see Canada getting back to normal thank God. If they don’t get held back by Liberals. And the distribution of the surb was a good thought but now I start seeing younger kids having to pay back some. These individuals went right back to work as soon as stores were allowed open. A lot of surb went to people that were not deserving some never left a job to qualify. And rumors have it that even people out of country received surb. Trudeau was not very organized or well informed. There is so much destruction caused by Trudeau.
Brenda Begg says
Today is September 11. 911: lest we forget.
Allen Markle says
I guess with overwhelming support for the new PC(?) leader, it’s official. If you are any kind of ‘blue’, but what we have in Ontario, and now Canada, you better find a rock and a road to kick it down. The province we once had hangs by a thread.
It was interesting to see in the Forester, that on the ministry of Education website, it states that programs must be available if there is a demand for them. Admirable.
The Forester comment is concerning before and after school child care. So, regardless of the difficulties, these programs will be supplied. It is written (law).
I suppose the Minister of Health (Jones), the Minister of Education (Lecce), and the Minister of long term care (Calandra: the guy who said he had, but hadn’t learned stuff), all operate under the same dictum: that ‘programs must be available if there is a need. Or maybe not, with what we see happening around us today.
Minister Jones: we need our hospitals staffed, not partially, and not devouring the doctors and nurses who do keep working. There is the demand.
Minister Lecce: we need our schools and their attendant programs. There is the demand. Don’t dare demand from someone else, when you are failing to perform yourself.
Minister Calandra: We are your portfolio: the aged, the infirm, the now needy, and there is great need. Have you still learned nothing? Are we dismissed because we are no longer a working asset?
But with the leader these ministers put up with, it may not be wise to have an original thought; to not toe that blue line.
I find the lot of you to be underachievers.
The ‘greater good’, is, or has become an encumbrance to our governments.
Stephen Bryon says
Doppler articles are outstanding. Well written, precise and accurate.
Stephanie Keeley says
Like the vast majority of cottagers, my family cherishes the beauty of Muskoka and is very protective of our lake. In the last year on the island across from us a number of cottage owners have put up bright blue solar lights on their properties. Consequently, at night rather than enjoying the absence of city lights, we see a proliferation of jarring blue lights on the opposite shore. As well, the lights shine into our home. As one of our neighbors said ‘it is like looking across at a landing strip at Pearson airport’. I am sure that those who have employed these lights are unaware of how disrupting they are to our Muskoka environment. Our concern is that these lights, which create an almost industrial air, are going to be seen more often on our lakes. I hope we will all work together to protect and maintain the natural beauty of our where we live.
Respectfully,
Stephanie Keeley
jerry paris says
HUGH — There is no such thing as a zero emissions vehicle.
They only move the emissions to another point from where the vehicle is located.
It could be where the batteries are made, or where the power is produced, or if solar powered, it would be where the solar panels are made, and remember solar panels are not recyclable.
There are places in the US where panels that have been replaced are stacked, or dumped in land fill.
Perhaps the true zero emissions vehicle will run onfairy dust like the prime ministeres 727 and challenger planes that he uses to in a non polluting way to fly around the world.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Dianne Hawker, I am sorry to hear of your situation regarding pension decline.
Thank you for being brave enough to write about it.
Dianne Hawker says
Re: Fairvern pension reductions
I personally had no prior knowledge that my pension after 13 years retired, would be reduced Sept. 1, 2022 by 10%, before receiving the letter from CCWIPP on Aug. 20, 2022.
I received NO COMMUNICATIONS of any kind regarding my pension from any of the parties involved.
What this means to me – the cost of living is up more than 10% which will effect my quality of life, as well as my budget. I worked hard for this and budgeted wisely!
I would like to have some answers! to questions I would have like to have asked!
Trudy Moody says
-when a person applies for a job, your we;; receive a wage, you might expect your wage to go up, certainly not down, *if the company has benefits that you pay into, you expect those benefits to cover what their suppose to, while you are paying into them; *when you pay into a pension plan, that money should be available when you retire, at the same rate as you are quoted when applying for your pension;*we paid into the pension plan at Fairvern in good faith, but months later be sent a notice of reduction in that amount, hardly seems right!
Anna-Lise Kear says
Mr. Bob Slater; it looks as if you have found an equivalent issue. I am not defending the Ontario Liberals. However, what the Liberal party does and what the Conservative party does do not justify the other IMO – all of it needs to be in plain sight.
Moreover, with a seeming consensus of opinion that the public health care system is further and crucially imploding (since the Harris years), a bright light needs to shine on Conservative government spending. It is very difficult not to call out Ford Conservatives’ plan to open the doors wide to for-profits. Where is the “plan” for recruitment, retention, and education of nurses, PSWs for example? I have been looking for such a plan since post wave 1 of COVID.
Thank you for sharing your information.
karalee heppner says
Thursday afternoon, sept 1st my partner called me on her cell that she had gotten lost in the forest behind our home when our dog ran off. I want to thank OPP officers Ted and Amy (and many others I did not get to meet), for helping find my her. Ted was back there for hours, in very hilly rough terrain. Amy coordinated teams at our home as well as on Brunel road searching for her. Just as the sun was setting one of our neighbors apparently had heard she was lost and headed off to help. He knew the area and located her. She and our dog were safely returned home, I cant thank everyone enough.
Norm Vanstone says
Thanks for the correction Diana Kato.
That is very, very unsettling.
Thanks again.
Diana Kato says
Response to Norm Vanstone –
The link you provided to CCWIPP was for plan reductions effective July 1, 2015 and completely unrelated to these current pension reductions.
This is a quote of the first 2 sentences of my letter received from CCWIPP Aug 20/22–(note that Fairvern was always called Huntsville District Nursing Home for these purposes)–
“This is to advise you that Huntsville District Nursing Home Inc. has ceased participation in the CCWIPP effective June 30, 2022, which constitutes a Withdrawal Event. The provisions contained in the Plan Text regarding a Withdrawal Event, provide for reductions in accrued benefits for Active and Former Members and reductions in payment to Retirees/Surviving Spouses.”
So very clearly our reductions are due to withdrawing from participation in the plan. This is due to the District taking over June 30/22.
This is very specific to Fairvern only on June30/22 and everything to do with the District !
Bob Slater says
Anna-Lise Kear … IMO .. talk about waste! Idea for you …Google ‘Wynn Liberal waste’. Here is just one example of vote baiting and “budgets will balance themselves! ,, https://ontariopc.ca/10-things-kathleen-wynne-would-like-you-to-forget/ .. I realize politics has deep roots and dedicated views and opinions … but don’t ignore FACTS and fiscal responsibility ! .. https://ontariopc.ca/ontario-cant-afford-a-del-duca-wynne/
Norm Vanstone says
Fairvern pensions:
I checked the CCWIPP pension website and found the following:
http://www.ccwipp.ca/index.php/en/plan-changes/message-from-board-of-trustees
My take is that the change is to all those receiving funds from the pension company due to loss of investment funds over last couple of years. It is not specific to Fairvern and out of control of District. Was the board advised prior to the issuance of the letters?
Brenda Begg says
To Marlene Muller re Fairvern pension reduction: Disgraceful is an understatement. You could not have possibly prepared for this.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Fairvern staff 10% pension reduction and the misleading communication with current and retired staff. Very disturbing and worthy of attention! Where is the leadership?
Brenda Begg says
Re Fairvern Pension Reductions:
I am at a loss for words. How very, very sad this is for past and present Fairvern employees. Devastating is a better word!
I agree that it appears that an investigation may be in order – at the least. Newsworthy? Yup, with the information we’ve been given.
It is prudent to suggest that anyone who is or was thinking of applying for a position at Fairvern may have second thoughts. That is unfortunate for the residents and their families.
I have NEVER heard any negative comments re nursing care here. I’ve overheard, many times, while there, the staff speaking to and carrying out activities with the residents in a most respectful, kind manner. They couldn’t see me so it wasn’t staged.
Diana Kato says
Allen Markle, I personally had no prior knowledge that my pension would be reduced Sept 1/22 by 10% before receiving the letter from CCWIPP on Aug 20/22. No communications of any kind regarding my pension from Any parties involved
David Wexler, I definitely think this needs examination and is very news worthy!
David Wexler says
The pension reduction issues being raised by current and former FAIRVERN employees are exactly the kinds of news items worthy of the attention of Doppler investigative journalists. Who knows…what gets uncovered might be picked up by a larger news outlet as if this is truly a reduction in pension benefits, with no prior notice to affected staff, and if the decision-makers involved were aware that this was going to be an outcome of the transfer of ownership to the District, this is news-worthy. I feel so badly for those affected.
Marlene F. Muller says
Having been employed at FAIRVERN from January 1995 until my retirement in October 2021, I too was in disbelief upon receiving a letter from CCWIPP/UFCW pension that my pension would be reduced by 10% due to a Withdrawal Event. As I had attended meetings at FV where we were informed by Norm Barrette of the District and John Wright Jr of the FV board that our pensions would not be affected by the District taking over FV . In fact it would be a simple Roll Over and the FV employees would not suffer a financial loss. Many times staff asked this question and were assured there would be no pension loss. This statement made by the district representative and the board of FV representative led the staff to believe that no financial loss would occur. When the district took over FV on June 30/22 one would think they had looked at the financial expenses of FV and how this would impact the current and retired employees. The District now has the license for the 160 FV LTC beds and the current employees are now employees of the District. The pension reduction from 10% to 52.5% for these employees is absolutely disgraceful to the long serving, hard working FV employees. Some of which have 30 plus years of service! One wonders about the benefit of the takeover at the financial loss of all FV employees!
Allen Markle says
There are a few questions I have after reading Diana Kato’s post.
District, at no time told the employees and retirees that this reduction was coming? Allowing the fund itself to make that announcement is rather gutless!
The property for the ‘New Fairvern’ was a ‘gift’ to District. A rather grand donation. But did the people who made this donation know that the recipient was about screw its own ex pensioners to the tune of 10 to 50 percent? Would some now look on this benevolence in a somewhat different light? Or not?
There are councilors in Huntsville who were and are members of our district government, some saying it was part of their portfolio. Did they know this was happening? Were they part of this and condone it? Elections are in the offing.
We have a brand new MPP in our area. Might this be the sort of thing he might take a peek at, and enlighten me?
Or us, for that matter.
District government my a##.
Just another layer of lawmakers to tax you and let you down.
My opinion.
Kathy Henderson says
Diana Kato your post is news to me. That is terrible. You paid into this and the retirees can’t start living on a reduction. What’s happening with our world? Canadians are not being looked after.
Diana Kato says
Thankyou Speak Up Huntsville
For lending an ear!
I am compelled to write today with a truth about one of the costs of the new Fairvern that you may not hear otherwise!
If you know someone who retired from Fairvern recently or years ago, or works for Fairvern before the District took over on June 30/22 you know someone who probably has had their pension reduced by 10 %to 52%!! You would also surely know that they worked very hard for that pension too.
I retired from Fairvern 4 years ago in my 20th year working there as PSW.
I was notified by a letter in the mail received August 20/22 from CCWIPP informing me that my pension would be reduced each month by 10% starting Sept 1/22!
I knew Nothing about this from any source official or hearsay before this letter ! I was shocked ! How can this be!
In this letter it says there are “reductions in accrued benefits for Active and Former Members and reductions in payment to Retirees/Surviving Spouses” because Fairvern “has ceased participation in the CCWIPP effective June 30 2022”
This means everyone I ever worked with in 20 years, everyone still working there before June 30/22 and everyone that was there when I started, everyone who I knew who retired …This even reduces the surviving spouses pension of a good friend and retired coworker who passed away 2 years ago! and also a retired coworker now 81 years old!…All who earned a paycheque from Fairvern since it’s inception until June 30/22 and had no choice but to contribute to CCWIPP !
This Is So Many Local Hardworking people, And Seniors, And Their Families!! This is So Much Earned Money!!
This is truly a cost for those affected (or a far reaching funding) of the Brand new Shiny Fairvern, indeed already tarnished, on the backs of its very own workers and their families, deceased or alive, working or retired!! Shame on Somebody !!!
I was not informed about how the new Fairvern would affect me! I was just informed by the one letter that my pension will be reduced starting in 2 weeks!
I encourage others to speak up here! I Do want to hear your experience of this! No one asked me ‘What do you think about reducing your pension as part of a deal for the new Fairvern?’ I know the very large collective answer would have been Not Acceptable !
Anna-Lise Kear says
Good observations Mr. Markle.
Allen Markle says
My mother always told us to avoid ‘bad’ people. To Mom, bad people were those who cursed loudly, drank excessively and couldn’t “keep their urges to hell home!”; things like that. But we knew what she meant and hopefully we turned out to be better people for it.
I wonder today, if she would have had a word to describe some of the people, and the things they do in our present world. I first wondered about this, when aircraft were flown into buildings.. Irregardless of the cause or reason, what word would she have used? ‘Bad’ just wouldn’t have covered it.
On the news the other day, a man confronted a woman in a hotel lobby, verbally assaulting her. A difference of opinion was not discussed, just some ‘nut-bar’ (that was not in Mom’s vernacular) with the perceived right to harass someone. He didn’t choose to confront someone who would retaliate and put his lights out. He chose a woman.
Like, he would have a political opinion that didn’t include a lot of yelling! That is just an assumption on my part, but I don’t think I’m far off the mark.
But his ilk are showing up a lot now: people feeling that there are things that need to change, but not getting much direction. Our politicians seem incapable of reaching and talking to people. They accept our votes, but then ignore us ’til they have to suck-up again in a few years.
I love a good ‘argument’; an exchange of views with no real need to convince someone or change their mind. (Maybe tomorrow we could argue opposite sides?) But it’s hard in today’s world. You never know how the person might react to a viewpoint. Or how violently. There is only right or wrong; confrontation; with no room for discussion.
Mom may have not been able to accept this, but there are those out there today who seem to have been away from the mothership too long! A lot of scrambled signals are creeping in under their aluminum foil hats.
I just can’t imagine any other reason for someone to have accosted another person, the way that s@#*head did!
Sorry Mom.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Chief Nursing Officer of Canada: Stephen Harper got rid of the position all together. The Liberal government restored it. ? an indication of the value the Federal political parties place on the importance of nursing.
A recall moment.
I noticed a criticism of the Federal Liberals that the promised facility to produce vaccines in Canada was not up and running after 2 years. How long do you suppose it takes to start up such a facility? Longer than 2 years, be realistic. It took less than 2 years for Mulroney to shut down the Canadian operation in Toronto.
Thank you for your interest in reading.
Richard Coad says
I was in Reaboro, just east of Lindsay last week and found a wallet at a farm that sold corn, it had license, health card and debit and credit cards plus a large amount of cash. If the person or anyone that knows this person. The first name is Catherine, I will not give the last name. The Lindsay police have your wallet and all of its contents.
Emely Cousintine says
Good evening everyone:
Recently on main Street Huntsville, we got a brand new cross walk light that allows pedestrians to cross the road safely to the other side. Except I don’t get it, ALOT of people are crossing the road where there’s no cross walk, and people do acknowledge the cross walk but refuse to walk another 3 more feet away from the cross walk lights knowing traffic is extremely busy. I have seen cars having to stop suddenly and the cars behind them have to slam on their brakes as people cross the road suddenly, its quite annoying and unsafe for the pedestrians and motor vehicles. So why did we end up with a cross walk in the middle of main Street when no body uses it properly, and if they do, alot of people don’t push the button they simply assume traffic will stop automatically just because they are crossing the white lines of the cross walk. Another issue is when pedestrians push the button of the cross walk and the lights come on, most of the motor vehicles stop and let people cross, BUT I seen alot recently cars and trucks don’t quite pay attention to the cross walk lights because there’s been alot of vehicles that stop their cars just tooo toooo close to the people crossing the road when they have the right away to cross the road when the flash lights come on. Summer is busy I know with tourists and the community of Huntsville, please please be safe and use the cross walk provided, instead of Jay walking. And motor vehicles please pay attention to the cross walk lights and stop on the white lines and not after the white lines. Be patient, better to be safe than sorry. This is my own observation and my own thoughts, wether you agree or not, it’s all good with me. Have a wonderful safe walk on main Street Huntsville ???? cheers ????
Allen Markle says
I did so enjoy the flush of excitement with last week’s open letter to the premier. There was some cheek flushin’, sand kickin’, chest clutchin’ repartee indeed. Hope no one was hurt, ’cause getting a doctor/nurse in a hospital is becoming difficult. That’s what the discussion was about.
Or more about what a doctor might bill in a working day, or a nurse can be paid per hour of a working day. And what an ‘on call’ physician may charge; apparently he/she can kip out and still charge an astronomical $4,000.00 plus for the shift, maybe without working? That’s even better than I could do at KC.
If that can be the price for an ‘on call’, then I have to agree with the premier; the system is broken and needs an overhaul. However, I don’t see the problem as being the working nurse.
So our health minister, the minister for long term care and the premier have devised a plan, whereby they will remove the elderly patients now housed in hospital beds ( not enough nursing homes) and move them to ‘for profit’ facilities?
That is a plan? That is the same ‘duck and cover’ this party employed during the recurring Covid outbreaks.
There should be vacancies, considering the number of seniors that perished in such places over the last couple of years. This leaves me even less convinced that our present day lawmakers have any idea as to what can be done, so they have farmed the problem out.
It seems that, in Ontario, the things we can’t afford to be without, we can’t afford anymore.
Anna-Lise Kear says
For anyone who voted Conservative in last provincial election – no right to complain, this is what you wanted and voted for – despite warnings of Mike Harris 2 agenda.
Conservatives are very limited in embracing very few different options than privatization (they call it “parallel care” instead of “two-tier”).
Conservatives are back to allowing/forcing “bed blockers” to LTC out of their actual or nearby geographic area to a vacant spot (perhaps a trick they picked up with hospitalized patients moving province to province during the pandemic).
“bed blockers”: an awful term to describe people in hospital needing LTC & there are few places to access that bed/care = occupying a hospital bed to the detriment of new patients being admitted for care. These people are often in need of Nursing rather than any acute medical care.
? What about chronic home care support? What about increasing hours of service for home care patients?
Of course, this too would require a look at nursing retention, wages, and recruitment – which is already so poorly addressed by Ford Conservatives. The two-tiered system in the US is no great model, we are/have becoming less caring about those without private insurance benefits and more satisfied with “I’ and my family are okay, why should I be concerned with your access to health services?”.
Additionally, Mr. H Mackenzie seems to be losing his influence over the Provincial Conservative party. Doug Ford Conservatives are ignoring all calls/open letters to the Premier for scrapping Bill C- 124, over the wages and collective bargaining rights of nurses in the public health sector.
Like the Harris Conservatives, there is contempt for nurses and the public health system. Be warned teachers in the public system, true to form, you will be next to be shown the government’s contemptuous hand. Let me know when and where the picket line will be, I want to join in and participate!
Ray Vowels says
To Brenda Begg I’m sorry I didn’t realize that they stopped reporting on that site the same time that they stopped reporting on the Ont, Govt. Site so after June you just have to guess at the numbers. I could give you the last numbers the ont govt. posted but you will have to send me friends request.
Wendy J Brown says
I thought everyone was over arguing about covid shots , but I guess not. Honestly I’ve had 4 now, and so far no covid. I had a woman be snotty with me when I had the first shot. I told her that I had the shot and if it was the start ofvthe zombie apocalypse then I was coming to bite her first. Apparently some smart researchers in BC think they have a cure for it , but it will be another shot of course so some chicken Littles won’t have it. Such is life Darwinism is always the winner.
Dudley Reid says
Everyone please step back. What we have to learn from this terrible tragedy is how to prepare for the next pandemic with (example):
* an emergency plan,
* effective use of our healthcare services,
* using our military field services for triage, not hospital emergency
* group and private insurance plans to be first payer for justified income loss and expanded EI, rather than
spontaneous government plans. EI premiums would have to increase and specific reserves established.
• very little limited political interference
Remember “Lies, damned lies, and statistics” is a phrase describing the persuasive power of statistics to bolster weak arguments.
Anna-Lise Kear says
A bit more information: Global News reporting on Worldwide case numbers of COVID deaths, Canadian figures, and the concerns for winter. Over 50% of deaths occurring in the unvaccinated.
https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/we-cannot-live-with-15-000-deaths-a-week-who-warns-on-rise-in-covid-fatalities/ar-AA10Ljym?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=5532e0add96a4a569f4bdfb32525dc78
Brenda Begg says
Ray Vowels, please help me locate the site re Covid numbers in Muskoka that you say is posted on The Doppler. I cannot locate your reference. The last update was on July 12, 2022 titled, ‘Here’s What The SMDHU Is Stating About COVID Numbers in Muskoka.’ There is nothing in this post that discusses “the truth about this vaccine.”
Thank you. I look forward to reading your reference. It’s always wise to look at both sides of an issue.
Ray Vowels says
I’ll try this one more time and just maybe you guy’s will post this. If your interested in the truth about this vaccine then go to the site that is posted on Doppler yes right here, Covid-19 numbers in Muskoka take a look at it please .
Shirley Campbell says
We need more policing on Lake of Bays. Some power boats are speeding through narrow waterways where speed signs are posted. There are swimmers and canoeist in these areas at risk. It is mind boggling how close boats speed near the shore, some with water skiers behind. Very dangerous and erosive to the shore line. Have fun but practice safe boating.
Tom Spivak says
Hugh Mackenzie,
Thank you for your support on this Mr. Mackenzie.
I too believe that it’s a fine line between fact and opinion but there are times when it may be best to draw that line to insure that people are not mislead.
As we have seen happen in the last 5 years it’s way to easy for people’s better judgement to be swayed in the wrong direction by printed untruths.
Best to you.
Hugh Mackenzie says
Mr Spivak: I do not claim to be a man of fact and knowledge….although I try! I believe people have a right to their opinion but not a right to distort the truth. My own view is that vaccines, especially in a pandemic are important. (I just received my second booster today) People who do not want to be vaccinated have that right.. I do not know of anyone who was forced to be vaccinated for COVID, however, there are consequences for a decision not to be vaccinated in order to protect the public good and I agree with that. We find it hard at times to distinguish between someones’s opinion and a complete untruth.. We try hard not to be censors when it comes to one’s opinion. However, on this matter of vaccinations and mandates, Katheryn Henderson has made her position perfectly clear and we will not be posting any further comments from her on this subject.
Thomas R Spivak says
Kathryn Henderson,
Facts and data speak the truth, if you don’t believe this then don’t spread misinformation. This is not truth you are stating Kathryn, you are spreading your own twisted view of medical and scientific fact.
There is a difference between expressing an opinion on an open forum and spreading falsehoods.
do you actually believe our government and its leaders are out to get you and they are using a vaccine to do it?
How many vaccines have you had in your life? Were they all failed attempts to control or kill you?
I’m surprised this paper continues to allow this, spreading of these kind of falsehoods without fact to back it is dangerous to the community and media has a responsibility to prevent it.
Hugh, you claim to be a man of fact and knowledge, what’s your take?
Anna-Lise Kear says
Mr. Slater, the Conservatives are sooooo concerned about the budget that the free 1 billion dollar give away in license sticker renewals is possible. The money wasted in taking the anti-carbon tax stickers on gas pumps to a higher court is also wasteful. Just getting started. Signs of Conservative waste which belies they as the only party interested in a balanced budget!
Ms. Henderson; I understand that personal experience means a lot to you, it is your litmus test, if you will. Please don’t easily call All news “fake”. For one thing, your rhetoric adds to the populist chant from the US – not helpful. Secondly, we, each and every one need to view all news information with a critical eye to learn fact, fiction (meaning, unlikely), or opinion. Just because it does not meet the bar of a personal experience does not mean the information isn’t real/true (e.g. wild fires, floods).
COVID information continued to evolve. Many decisions were made in the interest of the general and vulnerable population, the best our understanding of science can offer, and the fostering of caring about the other person during communicable spread. Decisions to be vaccinated/unvaccinated -each has consequences for self and others. Please do not be quick to dismiss all that was learned.
Kathryn Henderson says
Thomas I’m going by experience with all the people around me and three different work locations. The real facts of covid death, covid Vax deaths and unvaxed deaths are not given to us. The news is false and misleading. I have seen people deeply affected In a negative way from Vax. Personnel experience. I’m not ani- Vax. I’m for choice and the hospitals and other places are making it mandatory to vax. That’s wrong. My sister and a lot of health care where she works quit instead of getting the jab. 900 nurses in the Toronto quit due to mandatory Vax. In 2 years no one got covid on the nursing or cleaning staff until the got vaxed. Now they are working the cleaning staff at 5 short. And short nurses. You an believe Trudeaus news. He makes up stuff like someone throwing their bike at the horses at the Ottawa peaceful protest when there were pictures of the horse clearly trampling a disabled person with a walker. The news is fake. I’m not going to argue with you because if you don’t see it, you never will. Have a good covid free day.
Bob Slater says
WOW! The hate for conservatives is alive and well in a lot of these posts! I can not see how you can support the previous liberal regime and not have any focus on fiscal $$$ mgmt. and corruption! FOLKS .. news alert .. spending is like using your credit card … it must be paid back … if not .. interest accumulates! I am sure all you folks sooner or later pay off your credit cards! If not .. you are a true liberal … don’t care … live for today .. to hell with the future .. not my problem! And .. the most famous words of the biggest spender in Canadian history .. JT — budgets will balance themselves! .. when hell freezes over!
Anna-Lise Kear says
Head’s up. Very different slant and nuance in reporting by National Post and Toronto Star about the stage at which the Emergency Measures Act was invoked during the Convoy protest. Be sure to read more than the National Post version – their nuance is in the article title. Contradiction as to how interested the Trudeau government was in the negotiations between the protestors and the Ottawa city/police before invoking the act is misleading.
The lack of clarity belongs to the NP reporting, in my opinion.
Thomas R Spivak says
Kathryn Henderson, Could you provide me with the data that backs up your claim that vaccinated people are getting covid more often than unvaccinated? I’d be interested in seeing the FACTS. Perhaps you could also include data that says vaccinated people die from covid more often than unvaccinated?
Kathryn Henderson says
Fraser Govan Canada should have enough money for our health care but Trudeau gives billions of our tax dollars to other countries. I can’t afford to pay extra taxes or a fee for doctor and shouldn’t have to. We should have enough money but government is taking it all for personal use or to give away over seas. The shortage of nurses and hospital cleaners was going on before covid but since mandated to get the jab we have lost more good workers that can’t be replaced. Government is the problem and is not taking care of the problem.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Mr. Markle, I agree the talent, experience, and leadership in the Ontario Cons seems to be at an all time low. The cabinet is looking pretty limited in expertise other than career politicians (please correct me if I am wrong). Though I clearly did not vote for this party, enough did. So, we do live with the fallout.
The political will seems to be hiding under a pillow somewhere.
DF’s strengths and interests are in cars and trucks and things that go (a title from a children’s book I used to read my children, by author Richard Scary), + gas, highways, highway tolls, license plate sticker rebates (imagine what 1 billion might have done for education or healthcare – a terrible waste of money). He was a small business man, football coach, municipal politician. We can only anticipate the go-to place of for-profits – this is the only way the Cons can imagine dealing with this challenge. Why they trust for-profits after the horrific performance for elders, their families, staff, and volunteers – is beyond me. But, they Do.
Fraser Govan says
How about we raise income taxes and institute a $25 or $50 fee to see a doctor or ER visit? That might go a long way to funding the medical care that we are lacking. I am in the senior citizen category and are quite willing to pay for “guaranteed” medical services. Why not increase the medical tax on families with net income over say $150K (pick a number). I’ll gladly pay it if it saves me from having to go to the US to get necessary treatments, or line up in ER for a 12 hour wait, and then get treated to hallway medicine. I’m sure there are people that can’t afford to pay – they can be means tested to get a yearly exemption. Come on Ontario and Canada – it’s about time the politicos and population realizes there is no free medical lunch!
Premier Ford – do the right thing and pay the nurses and remove the red tape surrounding new medical supports immigration. And yes- I agree, we don’t need new highways at the expense of our medical situation.
I’ll meet you anytime at your cottage in Port Sydney to debate – and bring Scott and Graydon: I’ll tell you why someone who has voted PC his entire life did not in the last elections.
Allen Markle says
Opinions are generally based on the information and experiences that a person carries with them. Over the years, we may modify or enhance those opinions and they become pretty much who we are and what we stand for.
Good on you Anna-Lise Kear for taking the time to elaborate on your school of thought. To someone who more or less demanded you do it; I suppose because they felt their judgement was so correct and overwhelming. I’m not sure I would do that if someone were to get in my pixels.
“You are a better (wo)man than I am Gunga Din.”
On the lighter side; did you catch the “Aw shit” expression on the face of Doug Ford, when he realized people knew his 90% efficiency figure and the state of provincial health care are both in trouble. He went from a ‘we are in good shape’ comment a week or so ago, to the province, other provinces, maybe the world, is having the same problem.
I’m amazed the big guy can back-peddle that fast. Wow!!
His Minister of Health has a degree in broadcasting and communications. She seems to know that the health care shortage is almost global in scope; you would have thought she could maybe have given Premier Ford a heads-up.
Like, before he had to stand at the mike with that expression on his face. Watching him though, the words from the song by Loverboy sprang to mind. “Lovin’ every minute of it.” I really was.
Unfortunately, I think we are in for a rough patch folks, because I fail to see much leadership coming from this bunch.
My opinion.
Judi Way says
We live in a such beautiful town! However, do not attempt to explore its bounty on foot! This is, at least, very inconvenient and, at most, perilous.
Let’s discuss gaps in sidewalk coverage! Muskoka 3; sidewalk ends at the hospital and yet there are at least four large subdivisions and a school on this road and only a narrow gravel shoulder to walk on. Highway 60: nowhere to walk from King W to the YIG area and incomplete sidewalks King W to Deerhurst drive. ( beautiful Fairy trail bush path but if you exit at Grandview there is no sidewalks in either direction.) Hanes Road: a paved shoulder from Hwy 60 to Beer Store connected to the lovely ( but short) path on Centre St but in recent repaving, a new car turning lane has been added, heading right towards Home Depot, that bisects the paved shoulder. These three example, of the many around town demonstrate the big issue of sidewalk gaps around Huntsville.
jerry paris says
Anne-Lise
You just pulled a TRUDEAU, you gave an answer but not the answer to my question.
How can a government financially reward the hard working, well educated, people in the medical profession, that is nurses and doctors, without the union card carrying government employees whose jobs require little training, little education, and no responsibility demanding either the same percentage raise or the same dollar amount in their next contract?
Answer please.
Kathryn Henderson says
Anna Lese Kear you mentioned “anti-vaxers” we are not anti-vaxers. We just wanted the choice to take the 6 month experimental Vax or to not take it. What I see around me is the vaxers are getting covid more often than the unvaxed. If the news would tell the real truth and not “Trudeau ” news more people might rethink their choice. I AM NOT ANTIVAX I JUST CHOSE TO NOT TAKE THE VAX.
David Wexler says
I’d like to compliment the town of Huntsville and its staff and elected representatives for the wonderful work that they have done in beautifying downtown. From the boat berths to the parks and playgrounds and to a Main Street now hosting outdoor seating and patios for dining. VERY well done. This is a welcoming and warm destination and the proof is in seeing locals out enjoying the spaces and the increasing number of international tourists who come to visit.
John Oliver says
Is it just me and that I’m getting old and living up to my reputation as a pompous ass or is there anyone out there that gives a monkey’s toss about the drug, alcoholic, vandalism and traffic violations that seem to be infecting our society?
Why can’t we, and the justice system realizes that giving these guys a break is just not working. I feel sorry For our dedicated police officers that do outstanding work trying to protect us just to see the pathetic response form the courts.
Stop feeling sorry for these moronic offenders. They do not deserve our sympathy.
Em Arde says
The steady stream of almost weekly reports describing local incidents of impaired and/or distracted driving is so disheartening. And we only ever hear about the ones who get caught.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Mr. Paris; though I acknowledge the nurse-patient ratio in Ontario was a significant pre-existing, contributing factor to the situation the Ford Cons are now in, I would point out that the culling of nurses by Harris in the’90s laid the ground work, certainly not in any sense pro-active.
In addition, the time for urgent planning for health human resources was immediately after the First Wave of COVID. Legault in Quebec did so, in the area of PSWs for LTC facilities. Ford Cons have been slow off the mark repeatedly. What the Cons offered in Ontario was a $5000. one time signing bonus. What was required was the concerted efforts on recruitment and retention – which includes money and effort – educational initiatives, enhancements for personnel. All of this should have started in earnest post Wave One.
The problem, by neglect, has become more complex and compounded. I suggest that this is owing to a real lack of talent and experience in the Provincial Ford Conservatives.
Finally, from my view, it is not just about $. It is about the respect citizens hold for our public health care system and those who Serve in it. Anti-vax protests without protections for health care personnel entering their places of work is unacceptable. Key leadership from Ford Cons should have been stronger in fostering a sense of community during COVID – he lacked the political will to do so. I suggest we could have had then and now, a better response from any of the other 3 main political parties.
jerry paris says
Anna-lise It seems that you have still got the idea of a perfect party you want in power, but the thousands of doctors and many thousand nurses, that the current opposition parties were going to hire either do not exist, or they lied to us.
If these opposition parties were going to give big raises in order to get some back great, but the problem is, with government unions, any raises that hospital staff got, all government unions would demand, regardless of education, or responsibility.
If nurses got twenty percent with years of education and training, and great responsibility, the floor sweeper at Queens Park would expect twenty or twenty five percent, with no education, training or responsibility. How do you give the deserving ones a deserved raise with the union system without the rest demanding equal or greater, or is your solution just pass out blank cheques to all government employees.
Bonnie Branton says
Re: The ‘Kent (stone) Quarry’
formerly Kent Park; with grass,
Deciduous & Evergreen Trees,
bushes, SHADE and happy
people., including Santa.
THANK YOU Huntsville BIA, for ‘stepping up to the plate’. Umbrellas over the chairs for shade is a very generous temporary gesture. I will have passed on by the time Mr. Stone’s 15 year plan for shade will appear.
Let’s hope your good example will inspire Council to make moves to correct the major mistakes made.
Return grass, large trees, add Timber
Shelter. & seating that Seniors can navigate, water and/or fire feature-
Voila! Santa may even want to come back!
Fingers crossed…..
Anna-Lise Kear says
With intensive bed closures in Ontario due to nursing and staff shortages, and with many warning alerts that ERs are in “Titanic” situations, where is the Ford Conservative government? “CRICKETS”
When citizens do not exercise their voting franchise, these are the results! Prior to the election, the other three (3) major provincial parties had platforms to improve the nursing shortages and support the public health care system.
Instead, we see first hand the lack of priority by the Ford Conservatives, blaming transfer payments from the federal government for their own Conservative lack of action and ineptitude in their own spending priorities (rebate of 1 billion for license stickers).
Cheryl Sanders (Dunham, Wade) says
https://images.app.goo.gl/XZw6Mv2FdncdW5xp8
Here is the link of the photo I found of my uncle, Brian Dell
Cheryl Sanders (Dunham, Wade) says
My name is Cheryl and I am looking for My uncle Brian Dell, he would be around70 early 70’s. Last known he has lived in Huntsville for many many years. I saw a picture of him from way back Wednesday that was from 1985, it was him with 3 kids, they were at a tree and I think he was showing them how to get the maple syrup. I would love so much to connect with him. If anyone knows him, please direct him to this post.
Please email me with Brian Dell in the subject line.
I appreciate any help, Thank you
Wendy Brown says
Kathryn you totally, missed my point but because her religion it could have killed her. I personally think what you do with your body has nothing to do with governments, as long as your not a danger to others.
Kathryn henderson says
Wendy Brown I assume being Catholic they wouldn’t have an abortion anyway. My big point is get snipped or us lots of contraceptives and not use abortion as a cure. I know people who used one contraceptive and got pregnant anyway. Use morning after pill or add to your contraceptives.
Wendy Brown says
To the lady who was talking about abortions and contraceptives. My cousin a catholic woman used the so called rhythm method. She ended up with 7 children in around 9 years, it wasn’t cause she couldn’t count. But they found out later in years she ovulated twice a month, being catholic she had no recourse. So how would you fix that, couldn’t use contraceptives and having so many children did major damage to her body.
Lanor Lovegrove says
Attention …… town council.
I hope you have been paying attention to your public’s opinions on the Kent Park mistake. This negative feeling goes far beyond the few expressed in the article in the past Huntsville Doppler article. But then I imagine you are aware of this.
I won’t ask who approved it as the whole council is responsible.
Are you going to do anything to improve it in the near future?
A large number of your public await your answer.
Thank you.
Kathryn Henderson says
I thoughtthere was abortion clinics not hospitals that do abortions? May some of you men should get the snip if you dont want children? There is also the pill, IUD, foam, a condom. My grandparents managed their pregnancies by the calander and had children when they were wanted. I don’t understand thw amount of abortions being done with so many contraceptives. My opinion and some fact.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Furey Factor (Toronto Sun), today: “Wait, so now it’s wrong to talk about Trudeau” hair?!”
Mr. Furey has little of substance to write about when he chooses to comment on the appearance of a politician. It reminds me of a Grade 7 or 8 preoccupation with physical appearance or a Hollywood magazine which rates the dresses at the Oscars.
It is trite, similar ink could be given to Ford’s weight or face, etc., etc. Of course he can write about it – we can count on the banal, childish stuff from the Conservative media, Toronto Sun.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Mr. Paris; I don’t think you need to worry. Neuro and cancer care will not be bumped for abortions. For one thing, different departments, requiring different nursing care. One is not a trade-off for the other. However, nursing shortage may drive access to care, bed use for this wave of COVID may cause delays.
Ford’s license sticker spending was frivolous. I certainly can’t manage my finances that way, can you?
jerry paris says
The underfunding by Ottawa has gone on for many years and compounded the problems for the provinces, The hospitals were behind before covid and now the delays are worse.
Some people may say how bad is? I can give a personal example, in november 2019 began a five month multi hospital chain of events including seeing a Nero surgeon at Toronto western hospital. She said to get my gp to schedule a repeat ct scan . I returned home in april 2020, and my gp put in for scan.
My gp was retiring and put in for three procedures, in mid June 2022 my wife received a call for me to go in, It was for the scan, only 25 months late No bad news, But n
ow that I have no doctor who will look after the things I still need to know about, maybe by 2024.
One of the things justin as said he wants all hospitals to do is have abortion as the number on prioity, to bad for those who chose to have cancer,you know thats a personal choice
Ralph Cliffe. says
There is nothing wrong with our health care system that
a good cooling off period would help.
There has to be a time where service gets a chance to catch up to demand.
You cannot continuously pour a gallon container (demand) into a quart container (service)
with out over flow happening.
Maybe one day Trudeau will see the light???
Trisha Pendrith says
To Mr. Paris:
If one digs a little deeper than the headlines, the Trudeau government does plan to increase the % of health care funding it allots to the provinces.
It doesn’t just want to hand out more money to be spent, as it is now, on a health care system in crisis. The government is first insisting on negotiating with the provinces, who are jurisdictionally responsible for health care spending, to make sure they each have plans for IMPROVING the efficiency of hospitals and overall medical care and for finding new and more effective/ beneficial ways to organize and spend that money.
There’s a lot of “loaded” language criticizing the federal government for being slow at righting the low % of covered health care costs, eroded by previous federal governments over the years.
But this taxpayer applauds the wisdom in not just throwing many billions of dollars at the current mess and demanding that concrete plans for improvements in the whole, complex health care system be made first.
There are multiple factors responsible for some of the problems with emergency rooms closing, long wait times and so on but a major recent factor is the effect of the Covid19 pandemic on staff shortages due to illness and burnout.( Not to mention gross underpayment of nurses and PSW’s)
(There is a big mess OVERALL, especially in long term care, home care and so on. However, despite common use of terms such as “crisis” , there’s still a great deal of good health care enjoyed by many Canadians. I’ve had the best and very timely care with my family doctor, lab and radiology technicians and surgeons at little Huntsville hospital and other people I’ve spoken with elsewhere are happy with their medical care.)
Allen Markle says
Just finished reading the pontifications of Francois-Philippe Champagne, letting Rogers know that any further outages of service will be frowned upon. Our internet providers must work together, to respond and render assistance, should there ever be another such incident.
A very in charge and official pronouncement.
Well good luck with that! People built it and it will fail; somehow, somewhere, sometime. I don’t know of anything we have ticking over smoothly, except maybe global warming. And we are responsible for that.
And getting that number of ‘in-charge’, big money dudes to co-operate would be like directing a fart in a mitt.
The sad part I find, is the pretention of a government representative pointing a finger at a corporation, no matter how much it is deserved, when six or seven years out, that government has a Phoenix pay system that isn’t paying! A couple of billion dollars trashed there. People have been stressed for years; some even losing their homes.
Quite an example our government sets. I just wonder how many of the elected have missed a pay check.
Ineptitude reaches all the way to Ottawa.
Okay! So you already knew.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Goodness, just as we can count on “d and t” during our lifetime, so too can we count on the Ford Cons tardy to the COVID waves, Yet Again!
4th vaccinations (second boosters) should and could have been available to those under 60 years of age – months ago (I suggest 5-6 months) to be of use to the public. No change in Ford ineptitude. (check).
Anna-Lise Kear says
Mr. Paris, yet DF Cons have Lots of tax payer money to Not bother collecting a billion in revenues from license plate renewals -sending out cheques to Ontarians ahead of his re-election. One asks, “could this have gone into Provincial healthcare?” Not while DF likes cars and trucks and things that go- and the highways they travel on.
Kathryn Henderson says
Isn’t that nice the town is changing so you have 2 years of arrears instead of three. People are barely making it now so it’s not a good time to change this property arrears from 3 down to 2. How about giving Huntsville residents a break.
jerry paris says
For those who take shots at Ford over lack of health spending, should put the blame where it belongs.
The original agreement was to be 50=50 feds and provinces, right now trudeau is almost thirty percent down with the provinces expected to pay almost 80 percent, while the feds seem to have hundreds of billions to send outside of Canada.
Allen Markle says
How many times have you read that some of the great constructions on earth were done under the direction of aliens.
The pyramids, the Plains of Nazca. Stone structures supposedly erected under the tutelage of space/time travelers. I was never much into the concept myself, feeling that any entity capable of crossing the voids of space, could surely be capable of instructing us in the arts, or politics, medicine even. Not just how to heap up rocks.
At the corner of Main and Brunel we have a new park. A lot of rocks that creates a space as I would visualize downtown Hell, only without the flames. I’m sure sunny days will make it most inviting. It should be low maintenance, don’t you think.
How can anyone who claims to have affection for the area we live in, believe this is “what we are about”.
The hearts and souls of whoever designed and approved this tragedy , must be grey and bland. Maybe they are just missing.
So I now feel I have to rejig my initial premise.
It may have been a local council that ordered those great constructions. We are talking a different sense of scale, to be sure.
But in the case of Kent Park, I think the directions did come from Aliens! Town Hall Aliens!!
PS. even the old Fina service station was a leg up on this stony wasteland. Plus it had a washroom.
Bob Braan says
Main and Brunel is a small example of the scorched earth policies by the District, towns and townships.
Visit any new development to see the same thing on a larger scale.
Unfortunately for Muskoka and turtles, a new Minister of Deforestation and Natural Resource Extraction has been named.
He’s up on charges already.
Dougie will get him off.
Trees, conservation, turtles, zoning and planning are all just red tape in the way of development.
https://doppleronline.ca/huntsville/graydon-smith-faces-charges-laid-by-private-citizen/
Too bad for Muskoka Green didn’t win. It was close.
Bonnie Branton says
Mr. Muir,
Re: Your comment- ‘what happened to our green space at Main & Brunel?’
You are not alone in your shock.
This Publuc GREEN SPACE was so welcoming & attractive, with its mature shade trees, (including a beautiful evergreen ‘Xmas Tree’), it was featured in a Xmas movie you may remember.
We PAID to have this Public GREEN SPACE TOTALLY destroyed, clear cut & literally ‘paved over’ with granite pavers! A few boulders (that are not native Muskokan), add to the stark coldness of the corner.
Not a blade of grass for the children to play on anymore, no big shade trees for the Seniors to catch an oxygen- rich breath under. No compliments & thanks from Tourists anymore.
Citizens suggestions about incorporating a timber shelter, water feature etc., to reflect the nature of this area & town ignored.
We have to BUY a Christmas Tree to prop up on Town Hall steps!
I have not seen anyone walking across the hot stone to rest in this most unnatural, hot, unshaded area.
A total FAIL say many of us.
What were you thinking!!!!!
– and please inform us of what you will do to remediate? Please.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Mr. Gilley; at least the Green Party, among others were willing to scrap the cap on nurses’ wages. Not the DF Cons. Talent not on display in the DF Conservative government, but then some of us could see this.
A few of their heavyweights in the talent department have left.
Brenda Begg says
Anna-Lise, you are spot on! “…public education is next on the chopping block.” And, yes, we all know of someone who had surgery cancelled and rebooked several times to the detriment of their health, due to nursing/staff shortages. But what the heck. According to a commentary on The Doppler a while back – Dougie Ford drives a truck, returns phone calls, helps his neighbours [but lest we forget, not LTC staff and residents].
What more could you want from a politician?
Anna-Lise Kear says
Again, the Ford government’s “inaction” in our publicly operated healthcare system fails to register as an immediate, important crisis to address. Mike Harris, part 2.
Surprisingly, in the NP (of all places), “The Ford government is in no hurry to save a collapsing health system” (R. Denley). How many people do you know who face surgical cancellations and re-bookings due to nursing/staff shortages? So, the Cons continue to starve the system to invite more for-profit healthcare into the lucrative healthcare “market place”. Cons like to sell things., all things, anything. This is what they like to do best and to expect anything different is stupid. Warning, public education is next on the chopping block – watch as the door is opened to increased private, for-profit academies.
Seriously, this is so predictable.
Website for the article is below.
https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/randall-denley-the-ford-government-is-in-no-hurry-to-save-a-collapsing-health-system/ar-AAZkyO5?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=6c268df65d3747d7874187e41306e6b4
Kathryn Henderson says
WHEN will the in town streets be fixed? I cringe every time I come doe Brunel or cross main at center. It sees like they just paved it nice and dug it up to leave nasty bumps. My car doesn’t like them. If the town has a plan why not wait til you have everything you need before digging up the street. Nice for the tourist’s eh?
George Gilley says
As a cynical opinionated old man I must state that I am disgusted with the current federal leadership race and with politics in general
It has been said that Pierre P has sold enough memberships to win the “race” on the first ballot . What kind of a system do we have where a person sells memberships to buy votes
As for Pierre P my opinion is that he is too extreme and reminds me of Trump politics
As for politics in general the liberals are the new ndp and the ndp are want to be liberals
They should officially merge
People like the Green Party but as long as they oppose transporting our biggest natural resource by pipe lines they should not be considered . Sure we have to protect the planet but when a large part of our economy is based on oil and Canada accounts for only 3 per cent of green house emissions why should we undermine our economy
Who does this leave to vote for
Chuck Muir says
Whatever happened to our green space at the corner of Main St. And Brunel Rd. Which is now garnered with a grey postage stamp of boulders and pavers with a few benches scattered around.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Ford Conservative report card anecdotes.
Ahh, the temptations in the use of power: nepotism (check).
If anti-elitism governance means to the Ford Conservatives, one that is against the use of those with formal/specialized education and experience in cabinet positions (check).
As a pacifier to Parry Sound-Muskoka, Mr. Grayden Smith has been assigned as Minister of Natural Resources (this is meant to keep the Greens at bay from the area).
Though I do not believe for a moment that Mr. Smith had anything to do with the travesty of Forbes Hill in Huntsville, can’t help but wonder if more environmental protections will be weakened/ignored for development in our future. Let’s watch.
Ralph Cliffe says
Hanes and Center, new stoplights install almost complete.
June 23/22.
Debbie Nicholls says
Check out Gas Buddy.
Gravenhurst is 198.9. Parry Sound and North Bay are 209.9 or less.
Can’t wait to see what happens in Huntsville come July 1st, when the provincial government is to give a pittance of relief!
Will our gas stations pass this on ???
Anna-Lise Kear says
Wow, with the US Supreme Court’s decision upholding the right for any American to carry guns in open society (think of hip hugging holsters, spurs, Stetsons) – the country has catapulted back at least 200 years. Is it any wonder that civil war appears more a possibility than ever?
Between campaign populism, so well displayed by the GOP, the rabid-ness of individualism, the survival of the fittest ethic,, and the tendency to admire the “badass” male from the old West, the stage is well set for civil war, by my observations.
Get angry with anyone, and you an kill your neighbour more easily in a gun duel on the main streets of any town/city. There will simply not be enough police. Where is Sherriff Wyatt Earp when you need him?
Brenda Begg says
Anna-Lise,
I too, trust Dr. Juni. He didn’t candy coat the issues surrounding Covid.
We are not done with Covid. I know, everyone is weary. But, we mustn’t become complacent. I’m sure many of us know someone who has Long Covid or after effects. Examples of Long Covid haulers effects include: vision impairment, heart problems, fatigue, memory loss / brain fog, lung damage…
Employees at a local business are now back to masking. All of them. Wise move.
Wanda Roberts says
When it comes to roundabouts, I believe most people do not know how to navigate them. When I use the one in Bracebridge, rarely do I see drivers signalling to exit. Europeans are the experts. For safety’s sake, lights are the answer for now.
Anna-Lise Kear says
What a contrast! Toronto Sun (Furey) writes, “Will Canadians accept liberals imposing COVID restrictions again?” He Does Not write, Will Canadians accept any government imposing…? He has missed the point entirely.
By contrast, Toronto Star (Bruce Arthur) writes from his interview with Peter Juni, head of the Ontario Science table during COVID, “Tears, death threats and real struggle: A difficult job well done”. When Peter and his family moved from Switzerland to Toronto, he describes Toronto as the Wild West: tax loop holes, variable prices, shoddy building standards, no order.”
He did not anticipate the pace, pressure on public communication, or the polarization during the pandemic. Despite excellence in his work, “some people who are closer to either the Toronto Sun or Queen’s Park never quite understood” the behavioural changes and mobility data projected. Peter dealt honestly, most responsibly during COVID. The lack of understanding and acceptance from the DF Conservatives contributed to the slow delayed action, and lack of pro-action, repeated at several stages.
Speaking for my family, we trusted the work and brilliance of Peter Juni and are sorry to lose him to Oxford University, England.
Meanwhile, back at the Toronto Sun, Furey is advocating collective foolishness when any future pandemic/epidemic lands again. Wild West indeed.
Allen Markle says
“Step on a crack. Break your mother’s back!” Just a childs’ ditty I’m sure. If not there, will be mothers suffering because of the state of the ‘new’ sidewalk around Trinity United corner. Any company that specializes in laying concrete knows how to prevent all that from happening. I’m sure the contract didn’t request the cracks from the old sidewalk to be put back. Has a town engineer signed off on this?
But, the other day I drove main street from the bridge, over the hill and past Lorne street. All the way through town. That hasn’t happened for a while.
Yahoo!!
Sandy McLennan says
From MK Wicken: “a number of seniors (many with low vision, hearing, etc) who live in Muskoka Traditions and the surrounding townhomes. They will benefit from the stop lights and sound cues”. I hadn’t thought of that and I believe roundabouts are tricky to cross as a pedestrian, at the easiest of times. I wonder if there are roundabout designs out there to incorporate the safety of pedestrians?
Jacquie Howell says
Disappointed that the opportunity for a round about has bee missed at Hanes and Center St. I am concerned that space has not been left for a right turning lane. If you observe the lack of right turning lane on Center street at West you will be aware of the traffic congestion. Next thing will be a cry for another stop light at the Fairvern exit. As a senior I am very capable of managing a round about and disappointed that the importance of the environment is not being addressed. – more idling time. More Gas
Nancy Long says
About the Yearly Outdoor Education Centre closing…..Maybe it’s time that the Trillium Lakelands District School Board establishes their own centre that can be maintained to their standards. Certainly it would be well used and there must be somewhere it could be located.
MK Wicken says
In response to Sandy MacLennan – while I agree that roundabouts are efficient, there are a number of seniors (many with low vision, hearing, etc) who live in Muskoka Traditions and the surrounding townhomes. They will benefit from the stop lights and sound cues which are a great assistance for them and the service dogs who help guide them and are trained to those cues. While it may not be the most convenient for drivers who frequent the intersection (myself included) it is certainly the most effective way to keep those in need safe.
Dave Rogers says
Brian Tapley re: mosquitoes
Well said Brian! I hope some will heed your words. Fogging and spraying chemicals seems such an extreme and environmentally dangerous way to deal with the occasional (or even constant) annoyance of mosquitoes.
There are myriad ways to try to avoid the bug bites that do not involve broadly spraying chemicals.
If one feels the need to heavy handed and unnecessarily in their approach, why not try to swat them with a sledgehammer?
Sandy McLennan says
I see stop lights going up at Centre Street North and Hanes Road. From earlier on this forum, and I agree: “if ever there was an intersection in this town that was crying out to be turned into a roundabout, this is the one”. Well, bad news. And missed opportunity. I recently drove through two roundabouts on Highway 26 between Collingwood and Wasaga Beach, and we all cruised through from 80Km/hr, barely tapping the brakes. Too bad, so sad here.
Anna-Lise Kear says
“Sounding the alarm on agency nursing” by A. Yalnizyan, Toronto Star, June 15, 2022.
“We are talking about the skyrocketing use of agency nurses, the temporary workers hired to fill in when there are staffing shortages in hospitals, LTC facilities and community clinics…
agency nursing is bad for the community and bad for patient care because there is no consistency, it fragments health delivery”
This is left over from the acute phases of the pandemic And the lack of investment and priority for our staff by the Ford Conservatives in our public health-care system. Fragmented health delivery and coordination means increasing opportunity for errors, omissions, and the possible failure of important communication with families.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Thank goodness JT still appears with masks and shows some solidarity with those of us who remain at some risk. What is the matter with the NP- do they want everyone to unmask so they can live their “normalcy bias”?
Rod jones says
Do you know that we are paying 2.16 a litter for gas and it’s 5.05 in the USA for a gallon of gas but figure it out at 3.79 litter 2.16 x3.79 =$8.18 a gallon we are paying way more for gas
jerry paris says
The dream of some is to get rid of the first past the post voting and go to a system of two or three major parties, and a hand full of fringe parties so that all governments would be coalition.
Did anyone notice
the number of fringe parties last election.
When you have this style of government there is a down side.
No one wants to be the bad guy so that spending goes unchecked, even if the country cannot afford the costs without high inflation or bankruptcy.
Think Greece, Think Italy, Think Canadda under our NDP _ Liberal coalition.
Brenda Begg says
Close Yearley! No, no, no! Our children went there. I went there in the capacity of a volunteer for our child’s class. The program and staff are awesome. There must be a way to keep it running.
Brenda Begg says
Actually, lawn care businesses must use natural products on lawns. Chemical products have been banned for a number of years.
Brian Tapley says
Regarding mosquitoes and their like.
I see the Lake of Bays Association has a post on their site about the dangers of “fogging” with chemicals to try to control mosquitoes and such.
It might be worth looking away from the shiny BMW in the drive or the flashy high powered boat at the dock for a few moments to reflect on the fact that these bugs, that we like to hate, were here first.
They predate even our indigenous prior colonizers.
They are a food source for a lot of other animals, being close to the bottom of the food chain. If you like fish or blueberries you had better like black flies.
This year I have noted that there seem to be a lot less mosquitoes and black flies than some years. I don’t pretend to know why but do have to admit that I kind of like it.
If you don’t have your cottage in the middle of the forest, put up some bird nesting boxes perhaps and refrain from trying the silly things like being outside at dusk, in shorts, trying to BBQ then these bugs are not really a big hassle.
It is all worth thinking about before you enrich somebody from Mosquito Buzz or some other such company (I only mention them as they are the only one I can remember so at least their advertising is working!) These outfits make money by poisoning the environment to the tiny benefit of a very small area and even this is a bit of a tenuous benefit that only lasts a short time.
Weed Man does the same to your lawn by the way. Just a different set of chemicals.
Better to change your lifestyle a tiny bit, stay in in the evening and maybe go boating or something that removes you from the buggy area.
Long ago I came to an agreement with mosquitoes. They bit me a bit and I don’t much care as the bite disappears in an hour or so. They don’t take a significant amount of blood and so far at least, they don’t carry things like Malaria.
Sometimes, just in an idle moment of thought, I wonder why some people come here, call it “God’s Country”, which would kind of denote that it was close to perfect, and then set about changing everything about it. From the shoreline, the landscape, the trees and now the bugs and wildlife. Hey it was as “God” made it in the first place. Do we really think we can improve it significantly?
Just a thought.
Brian Tapley
Lea Jorgensen says
Trillium Lakelands District School Board closes the Yearley Outdoor Centre permanently
I’m sure that many of you reading this, have attended the Yearley Outdoor Centre as a student, parent volunteer or even a teacher during the 40+ years that it has been run offering outdoor education experiences to our grade 6 students and other user groups within the Trillium Lakelands District School Board. Therefore, you’ll understand why this is such an outrageous decision, to close Yearley, at a time when Outdoor Education is needed now more than ever before. We desperately need places, such as Yearley, where children can go to learn experientially, spent time in nature and reconnect with themselves.
On the heels of a 2 1/2 year pandemic, which has left our children unable to attend Yearley, we are now seeing the direct impact of nature deprivation and the loss of a meaningful group learning experiences outside the classroom. In addition to learning about our natural environment and how to care for our planet during a climate crisis, we need to attend to our mental health now more than ever and not let it slide further into chronic instability. Many studies suggest this is most successfully done with connections to nature and nature based programming!
To close such a valuable learning centre and nature program is so deeply wrong on so many levels. We have seen from past experience, what happens when we let amazing facilities, like Yearley, go. The Frost Centre in Dorset is a good example, never to return or be re-opened again, with all those great connections to nature lost to our students well into the future.
We can’t let this happen to the Yearley Outdoor Centre. The future health and well-being of our students should take priority right now rather than cutting such a valuable program and facility!
If you feel compelled to let TLDSB’s director (Wes Hann) and the Board’s trustees (Chair: Bruce Reain) know how upsetting this decision is to you, and how imperative it is to keep Yearley operating, this is the time to speak up.
Please share this message with others who know of Yearley and who have a strong belief that our outdoor spaces and programs are worthy of saving. Yearley needs your support, and we need to stick together with our beliefs that Outdoor Education needs to continue within TLDSB and for all of our children!
Anna-Lise Kear says
My goodness, if I see the word “elites/elitism” one more time in NP article titles (on PP busting the elites & institutions- today’s edition), with some presumed collective understanding as to what this means to the “base” (whoever that unthinking mass may be), my forehead will be bruised from contact with the wall.
Who are these “elites”? Anyone we don’t like? Any group we don’t like/agree with? Anyone who protests?
Anyone who has ?more power, more money, more influence, more education, better hourly wage? Anyone we envy?
The very politicians using the populist term are themselves “elite” (PP for one, DF for another, remember Dr. Kellie Leitch?, etc., etc.), for holding the power they do. Destroying imperfect institutions smacks of anarchy. (look south). Change, yes. Without a replacement plan? No.
Having experienced a pandemic (ongoing), do we not want the “elites” providing guidance? If you or your family need a doctor or a lawyer, do you not want the best?
It truly is difficult when I want to read and be informed about an opposing perspective if I can’t get past the title of the article.
Frances Botham says
I am fundraising for the Huntsville Hospital Foundation for acquisition of 5 entertainment units and 5 landline phones for the ICU department of the Huntsville Hospital. Please go to the following link to see what this is all about.
http://www.justgiving.com/Frances-Botham
Matt Tynan says
Has anyone noticed the huge cracks in the sidewalk on Main Street? Many of these cracks quite long and are beginning to widen.
This work has only just been completed.
Are tax payers now on the hook to repair the repairs?
Anna-Lise Kear says
A Ford Conservative $500 signing bonus to attract nurses into nursing for the public sector just isn’t enough
(I don’t mean money) effort for health care. Consider Drs, staff. If interested, copy and paste.
https://www.msn.com/en-ca/health/wellness/we-are-absolutely-destroyed-health-workers-facing-burnout-even-as-covid-levels-ease/ar-AAY6yuM?bk=1&ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=19ab215b7fc84ff38f57c686cfa49939
Anna-Lise Kear says
Hello Mr. Nathan Cockram;
How well do each of us seek to learn and understand the world we currently live in and occupy (the problems and possible solutions)? There are several instances where the voice of the young educated can lead the way, why not encourage them? Why not give them a chance? It is their future too. Seriously.
Is it condescending to want viable, examined solutions? Is it condescending to want the best so all of us benefit? Is all of the wisdom to be found, located in what? older generations? That is not my experience or understanding.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Greens, start cultivating an informed youth in your party, they are the future for all of us. Thanks to all those informed seniors and elders who voted Green and were not satisfied with the status quo.
DF is no elder statesman. When he has his fall from grace/popularity/power, it is more likely he will rage and get very nasty. Be prepared.
Nathan Cockram says
“The educated young will have to take the reigns”
This kind of condescension is exactly why the Greens lost, and while they will continue to lose. The left will never exit the echo-chamber and realize that reality doesn’t neatly conform to their narrow ideology.
I’m sure the replies will only confirm this.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Very sad day for me, the “same old” and “same again” in political party and leadership. The educated young will have to take the reigns and lead the way on climate change. The old are too afraid to do so.
Sarah Thatcher says
Please sign the Petition for increased safety at local public schools. https://chng.it/945FPnXcK4
Brenda Begg says
Re Anna-Lise, June 2 comment: Trudeau is damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t. If Trudeau had dropped “the Covid theatre” The Toronto Sun probably would have criticized that. You’re right; COVID is not over. We mustn’t become complacent. There are probably a significant number of people who know someone (I do) who has debilitating Long Haul COVID / COVID after effects despite the mild case they had.
I’m so sorry about your cousin.
Len Ring says
I am deeply disappointed by the support the PC candidate has received from local leaders many of whom declared a Climate Emergency last year and claim to be aware of the existential threat of climate breakdown.
Graydon Smith claims, “this distinguished list of leaders recognize what’s at stake”. Well, obviously, they do not if they can support the actions of the PC provincial government over the past four years and then suggest voting for more of the same.
The Doug Ford Conservatives have opposed initiatives to mitigate and to adapt to the coming changes at every turn. Recently, Ford has doubled down on his ‘sprawlway’ plans and has even suggested his new highways will ‘clear the air in Ontario’.
The Conservatives have consistently avoided debate and questioning of their policies. Just this week, Smith cancelled his participation in the online PROMPTVoting to End Poverty series, scheduled for Tuesday evening.
If you are interested in a caring society, connected communities, and a new climate economy, I encourage you to check out the alternative. The Green Party Plan is here: https://gpo.ca/platform/.
“The difficulty lies not so much in developing new ideas as in escaping from old ones.” – John Maynard Keynes
Anna-Lise Kear says
Good old right leaning Toronto Sun headline reads, “Trudeau needs to drop the COVID theatre”. After all, it’s summer and we still can’t become infected? Really?
Since COVID is still with us endemically and yes, we still can’t “see” the virus with our eyes — this statement is asinine and just plain silly. (e.g. my cousin, fully vaccinated with precautions, but with considerable risk factors, died in a Scarborough hospital on March 30th- so please don’t suggest this is “over” for all. It isn’t.)
Complaints follow in the NP, pressing and questioning the restrictions still in place for travel.
Italy still has mask mandates on land and in the air. My adult children have yet to be able to receive their 4th shots (soon we hope). I will continue to put my confidence in science and epidemiologists at the federal level; I think they are allowed to speak their science. Also, I am grateful for a/any leader who “walks the talk” on restrictions.
Allen Markle says
In a recent comment, Hugh MacKenzie was asked if he was ‘suggesting’ that Premier Ford would “take his bat and ball and go home” if he lost this seat.
Hugh cleared the issue up, by saying he was not “suggesting” that at all; just saying that that was the way it would be! No waffling there!
The issue of two hospitals in the district is hung over us like an ever present threat. ‘Vote blue or else.’ But if you think about it, why two? All this will happen a few years (a decade?) in the future, and now, who can be sure of what will happen then? Will the logic of two full service hospitals, less than a half hour apart, be questioned? And at that time, if Mr. Smith is still an MPP, where might the member of a certain town throw his weight?
So now all the past and present ‘blue and not-so-blue’, have coalesced in support of this PC candidate; in an effort to ‘assure’ his election and ‘assure’ something which may very well not even come to pass.
These are some of the very people who have wielded power before and hope to influence us again. Have they brought good jobs and decent wages to the area? Have they made sure there is reasonable housing here? Have they done their best to provide a place for younger families to be part of the community?
Not that you can see! And they will not do all this again if they get the chance!
I voted Green. I’ve had enough of the ‘black and Blue’ a hundred years of PCs have visited upon us.
Anna-Lise Kear says
If you have not voted, please note the Toronto Star headlines of today, “Private LTC homes to get billions in public funds: Tories allocating majority of beds to companies with some of highest COVID death rates”.
Such a travesty and an ethically compromised position – to reward private LTC homes with more tax payer dollars despite their poor performance in saving some lives. What will be the next tell-tale travesty?
Please consider voting for a party wanting to tip the scales back to non-profit LTC in Ontario, for the sake of aging parents, grandparents, and people with disabilities. Thank you.
RICHARD CORCELLI says
In old friend Hugh MacKenzie’s most recent column in Huntsville Doppler, ‘Listen Up – Clout Matters’, he makes a strong argument for electing locally, a member of the party that is a strong bet to form the next Ontario provincial government. This position was stimulated by reports that Green Party candidate Matt Richter’s support was growing stronger.
Hughie quotes Huntsville stalwart Doug Millikin, ‘…“It is my experience, over many years, that a riding seldom gets anything allocated unless the MPP is also a member of the party in power.’
There is no doubt an element of truth in that claim proven, on average, to be the case in recent years in Parry Sound-Muskoka.
Gravenhurst voters, however, have seen little evidence of the value of that ‘clout’ by its long time MPP, Norm Miller.
Mr. Miller was unable to bring to any conclusion the barnacle ridden issue of the sale of the Muskoka Regional Centre property on Lake Muskoka by Infrastructure Ontario, now sitting vacant for almost 30 years, on which the buildings are condemned.
It was on Mr. Miller’s watch that the Ontario Fire College in Gravenhurst was recently closed after providing training to firefighters since 1949. The Ontario Fire College had been the last of local employers providing well paying jobs in a town hard hit by unemployment.
Mr. Miller’s voice in this issue was a whisper at best, hardly what one would categorize as ‘clout’.
Just a year ago, the CBC reported that the PC government had committed $5 million in planning for the return of the Ontario Northlander passenger rail service to north eastern Ontario by 2025. Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade and MPP for Nipissing and Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation were quoted but suspicious by his absence was Norm Miller.
One wonders then, could PC candidate Graydon Smith deliver the two new community hospitals funding commitment, one in Huntsville, the other in Bracebridge? According to Messrs MacKenzie and Millikin, these are the two political teasers in the Parry Sound-Muskoka election.
If we use Mr. Miller’s report card as a reference on getting things done in his riding, while not a member of Cabinet, Graydon will likely have his hands full, as a legislative newby. Most major decisions are made in cabinet, not in caucus.
Matt Richter may have an anvil on his back while attempting to deliver two new hospitals, while being a lost voice crying in the wilderness.
In our ‘first past the post’ electoral system, in the 2018 provincial election, 22,662 PC voters elected Norm Miller but a combined total of 23,894 voters in Parry Sound-Muskoka supported the three other main parties.
Recent polls suggest the spread could be greatly reduced in 2022, if not reversed.
So, of what value is that ‘clout’ that Hugh so vigorously trumpets?
Em Arde says
The Greens are looking good in the polls around here, eh? People want change and a new focus, eh? It makes me recall the adage: “Be careful what you wish for.” Just sayin’.
Lanor Lovegrove says
Same here. My phone woke me at 5:30 a.m.with Andrew Cocks trying to convince me to vote for him. If I had planned on doing that I certainly won’t now.
eDWARD bUTIKOFER says
cONSERVATIVE candtate piere says he should be free to choose if he gets vaxed . true if you are talkinf lock jaw vaxine but it yoy get infected with Covid you wii spread it and if im recipent at 90 years old i could die. so tthese are not the same my freedom is at risk becaues you did not getvaxed
Dwayne Verhey says
Further to Carol’s comment, I found the same thing. Illegally robo-called at 7am by the candidate for the “Ontario Party”. Elections Ontario says they do not regulate robo-calls, that is a federal matter.
Well the phone call convinced me. If a candidate cannot abide by the simple rule that robo-calling must be limited to the hours of 9am to 9:30pm, then that candidate is obviously not capable of governing and I will not be voting for him or her.
I wonder if the Ontario Party is capable of seeing the irony of infringing on my right to a full night’s rest with a recorded diatribe about how rights were infringed by the requirement to wear a mask in public during a pandemic?
Complete freedom is a myth. Society has rules to ensure one person’s rights don’t trample all over another’s. Our freedom is a balancing act, not absolute. Any candidate who cannot respect that simple concept is not qualified to make the rules for the rest of us.
Carol MacDonald says
Hello,
This may not be the correct forum for this discussion but I have run out of ideas.
I realize that there isn’t much time left in the campaigning period before the election and candidates will do whatever it takes to sway my vote. I am extremely annoyed at the robocalls that I have endured during this period. Several weeks ago I was awakened at 6:17 am by a call from the PC party on behalf of Graydon Smith. Very early this morning 3:07 am and 3:10 am there were calls from the Ontario Party representing Andrew John Cocks.
I have contacted both of the candidates’ offices and all they want to do is “sell” their candidate. No apologies for my inconvenience. Definitely not a strategy to win my vote.
Elections Canada has been contacted and they have stated that have no regulations or authority over these calls or their timing.
During the day and during any political campaign, I have chosen to screen my calls. What can be done about these annoying calls? Call blocking doesn’t work because they don’t just come from one phone number. Can fines be levied for calling outside appropriate hours?
Who or where should I be directing my complaint? Maybe over the next 4 years, someone can figure out how to restrict and regulate these annoying invasions of my privacy.
Thank you in advance for any help that you may suggest
Carol MacDonald
jerry paris says
Just looked at your listing of percentages of voters by the polls.
I began to think of how great it would be to have a green party rep for our area, especially if the greens are not in power. Our rep can speak up but have no real power to promote anything for us.
Just think of all the good things the liberals did for us in the past. NADA
Anna-Lise Kear says
For those readers who are keenly interested in LTC in Ontario, here is a link to copy and paste:
https://www.healthcoalition.ca/labour-and-health-advocates-react-to-report-on-corporate-behaviour-in-long-term-care/
Anna-Lise Kear says
John Snobelen (MH’s former Minister of Education) recently wrote in the NP that he was having some difficulty understanding such words as “populism, populist”. I am certain that no one would call him “elite” if he did a refresher course in Grade 12 history. The use of populism used by Adolf and his party to gain power in Germany pre-WW2.
The populism Hitler used to create anger, scapegoating Jews, homosexuals, and people with disabilities – exterminating at least 11 million people to protect the white, Arian race, ensuring their dominance and ruling the earth. Does this sound familiar? With terms such as “counter culture”, “anti-race theory”, white supremacy, anti- LBGTQ, “Dems” etc. ? building up scapegoats for sacrifice?
Just some thoughts for JS to ponder.
Brian Tapley says
Glancing over the real estate ads in last weeks Forester it appears that some of the real estate ad writers must have graduated from the Donald Trump school of corrective writing.
The intrusion of a little tiny bit of “reality” into the ads would not actually hurt anybody. I would assume that any person looking to spend several millions of dollars would be getting a fairly complete fact checking of the place in question, by a home inspector, and at least a good lawyer so cheating on the description really will only get you so far as a realtor. Of course if you can actually find people stupid enough to part with millions on your say so, without checking, well congratulations to you and I’d suggest you move on to something more lucrative like a Ponzi scheme or BitCoin sales in the Metro parking lot.
Fred Garvin says
With the Ontario Liberals not running a candidate in the important election that is now upon us, many may be looking for a place to park their votes on June 2. These particular constituents may want to have a look at the latest poll numbers out of 338Canada for the riding of Parry Sound-Muskoka.
https://338canada.com/ontario/1086e.htm
It’s looking like Green Party candidate Matt Richter has a very good chance of defeating the PC candidate and winning the riding. In fact, the Green and PC candidates are currently neck and neck. Just wanted to throw that out there for those interested in a change to the status quo around here.
The rest is up to us, the voters.
Good luck!
Thomas R Spivak says
John Oliver, I think most of us are tired of the same rhetoric from a few individuals beating the same drum over and over and the others being censored.
This is not a true community forum.
John Oliver says
So… I have not seen many postings lately and I am wondering whether it has to do with all or most of us being bored with the state of things or if it has to do with the season. After all we can now get out and enjoy the warm weather, dig in the garden, go fishing and do more than just sit an moan about political stuff.
Here’s something you might want to discuss. Have you noticed that there are a lot of TV commercials that feature a lot of people dancing and jumping and waving their arms and other body parts in your face. It seems to me that their energetic enthusiasm has nothing to do with the product or service that they are try to sell. I guess the advertising agencies go for the low hanging fruit rather than coming up with innovative and fresh ideas. I’m getting tired of all those unsightly body parts gyrating in my face, so I’m going to turn off the TV and go plant some flowers and start enjoy life again, I might even crack open a beer. Cheers
Anna-Lise Kear says
My goodness, the National Post is truly helping us to tone down divisive political rhetoric. Not!
First, they accuse Singh of the cause of divisive politics in Peterborough! Yeah right.
Then, John Ivison (?sp?) entitles his NP piece today, “Let Loose the Dogs of Political War in Northern Ontario”.
Now, I realize political junkies like their phrases and titles. What emotions does JI’s words stir in you?
That any/the opposition are animals? That DF is a political hunter? How far can we apply the metaphor?
The name-calling is basic stuff from the school yard at recess (recall my posting of the label “Stephen Harper’s Pitbull”, one not of my own creating but that of another political pundit). It is easy to fall into the trap of these labels to sound savvy and imagine we know something clever. Perhaps my posting put the opposition in mind of “dogs”. Who knows. The fingers pointing back to me and my words are certainly tingling.
It certainly does not forward thoughtful discussion. Watch for the “political dog” theme.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Pierre Poilievre, Stephen Harper’s Pitbull, a real piece of work. A hard, cruel person, in my opinion.
Carol Alanko says
Carol Alanko
Tue, 3 May, 20:43 (8 days ago)
to huntsville
It appears that our use of salt on Muskoka roads is having a detrimental effect on the health of our lakes. Water fleas which filter algae are being killed by dissolved road salt. These have been the “lawnmowers” which keep down the algae production.
When we first came here 24 years ago we drove on snow covered roads. Sand would be occasionally used, but we did not see black pavement until Spring. Now salt is the norm, we drive year round on black pavement and through puddles like they do in Southern Ontario.
We used to see algae in late August in the lakes if it had been an exceptionally hot summer. Now algae is appearing earlier, in Spring.
Beet solutions and a return to sand only should be considered moving forward or our lakes are going to suffer. Healthy lakes are why we are here and surely what we all want to leave to our grandchildren.
https://ashmuskoka.ca/2020/02/the-problem-with-road-salt/
Allen Markle says
The music please! Would you play me ‘Family Tradition’ by Hank Williams Jr., because our parliamentarians have again been subjected to ‘the word’. Like it’s never happened before! It was likely well said, ‘though maybe the Commons is not where most might choose to let’er rip! I’m quite surprised that some of those present were alert enough to take note.
I have read excerpts from great speeches; have listened to speakers who, whether you agreed with them or not, could hold your attention and eloquently present a view. I haven’t heard too many such speakers recently. Certainly not from the people we have elected; who seem to revert to thumping, booing, hissing, “hear-hearing” rabble once in the ‘House’.
The kerfuffle seemingly erupted over the question of an aircraft having being used to observe one of the Ottawa ‘freedom’ convoys? As long as there wasn’t napalm dropped or any strafing runs, what’s the beef?
The word may get outed a bit too often now days, and has certainly lost a lot of it’s power to arouse indignation, as it might have in the past. Except in the House. Whether that’s good or bad is a personal boundary and some of us might choose to hold our tongue in most instances.
I’m no Trudeau-trooper; not the last time, not this time; but as the old folks said “Some idiocy could make a preacher swear.” So, I’m okay with him using the word as an adjective; to describe the foolish people who waste time arguing over something so unimportant.
Surely the homeless, the debt, the poor, the infirm, the dispossessed, deserve their attention.
I’m pretty sure the word might well be used to accentuate the type of (insert word) foolishness these people get off on!
Yep! Pretty sure.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Ah, The National Post would have us believe that DF Conservative leader is a changed man. Here is one Very important Ford Conservative policy which has not changed, but entrenched and on steroids: the privatization of health care (this includes LTC, home care, hospital care, including surgeries).
Despite the record for-profit LTC death rate standing at 5 times that of publicly owned LTC, Ford Conservatives sell off a “new round” of 30,000 nursing-home bed licenses, with 16,000 of those to for-profit operators. It’s as if the destructive COVID performance never happened!! Clearly DF rewards poor performance, so much for merit.
(“Nursing homes are prized financial assets … their profitability is ensured because they’re government-subsidized… they are sought by private equity firms, which are notorious for slashing costs to maximize profits”, L. McQuaig, Toronto Star, May 5, 2022.) We can again be reminded of Rob Ford’s “the gravy train” – I suggest the “gravy trough” of for-profit subsidy, while starving the public health care system. I think an appropriate response may be “Oink, Oink”.
(On a local level, there is a Green Matt Richter sign on my front lawn. The Greens are looking more like the real Progressive Conservative party than the Ford Conservative knock-off brand).
Thanks for reading.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Kelly McParland (National Post, May 3, 2022) really has it in for “boomers”. “Boomers Only Have Themselves to Blame for Governments that Can’t Afford to Care for Them”. Here, she is setting her sites on the Canadian scene. However, she penned an op ed in 2013 in the US with the same mantra.
She is correct in reporting that the tsunami of boomers would hit the healthcare system and has been visualized and understood for decades. Now, a pandemic has helped to wipe off the face of the earth several elderly seniors from that generation in a death culling – much worse in the USA (some of all these deaths could have been mitigated).
Her finger wagging that boomers should not have expected/supported their governments in providing all those social programs over the decades and we wouldn’t be in this fix of having less in healthcare for them/us as we age. Boomers are not the only cause of increase costs in health care. Just as substantial are the costs of the advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies now available.
Not sure if Kelly means this as a wedge issue to float all of us boomers onto an ice floe in the sunset.
As a boomer, who learned very valuable lessons from a mother and father who had been through 2 World Wars and a devastating Depression, her conclusion is simplistic. Values of saving, making do, not living beyond one’s means, etc. Also, just as clearly exemplified was that social safety nets for all can bring dignity into human lives. Public healthcare and public education were prized. People need a helping hand from time to time. Clearly, “boomers” did not ask to be born to cause this havoc. Clearly, “boomers” have been working, productive, contributing Canadians.
Finally, Kelly Mc Parland- we are all on the same human train, heading in the same direction – the only difference is that we are in different rail cars. You will be here soon enough. Make sure you don’t live too long to strain “the system”.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Thanks John for your insights, noted and appreciated. The pandemic crisis results do not bode well for tackling climate change. If even one person asks him/herself about the circumstances under which they may be prepared to giving up some personal freedom, maybe there can be some hope in that.
After all, we all can keep learning – if we wish to.
John Oliver says
Anna – Lise. I agree with you but you are forgetting that 30% of any population doesn’t give a rats… about anyone or anything except maybe, and I say this with skepticism, themselves. This 30% shows up in just about every aspect of life. Eventually the penny may drop but you need to remember these folks don’t have the mental capacity to grasp the concept. So let them have their freedom, it’s up to each of us to protect ourselves and our loved ones as best we can. We know what freedom is and how to cherish it. Also remember the old adage, “ an empty vessel makes the most noise “
Blessings to you and your family.
Anna-Lise Kear says
For those who feel their freedoms were violated during the pandemic, I have a question.
Can you imagine a time or situation under which you would be willing to give up (even temporarily) some personal freedom for the good of other Canadians?
For example, would you give up some personal freedom if your country was invaded by a foreign adversary? During a war? What about a deadly invading virus, which threatened to kill thousands/millions and could not be seen? Imagine that we were “at war” with a virus.
2 recent reports of interest:
1] “So there’s a new study in a prestigious medical journal that shows people who don’t get vaccinated against COVID 19 are not just putting their own health in danger. They also contribute disproportionately to the risk of infection for those who do get their shots… the study shows that water is wet & that heavy objects tend to drop to the ground if you let them go” (Toronto Star April 26, 2022). It has been obvious from the beginning that if we gave up some of our freedoms, followed public health guidelines, and took advantage of vaccines, more people could have been saved, and less costly sickness for others.
2] “Thousands of COVID 19 deaths in U.S. South were preventable, study shows” (Health News, April 29, 2022).
So, are there any threats to our country and fellow citizens where you would obey the law – literally and in spirit- for the sake of yourself and others?
There is no doubt in my mind, that had former PM Stephen Harper been faced with the same challenges of the trucker protest in Ottawa, that the Emergencies Act would have been applied. He could not have supported breaking of the rule of law. To imply otherwise is disingenuous.
Anna-Lise Kear says
yes, it is me again! Selling health care, hospital care in the market place costs taxpayers any important re-investment in our publicly funded health care.
Conservatives have lost their ethic of care, certainly diminished the same, when they sell health care, hospital care, LTC, and Home Care in the market place. Treating health care like a highway sold for profit to the highest bidder, demonstrates their business acumen (of which they are very proud). “We can sell things and expect them to be better owned and managed”.
They fail to understand that the access and importance of public health care to Ontarians is not equivalent to: a stationary shop, retail, selling golf-pro services, running a media business, owning and operating a fast food franchise.
Finally, my understanding is that business people, with savvy business skills, return/re-invest their profits back into their businesses (growth, infrastructure, staff). Recently, Conservative government failed to collect revenues owed from license renewals to reward vehicle drivers. Less investment in healthcare, education, and/or environmental action. Next step will be, “we can’t balance the budget, so must sell off more healthcare services”- then we can increase hospital beds in Muskoka!
Public trust has been/should have been lost in the large for-profit LTC businesses. When coupled with lack of political will from legislated government oversight by Conservatives, to hold repeated regulatory offenders accountable, the elderly, people with disabilities, and we – Lose. When for-profits return dividends to investors yet fail to provide return investment to buildings (air conditioning, Heppa filters during a pandemic, increased staffing during an outbreak), we Lose. At this stage, for-profit management wants the public purse (Rob Ford’s “gravy train”) to foot the bill for LTC building upgrades.
Hence my question, how will the Conservative government pay for the additional hospital beds? Possibly by selling off more of healthcare in the market place (or perhaps closing Public Health offices during a pandemic to save money). Certainly, giving away revenue, paying off debt, and trying to balance a budget does not bode well for any thought of government re-investment in our worn public healthcare/hospital system.
George Kitching says
Is there a film crew (possibly Scythia) planning on shooting a feature film in Huntsville in 2022? Please advise.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Conservative Campaign 2022
I have it! From 2018 “buck-a-beer” to 2022 “pick-up truck required”. Finally, here is who we are to distain for this go around of toned-down populism from the Conservative party:
• Anyone who is not a white, male labourer
• Anyone who does not drive a pick-up truck (at $36,000 to $90,000 new, a pop)
• Anyone who wears a suit (my goodness, this would have included Bill Davis!) or uniform of a certain gender (e.g. male nurse, those in healing professions)
• Anyone who cannot afford privatized child day care
• Anyone not too concerned with hand guns ownership, especially in the cities
• Females in the trades – they don’t really exist
• Those folks in the trades who have earned a post-secondary school education degree
• Anyone who does not use profanity on a regular basis when referring to government
However, if you identify with Marlboro country cowboy with horse, then you are a “real man”. Real men have pick-up trucks.
Hope all can see through this new divisiveness. For the record, I do not know where my family and friends would be without the competent service provision of vital, qualified people (all gender and ages) in the trades. Each has come to our aid when needed most.
John Oliver says
Well said Allen Markle, I think you speak for most of us, but I wonder how long it will take for reality to sink in or will we start to hear the moans about the high price of gas and why are we getting involved in this war? I hope my unfavourable faith in humanity his proven incorrect and we hold on until this evil is eliminated. Blessings
Allen Markle says
Again tonight there is a news report that makes me want to cry “Enough!” I know it would be in vain, because there seems to be nothing and no one who can, or will help the soldiers and people of the Ukraine. No respite for them in the face of a criminal and despot of the most repugnant order.
No JFK to say the end. As a Canadian, I am powerless.
And I am torn. I want those brave people to stand firm, but by what right can I expect them to do that? To forfeit their lives to satisfy my desire for revenge. And I do crave that: revenge!
I was raised, impressed with the dictum to never wish anyone ill. I’m not sure how well I have adhered to that instruction in the past; well I hope, but recently I fail. I wish this creature ill! For at least 5 weeks now I cannot adhere to what I was taught.
“Justice is mine…….” If only I could propose a target for that kind of justice.
It makes me wonder though, that if in such a position as those brave people, how would we as a nation perform?
This tyrant spawns destruction wherever he chooses and, if this type of armed subjugation of sovereign nations continues, how soon will we find out?
Where is the point that out Western Society, in unison, cries “Enough!”
Anna-Lise Kear says
Thank you Mr. Markle for your observations and feedback. As an aside, I admired Bill Davis; the last PC Prime Minister I admired was Joe Clarke . I admit it has been a long time ago to recognize what I would call “real/true Progressive Conservative leader”.
Do you think my concerns Really trouble MH, DF, JK? I doubt it. I have lived too long not to see the short and long-term outcomes of some of their policies as affecting Ontarians and recognize my bias For health care, public education, non-profit, and rigorous government oversight not just spending but of the quality and quantity of service and care delivery for vulnerable (children, elderly, people with disabilities, persons with mental illness).
I also recognize governing and policy making for a country so diverse as truly daunting; regionalized geography and history make governing very complex. However, the talent in party needs to come from diversely educated, experienced, and “serving-oriented” MPs who bring not just political smarts (these can be learned) but real lives worked outside of the political arena, touched by many examples of Canadians (not just the business sector). It is a bonus if these members know themselves as psychologically self-aware (e.g. how their pasts have shaped who their are, personal biases, etc.).
I can be patient for parliamentary debate by the party in power and the opposition(s) at both the parliamentary and senate levels. Usually it takes time, give and take.
However;
1] I recoil at overly populist trumpets of rhetoric. For example, as per National Post, “elites” are still to be distained for this electoral season. Do we as voters identify a common “enemy” in the “elites”? Who are “they”? ?? The rich, the educated, the powerful, the anti-vaxxers, the truckers, the experienced, those on social assistance, those of another ethnicity, the academics, the trades person? Who becomes our source of imagination, our fear, and our anger as “elites”. The pitting of an “enemy”, an “elite” as being fought by a political party is old high school team sport and a shallow way to distinguish a political party objectives and agenda.
2] leadership, direction in a recognized time of crisis (e.g. Donald Trump presidency, pandemic, climate change). At these times, we deserve the best possible. Parties knowing how to act, when to unite. I have seen very little of that kind of pro-active leadership from DF Conservatives during this pandemic. He plods the party agenda and ignores pro-active planning. My view is that he has been very late to the fire, and has not surrounded himself with the best experts, nor quickly, actively followed the advice. I expect very little else from him and his team than the “bias towards normalcy”.
Allen Markle says
Anna-Lise Kear: I am somewhat humbled by the tenacity with which you berate anything related to conservatism; even to the letters of the alphabet associated with that ideology. Your championing healthcare is admirable, although you must feel there is more to it than just that.
Even I as a ‘right leaning’ voter, feel somewhat bruised each morning. DF, JK, MH, BD and whoever, must arise absolutely mottled from the beating you have delivered them, here on Doppler.
But to point out a right leaning paper is humor, while, I suppose (?) feeling that left leaning literature is acceptable, gives me pause.
To point out that a specific party doesn’t have the talent to do the job, might infer that some other party does have the people to complete the task.
I’m sure there are talented, capable and caring people in all parties; unfortunately, they don’t appear to to be the leaders. It makes it impossible for me to vote for a mainstream party, but I will vote.
Today, everything seems to be swung too far one way or the other and people and parties seem incapable of finding a middle ground. Our politicians are incapable of formulating a policy that the majority of the people can associate with, so they simply attempt to discredit the opposition for not having one.
Too bad they are so well paid for that lack of leadership and ability!
Don’t you just ‘hate’ that?
Anna-Lise Kear says
Hi, here is your humour for the day. National Post (writer Sabrina Maddeaux) titles the article as, “Calling Pierre Poilievre a ‘populist’ is a lazy scare tactic used by the elites he threatens.” Sound clever? maybe.
However, the word ‘elites’ has been a well-used, hackneyed, ambiguous term used in populism for political campaigning as a catch phrase (e.g. think Rob Ford and Doug Ford campaigns, think catch phrase ‘buck-a-beer’). It is sufficiently lacking in meaning so the hearer can assume it is their enemy/anyone who isn’t them (e.g. do all Conservatives drink beer? Probably not).
And that is the humour- downplaying a populist stance against PP within the very use of populist verbiage itself.
Populism, in my opinion and my understanding of the term, is emotional abuse of the electorate, antecedent to civil war. It appeals to/reveals emotions rather than use of our brains to think about political policy and recognize the complexity of some issues. It is frequently used to define the “other” person/point of view who/which is not ours. Wonder why we perceive some news in divided, partisan ways? It may be fine for use at a football game – but not for governing a Province/Country.
I had never considered the National Post an addition to the comic section before. Learn something every day.
Anna-Lise Kear says
The DF Conservative government has proved time and time again that it cannot lead during a crisis, even years into the pandemic experience. Their performance overall is D minus in my accounting books.
Most recent issue is the continued, unclear message on protective masking & the nonsense in over-riding jurisdictions by canceling mandated mask wearing. Really stupid action & inaction. Current wave is more contagious, masks are one helpful measure to use. Both Kenny and Ford have over-ridden any school board or regional area Medical Officers of Health (e.g. in Ontario, Niagara. In Alberta, the city of Calgary.) to impose mask mandates. This is truly Unethical for populations in these circumstances. Continued warning from the science and medical community is ignored (Quebec showing a bit more sense by keeping mask mandates longer).
When has the “wait and see” attitude ever proven the best for citizens under these endemic circumstances?
If the DF Conservatives are unable and inept at managing this crisis, our experience does not bode well for a proactive plan and perspective on climate change. Neither the Federal or Provincial Cons have sufficient scope of talent within their elected members to prioritize, focus, or understand our current nor the future crises. They must be voted out of power – start in Parry Sound-Muskoka this June.
Anna-Lise Kear says
If there is one thing we trust, it is the National Post language. Today, Tristan Hopper “The NDP plan to prop up Trudeau while still hating him”. The title stopped me from reading the article to be better informed on an opposing view. The same was true for the “lock her up” mantra of populism in any previous comments from media.
Yes, we can count on words such as “Hate” coming from this newspaper. I truly doubt the leaders “hate” each other – both are standing up for Canada as elected servants. However, whatever their personal animosities may/may not be – there must be enough self-control for effective governing (including opposition). When the issues may be policy disagreements, why must the media belittle physical appearance, empathetic behaviour, and “hate” rhetoric?
I don’t like DF, or Polivere (sp?) – but it is because of their public political performance and policy, not who they “like” or “hate”. Grow up National Post writers.
John Stanley says
I see that Pakistans PM has been ousted by a overwelming vote. what has happened here in Canada with all the fiascoes from SMC to the massive overspending, and 7 years caulling elections whenever it suits him and not the every 4 years that is the law
Charles Clark says
No, Mr Markle it had nothing to do with you. Your comment and inference that I crossed the guidelines for Doppler is not understood. If they had been crossed, I am sure the editor would not have published my comment.
Allen Markle says
John Stanley: I chose ‘roto Rooter’ simply for the way it sounds; less nautical than ’tiller’ and more earthy.
On that earthy note, our gardens should certainly thrive this year. An election!!!! The entire province will be ‘greening’ with the amount of soil enhancement being offered. For Free!
There was never any intention of disrespect inferred in my comment, as someone may have assumed.
Chas Clark: If I was the target of your comment (Really!!!!), I will draw your attention to the fact that our ‘Doppler’ has a guideline. It is to maintain decorum and keep us civil. To the chagrin of some I suppose, but hopefully to the benefit of us all.
Trust the system. It seems to work.
John Stanley says
Mr Markle: A roto-rooter is used to unplug plumbing. The sun is shining, the ground is drying and warming. The roto-tiller will do the digging and mixing and then the garden Will grow.
John Stanley says
Nancy Long: ALREADY USED IT WHEN MY EXCELLENT WIFE (a PSW) had cancer and needed meds injected after surgery, radiation and kemo. I already said i paid for it myself through my union.
Nancy Long says
I do like reading the exchanges of information and I’m really curious about John Stanley and his insurance plan from his employer that covers home care. While completing a Community Health Survey, I noticed this is a question that the government is asking people. And, of course, I had no idea this was even an option for insurance. I know that my extended health care plan didn’t offer this option. However, even if you have the option of insurance paid for home care, it doesn’t mean that you will find people willing to work.
Chas Clark says
There is always balance in my opinion without the name calling and labeling. Really!!!!!
Allen Markle says
John Stanley: in light of your comment, should we refer to you as the ‘mix-Master’? or in deference to the purchase you made recently, possibly the ‘roto-Rooter’?
In either case, may your garden grow.
Geraldine O’Meara says
I watched with horror the horrific events that are happening in the Ukraine, brutal murder, rape, killing, torture and total destruction, all from my comfortable sofa in my living room. But, I am not feeling comfortable, I am feeling angry. This war has gone on too long, too many lives have been lost!
As I see it, and from what I have unearthed from research, Vladimir Putin, a murderous man and hungry for power, who speaks the speak of religious belief and a ‘holy war’, is being backed by a fanatical, dominant leader, Bishop Kirill, Patriarch of the Orthodox Church, who is steeped in an ideology of a 10th century saint, Vladimir of the Rus, all of the dark ages. Kirill may be the real power behind this unholy war.
It also needs to be said that NATO has acted like a big man (U.K. and U.S. really) to a little kid (Ukraine), poke the bear (Russia), and when the bear attacks the kid, the big man hands him sticks and stones to fight off the bear
The trouble is, the bear is a ‘rogue bear’, and sticks and stones are not going to stop it; when a rogue bear gets a taste of blood, he’s on the kill. Putin has had a taste of blood, and he’s on the kill.
Diplomacy and sanctions are not going to work. I think we’ve missed the chance. Zelensky has been pleading with the world to close the airspace and provide sufficient weapons to defend themselves. The reply is not wanting to start a 3rd world war. In my mind, we are already in it, and the ‘big man’ who is standing from afar, is running out of sticks and stones, and the ‘little kid’ is being brutally slaughtered.
Close the space, provide more adequate weapons—the ‘big man’ has a responsibility whatever the risk might take.
I can only hope and pray that Zelensky is not going to go down in history as a war martyr trying to defend his people and country from the brutality of Russia!
Anna-Lise Kear says
For some investigative reporting on for-profit in home care, Ontario, here is the link/address:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/home-care-support-private-companies-1.6387911
Things have to change.
John Stanley says
This forum is a great place to stir the pot, and i think that i do that quit well.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Mr. Stanley, I am glad for you and yours. There is always a balance in my opinion of individual responsibility and the advocacy for others who are more vulnerable, without the name calling and labeling, which occurs.
My experience is that when government assistance is needed, it should be available. There are ups and downs to family circumstances throughout life and times. Recognize your good fortune, which includes opportunities to work, be educated, and receive healthcare. Please then remember others with fewer opportunities.
I do not regret supporting when and where I can, a publicly funded health care safety net. Nor do I demand/expect preferred treatment for health care – I just count my blessings for what we have.
Finally, in voting June 2022, please protect important taxpayer investment.in public health care and public education in Ontario.
John Oliver says
Dr. Bergman’s statistics are interesting but speaking for myself, don’t necessarily reflect reality. It’s true that most comments and responses come from the few people that feel that their opinions and comments matter. I myself read all the postings everyday and find them interesting in one way or another and I am sure that there are many like me. It always amazes me that even though I often disagree with an opinion expressed, I also often get a better perspective of the issue and see it in a new light. Weather I choose to respond is not important. The important thing is that I may now see the other side of the coin and hopefully be more understanding of the person and the issue. Weather you choose to post a comment is a personal choice.
John Stanley says
mr bargman: i think you are trying to tell us that not to many people respond to the speak up site
John Stanley says
Anna: my personal wealth is all tied up in our abode, (approx 1 mil) . our children have been educated to look after them selves with out government handouts. we plan to pass in our beds and then the children can split it up between themselves. wills are always being disputed or changed, and home care is looked after by personal insurense that i worked to obtain for over 40 years. we grew up in a capitalist country, not socialist like we have now and thought died in 1991 and were taught to work for ourselves and not look out for government handouts. and besides that MH had a lot of good ideas but not all.
Allen Markle says
What do such numbers tell me Howard Bargman? Nothing sinister I hope. For myself, they only suggest that there are some who find Doppler a medium through which they can comment and, that there are those who are content just to read. You are invited to pick a side.
I will also mention here that Tricia and I attended the ‘Acoustic Floyd’ show at Canvas Brewery Saturday evening and thoroughly enjoyed it. We have some great local talent, for sure. Music from the ’60’s and 70’s can still real me in. In my opinion this show was extremely well done and my cap is off to the performers.
And there is that dynamic again. Some offering something; music, a comment, that others are are invited to enjoy (or otherwise).
Again, performance or critique.
Your choice.
Dr. Howard Bargman says
In March , 21 different people contributed 67 published letters. Five people (24%) of the submitters counted for 75% of the letters.
I know what this tells me.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Mr. Stanley, you should be fine to stay at home for as long as possible, IF you have the personal wealth to spend on private home care options, and IF you weren’t counting on those personal savings to leave to your family.
You may also have the personal wealth to access the costly retirement home care in order to avoid LTC, nursing home care.
Otherwise, perhaps you can learn more about the Conservative record for investment in public health care.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Ontario Conservatives are out of touch. Here are past and present examples:
Past chestnut: If you are old enough to remember the Mike Harris ‘Common sense revolution’, you may remember the “Welfare Diet”. In a pushback from the claims that food bank use had increased in the province, MH had one of his Conservative Ministers “prove” that welfare rates could ensure the recipient an adequate, nutritious diet, no need to go to a food bank. An example of a “Welfare Diet” was outlined by the Minister, using then current grocery prices. Several people willing to test the claim abided by the examples for a few weeks and found that they experienced “physically weakened conditions” as a result. I’m sure you can figure out follow-up questions.
Present example: initiated in the MH years, CCACs were mandated to give contracts to for-profit agency bids for professional (e.g. nursing, physiotherapy) and PSW services. This was concurrent with the for-profit new builds of LTC homes, awarded by MH Conservatives, tipping the balance of for-profit/non-profit sources of care.
Short and long-term results: loss of workers, decrease in wages, and finally some decrease in services and the predictable decrease in oversight of contract performance (this is standard formula for Conservatives). Worker retention, recruitment, and training became greater challenges. So too did service provision by consistent worker and hours of care available. All one has to do is speak with seniors and others who wish to stay in their own homes, yet can’t get the services Or others who deplete their savings for personal paid services by tens of thousands of dollars over 2-3 months (I personally know of 2 examples). What does one do if the savings are not available?
For-profit home care services under government, publicly funded payments have been quite able to reward their investors and share-holders with dividends from the public purse and at the expense of additional hours of service for those in need.
Dan Daniels says
Thank you Al Markel for your input on Mar 27. So many people that worked hard through the pandemic were not appreciated.
Allen Markle says
Might I take a moment to draw our Huntsville council’s attention to Page 9 of the latest ‘Forester’. An item on Honey Harbour and pickle ball courts. 6 courts for $300,000.!! And the residents have committed to raising half the cost themselves. What a novel concept!
Then I will wonder who is in charge of procurement in Huntsville.
And whether the Curling Club may feel somewhat slighted ?
Anna-Lise Kear says
The DF Conservative government is very foolish to order the end of mask mandates. Wave 6, increased infections across the country, and in Ontario increasing numbers in hospitalizations, including intensive care units is threatening to exhaust the system and those who care for us.
There is little compassion for health care workers and health professionals or for those people awaiting hospital treatments and surgeries. It is my great hope that not one health care worker or health care professional will vote for the ineptitude of leadership from the Conservative party in Ontario.
Trudeau and Tory have not been perfect. But DF’s Conservative incompetent performance has been the worst. The Ontario Conservative party does not deserve our vote.
John Oliver says
You are Correct Mr Stanley and I doubt that you were hacked due to banking on line. It was more likely due to credit card scam. Take care and be safe
John Stanley says
Mr. Oliver: you i see have never been hacked. try losing $4000.00 to a hacker to use at Cannada`s Wonderland. the bank reimbursed us but then and there all the plastic went into the garbage. as they say cash is king and they cannot hack it. progress is good but not always better. also when your pocket is empty you stop buying,
Bill Spring says
Anna-Lise
Thanks for the explanation. I better understand where you’re coming from with the 50-50 split.
John Stanley says
i think that some people are looking forward to be looked after by the government. at almost 81 i just bought a new rototiller for my garden and excercise. staying in my own home is a much better prospect that a LTC home. we need to look after ourselves more and not try to outlive all our friends. we all pass but some are not prepared or even want to think about it, be prepared and live happy.
John Oliver says
To Steve Lehman. Yep, I noticed that same problem about seven years ago. It’s especially bad at the first of the month when folks go to the bank to pay their bills and you stand in line for what seems like hours just deposit a cheque or take out twenty bucks. I made the change to electronic banking and I haven’t been inside my bank in the last five years. Now if I could only save all that time I saved and tac it onto the end of my life, I could live for another year or two.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Bill Spring; my focus has almost exclusively what is happening in the Province during COVID.
I fully understand a local perspective, having been a Discharge Planning Nurse in Huntsville working with seniors and their families. As a former Director of Care at a small nursing home and a retirement home I understand fully the challenges of families and their loved ones in accessing care. As a former educator of PSWs, I understand their challenges during a working shift and during an outbreak.
In the past, I have also had to seek care for a 90 year old father. To that end, I can imagine your perspective of local and personal experience.
However, my current perspective has remained Provincial, over the course over 30 years of policy implementation by the party in power. My bias is clearly nursing and nursing care. The 50-50 split in services may mean little to a local experience, but to a Provincial performance and accountability, I would like to see a serious change in government. I am truly concerned with the possibility of erosion of hospital care when for-profit performers are welcomed in.
Bill Spring says
Anna-Lise
Speaking as someone who had to travel out of town to visit a relative in a LTC facility, until their name got to the top of the list for an available bed locally, the last thing on our mind was whether it was profit or not for profit. Until such time as there’s enough “not for profit “ beds in our our local community to handle the needs of all Huntsville residents that need round the clock care, there is definitely a need for “ for profit “ LTC in our community. I suggest that it is a socialist dream that we can all look forward to local “ not for profit “ beds when the time may come for us to need one. Imagine the tax burden on our grandchildren to fund such.
Bill Spring
John Stanley says
wow i am really suprised that no one jumped on me for my last post. i am assuming the long term care and covid feascos are more important than climate. no climate, no ltc needed, and no covid would not matter. priorities???
Dennis Wilks says
Thank you Dawn for your quick response. I did phone the Simcoe-Muskoka Health Unit and was told they are not tracking the cases as they did before. However, I was told the cases are on the increase and I think it is important that we are aware of this when we go into stores, restaurants etc. I certainly continue to wear my mask when I go enter businesses but of course many people do not.
Steve Lehman says
Have you ever noticed how the more that financial institutions try to make transactions simpler, the more difficult they become? It doesn’t add up.
I had to make my bi-monthly trip to the bank this morning to put some cash in my account and then pay some bills. Pretty straightforward. As I stood in line watching the minutes accumulate at a much faster rate than my savings though, I had plenty of time to be intrigued by the stories I was overhearing being told to the infinitely patient associates standing behind the pandemic glass barriers.
A couple of the younger customers, smart phones at the ready, were trying to explain to the ‘tellers’ how electronic banking worked and how they wanted to withdraw some money because they had a whole pile of it in another account in a differently branded bank only two provinces away. Another, older customer wanted to cancel his overdraft protection because it was costing him money every month. A middle-aged couple were tying up yet another ‘teller’ as they argued with each other because one of them had withdrawn money from their joint account without telling but it wasn’t their fault because their other bank was supposed to have covered that withdrawal electronically. And on and on it went.
I understand why the banks promote all these ‘conveniences’ of course because they all help contribute to the billion dollar plus profits banks are accumulating every year. People paying their bills on time and using good old cash to buy only the stuff they can truly afford doesn’t redirect service fees back into the bank’s coffers. And as much as they like to market that they are here for the customer, I suspect their shareholders are realizing more benefit from all the promises than the people standing in line ahead of me. They may think they are getting free rewards points and free air miles and free chequeing and, best of all, cash back on purchases but as many of us who have been around at least long enough to remember when banks were paying 13 and 14 percent interest on their GICs know, there is nothing free in life. Except advice. And we all know what free advice is worth. Steve Lehman
Anna-Lise Kear says
On a positive note, one of the best articles I have recently read is “Why we disagree so much on COVID” (Dr. Jillian Horton, Toronto Star, March 28, 2022). Her article has merit when one considers the illogical responses to COVID protocols, vaccinations and even climate change.
“But one of our greatest cognitive vulnerabilities is in the fact that our minds don’t necessarily like to think about problems that suggest our safety – or someone else’s – is in serious peril. In face of these types of threats, as with the pandemic, we’re all mostly hard-wired with a tendency for our minds to whisper seductively to us, Everything is Fine. (a normalcy bias).
“… we can only understand what we’ve experienced. That’s all we can really know, and we’re limited by it, because it shapes all our ideas”. “If we haven’t experienced something ourselves – Or if we did not train specifically to respond to it – we won’t be inclined to recognize it until it’s too late.” “people often misread the degree of a threat”.
We need to have some trust in those who have trained to address threats – in this instance, think epidemiologists, medical scientists, and public health professionals -those with experience in infectious outbreaks. Consider those monitoring climate change threats. Just because the forest fire or extremes of flooding or landslides has not arrived at our immediate doorsteps – that therefore this is not a case for concern (planning, action).
To counter the ‘normalcy bias’ mind tricks, Horton suggests 2 questions to combat/flush out cognitive error and our lack of insight:
1] What else could this be?
2] How do I know that?
Rather than distain the elites as populism advises, be humble enough to recognize that there are others trained to recognize and respond to threats. Do I think we should live in constant, all consuming anxiety? Of course not. But we could be wise enough to recognize what we don’t know and learn from others who take the trouble to train, educate, and prepare.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Mr. Paris and Mr. Spring; what I am advocating for in non-profit/for-profit LTC is the return to a 50:50 balance (this in itself would undo the MH years of tipping the scales in home care and LTC to the for-profit sector).
Before praising for-profit LTC run homes, have a look at the poor performance during COVID 19. Their for-profit did not go into a timely fitting their homes with filtration systems to reduce transmission. They did not hire and train replacement staff, nor staff up the levels needed, with no help from the DF Conservative government after wave 1. Instead, the Conservatives focused on contracting with for-profits for upgrades to their facilities for more private rooms – contracts that will be carried into the next provincial government. While this assists some with infection control concerns, it allows for more profit to be made. Do you really believe that additional need staff and improved staff professional-non-professional mix will be guaranteed with that additional money? I don’t.
Non-profit homes performed better – that must tell you something!
I agree we cannot classify All for-profits or All non-profits into the same categories. However, we can look at some decent investigative reporting on LTC performance. Hands down, for-profits failed.
Add to that the devastating move by the DF Conservatives to reduce comprehensive inspections of LTC facilities, deep cutting oversight and we have terrible outcomes for residents, COVID aside!
My concern remains for the same MH strategy to be used with hospital care, with DF Conservatives. Do we need to repeat this experiment and imagine different results? That to me is fallacy. How many more lessons do we need to show similar results?
John Stanley says
everyone: after Trudys speech today get ready for a lot more tax, to pay for it, higher fuel prices to heat your home and fuel your auto. the polution from the electric power plants to charge your car, and the cost to upgrade the power grid. so folks rush out and buy your new ev, convert to all electric homes, and watch the vapor trails from all those 300 and 500 passenger jets and the government still will not meet its carbon goals. i am going to buy a new gas powered auto that should last me for the last 25 years of my life
Dawn Huddlestone, Managing Editor says
Hi Dennis,
When the province changed its testing criteria to limit the number of people eligible for PCR tests, the health unit ceased reporting case counts for individual municipalities because the data was no longer an accurate reflection of actual transmission in the community.
Dennis Wilks says
A lot of good information on Doppler BUT am wondering why Simcoe-Muskoka no longer show new covid cases in Huntsville, Bracebridge etc.. Since I live in Huntsville and shop in both Huntsville and Bracebridge, I would like to know the figures for each before I head off to town.
John Oliver says
The two individuals that stole the two cars and endangered the lives of many should get a stern letter advising them not to do it again, after all a slap on the wrist is a far too severe a punishment. I am sure they had a perfectly good reason for doing it. It will be interesting to see how our judicial systems processes these poor upstanding citizens.
Allen Markle says
It is by a rather circuitous path that I reach my comment today. Some of us were sitting talking about government performance during the last couple of years. I felt that my assessment was harsh, until I was informed by some people, of situations that I would never have contemplated. I was not aware that some employers lost people who collected CERB, but then went to work for themselves!
We, the tax payers, will foot the bill for a program that did little but pay people to not work and now can’t get them to return to work. I have read enough employment/ unemployment numbers, explaining percentages, to realise I will never sort it all out; numbers can be spun too many ways.
As a senior, I received a single, $500.00 payment during Covid; I guess for ‘pain and suffering’ or else an outright bribe. Except for missing a lot of people interaction and entertainment, my life has been affected little. That said, last nights’ show at Canvas Brewery was the first real ‘date night’ we have had for a while, although we have got back to playing bid euchre again.
We have seen a lot of “Thank-yous” issued to certain ‘front line’ workers, some even recognized tangibly, until the novelty wore off or the cost started to nibble at the bottom line.
But the people who kept on working; those who got the damn virus, got over it and just kept on trucking, have drawn little appreciation or recognition. I’m sure we all know people who have got the job done over the last two years, working short-handed and long hours. They kept the lights on, the larder filled, and the services rendered, in spite of everything.
To those people I want to extend my personal ‘thank-you’. I appreciate it all, but know it’s not over yet.
I just wonder if there is a government in this country that will admit that you are the majority and that you have been overlooked!
Trisha Pendrith says
Ray Vowel’s March 24th comment was more than misleading as it neglected to include the facts that The European Union Parliament with 705 elected members from 27 countries and a full public gallery gave Prime Minister Trudeau a standing ovation after his speech, which warned of the growing threats to democracy from some countries including Russia.
The small handful of those who protested against Trudeau were far right anti-vaccine members including, for one example a failed Croatian Presidential, far right, populist candidate who has no affiliation with any EU party.
Not much different than a minority of Canadians who have similar beliefs and ideologies. You can’t please everyone.
Personally I’m happy that our PM is working with European leaders and the EU to protect democracy.
Oliver Klimek says
In response to John Stanley:
1. there is no technical reason that an EV can’t be towed; CAA will tow an EV (confirmed this week by telephone)
2. most EV batteries will never need to be replaced (e.g. VW warrants their batteries 8 years, 160,000 km to 75% efficiency); Tesla is testing batteries that cycle over 1,000,000 km
3. if an EV battery is not efficient enough for daily use, it can be repurposed for stationary electrical storage (e.g. backup power for home use)
4. if an EV battery is damaged, it can be disassembled into modules and cells, all of which can be reused
5. in the worst case scenario, EV batteries can be fully recycled (currently between 95-99%), and the mineral elements can be used in new batteries. Lithium never dies.
Peter R. Dirks says
None of us ever counted on defending ourselfs to a sinister combination of Hitler and Stalin .
Please support the people of Ukraine ,
to help ,us much us possible ,to fight the the new thread of freedom .
Allen Markle says
Ray Vowels and John Stanley: The media can be cruel. Not our leftist CBC when dealing with the Liberal/NDP bonding, for sure. But the initial Canadian ‘oligarch’ must have been somewhat chagrined when he never got to accompany the big guy to Europe.
Even if it was just to be shown around. Maybe such an arrangement isn’t looked on so favorably at the moment.
And maybe big guy doesn’t wish to show his hand, so early in the game!
Maybe a bit of a harsh assessment, but it’s just an opinion.
John Stanley says
I see resently a lot of talk about EV`s and the climate. As most do not know is most tow companies will not tow because of there liabilities, the dealers do not want them back because of the cost to replace the batteries and then the added cost of disposal of the same batteries. These cars are going to cost more than double to dispose of them then the cost to make and buy them. Some car companys are already realizing this and have a way out. burn hydrogen and out comes water.
John Stanley says
I see on the news that the economists of canada agree that the new NDP and liberal government will have to raise taxes, not lower them as the liberals had promised. also there was a good exchange in the european parliment of 4 representitives call our PM a dictator to his face, on his visit. what the world thinks of canada now. It was a real good exchange. find it on utube
Ray Vowels says
With the reception Trudeau is getting in Europe this time he should be ashamed to even come home. I’m not sure just how many will see what he is being called over there by at least a few members of their parliament but it’s not very nice very honest but not nice. I’m going to watch the mainstream news tonight and i’m betting there will be nothing about it on any stations news. Anyone with twitter can see for themselves what he is getting over there.
John Tuttle says
Our trucks are flying the Ukrainians flag as well as our website .please join us to show support ,I’m not ukranian but would hope if Canada was under a ruthless attack that the Maple leaf would fly in other countries and small towns . These people are being killed for no reason by another Russian war criminal
Bill Spring says
Blurred Lines. That’s what this coalition is in danger of doing. The NDP and Liberals will now jointly be viewed for all that is wrong going forward to the 2025 election. The Conservatives can now focus on being the clear choice. It all hinges on who wins their leadership race. A glowing opportunity for a majority win by the conservatives. The public doesn’t like going to the polls every 2 or 3 years. Locally the Greens have a better chance now, but it will be more difficult for them to set themselves apart from the coalition, if climate change does truly become an integral part of the coalition agenda.
Allen Markle says
It took a few seconds to ferret out the difference between, what we had with the NDP supporting a Liberal government: to what we have now, with the NDP supporting a Liberal government. Can you spot the difference? It is subtle I admit.
Might I suggest that before this agreement, the NDP acted as a crutch, head firmly under an armpit, propping up the hobbling government.
Now the NDP will act more like a walking stick; head firmly wrapped in a sweaty palm and brandished as the scepter of power.
And there apparently is enough of a difference, between crutch and walking stick, that the two parties felt obligated to put this agreement to paper! For real !!!
All households have rolls of paper at hand, to deal with agreements such as this one.
Maybe politicians just feel that, with the BS they bandy about, the paper has to be written on.
I’d be happy if their dealings came at face value and didn’t need the paper.
John Oliver says
I have a comment about Huntsville Place Mall.
I remember when the Mall was first opened. What a Godsend to Huntsville, we finally got to do indoor shopping in the winter and didn’t have to drive to Orillia and Barrie to shop at an upscale store with all that section. It was all good for many years but I noticed about five years ago that stores were disappearing and not being replaced with the kind of shops that you would expect. I understand that the economy and other issues put a lot of pressure on store owners and I also understand the need for lower price options. The question I have is how many “dollar” type stores do we need? It looks like the Huntsville Place Mall is going to go the way of other small town Malls, catering to the lower end of the purchasing scale. I am glad to see that Ron Henry Jewelry is moving back to a downtown location and I hope that will be the start of the rejuvenation of Huntsville’s town centre with more shopping and eating options. Take care and be safe.
Bill Spring says
As an old guy who loses teeth on occasion, I kind of like this deal. I tend to drive in the centre lane.
John Stanley says
People: well the NDP Liberal Party are now in power. this is in place untill at least 2025. get ready for much higher taxes, and heavy decrea`s and empty pockets. Canada is now looking like a third world socialist country.
Bill Spring says
When not for profit institutions end up with a surplus of cash at budget time they make rash decisions to spend it or lose it. This would not happen in a for profit institution
jerry paris says
I many times hear people saying non profit LTC homes would be perfect.
Non profit simply means they spend what ever they can get their hands on, not that it is well spent or well managed.
For profit businesses generally are better managed and must be able to explain where resources are used.
With equal resources and the same rules the private run LTC can make profit for investors by better management not by cutting corners
Anna-Lise Kear says
Thank you Bill Spring. While I look for my notes on RNAO Queen’s Park Rally Day, I can tell you that the other 3 parties recognized the need for further investment in LTC and health care. Only the DF Conservatives stated they would accept greater federal transfer payments, but only Without conditions. All other 3 parties acknowledged that transfer payments could be acceptable With conditions.
In addition, it has only been DF’s party speaking (even obliquely) as to privatization of hospitals.
(please correct me if inaccurate- was it not Premier Frank Miller who closed down Doctor’s Hospital, Toronto as a private facility during his tenure?)
One of the calls I personally received has been about a resident contracting COVID while at ML that resulted in the person’s death after a needed hospitalization. I too knew this person and family.
My intentions have been provincial in nature from the beginning of my comments. I agree that some LTC facilities have done their best during COVID. However, that does not mean that COVID handling by the provincial Conservatives could have been better handled. That is not stated with 100% hindsight Now, but rather with observations following the first wave, and before the second.
It may be of interest to learn when ML installed Heppa (?sp?) air-filters at their facility. My source tells me in pictures, that this was not until January 2022. If so, my question, why were these not installed in the LTC facility 2 years earlier? Why did the reported vaccination rate among staff seem so low in January?
And finally, where has provincial oversight been?
Terry McCaffery says
I was in Tim’s and Bulloch’s Independent earlier today and there were quite a few customers(myself included) and staff still wearing masks! I guess we are just against our freedom-NOT!!!!
Bill Spring says
Anna-Lise
I have personnel experience with a relative in Muskoka Landing which I believe is a for-profit LTC facility. I can testify that they have done a good job through out the pandemic. I don’t begrudge them for making a profit. Instead of pointing out the short comings of the way the Conservative party oversees these facilities, why don’t you tell us how your party of choice would do a better job
Anna-Lise Kear says
“Crisis in Home Care”, Market Place, CBC https://gem.cbc.ca/media/marketplace/s49e14?cmp=GEM_cbc.ca_homepage_shelfnew
Allow me to inform you how Home Care in Muskoka used to be managed and operated, pre- Mike Harris, mandatory, open invitation to for-profit community care:
1] infrastructure for oversight required reporting to the local CCAC (this included ALL missed visits ++) by service provider agency. In Muskoka, Red Cross non-profit provided all eligible services.
2] contract management meetings with CCAC were required a minimal of 6 months and could be required any time deemed necessary by the CCAC Manager to address client or delivery concerns.
3] scheduling of visits was done locally by staff who knew the Muskoka area
4] client/family concerns were dealt with by Red Cross and reported to CCAC
5] Supervisory home visits were made by Red Cross professional nurses.
Not any more!
I dare say, the same was true for those nursing home visits by Victorian Order of Nurses.
MH move towards privatization, also pocketing from the public purse provided staff with lower wages.
During COVID, ParaMed has been able to pay its shareholders and investors.
So, once again: defund something that is working, drop the supervision and oversight = missed visits, unaccounted for and unreportable. And, benefit the for-profit sector. It also earned MH a seat on the Extended Care – Para Med board of directors.
Alert- if you wish more of the same with our hospitals under DF Conservatives – you may get what you wish for!
Allen Markle says
Bill Spring: The mask issue should be listed under ‘free dumb’ complaints. The governments made an effort to protect citizens, who in turn carried on like children.
“I and not a big brave person and will scream if you help me!”
Now premier Ford says you are on your own and and that is a victory?? It’s a mask!!
I wear a mask in my shop. To protect myself from the dust I kick up.
I use a mask when I have to work with some adhesives and reactive liquids. To protect myself from the fumes.
If I were so inclined, I could use a mask in the bank. To protect myself from identification. (I think it quite novel that I am /was ? required to wear a mask in a bank.
Or, I can still wear a mask in town. To protect Myself from the virus and pestilence spread by others. Because, mask or not the virus is still here. Protect yourselves people!
Just wish I could remember to always take one with me.
Bill Spring says
Did MikeHarris not just reverse the pendulum from the direction Bob Rae took us in?
When things go too far the one way, it seems they will end up going the other way.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Hello Mr. Gilley; I am making the assumption that the Ontario Liberals could only reverse some of the Mike Harris “Common Sense Revolution” policies by breaking the contracts made with the Conservative for-profits. I am open to correction on this point. However, the taxpayer may not have been up for more of their money used to reverse Conservative policies.
Similarly, DF Conservatives using taxpayer money to take the Carbon Tax issue to court was seen by citizens as being a waste of their money (e.g. stickers at gas pumps, blue license plates being a no-go).
Consider the deep cuts during MH Revolution to mental health care services for youth, the loss of school access to services -these too have led to real life deficiencies for parents and their children. 1 in 3 children and youth needing this care can access, the others wait up to 12-18 months for services. That is “an age” of time for a suffering child and parent who cannot afford the cost of private services.
It has only been a matter of time for the needs abandoned by the MH Conservatives to rebound exponentially. I see no difference in the DF Conservative direction = more contracts made with for-profits to prop up LTC and dividends for share holders and investors. Getting out of these contracts to move in any kind of non-profit direction is costly. In the meantime, Conservatives defund public services, wait for complaints from the public, and then open the door to more privatized funding for hospital care next. That is where our tax dollars will be spent – so for-profits can cash in to the public purse.
You don’t run a hospital, LTC facility, Home Care agency like a hotel business or private franchise. We can also count on the Conservatives to weaken oversight and required regulations. That is part of the Conservative mantra.
Bill Spring says
To equate wearing a mask to being against freedom is ridiculous. Freedom is the choice to wear one or not.
John Stanley says
Well i wonder just how many smiles i will see on Monday as the rediculas masks become voluntary. the new welcome will be i see you are against freedom if you do wear one.
George Gilley says
I get a kick reading the letters in Speak Up Huntsville. It seams that Mike Harris has been the cause of many of our problems today. Unless my memory is failing me I thought he was Premier quite a few years ago
Why didn’t the liberals fix the problems he supposedly created
Maybe they were too busy buying votes by cancelling a well advanced power station in Oakville. Cost to us over a billion dollars
Or maybe not overseeing Ornge the medical emergency transportation system. Cost ???
Or maybe screwing up the green energy system with hundreds of contracts for solar power at rediculous ongoing hydro costs
Or maybe not overseeing bloated agencies like Metrolinks and the Ontario Lottery Gamming Commission
The list goes on and on
Anna-Lise Kear says
Have a look at how well for-profits are performing in Ontario Home Care. Mike Harris Conservatives are the architects and developers of for-profit in Home Care sector. Another poor performance issue in a health care sector with for-profit origins and the typical lack of oversight and accountability from the Ontario Conservative party.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/home-care-support-private-companies-1.6387911
Vote strategically if you want change in Parry Sound Muskoka. If the disillusioned conservative voter is leaning toward the local Green party candidate as a needed alternative, I’m all in to help that to happen.
DF Conservatives have only had 38% of the popular vote – start with a change in this riding to at least attempt to ensure a minority government. For the sake of our health care system, education, and the environment now and in the future. Thank you for reading.
Allen Markle says
I know the Ukrainian people will have to barter for peace; the weight of logistics arrayed against them makes their task insurmountable. They have no air power.
They have given account of themselves using American anti-tank missiles (1/4 million dollars a pop), making a T90, the Soviet main battle tank and a brave man with a FI_FO (fire and forget) Javelin missile about even. These are brave people.
I feel angered and powerless since there is nothing I can do; apparently nothing anyone will do for fear of the nuclear threat. No one should ever trust this ogre or shake his hand
I think Russian ground capability has been exposed, from the leadership to the equipment in the field. We saw on television the 65 km traffic-jam of ordinance, arrayed along a highway. Airpower and artillery would have reduced it to a long strip of trash.
Now it seems Putin will relinquish some of his demands if the Ukrainian defense force is diminished. That should make it easier for him next time. We cannot ensure there will be no ‘next time’.
Everything that has been seized from that tyrant and his oligarchs should be liquidated and used to support the Ukraine now and to rebuild later. I feel though, that our “nation of laws” will give it all back. So the only thing lost or destroyed will be the lives! That’s diplomacy!!
And to those people who hijacked the ‘Freedom Convoy’; what we see in the Ukraine is an actual struggle for freedom. If you believe that what took place in Ottawa is comparable, then the aluminum foil hat you are wearing is letting in some silly signals.
To the people of Ukraine and your leader, may you find peace soon. And Mr. Zelensky, if you’re ever out of work, I know putin (small case on purpose) may not give you a reference, but rest assured sir, there are entire nations that will.
Anna-Lise Kear says
“Health Care, for Some of the People”, Toronto Star, March 15 by Oliviere, Hurley, & Mehra. Here it is, “Ford’s privatization agenda follows the standard playbook: Defund, Disable, Destroy. Once resource-starved public services no longer work well, respond to the public anger — then transfer ownership to private capital.
Per capita, Ontario now has the Lowest Health Care and Hospital Funding, and the Fewest Hospital Beds and Nurses of ANY province. Yet provincial revenues are $19.5 billion higher than estimated a year ago, providing plenty to spend on public services, if the ‘WILL’ were there…Worse, private hospitals come another price tag: poor care and higher death rates (this also includes higher death rates in private for-profit hemodialysis clinics).”
“Private hospitals employ fewer skilled personnel, a practice strongly associated with hospital mortality.”
” Profits trump standards of care.” Private hospitals will be paid from the public health care purse”! Are you willing to accept that?
DF is Mike Harris 2. What MH did for LTC and community care, so will DF do for hospital care. Please vote Conservatives out of power come June election. Your and your loved ones’ health and hospital care could be compromised by the DF private for-profit agenda. It’s time to go. Your vote counts. Vote strategically.
John Oliver says
It’s natural that the press will take their collective eyes off the Covid ball now that they are focusing on the conflict, or should I say war in the Ukraine . But it’s inevitable that there will be another spike in Covid cases when the spring break is over. The reality as I see it is Covid will be with us for many years and we and the various levels of government and the health care system will need to put in place the necessary protocols, rules and infrastructure to manage it. It’s been a tough two plus years for everyone especially healthcare workers. Annual Covid shots will be the new normal and those of us that care about our health and our fellow citizens health will get them. Unfortunately there will be others that will not. Hopefully we will be able to manage it. Blessings to you all.
Anna-Lise Kear says
National Post Tristin Hopper writes, “Everyone (except Ottawa) is declaring an end to the COVID 19 pandemic”. Seriously, how uninformed and trite can this reporter be! Some lag and delay is reasonable, considering the size of the country (provinces and territories) And not all are equal in their responses and illness due to COVID. Naturally, the Federal response is going to be later.
The science is still being watched over the second variant of Omicron. And, consider the March break effect. This is the second article of Hopper’s that I have read which is shallow and lacks basic understanding. But then again, for this topic she has no background in science – so of course she deems herself expert!
I keep reading the NP for worthy writing, so far the pickings are poor.
Harry Seto says
I just wanted to say goodbye to my beloved music teacher Bruce Werry at the HHS in the sixties.
John Oliver says
I agree with you completely Brenda Begg. Speak up Huntsville is a great venue for pompous folks like me to enlighten others. I do try to keep in mind that my opinions are only mine but it’s hard sometimes to admit that others are entitled to their opinions as well. LoL. It’s also very enlightening as often hearing another opinions brings a new perspective to the issue. I enjoy the dialogue and I am always ready to listen and to change my opinion. Keep the discussions and opinions going. Being able to disagree in a civil manner is refreshing and should be respected and cherished. Blessing to you all.
Brenda Begg says
Please do not “cancel” Speak Up, Huntsville! It’s a venue whereby anyone can, as advertised: thank someone in the community, get something off your chest, or just have something to say unrelated to the posted articles. I do regularly read Speak Up, Huntsville!
Allen Markle says
I will refrain from using words in this comment that could be deemed rude and disrespectful, as they would most assuredly be meant to be both.
If the Ukraine falls and its’ people subjugated, will Putin be any less a tyrant, murderer or war criminal? Will I feel that I should make allowances for any Russian pilot, tanker, artillery man who strafed, shelled or fired upon a school, hospital or grandmother’s apartment? Not (omit this word) likely!
They are all war criminals. The law stated during the Nuremberg Trials that ‘just following orders’ was and is, not a defense. We are a ‘nation of laws’, but others aren’t.
But how complicit are we in Putin’s ability to provoke and launch this attack on these people; and tangentially on our own peace? Very! if we hold pension funds or stocks in companies such as Manulife, RBC, BMO, Kinross, SNC Lavalin and others. They are all heavily invested in Russian oil. Will Putin now move against that money, just as we have frozen some assets of his oligarchs? Tit for tat.
Our own government is gleaning tax money from the sky-rocket price of filthy oil, looting its’ citizens pockets at the pumps and elsewhere. In fairness, we might all have a piece of the action.
That’s just the (word again) business world, which cares not a whit about peace or justice, or in this case, the existence of the sovereign democracy of Ukraine.
Somewhere we will have to take a stand, because will we ever be safe with this obnoxious life form still ready to attack, brutalize and bully his neighbors?
And now, there has recently been the announcement that baseball players, rich athletes, have been locked out by the team owners, even richer business men.
Big (that word as an adjective) deal!!!!
Sorry about the language, but sometimes it just fits.
Allen Markle says
To all of us who cherish our freedoms and privileges, we need only look east, to Russia and the Ukraine to see how they can be snatched away. We seem powerless to stand against the man.
To those who seem to have a lot of comments quashed, surely, by now, you must have figured out why the stuff gets the chop! To equate having a comment deleted from our local Doppler to the loss of a freedom is a bit of a reach don’t you think? If you really feel we need to know how you feel; if you think your comments are so enlightening, get together and print out a flyer.
And to Dawn Huddlestone: Can you please assure me that moisture from all those tears can’t get into my keyboard and screw up my laptop.
I’m pretty sure I’m safe. I just need reassurance.
John Stanley says
Mr vowels: I have said that many times here, and yes we do not have freedom of speech here in Canada any longer. We cannot stand on our soap box and speak our minds without some sort of censorship. Press, government, or some one just not liking what we say, but that is the premise of free speech, weather any one likes it or not we should be allowed to say it without the worry of charges. Sticks and stones my break my bones but names will never hurt me.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Bill Spring; I can imagine the attack on such as soon as I identify a replacement party.
However, if you are interested, I am visiting the Green Party Huntsville Office this afternoon (King William Str, where The Framing Place was located) to check in on their energy and weight their chances.
I repeat that I am not a card carrying member of any of the parties. Green are interested in the environment, housing, access to mental health for Ontarians. My own leanings are a bit elsewhere – but if Greens have a local chance for change in Parry Sound- Muskoka, then I am all in! They certainly carry some integrity in my book.
David Wexler says
Just out of curiosity, Doppler, I wonder how many different posters you get to this page on a regular basis. I suspect that the number is about 6 including one poster who, I think should have a regular column of their own, in the editorial section of the Doppler.
May I suggest that you cancel “SPEAK UP, HUNTSVILLE” unless/until this does become a forum for more than the 6 of us who post? The 6 can be introduced to one another via email and continue the dialogue (debate?) outside of this “news” forum.
For now, just for my peace of mind, I’m going to stop reading this column going forward.
Ah…I’m feeling better already.
Bill Spring says
If you really want to defeat the Conservatives in Muskoka, you must advocate which party to vote for, otherwise the votes against the Conservatives will continue to be split amongst the rest.
jerry paris says
anna-lise
It appears in your many political comments you want a single party that would have the standards of the green party, no oil, no gas, no mining, no forestry, build the country from there. The NDP attitude of anti business, tax any profit a business makes, add lots of worker freebees and dare them to try in stay in business.
You also want the Liberal tax and spend attitude to be pushed to the last dollar.
You do not remember the liberals who running the province had money for everything but the large number of LTC homes they demand from opposition. What about the huge jump in electric rates under the libs.
You seem old enough to have weathered Bob Rae days of almost bankrupting the province and promoting unions.
I will not only look a party policies but how well they have followed previous promises.
I do not make up my mind before it is time to vote.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Mr. Stanley, thank you for the feedback about what I have written, I will be clearer.
No, I am not advocating an additional party be established.
I had opportunity to watch and listen (virtually) to the 4 party leaders on Queens Park Day respond to the RNAO platform proposals (climate change, housing, nursing resources, care delivery and fiscal capacity).
Based upon what was said, I would vote for any other party but the Conservatives – take your choice.
I found their responses wanting. When I consider their leadership and policy performance during COVID and keep an eye on the horizon of more for-profit invitations to health care and LTC, it is easy to connect the dots with the Mike Harris years of governance.
What kind of business person does not collect revenues owed to his/her company? How long would DF’s business last if his company did not collect revenues owed? Not long. The promise give away of a billion dollars in collected license renewal fees – what can this portend? My natural conclusion is to sell off/give away more of publicly owned – property, services, programs. He will claim that the budget can’t be balanced if programs, services, public health care, public education, and any climate change initiatives are not sold off. We saw this during the MH years.
Last question: How well did the for-profit LTC facilities perform by comparison with their non-profit facilities during COVID? Very poorly. For-profit run businesses in health care does not mean they are better managed – that is the fallacy that continues to dog the Conservatives. For-profits have to please their share holders and investors – there are times when residents, families, staff, and volunteers have to take more than a back seat to any improvements in care and service.
My bold advice to voters is to check out the policy platforms of each party. Then determine which party is best positioned to defeat the Conservative government in Parry Sound-Muskoka. Thanks for reading.
John Oliver says
Anna Lise, I know you and I know where your heart is and I admire your passion. Keep up the good fight. All the best to your and your family. Blessings
John Stanley says
anna: from what i read in one of your posts you are advocating we need a change from the 4 parties most people know off, that sounds to me you are recommending THE NEW BLUE PARTY.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Wow! National Post article this morning, Tristan Hoper: “First Reading: Oh, look, nobody cares about COVID anymore”. Besides the dripping sarcasm, this light take on COVID denies lives lost, healthcare workers who have left their jobs, health disparities across the Province, etc. The implication is that government responses were a “tempest in a teapot”. How out of touch can they be?
What we are left with from the Post is harping on the political divide (yes, very real) and the implication that the science does not matter in a public health emergency. A “lets move on and pretend it didn’t happen”.
What are/were the lessons learned?
Anna-Lise Kear says
Thank you John Oliver for your comments and memories of that time. Community building and capacity building are similar. As a retired nurse and associated with RNAO for almost 50 years, I have watched with interest the capability of Provincial political leadership to build a sense of community, especially in a time of urgency or crisis. As noted, I have shared my observations several times on Doppler. I don’t take it for granted that people will read what I post or agree with me.
However, there have been people in our community who have phoned or emailed me with their perceptions about healthcare. LTC, etc.. They have shared personal, sometimes heartbreaking examples which worry them greatly about increased large for-profit trend in home and facility care. I count myself very fortunate that these people can reach out to me with their concerns. So my limited experience is that it is not just nurses in the RNAO that advocate for Ontario citizens around these issues, but indeed local people themselves are impetus for some of what I write. In Parry Sound-Muskoka, we need a change in governing party and MPP – having listened to the related health platforms of all 4 parties.
Mike Talbot says
It’s comforting to see that there are so many political experts in Huntsville, and so many people living here that are familiar with the six-thousand year political and cultural history of the region between the Black Sea and the Caspian (Khazar) Sea. (And now you know where to find it on a map. Maybe start there.)
John Oliver says
Good comments Mr. Markle.
I have always put opinions into the bellybutton and bums category, we all have them. Just because you have one it doesn’t mean that anybody else will agree with you. If you are willing to give one, accept the fact that not everyone will praise you or agree with you. Most people form opinions based on a combination of personal experiences and knowledge of the subject, but those influences alone may not jive with yours as their experiences and knowledge is different. Take care and let’s all pray for cool heads in this crazy world we find ourselves sharing.
Allen Markle says
John Stanley: Offering up an opinion on Doppler comes with no promise of response. We make these comments, maybe just as an outlet for the ideas that run through our minds. A response may give an ego a bit of a buzz, but it’s not necessary, so we’ve lost nothing if no one seems interested.
You do seem to be of the opinion that if one might hold a view that differs from your own, then they ‘just don’t get it’. Not so. We may just not agree. Rejection can be harsh.
And others do and have offered opinions and views on the disaster in the Ukraine. We read both the local high brow and other stuff as well, so someone may have noticed your post.
Maybe they just accepted it as a comment ,but didn’t feel it needed a reply.
Chin up!
Thomas R Spivak says
“Never tell a fool that he is a fool. All you’ll have is an angry fool.” —Talmud
John Oliver says
To Anna Lise Kear. My thoughts about building community take me back to our St. John’s’ on Ravenscliffe Rd. days. Today is Shrove Tuesday and I remember Rev. Gail Marie, Jeff, Barb and John and Donna and I making the pancake supper at the church. We used real pancake batter and real maple syrup and real sausages in an effort to build community. But alas, the community that once was had disappeared and Ravenscliffe had become just a road. Bringing a community together was just a dream. They didn’t need cheap beer, they needed hope for their children, a good paying job and friends and family to get them through the hard times. Let’s hope that the difficulties of the past couple of years can be forgotten and let’s all pray for the people of Ukraine and for peace in the world.
John Stanley says
People: I have noticed the no one has anything to say about my posts lately. I guess the war in Ukraine is just not important enough for the high brows in huntsville to bother with. shame on you`s
Anna-Lise Kear says
Wondering Where……?
Where is the Ford plan for the endemic phase of COVID?
Is there even a recognition of an endemic phase by DF?
Where is/was the “iron wall” built around LTC?
Where is/was “buck-a-beer” sold?
Answer: there wasn’t one; there isn’t one.
DF leadership does not build “community”.
Allen Markle says
Has anyone had the need to use the new cross-walk lights at Yonge Street in the West end of town? When the lights were installed, Tricia mentioned to me it was a weird set-up. Since I never use that sidewalk, it held little interest until recently. A couple of times now I have waited to let people cross and wondered why they didn’t use the lights. Today I stopped and looked.
Coming from town, walking the sidewalk, you should, if sprightly enough, be able to activate the switch and cross diagonally to the sidewalk on Yonge S.
Walking toward town, you cross Yonge N. and then cut diagonally across Main to get to the sidewalk on Yonge street S. As long as you know where the light activation button is. It is not too visible from that direction.
It is when you want to cross from the Yonge S. to the sidewalk on Main that the fun begins. From the bottom of Yonge, it you know where to look, you can spot the activation button, peeking from behind the pole on the other side of the street: which you will have to cross, with your back to traffic travelling toward town on Main, or across the path of cars sliding down the hill on your right.
Then you have to negotiate a snowbank, somewhat akin to the west face of Everest, or at least with enough snow and ice to be a fine training site for the Iditarod.
This may be a bit of an exaggeration, but I don’t think by much. Have a look. Better yet, give it a try.
But, ‘be careful out there.’
John Stanley says
With what is now happening, why is Canada still buying Russian oil. The west has enough oil for all of our needs and then some. The feds need to build the pipeline from Alberta to New Brunswick and tell Quebec to bad it is a federal deal for all of Canada`s prosperity. Also stop buying middle eastern oil as well. We are going to need this resource for a long tine to come to allow the sience to catch up to heat and power our homes.
John Oliver says
Having worked is Russia I have fond and warm feelings for the Russian people but not for the Russian government. As with all conflicts it’s the people that suffer, normal hard working folks like you and me. When I was there I had many instances of people asking me for help in getting out of the country. Their economy was a mess, they were not getting paid but still had to work. I fear that Russia will return to those times as restrictions will cripple their economy again and as per normal it will be the average hard working little guy that will pay the price. Hopefully there will be enough outrage that Putin and his corrupt party will be overthrown. My prayers are with the Ukrainian and Russian people as they will be the ones suffering the hardships in the aftermath of this despicable action.
Thomas R Spivak says
My thoughts exactly Mr. Rae, never should have been displayed to begin with.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Care to know what nurses in the province are up to? Yesterday, attended (virtually) Queen’s Park Day with the RNAO. 4 party leaders presented their responses to the RNAO – 5 point Platform on Public Health policy for the Environment, Social Determinants (housing), Nursing (human resources & education), Care Delivery & Fiscal Capacity.
All parties But the Conservatives would accept increased federal transfer payments with conditions attached. Conservative response (Ford, Elliott, Calandra) — gosh folks, father knows best.
Conservatives remain on the same train, running down the same track: decrease Provincial revenues by failure to collect such things as fees for license plate stickers (a billion dollars), penalties from corporate owners of toll hwys, fines from large LTC facilities who continuously do not meet regulated standards, tax from carbon emissions, and of course, fair taxation.
Next step, claim the budget cannot be balanced as justification to cut services, programs and sell/give health care, education, and the environment to the for-profit sector. Count on the fact that innovative care delivery service was and is nowhere to be seen.
Conclusion: vote AOP (any other party). Thank you for reading.
Brenda Begg says
Ken Rae: I second it. Remove the Russian flag. NOW.
Ken Rae says
I propose that the town should ( permanently ) take down the Russian flag for the G 8 and in it’s place, fly the Ukrainian flag at half mast to show our support for their cause and for democracy.
Thomas R Spivak says
The eyes are useless when the mind is blind.
If you choose to push others to believe, to see, to act upon your own narrow vision of the truth you eventually earn no respect from others and and will be forced to spend your days in frustration, solitude, and anger.
“Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt”
Abraham Lincoln
Allen Markle says
After weeks, months of lying and posturing, a callous and manic dictator unleashed the logistics of a world power upon a nation slightly larger than Canada. Forty million people who wanted only to look after their families and get on with their day, had any semblance of peace or right or freedom ripped away.
The recent carryings on in our country pale in comparison.
This dictator has done the same before and will likely do it again. Other like villains impose their will on populations, who have little or no chance of escape. The ability of the world to control or mitigate the actions of these people, is limited or non existent; except with an unconscionable act.
I don’t imagine that the Russian people are happy with this brutality, but what can they do?
Vladimir Putin, by his actions is a bully and an evil man.
I was taught to never wish ill on anyone, but I think today I made an exception.
Unfortunately, it’s the most I can do.
May the Ukrainian people have peace.
Patricia Snell says
My family are active users of our wonderful Huntsville Library services. I was just told by library staff that when Ontario lifts restrictions on March 1 the Huntsville Library will continue to remain closed on Sundays.
Why would this be? Are there budget restrictions? Staff shortages? What are the issues?
Surely the library should be open on both days of the weekend?
Thank you for any light you can shed on this.
jerry paris says
Hugh, In a column you wonder what has become of Canadians.
We have become tired of politicians who have two sets of rules, one for them, one for the rest of us.
A prime minister who lectured Modi about meeting and talking with protesters, then in the same place, he runs and hides, unwilling to meet with those of the lower class,
He says those who wear black face should be fired or resign unless your name is Trudeau
He uses laws, makes them retro active, so that a grandmother donating 25 dollars or a single mother donating 50 dollars when it was legal are now major criminals with financial resources frozen. Others are having all finances frozen, then told to hire a lawyer.
Donate to the liberal party, get a tax receipt and a request for more, while supporting any thing else in the future could get you arrested,
Just wait until C-11 gets passed with NDP assist, and Trudeau appointed people can control internet TV and eventually print media.
Once that bill goes through, anything that does not praise the liberals can be classed as hate mail. It is to be illegal to criticize government employees when they screw up.
During the last Us election the face book and other streaming media did the censoring for the democrats they did not need a federal law.
When things like this occur time after time people get upset.
John Stanley says
Mr. Markle: sir you totally missed the mark of the post. Domestic terrorisum.
Allen Markle says
John Stanley: That statement about the winners being the recorders of history should really be subjected to scrutiny don’t you think. In the distant past it was difficult for the ‘loser’ to present their side of the story, as they were either deceased, or about to become so.
In more recent times we have the stories of lots of loses and losers. The cost of being vanquished from the battlefield, or the business and political world no longer being so severe as in the past. Today it’s generally the money and not the life they are after.
Your stating that you have read literature on the Vietnam War, from both perspectives, is a fine example of the views of the loser as well as the winner being recorded.
Welcome to Canada, however belatedly and stay safe.
John Stanley says
Mr. Markle: Just who writes history? The winners! just read the 2 versions of the vietnam war, U.S.A. version or the veitnam version. two totally different writings. And the same will happen with the Trudy government and the protesters, Oh! pardon me the terrorists.
Allen Markle says
John Oliver: Quoting famous people might be more safely done after a few moments introspection. Abraham Lincoln also suspended a number of America’s civil liberties. The stakes were somewhat greater when he did it , but he did it never the less.
Parking your ponies on his lawn and blocking his way to the office could have landed one in more trouble, and trouble of more serious consequence than having your wagon drawn away.
We could use a few more ‘Lincolns’.
Just an opinion.
jerry paris says
Has anyone noticed a rush to the pipe line site out west, where twenty or so axe wielding people smashed vehicles and equipment.
It has been reported that these individuals tried to burn a vehicle containing people.
No mention of police rushing out to catch the perps. This can make sense to our PM for this is not anti Trudeau, its anti oil, part of his agenda and therefore does not count.
only what happens in Ottawa counts, the rest of the country especially the west does not matter, just send your transfer payments for Quebec.
John Oliver says
The debate on Doppler about the truckers protest and the emergency measures act reminds me of the old saying, “ it’s better to say silent and seem a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt”.
John Stanley says
To all: What is the Trudeau emergencies act doing about the domestic terrorisum in Huston, BC. I expect nothing. And the MSM says nothing also.
Allen Markle says
Is anybody else having trouble sifting through the happenings of the last month, because it is difficult to rationalize some of it, even if you really try.
It seems there was a ‘request’ by the group representing a ‘freedom convoy’, that the government step aside and allow the business of state to be conducted by them; at least until things were put straight. Then the power would be returned to the elected. Sort of an “Excuse Me ” revolution! How polite do we Canadians seem?
If all overthrows could be so simple. Generally there are AK47s, machetes, women and children harassed: but in Canada?….. seemed like it was worth a shot. To just ask.
And there were obviously some politicos who thought it might work (we have the audio: we have the video); they seem to have sided with the riff-raff. Others pondered a while. Then….. wait a minute!!!
And try to explain a police chief who was totally unprepared for it all; even though it had been announced that the mob was coming, then, that it was on its’ way and finally, it was there. Hard to find him the only person at fault, but still, couldn’t he have asked for suggestions?
It will be quite a mess to sort out; the police will be closely scrutinized, and the rights of the radicals protected in this “nation of laws.”
And in the end it is the truth that becomes elusive; everyone claiming they know what it is and that those with a different opinion ‘don’t get it’. We see that from time to time here on Doppler.
‘Rather than love, money or fame, give me truth’. Somebody made such a comment. The judge sitting listening to the statements from people in the dock during the hearings of the last few days, must have been praying for that to come to pass.
I’m sure there are more amazing revelations to come and wonder what of it we will be able to believe. But I guess we will pick out what we feel is reasonable, understanding that it would be too damn hard to make a lot of this stuff up!!
Oh Canada!
John Stanley says
Sir: no need to move to the USA, I am an aussie, and it is well known that we are true fighters not mambe pambies.
Edward Butikofer says
I am disapointed with Conservatives reaction to our Freedom Problem. Complain that Trudo did not meeet. Do they realy belive anything good could have come out of such a meeting. The protsters were not willing to discuse but to demand. You know that you are Dammed if you do and Dammed if you dont.
John Stanley says
Now that the Ottawa streets are clear watch the tyranical Trudeau government start to weld more and more powers just to stay in power. Did the gov need to invoke the emergency act, i do not think so, but as banks freeze accounts and we cannot gather at a whim of any gov. from the feds to municipal. what will the left say when they come for you also. i hope most of you have noticed the new gov commercial to take all guns, the commercial is played about 4 times a hour. It has started people. The next government pressure will be climate change. Be prepared.
Thomas R Spivak says
Thank you Anna.
What a shame that Mr. Stanley and Mr. Paris are the only ones that get it.
I would suggest that Perhaps Mr. Stanley move to the USA where he won’t be subjected to tyranny. Still waiting on that data Mr. Stanley.
Peter R. Dirks says
I could not have put our problem in a better perspective than Sally Barnes did in the “Commentary ” section!
I came to Canada in 1956 ,to a peaceful country , saved from eating grass to survive . Being 17 years old at the time, I worked for 50c an hour and was happy . I am now wondering where our Country is going into the future . Please think of the consequences of your action before you get yourself into trouble .
I am still glad that we live in a Democracy !
Anna-Lise Kear says
Mr. Paris and Mr. Stanley; last time I looked Ottawa was in the Province of Ontario. DF declared a state of Emergency in Ontario. Why did he not look after the citizens of Ottawa in the face of the protest lockdown to their city, their lives, their businesses and livelihoods? He looked after those in Windsor? Why not Ottawa too?
I would be as bold as to suggest that had DF used his Emergency powers to deal swiftly with Ottawa trucker protests as his jurisdiction, JT would not have had to declare the Emergency Act in place of the inaction of DF government. Just a thought to consider.
John Stanley says
Mr. Paris: Finally someone other than me that does get it. I am sure there are a lot of us out there but because of fear of not complying with mandates. They are now starting to wake up and see, not alone smell the roses as to government tyrany.
jerry paris says
We now have justin and his cabinet putting the emergency bill into place, not parliament. not the courts.
If I donated a dollar to the convoy in its early days, as a protest against inflation, or high fuel costs, or the four levels of taxes on oil products I could now find my bank accounts frozen plus licences and insurance gone.
Justin only wants to meet with groups like black lives matter or any one for love ins,
He lectured Modi of India to meet and talk with protests, rules for Modi but not for him.
As Canadians the emergency bill means we can not even stand together any where to protest his inaction on any front.
Once the NDP help him to pass bill C-11 gets passed justin will be able by means off his appointed people prevent even print media that he does not approve of from being seen.
Allen Markle says
It seems absurd to me that a group of unemployed people can announce that they are on their way to Ottawa as a ‘freedom convoy’, park downtown, and the better part of a month later, still have the city hostage and only now being dislodged.
Might I suggest that when the next disruption is announced, all cities be prepared to use the laws at hand. When the next truck sets its brakes to block a street, may the driver have a bag over their head and a dart in their buttocks, before the heat even begins to tick from the engine.
To say this demonstration is for our freedom is ludicrous; I’ve got uncles, great uncles, cousins and a father-in-law who fought for freedom; sometimes it was to pull down the very flag that this rabble waves in our capitol.
We have young men from our town who are in service and will go where our government asks them; to preserve peace and freedom, yet we have this demonstration at home. Freedom of expression, yes, but not at the expense of other people’s freedom. Find a better way.
Most of what I’ve seen are people who are not working, not for the past month anyway, and some of the vans there, are not cross-border rigs anyway. The mandates are an excuse only.
Generally, people will go to great lengths to protect their family, but amongst that rabble we see little children. People of my age can remember hearing of, or watching film of wars in foreign lands, where women and children were marched in front of invading troops as a human shield. We couldn’t believe of that happening and I can’t imagine the parent who would knowingly place their child in harms way.
This is not a convoy for freedom. By no stretch of imagination.
John Stanley says
Oh by the way people I am NOT a anti vaxer, i have had a lot of different vaccines. but i am against the mRNA so called vaccine.
John Stanley says
Again i say that it is no use talking to those people. They just do not get it
Anna-Lise Kear says
Thanks Barbara Armstrong for posting the terrible reality for the woman you mention. There is little that can be said to anti-vaxxers that will have an impact for change. Unfortunately for some, it will take COVID arriving at their doorstep for reality to be accepted. I certainly don’t wish that for anyone.
Give thanks for our health care workers who do their best to care for all who come through the hospital doors.
Barbara Armstrong says
One of my workers refused to get any vaccines for Covid. She said it had nothing to do with religious reasons, she simply stated she saw no reason to get ‘the flu shot’ and saw no reason to get a Covid vaccine because it was just another kind of flu virus. Her family are all vaccinated and taking the necessary precautions. All my workers work from home and their work is quarantined for three days prior to sale, as a precaution, and will be until I deem it safe. I was fine with her not being vaccinated. I worried about her though.
January 1st, 2022, she contracted Covid’s Omicron variant. She texted me that it sure didn’t feel like ‘just a flu’. A week later she texted me that she was taken to the hospital that morning because she was having a lot of trouble breathing. A few days later she texted me that she was terrified because the doctors were explaining to her what would happen if she needed to put in an induced coma and be put on a ventilator. She was alone and scared out of her wits. No one could visit her, hold her hand, and her inability to draw a decent breath of air was both painful and difficult.
She texted it was: “not just regular pain, and not just ‘hard’, I’m talking truck on your chest kinda pain and breathing through wet wool blankets and feeling like there’s no air coming in, it’s like drowning” so she couldn’t even talk to her family on the phone nor to anyone else. She begged me to get my booster shot (I’d already had it), wear a mask, and to tell all my friends that it is not ‘just the flu’ and she wished she’d “been smart enough to get vaccinated”. And, then, there were no more texts. I don’t have the phone number for anyone in her family.
She may not make it. I’m waiting for “that text”. The one I’ll get If she does, somehow, miraculously recover enough to get out of ICU. From that point on though, she will suffer from “long haul Covid” and have about a year of recovery to look forward to, but at least she’ll be alive.
I remember when she used to joke about people who said they’d had Covid for 3 and 4 weeks and how awful they felt for months afterwards. She mocked them, suggesting they ‘suck it up buttercup’ because she could work through anything. Turns out not everyone is lucky enough to be asymptomatic or get a light case of Covid. She escaped 2020’s original version of Covid and she dodged the bullet of the Delta variant, but not Omicron.
If you’re lucky enough to have the kind of immune system that can protect you through anything, I’m very happy for you. You are indeed very lucky and I hope you appreciate that good fortune. Not everyone can waltz through life without something very damaging happening to them at some point, though. I’m happy for you if you can. But please, bear in mind, while you and your heightened immune systems are parading around ‘mocking’ less protected people, bitching about mandates, masks and restrictions, you are spreading an illness that may kill someone you don’t know and have never met. And it may eventually catch up with you.
We all know the world was ripe for this pandemic and we also know we could have done a lot more to stop it – but because of the stupidity and stubborn righteousness of a few people, many others (including the stupid and stubborn and religious and righteous) suffered, and millions of people needlessly died. No, it isn’t as bad as the Spanish Flu – yet. Yes, people die all the time (cancer, murder, old age, etc., etc.). But I suggest to you, when our (or any) government provides FREE health care and FREE preventative solutions for a crisis we should all take advantage of it – remember you are not invincible. No one is. “You” will need the people you are mocking, the health services and professionals, that you are mocking, long before “they” will ever need you. They won’t knock on your door if they are having a heart attack, get a broken bone, or end up with Covid…. but you’ll want to knock on theirs. The Government won’t come asking you for money if they loose ‘their job’ – but you will want their money if you loose yours, or retire, or get sick and want to see a doctor (OHIP).
If you don’t want to take advantage of FREE vaccines and follow a few, very simple methods of prevention in a crisis – that’s your ‘problem’ and ‘your right’. BUT, Do Not Try to Stop us from taking care of ourselves as best we can – by limiting people in our stores, restaurants, gyms, etc., by asking you to wear a mask, by suggesting you stay home and away from us when you know you are sick. Do not mock us.
‘We’ [the vaccinated, masked, hand washing majority] still let you into our hospitals – FREE of Charge while we get our cancer treatments delayed, elective surgeries postponed, and loose our doctors to Covid. ‘We let you’ exhaust our medical workers – FREE of charge – and did you think for a minute, to thank them, offer to buy them a dinner, loan them your vacation home for a well-deserved rest? ‘We’ take care of you – How about you respect us and not keep mouthing off about how stupid we are for getting a life saving vaccine, wearing our masks, and trying to lower the spread of a deadly virus.
I know one day I’ll die. But in the mean time, I’m trying to take care of myself and my family. I will do whatever that takes, that includes getting vaccines, masking up, and washing my hands after touching something ‘you’ may have sneezed or coughed on.
It’s not “just the flu”.
John Stanley says
Mr. Spivik: they say that there are no figures for the flue 2019, but heart desease alone killed over 53,000. now how about cancer, and every other desease as well as old age. We all die but a lot of baby boomers do not want to admit it and are scared to even say it. As a war time baby i even remember tokens for food, TB, iron lungs, so covid is not that scary, and with proper food and health life is good.
Thomas R Spivak says
Mister Stanley, if you can support your assertation that this is just the flu, please show me varifiable data to support it.
I can’t seem to find any instance of common flu having killed 12,000 Ontarian’s in just two years in my searching.
I vowed to myself not to respond to your rediculous comments any more but you are just so wrong about this.
I anxiously await your supporting data.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Stay well, Mr. Stanley.
John Stanley says
Anna: as a senior (over 80) and no vax it is time to wake up and treat this as just another flue and get back to our lives, not as a fear factor.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Mr. Stanley, if the estimate of fully vaccinated people (2 shots + booster) is @ 58% of the Ontario population (est. 60% of staff in local LTC facility) is accurate, some may question the advisability of dropping Vaccine passports.
Seniors and those with immunocompromised conditions will need to continue to vigilantly protect themselves by all means possible.
Also, it will be interesting to see how local Public Health Units respond, as some decision-making has been returned to them for local response.
John Stanley says
Finally: My opinion only, but i think most businesses will open 1 march 22 and let All customers in to enjoy shopping, eating or just browsing without the harassment of the QR passports. They have suffered enough. there bottom line is what it takes to stay open. vaccinated or not.
Allen Markle says
Well said Thomas Spivak. There is no ‘right’ or ‘priviledge’ this lot of unemployed rabble can give me that other, braver people have not given me already.
I say unemployed because they are likely doing nothing but parking illegally and drawing govt. money.
Simply a bunch of vandals, bullying a city that no govt. seems to want to take the responsibility of helping. Ford cleared a bridge, that’s a start, but there was also big money involved.
Am waiting to see who will rescue our ordinary citizens.
John Oliver says
To Charles Clark, I think the logic is quite simple and I would be happy to explain it to you, but if you don’t get it now then I doubt that you will get it even after you hear the explanation. I assume you have been vaccinated and wear a mask to protect yourself and your family…
Thomas R Spivak says
Perhaps I can shed some light on Mr. Clarks question, Because long distance truckers travel to many different areas of the USA where there is a number of different rules regarding vaccination, masks, and general attitude toward the current pandemic it puts them as a group at risk for contracting or transmitting the virus.
Don’t get me wrong, how the rules during the pandemic were applied were not united, unfair to some, and sometimes just plain stupid.
That’s pretty simple, however with our government leaders in all the parties and within themselves not being on the same page at anytime and the Feds as usual handling this on a too little too late basis we now have a number of people feeling slighted.
Now just so its clear, truck drivers cannot enter the USA if they are Canadian without proof of vaccination , that’s the USA rule, so if you can’t leave then coming back shouldn’t be a concern. If you are a Canadian trucker that by whatever means ended up on the south side of the border you cannot be refused entry because as a Canadian National you always have the right to come home. Having said that you may have to quarantine.
So, once again this protest on the basis of trucker vaccination is BS.
What this is about, it seems to me, is that these individuals are tired of the other mandates and are using trucks, cars, and human blockades to be bullies and force everyone else to throw in the towel because these babies are tired of the pandemic. Well guess what gang, we all are, but this is not the time to throw caution to the wind.
My son’s office is owed by a company with unique religious beliefs and they have never practiced a covid 19 prevention strategy, my son is fully vaccinated and after two years of protesting this behavior is now positive for covid, very, very ill, missing work, money, and the company will behind on work because of this.
Why should he have had to go through this because of the selfishness of others?
Its not their right to defy these rules anymore than its my right not to stop at a red light, wear a seatbelt, obey a speed limit, not spit in a hospital, or trip elderly people when they walk by.
What’s the difference? You endanger others and cause problems on the whole.
There are people that are not getting treatment for conditions right now because hospitals can’t handle the extra demands.
They have to wear a mask or social distance? Tough Sh*t as far as I’m concerned. Why don’t these people come over here and take care of my family when they are sick?
As a parent, and I don’t care how old my kids are, they are the most important thing on this earth to me and I will always protect them. Anyone got an argument with that contact me and we can talk that over further.
All these self centered babies that have too much time on their hands need to go home and cry on their pillows.
If a tiny minority want to change the rules for the majority then they should all get together, publish their names, addresses publicly?
How brave are they?
Charles Clark says
Since the start of the pandemic some two and a half years ago, truckers were considered to be essential workers crossing the border without vaccine checks. Now they have to be vaccinated. Can anyone explain the logic of that recent decision by the government?
John Stanley says
to David Wexler: you hit the nail on the head that time bud. it seems that a lot more left is allowed than right sorry to say.
David Wexler says
I wonder if it would make sense to publish in this column the “Community Guidelines “ that commenters are supposed to abide by? It strikes me that all too often, one or more contributors go after individuals and/or topics not at all covered by the Doppler, with seemingly zero editorial oversight being provided by this newspaper, which is a shame.
Lesley Hastie says
I’d like to see Anna Lise Keri running for office, as a Huntsville Councillor in November.
William Long says
Having not read the Doppler for sometime, I am happy to see the voice of reason prevailing in the name of Anna-Lise Kear. Excellent writing and an interesting point of view. I will be reading the Doppler more often. Thank you.
John Stanley says
anna lise: and my image of the lib government is “my way or the hyway”
Anna-Lise Kear says
My image of the average trucker protestor is of a three year old, hands on hips, shouting “you’re not the boss of me” to his/her parent – temper tantrum and all.
Hopefully science curriculum at all levels in education can be augmented, in post-pandemic world.
Canada is handling this well, carefully.
John Stanley says
to Chase Clarke:. talk about jumping from the frying pan into the fire.
David Caswell says
As I listen to the retoric from the left and right of our various commentators I wonder if it is possible to be a supporter of womens rights and a supporter of right to life. I wonder if you can have liberal views and not support euphanasia.
Maybe because I am old I have a great appreciation for life. I have friends who tell me they were the result of a mistake. But they don’t care they are happy to be alive.
Maybe I am worried that as I age I will need care and someone will say your time is up.
I believe I am progressive with some ideas, and conservative in others. Is it impossible to support both concepts at the same time.
It seems you can not based on liberal commentators
Sophia Marshall says
Thank you, friends, family, teachers, community, Huntsville Doppler, Huntsville Forester and local sponsors, for your support for Sophia Marshall’s Europe racing tour.
Many thanks!
Pat Crawford says
CONGRATULATIONS to the festival. Of the arts for arranging thr Snow Village in River mill Park.
It was an absolute delight to watch the children and their parents having a wonderful time with this event. It was a lot of work for a lot of people but a job well done and appreciated by many.
George Kitching says
Does anyone know why the Church bells and music has stopped from St. Andrews? Please advise.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Some good news! It is my understanding that the Trudeau government has moved to re-establish the National position of Chief Nursing Officer of Canada, which previous governments abandoned.
This demonstrates, at the very least, acknowledgment and respect for the vital profession of nursing in this country. Bravo!
Chas Clark says
Perhaps you should retire Hugh and and over the Doppler to Anna-Lisa Kear!
Anna-Lise Kear says
If you read the National Post, I suggest you not rely on the health science information contained there. It is unreliable at best, often astoundingly ignorant. Their detail and big picture health science viewpoints can be misleading.
This pandemic was going to last 3-4 years at least, from the beginning. Wars have lasted as long and then some. Viewing the pandemic common enemy as the virus, declaring war on the virus, not one another and acting as a unified, consensus-building population accepting the best measures possible from the get-go could have been far healthier to our society and fast-tracked an ending of some restrictive measures.
Please pardon my restating the obvious for some.
It takes leadership to bring about that unification., acceptance of emergency measures, and following the sciences of virology, epidemiology, medical research, social behaviour, and excellent communication skills.
Anna-Lise Kear says
In an open letter to Premier Doug Ford (January 5, 2022) from the RNAO: “A health system on the verge of total collapse”. The measures proposed in this open letter should have commenced after Wave 1 and before Wave 2. Hope you can copy and paste, here is the link: https://rnao.ca/news/media-releases/re-a-health-system-on-the-verge-of-total-collapse
This has certainly hit our town’s LTC sector.
John Stanley says
all: they say that 90%of the truckers are vaxed. my question is the how many of the INDEPENDENT truckers are vaxed.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Wow, Conservative MP stands with the trucker protest in front of a Nazi Swastika. The trucker protest against mandates to protect public health was bound to be hi-jacked by more extreme views, unfortunately. (remember @ 90% of truck drivers have used their critical thinking skills and become vaccinated).
As Canadians, we must speak up about the hate of Nazism today, every day, and not turn a blind eye.
There is a strong historical connection between the Canada West’s Social Credit-Reform-Manning/Harper Conservatives and fundamentalist evangelicals. Rugged individualism versus the common good; these should be balanced and need not be polarized – but in our times have become so.
What is taking place in Ottawa appears on its surface as sheep following a simple ideology, without thinking. I hope all Canadians stay strong against anti-Semitism rhetoric and hate.
John Stanley says
Since the club 55 is to be closed down, will the much needed washrooms be retained.
Anna-Lise Kear says
This week I have heard from local people about happenings in Huntsville LTC. I have passed along important information to the appropriate people and will continue to do so.
In a nutshell, the reporting we read in the Toronto Star and I hear about through the RNAO (Registered Nurses Association) reflects the reality of an imploding public system of healthcare. This is not Just under the weight of COVID and variant, but under the Poor performance of the DF Conservative government. The for-profits are doing better, as they vacuum up staff from the public sector, OR the staff leave altogether in exhaustion.
In short, the issues relate to health care staff recruitment, retention, and wage differences – our seniors and people with disabilities in LTC are put at additional risk because of the delayed and insufficient action of Conservative provincial leadership. What is not visible to Huntsville citizens, let alone others in the Province, is oversight to vaccination requirements for all staff (contractors, visitors, etc.). A staff – full vaccination rate of 60% is poor.
Finally, please remember that there are legislated regulations to allow for complaints (both in LTC, home care, and privately owned retirement homes). LTC complaint process can be found on the MOHLTC website. Urgent complaints: 1-866-434-0144 (8:30 am. – 7:00 pm., 7 days a week).
I urge you to speak up to the Ministry on behalf of LTC residents and their families. Speak up to the Ministry for the LTC staff, those who this government claims to value. Speak up for our health care system in the upcoming election by voting AOP (any other party). Be informed, look at the party platforms. This current version of the Conservative party is not progressive. Nothing will change unless there is a sustained change in provincial governance to increase the value we all place on our public system. This is Not fear-mongering – it is our reality. Talk to any health care worker!
John Oliver says
Thank you Anna-Lise. My many years living and working in Huntsville and the many friends that I acquired along the way will always be remembered fondly. In many ways Huntsville was a challenge as well as a joy. In the early, not so long ago days, I remember when the town closed down for winter. Many of the stores closed as there was no winter tourists to cater to. Things started to open up in the early 1960’s when Hidden Valley opened the first ski slopes with a chair lift and the snowmobile became popular. We had a cottage on Bay Lake that my farther and I built and I remember having to dig a trail through the snow from the road to the lake as the road around the lake was not plowed and loading the supplies onto a toboggan and hauling it across the lake. That was the start of Huntsville as we know it today. Over the next few years the town grew as the summer cottages changed from seasonal to multi seasonal dwellings. That was when my wife and I decided to move North to Huntsville as did many others. We were not affluent, just two young hippies that wanted to get out of the city. Now, I read the dialogue that goes back and forth on Doppler and wonder were did that dream go? The simple summer cottage has been replaced with multi million dollar lake side homes. Country roads are now congested highways and folks can’t seem to get along. The city with its congestion, politics, crime and all the other associated issues have slowly transformed Huntsville. I will return to Huntsville one day to visit old friends. Until then please remember that you live in God’s country. My thoughts are with you all, be safe. Namaste
John Stanley says
to Anna lise. From you post about do not vote PC. I get the impression that you would want a socialist or totally lib-left gov. May the good lord help us if that was to pass.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Today’s National Post, reporter Chris Selley writes, “Canadians feel smug about their healthcare system right until they need it” (January 27, 2022).
Let me share with you that since graduating from nursing at U of T in 1972, the last thing I have ever felt is “smugness” about our health care system. I have lived through many iterations of health care and our health care system in Ontario.
This is what I have learned, briefly:
1] health care delivery is not messy, it is a composite of a few different sources
2] when there is a composite, keeping those sources in balance is essential (e.g. non-profit – for-profit)
3] in Ontario, under Mike Harris, that balance tipped greatly in favour of for-profits (LTC and Home care)
-the results were reduced wages for direct home care personnel and allowed for-profits to pay greater dividends to their investors (off the backs of Ontario residents). Any profit did not go back into the health care system.
-MH tied up the for-profit contracts for Ontario taxpayers to pay for years, including into subsequent governments
What has that achieved over time? Lower wages (which ironically the current Provincial government says it now hope to address), lower care standards in delivery (or at best, uneven delivery), without the courage and will of the current Conservative provincial government to provide the best oversight and demand penalties from repeated violations of legislated regulations already in place
So to Chris Selley I say, go ahead, cherry pick your assessment variables, it wouldn’t be a new idea – Stephen Harper picked “wait times” to justify more for-profits. Many health care people could see through that smoke and mirrors very clearly. Remember, others were present during the “Two-tiered Tony” (Clement) years operating under the MH Conservatives and can definitely attest to the impact.
Anna-Lise Kear says
COVID 19 & variants and LTC:
We need some answers from MOHLTC (Muskoka LTC homes) and Simcoe Muskoka Health Unit on the numbers of staff (nursing, dietary, housekeeping, maintenance, administration, recreation depts.) FULLY vaccinated and those unvaccinated (by choice).
Then, we need the same information about agency staff, essential caregivers, visitors, and any other non-employee personnel.
And, we need to know where to find this information on a regular basis as well. Ideas?
John Earl says
Re: Rod Jones comment on Jan. 20 “Who is still living that used to be on the Chaffey fire department in the 70&80”
The following are to Best of my knowledge the now living members of the Chaffey Fire Dept. From the
Dating period, from which I was a member during the early 1970’s.
Mr. Doug Allen
John Earl
Mr. Pat Mclroy Jr
Mr. Rod Jones
Mr. Bart West
Mr. Bill Antcliffe
Mr Ted Turner
Of Interest the 1st Chaffey Fire Dept. Chief , now passed, Mr. Ed. McDonald
The Last Chaffey Fire Dept. Chief , now passed, Mr. Lyle Payne
My years serving Chaffey Fire Dept. ( Huntsville Station # 2 ) were some of the best years of my life working, and socializing with such a wonderful, and superb group of Volunteers and Dedicated Men devoted to their duties as Volunteer Fire Fighters, and will always live within my precious memories.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Good reminder of the importance of our public health care system in G. Steward’s article, “Pandemic being used to push health-care privatization” (Toronto Star January 25, 2022). Though she sites Alberta’s Kenney Conservative government, don’t for a minute imagine that DF Conservatives are not to again push these policies (just as did MH and SH, with help from TC).
“Services like home care and long-term care were contracted to private companies, which often meant less government oversight and lower standards of care.”
Dr. Noel Gibney, University of Alberta, intensive care specialist addresses bed capacity, “Staffing is the major limitation to increasing hospital capacity at a time when health care professionals are leaving our hospitals at an unprecedented rate… opening private hospitals would strip public hospitals of staff and would not increase capacity.”
“In many ways, the pandemic has provided opportunity, and cover, for politicians such as Kenney and medi-entrepreneurs who have long wanted to cash in on health care through the public purse. Public health care is too important to be left in their hands. Only when people from all walks of life step up to protect and improve it will it still be there for all of us.”
Please do not vote Conservative this June. Thank you for reading.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Hi John Oliver; Glad to know you are still interested to check in with your former stomping grounds, Huntsville. Hope all is well with you and yours.
John Oliver says
If it wasn’t for my old friends Anna-Lise Kear and Ray Vowles battling it out on a weekly basis, I would have no reason to check in on Doppler. They make being at home with Covid restrictions fun. Do you think it’s time they kissed and made up or do you think they should get another hobby. Good folks and good debate. I sure do miss Huntsville sometimes. Take care all of you and be safe. Namaste
John Stanley says
to all now that Briton will lift all restrictions (masks, passports, and restrictions) curbing people,France has followed, at the end of March, maybe our governments will see the future also and do the same by June. no more gumpy old men just happy, happy.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Before any further re-opening, the DF Conservative government needs to require vaccine passports to include 3 shots, not 2, And these passports need to be required everywhere, not just those locations currently deemed essential; this would include examples such as LCBOs and Cannabis shops. Just another example of too little.
Rod jones says
Who is still living that used to be on the Chaffey fire department in the 70&80
Edward Butikofer says
I want to thank Mr Mckenzie for having enough gut tell it how it is. Quebec,
Allen Markle says
In 2013, Tricia and I spent 12 days at the Heilala Lodge on Tonga. The island stands on the shoulder of the Tonga Trench which plunges to 35,000 feet. Our fale or cottage was out on the hook of island that points straight out towards the Trench.
One afternoon, we and another couple went into the town of Taufa-ahau to have lunch at the Friendly Cafe. The place was crowded and we ended up seated with a half dozen or so tourism executives from other nearby islands. Bright lava-lavas, cold drinks and sunny warmth certainly made it a ‘friendly’ affair.
Across the street and green belt was the harbor and then the open Pacific.
We see on the news that a peak along the shoulder of the Trench has erupted. I look at our photos of happier times and wonder how much of what we saw is left.
Ray Vowels says
reply to Anna-Lisa Kear I guess you are one of the ones who think everyone should think the same as you because you think your so much smarter than the rest of us. As far as I know this is still a free country where people can decide what they want to put into their body. We have a constitution that protects that right so just why do you think it’s the govt’s responsibility to force people to take any drug that they don’t want to. Oh yes it’s for the common good. If that is the case then why is it that about 9000 double vaccinated people are testing positive the last few days compared to about 2500 unvaccinated one shot vaccinated or won’t say what they are. But you say the 2500 are spreading this around more than the 9000 are that is reasonable don’t you think.
Anna-Lise Kear says
” The Ford government had a duty of care. It failed us with its lassitude, mendacity and honed incompetence. On every crucial issue, this time the penalizing of the unvaccinated, it has taken the fetal position, curled up, eyes closed, saying not yet not yet not yet.”
“It was Premier Doug Ford’s responsibility to get everyone vaccinated, N 95-masked, and kept safe in schools, on transit, and in the cities and towns of Ontario. He didn’t do it.”
from; “Nothing can mask this level of ineptitude” (Heather Mallick, Toronto Star, January 17, 2022, p. A4)
Worth reading.
Brenda Begg says
Response to Ray Vowels: This is my take. Many businesses /employers pay minimum wage without benefits such as sick leave, extended health care. I agree with you that there are people who are choosing to use support money from the Government. But not all. I believe there are more factors involved, some of which may be complex, as to why there is such a staffing shortage. Let’s hope that everything comes out in the wash!
Anna-Lise Kear says
If you haven’t yet, check out the COVID section in Doppler and pay attention to the notice in red. Thanks.
Ray Vowels says
Thomas R Spivak So you had it hard for awhile and yes you could have used a had up we are not denying anyone that. What we are talking about is right now everywhere I look in Town there is help wanted . We are hiring signs but why are people still not working. Do you think it might have something to do with the money the liberal govt. borrows to pay people to stay home. Back in the days we talk about there was five men looking for every job that came up so you took a day here or a day tere doing anything to feed your family.
Thomas R Spivak says
Thank you Lanor, you understand.
No thanks to the bitter men that think they alone built this country.
By the way fellows, my wife and I lived in a tent our first 5 months here, the next 6 months in an uninsulated cabin with no water, bathroom, electricity, phone, and 1 window. Two years passed before we had power, drinkable water, and a phone.
My first job paid $3.00 hr. and I put a tub of coals under the engine early in the morning so my truck would start. Water came from a hand pump that had to be thawed at each use.
Yet, I don’t deny help to those in need.
Nobody ever said that we need to help people forever, just give help as needed.
” Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness ” Martin Luther King.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Under current debate: a tax for those who choose not to be vaccinated. With the Canada Health Act – accessibility to healthcare remains the same for all Canadian citizens. In other words, with a person who chooses to not be vaccinated, if they get ill and need hospital, medical, and nursing care – they Receive it!
The anti-vax tax, directed into healthcare revenue would help with the financial strain on our system, due in part to the people in the population who Could be Vaccinated and Choose Not to take advantage of this health promoting, illness-preventing measure.
Lanor Lovegrove says
There will always be good and bad in a situation. My husband and I volunteered at the table food bank before it was called the table. The people who came in for help could “shop” from our grocery shelves, taking what they needed. Then they came through our check outs , restrictions for how many were in their family decided how much they could have made this necessary, also we bagged it for them.
I knew there were some people coming in and taking advantage of a good thing, but what can you do?
One man always came alone, his was a family of four. He was quiet and always thanked us so much for the food. Suddenly he stopped coming. A few months passed when one day he came through the door carrying a couple of bags full of food items. He sat them gently on the counter
and said with a smile, “I got a job that pays pretty good and I would like to give back to others as they gave to me.” I held back tears and replied, “it’s people like you that make all this worthwhile.”
You get my point here. We must try to help others and not worry if a few of them are taking advantage of a good thing.
I think most people want to work. The biggest reward is feeling useful and self-sufficient.
John Stanley says
To all: It was all the grumpy old men that built the tar sands development, the CN tower, the trans canada highway and i could go on and on, but in every generation the younger one rides on the previous generations shoulders. It is called progress and is unstopable, i am sure we would not want to live like the Romans or even the Victorians. Remember slaves and workhouses. In another 100 years the people will be saying how could those people have live like that. history
Allen Markle says
We, (I include myself here) have been referred to as ‘hard nosed old men”. Sort through some of the previous dialogue and find all the unsavory characteristics Thomas Spivak labels us with. He finds us ‘simply wrong’ ands is ‘sorry for us.’
Here is some ‘hard nosed old man’.
I purchased a newspaper today for $4.20!! What would my father or grandfather have thought of that? There is no way to fit prices and times for comparison. We are here now and all that was then.
But I just bet if Thomas Spivak’s grandfather were to stand beside him today and survey the differences he saw, he would respond much the same as my elders did. “You don’t realise how good you got it, boy.” There is today, a safety net hanging from every identifiable hazard..
But the grandfather obviously used his time and talents and flourished. Good on him!
You may or may not believe in the “have dominion over” as it is recorded, but we are animals. We are the ultimate animal and that honor comes with baggage: a quivering moral compass and a pang of social conscience, which hopefully keeps us humble and honest. It’s what defines us and makes us human.
It also causes us to donate our time, expertise and money to our hospitals, hospice, service groups and food banks, and volunteer for a myriad of programs which benefit others.
Whether we like it or not, it is a lot of our pockets that the government rummages in when it wants to erect the next social safety net.
We donate and contribute because we can. We don’t require anyone to be sorry for us.
George Kitching says
Question: Are Xmas trees picked up by Huntsville’s door to door waste/recycling removal system? Please advise. Thanks, George
Ray Vowels says
Reply to Mr Thomas R Spivak I cannot speak for Mr Stanley but In my case I’m far from being a bitter old man. I and I think Mr Stanly were pointing out that it was not easy getting ahead back in the 50’s & 60’s. But with hard work and making do with a lot less than people have today we were able to have a good life. It did not happen overnight it took us years to get the things most take for granted now. But the one thing that was different was the fact that a lot of us did not need much to have an easier life with more luxuries than our parents had. Where I was raised we had no hydro so no electric lights no running water no indoor plumbing the roads were not plowed in winter so even if you had a car it was useless in winter. The one good thing everyone who lived in the area had the same problems so we really never knew anything different. Once again I’m not bitter just trying to explain why I think people should work for a living. There is nothing wrong with a hand up in hard times we all had some of that at one time or another but we did not expect it to last forever and as soon as we could find something to do we went to work. Not sure but I hope this Explains a bit about what makes us old guy’s tick.
John Stanley says
Mr. Spivak: please get it through. what i was trying to say was everyone can pull themselves up be their own boot straps. do not tell me about all the people that do not have boots, the food banks are passing them out every day!
Ray Vowels says
Well I’m not at all surprised by the reaction I got from my post. But it was meant to do just what it did. to point out that if people keep living on handouts soon they give up even trying to help themselves or make a better life for themselves. It’s not even their fault it is just plain human nature why work when I get the same thing for nothing. Every time I talk about what it was like back in the 50’s and 60’s I get the same answer things are different now and they are right back then there was no govt. hand outs there maybe was some kind of welfare but it sure would not have been enough to live on. I paid $10.00 a week for room and board now I can hear the laughter but when the only thing you can find to work at is pick apples for 50 cents an hour that was two and a half days pay. Then you had gas plus car insurance if you were lucky enough to have a car. So yep things were different back then but unless you lived it you’ll never understand. The only way to get ahead was to work hard and hope you could get a job where you could learn a trade even then the wages were not all that great In 1966 working as a carpenter in Hamilton i made $3.10 an hour and had a wife and two kids plus one on the way to support so things were different and my wife never worked and if she had of there was no maternity leave or anything like that. Plus we had to pay our own psi. and hsi out of are own pockets. for those who do not remember PSI was insurance to pay the doctors HSI payed the hospital bill. If you worked for a big company they deducted it off your pay and paid it for you if not you had to pay it yourself every month.
Thomas R Spivak says
Mr. Stanley,
It’s not the same for everyone, you need to understand that the path that you followed isn’t the path that everyone else can follow.
Please be more opened minded, there’s plenty enough grumpy old men in this world already and they never benefit anyone else.
Wouldn’t you hope that others have an easier path on life? Is hardship the only way to succeed? The point I’m trying to make is that we can as a society make an easier path for others and wishing hardships on others is selfish and unproductive.
What I’m seeing here from several individuals is that they are saying ” I had nothing, worked hard and became self sufficient, didn’t need help”.
This doesn’t work for everyone and you can’t generalize.
Stop playing the hard nosed old men, stop and think about who may have helped you, trained you, took time and trust to make you who you are, and don’t tell me me you did it alone.
If you are bitter about the hard work you did and think others should suffer too, I can only feel sorry for you, I certainly can’t admire you.
Final word on this.
Good luck!
John Stanley says
To all: Way back when i got my matric from high school i worked at odd jobs for a while. Then got a job in medical research cleaning animal cages. was able to learn and became a OR tech. Yes i become some one with a good job. Have held live beating hearts in my hands (be it a calves). But as life go on a lovely wife and a child the money way terrible. so go a job with a friend as a apprentice doing plumbing. Yes working to feed and house my family cleaning and repairing others feces. worked and joined a union and worked to eventually obtained 4 licenses in the trade. I retired at 62 in 2004 and now live very comfortaly on my pension. One POOR boys story. No hand outs from government, just hard work and night school while i worked. Seen the world, if you want to get ahead you will on your own.
Thomas R Spivak says
Mr. Vowels,
I appreciate and understand you point of view on how to get by and taking care of ones self however, times have changed, this is not 1960.
I remember buying gasoline at as low as 13 cents a gallon when I was in high school, a few years ago we could get bread for $1.50 a loaf. we cannot compare our lives and that economy to the one that exists today.
Ontarians pay more taxes than anywhere in Canada, we produce more electricity than we need and sell the excess to the states at a loss which consumers here subsidize. I remember my dad being hesitant at buying a new 1960 Ford F 100 truck for $2000. And yes, there are signs up in stores looking for help but consider that the people that are not working and are able to will not make as much going to work because it jeopardizes the benefits. In most cases these are not full time jobs anyway.
Even if they work full time at $15 an hour after deductions they may bring home $450 a week for forty hours which they wouldn’t get anyway, so $1800 take home a month. Now take out rent or house payments, food, hydro, ( and remember, even if you don’t use it you still get a delivery bill ) phone, heat, clothing, gas for your car ( if you can afford it ) insurance, license, maybe water if in town, and prescriptions are not free for younger people.
There are things I’m sure I’ve missed and I’m guessing at take home pay but maybe stop and think this over before making a bold statement such as you have.
And no this is not true what you have have said, people are not animals and cannot be compared to them, to do so is a cruel and short sighted attitude. Do you think that during the depression it was wrong to have soup lines? Maybe those people should have fended for themselves? Where does this thinking stop?
When a tornado strikes do we turn a blind eye to those homeless people?
My grandfather arrived in this country in 1896 with a wife, 3 kids, and a basket of hard rolls given to him on the ship. When I read the diary of their experiences here I see time and again how the generosity of the people in this country allowed them to survive, prosper, build a church, a school, a post office, and a life here. So don’t tell me we should let people fend for themselves.
You are quite simply wrong.
Allen Markle says
Maybe a bit harsh by today’s thinking Ray Vowels, but you may be on the right track. Duck man! Here come the entitled.
Ray Vowels says
Just a short thought on the govt handouts that they are giving people right now. The MNR tells us not to feed wild animals because if we do they get dependent on the hand out’s and forget how to fend for themselves so may in the end starve to death. Is this not also true for people who get to depend on Govt handouts.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Mr. Spivak; thank you for your insightful comment. It hope that the Reagan-Thatcher “trickle down effect” will eventually wear itself out. The assumption that big companies, when receiving additional taxpayer subsidy/tax breaks will pass this along to the lower class or front line workers, instead of giving executives big bonuses or buying back stock options has been a long-standing lie from the get-go.
Allen Markle says
Ray Vowels: I too was somewhat perplexed by the response prompted by your comment of Jan.7, 2022. You wondered about one persons’ penchant for laying the ills of the province/country/world , at ‘conservative’ boots. I read where you questioned the wisdom of adding, indiscriminately to our burgeoning national debt and then mentioned LTC in passing.
I don’t believe you commented on pandemic pay or the problem of parent/children staying home. There was no mention of sick pay or food banks or chronic low income. So how you prompted the peoples’ wrath was perplexing.
At one time the CRB was $500.00 per week and now the CEW is $300.00 per week. But even at these reasonable amounts, those benefits alone are responsible for a debt of 83.5 billion dollars in the last couple of years. Not one dollar of that is from an enormous fund of cash which Canada has stashed away. It is all debt. And this is only a portion of the enormous hole we are digging.
Wondering about having future generations left with such a debt does not make anyone ‘heartless’. Maybe sad and helpless.
And be assured, as Ray Vowels says, ‘they’ will come for it. It is a debt and the lion’s share will be gleaned from wage earners through taxes.
Most of us can recall that old comment that states the surety of taxes.
Ray Vowels says
I have thought long and hard about just how to answer Lesley Hastie’s comments and I think maybe i was misunderstood I have no problem with the govt giving a hand to people who need it for a time to see them through a unfortunate time that is no fault of theirs. The problem is the liberal govt gave out millions of dollars to big businesses that had to lay off staff I’m not sure just how it worked but from what I have read the money went into the pockets of the big business not to the laid off workers. This is the problem with Govt giving out money that they have no idea where or who it’s going to, As for hard times I was born in 1940 so have been around for more than a few hard times. I was lucky enough to live in the country where we had a big garden and raised chickens and pigs and even had a cow for milk so we always had food. Money on the other hand there just was not much of it I remember my mother looking all over trying to find 3 cents to mail a letter. I went to work at 16 got married at 19 and raised four boy’s some will remember what it was like in the 60’s if you could earn $1.50 an hour you were doing not bad. There was no LTC homes no day care you looked after your own kids. It was not always easy but we did what we had to do to get by. So maybe now you understand why I have a hard time trying to see why young people can’t get along on $15.00 an hour work two jobs if you have to we all know there is lot’s of businesses hiring when I go into town all I see is help wanted signs. The one and only time I drew unemployment Ins I think was 1960 and I received the grand sum of $12.00 a week thankfully I was not on it long . Hope this kind of explains why I feel people should get back to work. Some are sick and can’t but a lot just say why should I work when the govt. gives me more to stay home. What they don’t realize is that sooner or later one way or another this money has to be paid back so we all know where it will come from and thats the workers not the rich it will be the working people.
Thomas R Spivak says
Leslie Hastie, you are absolutely right.
It has been bred into our society for many generations that the poor are poor because they don’t try hard enough.
In the last 20 years the top wage earners in north America have increased their profits to 10 times what the upper middle class makes and the rest have largely been stuck where they are.
The notion that the poor deserve to be poor because they don’t work for it is a throw back to 200 years ago, trickle down economics is, has always been, and always will be BS.
The poor live in areas where the schooling in not as good, income opportunities are not as great, family structure may be broken, and they do not have access to the resources, banks, credit, and education that high wage earners do.
The myth of of the self made man has been pressed upon us and truth be know most of these success stories were about being at the right place at the right time or having family backing to begin with.
Everyone has a right to have sustainable income and its a societal duty to help those that don’t and not denounce them and hold them down.
I fear Mr. Stanley has a false sense of what success may be or what failure may be. Is he in the top 10 of wage earners in Canada? Likely not. No disrespect to him intended but lets be clear, most of us work hard most of our lives with the hope we someday retire and can maintain a reasonable lifestyle through our retirement. Many work hard their whole life and never achieve that level of security or comfort.
Aiding the poor, disadvantaged, ill, and unemployed is an investment in the success of their lives and in this country. When the wealthy are taxed and contribute to the wellbeing of this country on as equal of terms as the majority of the populace I believe we will see change begin to take place. We need to stop this class system that holds back and punishes lower wage earners.
Food for thought.
Lesley Hastie says
To Mr Vowels in particular, the new federal government’s pandemic pay is an extra $300 a week.
We Do have a pandemic here. Parents and children are sick. There is now remote learning so some parents will have to stay at home with their children especially where child carers are sick too.
How can people pay the bills? They have to pay rent or get evicted. They also have to pay for heat, transport, and if there is anything left, food. Most will not have sick pay (which should be an unconditional benefit for everyone. It certainly is available to Doug Ford and his ministers, why not other working people? Or are they supposed to go to work when sick?)
$300 is a very tiny bit of help for desperate people. According to the Foodbanks HungerCount, “In March 2021 alone, there were over 1.3 million visits to food banks across Canada—an increase of approximately 20 per cent compared to 2019. Low and stagnant incomes, rising food costs, and an unrelenting housing market driving market rents up across the country have created a level of need not seen since the aftermath of the 2008 recession. And people who receive provincial disability income support are living on incomes that, when general inflation is taken into account, are nearly 10 per cent lower in real terms than they were 30 years ago.”
So Please. Have a heart!
Allen Markle says
Railing against a Conservative politician , some 20 years later , seems to be an exercise in futility. Mike and his ‘common sense revolution’ failed, when it no longer made sense. He slithered away as Ontario voters were searching for a large enough rock to keep him under. Ernie Eves was left to suffer the ‘slings and arrows.’
Even while pointing out the damage Harris did, the politicians following him didn’t do much to effect repairs on systems.
Dalton McGuinty was hampered by an economic downturn, and fled like a gazelle, just as Harris had, while Ontarians were shaking out the rope and searching for the right tree. In the following election Ontario voters still chose a McGuinty follower (go figure!), but four years later the streak came to a sad ending for Kathleen Wynne.
Now we have a premier whose credo seems to be to appear clean shaven, well fed and concerned. Two out of three works here.
But the name of any party means nothing because, in my opinion, the choice is a matter of convenience. Members ‘cross the floor’, suddenly realizing there is benefit in doing so. Hell! Bob Rae was a New Democrat premier for 4+ years and then discovered he was a Liberal.
Party names are simply names. It is the people we need to be able to count on, and for most of the past 40 years, I don’t think we have bee able to do that.
Ray Vowels says
Just a short reply to Anna-Lise Kear. I most say that no matter what the issue is you seem to find a way to blame any conservative Govt. Can you tell me what wonderful things the liberal Govt of ontario or for that matter the federal liberals about all I can see they have done is run both our province and our country so far in debt that it’s going to take years for our children and grandchildren to pay back. Maybe you don’t care about that or maybe you have no children or grandchildren so nothing to worry about. On the other side yes we need better long term care for our elders if they are unable to stay in their homes . When I was young old people were looked after by their children because there was no LTC homes I am hoping that will be the case for my wife and I if that time comes but who knows. I just don’t think it’s fair to blame any one govt. for something that has needed fixing for years and was over looked by all govts.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Mr. Vowels, I am not sure what you mean to say in your comments.
However, I would hope for LTC that basically provides decent food, shelter, care support, some quality of life by having the following: sufficient, properly paid staffing and resource supports, good standards of care, accountable management, sound policies, frequent and comprehensive inspections and evaluations to root out violations and inadequacies -government oversight and follow up to ensure compliance/enforcement that a sustainable remedy has really occurred.
Also, that All complaints and concerns are investigated in timely fashion, and that penalties are imposed for repeat violations and substandard care, even up to and including closure.
Then, Mr. Vowels, should you or I need LTC in the future, we can have some assurance that the better has been achieved. By comparison, previous Progressive Conservative governments ensured that Ontario citizens, no matter what their socio-economic status could receive care in LTC when needed and when eligible. There has always been a co-payment requirement from the resident.
MH’s belief that large for-profits are financially, organizationally, and ethically superior to non-profits is fallacious. He saw the aging population as a way to offer up LTC services for others to make money from the residents and the taxpayers. And was duly rewarded with a Board of Director’s chair and income.
You raise an important point, that is the desire to remain in one’s home for as long as possible. To do that, a robust Home Care system must be in place and supported – the for-profits have control in this area as well, directly related to the Mike Harris legislation that required the for-profits have a foot in the tax-payer money door, side lining non-profit providers (e.g. Victorian Order of Nurses, Red Cross). During the pandemic, these for-profits have been able to deliver dividends to their investors -at what cost to the care of citizens in their home?
I think the reason the effects of this MH initiative has flown under the journalistic radar is that the performance of for-profit LTC homes has had such catastrophic outcomes – requiring front and centre investigation.
Hope this helps, Mr. Vowels.
Ray Vowels says
I do not know very much about LTC and just hope I never wind up having to find out what it’s like first hand. but one thing I do know and that is no matter what Govt. party is in power they will never give people anything that they have not or will in the future taken away from the public not one ever gives anything out of their own pockets. So if you want more social services then be prepared to pay more taxes.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Mr. Stanley, the changes started with Mike Harris Conservatives, I was present in LTC and Community Care to witness these in the 1990’s. We continue to see the same train, travelling in the same direction with the Ford Conservatives. They have continued to perpetuate their for-profit favourites. The current Bill removes much of any obligation to seek to use non-profit LTC solutions. The Ford Conservatives are rewarding the very poor performance of the large for-profit, failing to hold them accountable by first abandoning comprehensive inspections, then failing to apply the available legislated penalties for repeated infractions.
Don’t be misled by Phillips increase in financial penalties to be imposed on violations of large for-profits – they have to be applied in order to offer some kind of accountability for the travesty of care of our elderly residents and people with disabilities.
What I see is a continuation of the same ideology the Conservatives began – tying up the hands of legislators for the future – hence securing Ford the lucrative reward of sitting on another board of directors. He will really be in demand when leaving office – the developers will be thrilled for his participation.
As for voting, if electors care enough to encourage a change in the Province, consider not only the track record of any party, but their platform for change (e.g. more support for Community care and for non-profit management).
John Stanley says
Anna-lise so i take that you are one the would advocate any one but DF. I guess that you forget what KW did to this province.
Anna-Lise Kear says
If you care about Long Term Care in Ontario, then pay close attention to the DF government’s Bill 37 as it “smooths the way for billions of dollars to be funneled to for-profit LTC for another entire generation”.
“Studies – one after another -show that for-profit LTC is worse than in publicly run facilities, across a range of outcomes. Owners siphon off revenue (from taxes and residents’ care; have fewer staff and lower pay compared with non-profits; and fail to deliver on standards of care.
So, yes, ownership matters. And ownership is the central issue of Bill 37.” (Toronto Star, January 4, 2022, p. A13, Olivieri, Hurley, Stamatopoulous & Mehra)
This is not a new ploy, just an extension of the Harris years – which, by the way earned him a lucrative position on for-profit board of directors of a large LTC company. Perhaps Ford is hoping for the same reward. Large for-profits cherry-pick that their performance during this pandemic could have been better if their facilities had more private rooms available. While that has merit for infection control purposes, it also provides them with Yet More Profit!
You can safely wager that Hugh Mackenzie and Conservative writers will not draw attention to this issue, their preferred focus will return to the Federal scene.
In 2022, please consider voting this party out of office for their ineptitude in COVID response (public health, education, long-term care, and protection of our health care system) and for the clawback of environmental protections. DF is development-friendly and places all his eggs in the for-profit basket for LTC — and hasn’t that been successful? We get more of MH in DF – no surprise there.
Thank you for reading.
John Stanley says
In response to workers and pay. As long as Trudy is willing to give our tax dollars to people, why work when they get more than working. It is the devil if you do and the devil if you do not.
Ray Vowels says
Just to answer Lesley Hastie. As long as the Trudope Govt keeps borrowing money to pay people to stay home and businesses keep having to shorten hours of operation because they are unable to hire staff there is something wrong and it’s not the wages. If it was just wages why are some people willing to work and even come all the way from Barrie to work. I have lived in Huntsville for over 50 years and have never seen as many help wanted signs as i have in the last year, The restaurants in town have been having a hard time getting staff up until now. Now with another shut down they will have to lay off the staff they have and very likely will not be able to get them back when this shutdown is lifted. I hear it now pay them more money do some people not realize that in order to pay more a business has to charge more for whatever they sell and if they try to charge to much then people just stop going there or stop buying what they are selling so soon the business has to close down, Another one gone more jobs lost but who cares the govt will pay me anyway. They can just borrow more money for our great grandchildren to pay back.
Lesley Hastie says
Letter to the editor
Scott Aitchison, our MP, has just voted against pandemic aid for workers and businesses as it would be “incentivizing people to stay at home”. By this he means, conversely, that keeping the poor poorer WOULD incentivize them to work. This is typical of Conservatives, who believe that LESS money will make poor people work harder but MORE money will make the rich work harder.
This is the premise of the supply side economics (Margaret Thatcher, Milton Friedman etc.) that Conservatives favour.
So how can we encourage people to return to work if workplaces are safe? The answer is to pay them MORE not less. We must ensure a decent living wage for everyone. (We have seen Doug Ford’s extreme reluctance to raise the minimum wage and it is still nowhere near a living wage). It is a decent living wage that would increase work force participation. It would also eliminate Canada’s shame of more and more of the working poor, and children, having to use food banks.
John Lacey says
Regarding intersection of Hanes and Centre St.. I lived in Australia for a couple of years and roundabouts were many. Very few stop signs. Roundabouts work great and keep traffic moving. Putting lights in will compound traffic and frustrate people and we will find same problem as exists now – people running lights. Roundabouts will control problem..
Anna-Lise Kear says
If you are ready for a “rabbit hole” experience, read NP” Rex Murphy’s “A Trudeau puzzler from the CBC”.
Clearly Rex cannot find anything worthwhile to write about. I think he should consider doing stand-up comedy in 2022.
JOHN WYDRA says
A little comment for John Stanley re the happy holiday salutation. First this holiday season would be around without Christmas or christians. This holiday has been celebrated as the festival of lights for milleniums (ie. your christmas tree lights.)by other religious groups. It was the Carholic church who introduced Jesus birth andintegrated the pagan festivities into Christianty to entice the pagans to follow their faith. A quick google search will give you a much better historical explanation of its history. As for me, I am an athiest and don’t believe in the biblical account of the virgin birth, but I do enjoy the pagentry, colors and traditions of the season. So from me you will get a happy holiday..
HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE
Ray Vowels says
I was sure surprised this morning when i went up center street to see that they have cleared the whole area off . I wonder is that all just for the new Fairvern or is there more going to be built there, Allen Markle talks about all the older subdivisions but never mentioned Meadow Park or as we called it back when i first came to town the one behind the Tasty Cream. That was the first one I worked in but later worked on homes in all the rest plus a lot of cottages on most of the lakes around. All the building was a good thing for myself plus a lot of others in the industry. But I don’t think what was done back then can compare to the population explosion that has happened in the last couple of years. I don’t know if it’s going to slow down in the future but it seems that the town is not equipped to handle the extra traffic even now what will happen this summer scares me.
Allen Markle says
I was born and raised in Huntsville and knew most of the fields and farms that have been carved out of the bush by our ancestors. My family group (Fetterly, Hanes, Markle) settled a good portion of the land and did a lot of the chopping and clearing. It was different, I contend when they were clearing portions of 100 acres to support a family of five, ten or more.
There are subdivisions on most of those old holdings, which have been divided and subdivided a lot since the 1860’s; properties such as Bylock Acres, Maple Heights, Riverside and others. Orchard Park and part of the Canada Trail are along the Hunters Bay edge of my Great-grandfather’s farm.
I don’t deny the town is growing, it’s happening all around us, but that doesn’t mean I have to like the type of growth and structures in these developments, or the way they come into being.
These multi-story, Soviet style ‘blocs’ with their ‘pokey-hat’ dormers and ‘diving platform’ roofs over tiny decks are uninteresting to say the least. Somebody please hire an architect and design something that blends with the environment. It would be a task I admit and it might just cost too much.
Maybe most people are happy with the way the town is developing, but I’m not one of them. It may be said however, that most of the new residents will be spared having to rake any leaves come fall and there will be no grass to cut or driveway to clear. Loads of time for pickleball!
But I’ll mow, rake and shovel for as long as I’m able.
When I used to walk to town with my grandfather, everybody he wanted to visit lived up a hill! When I asked why that was, he replied “You can’t farm a hill, Buck.” So the hill was where the houses where and the fields lay all around. Made sense.
I wonder what he would think now that we have used up the fields, are razing the trees and beginning to blow the hills away.
Lanor Lovegrove says
I have to agree with Ray Vowels. Clearing land is a necessary evil if one is to progress in an area.
It started with our ancestors, here in Huntsville, over one hundred years ago. They came north to make a home and a living. They had to clear the land, close to a water source was best, to build a home. The land in this area proved not good enough for farming, too much rock. Mind you some brave souls did try it and were able to scrape out a living. For others the best way to make money was trapping or lumber.
Because our ancestors chose such a beautiful area to settle, the main businesses are now connected to tourism. Fortunately or unfortunately, however you are looking at it, this has brought more and more people into what we believe to be the most beautiful place anywhere there is to live. This of course means more homes etc. And so, on it goes.
Selective logging would be the best way to go but I realize that is not always feasible.
In order to keep things uncluttered and beautiful the planning board and others must really be on their toes.
I wish you good planning and good luck.
John Stanley says
Can anyone tell me why so many people only say Happy Holidays instead of Merry x-mas because as we all know it was the birth of Christ that gives us the holiday. Without that marvelous birth there would be no holiday.
Brenda Begg says
Stripping the area of vegetation (trees) is NEVER a good thing. The area looks barren.
But hay, what do I know; I’m not a builder (sarcasm).
Dawn Huddlestone, Managing Editor says
Hi Robert,
It’s an initiative of the Bracebridge, Gravenhurst and Muskoka Lakes Chambers of Commerce and represents businesses in their catchment areas.
Ray Vowels says
To Allen Markle I am not a born and raised huntsville person but have lived here since 1966. So have seen a lot of changes some good some not so good. Also being in the building industry a lot of the changes meant that I could feed my family and enjoy living in a small town. It is unfortunate that to keep a town prosperous it has to grow and growing means clearing land to build on especially in the north here there are only so many old farms around and most are built up along with most if not all the wetlands around town so that leaves the few small patches of bush but in order to build that has to be cleared. My wife and i hate seeing what is going on but at the same time we realize it has to happen by the way she was born and raised right here in this great town and yearns for it to return to yester years when it was a small town but knows it can’t happen. We spent ten years in Burlington and saw it explode from a small town to a city almost over night and see a repeat here but are now to old to move farther north.
Allen Markle says
George Hines and Huntsville: Too cursory a glance at that posted little map. Mia culpa.
I still find the clearing sad and my general comment applicable. But, now that my error has been pointed out, I am further depressed to realize there will be further devastation visited upon, what in my opinion, was a beautiful town.
I guess I am of a time and age, and appreciate having windows on all the sides of my home, many of which do not look at another patch of siding. And a swath of grass large enough to support a bunny.
Maybe one day that will have to change.
Merry Christmas or the best of this season to all.
Robert Swann says
Why is Huntsville completely ignored in the Found it in Muskoka promotion?
George Hines says
Allen, Is this where Fairvern is going? I thought it was going closer to West rd.with the entrance off of Centre St. Has any one seen a plan showing the new Fairvern location? If so can they post it on Doppler. Tks
Allen Markle says
The Sept. 20 announcement of the new Fairvern site drew this comment from Dr. Don Keedic. “Wow, this took me by surprise!” He also remarked that HLD would get the bulk of the contract. The wow! part I believe was sarcasm, but the rest was not.
The donated land has been variously reported, in Sept. as a 5 acre, serviced lot , then on Nov. 23, as being 7.3 acres. The site is presently being ‘prepared’ and HLD vehicles abound.
District announced it will assume ownership of the nursing home and stated an “intent to keep as much of the vegetation on the property as possible.”
Say What!! Have you looked past the hem of trees on the roadside?
This looks like a large example of ‘male pattern baldness’. Just a fringe; nothing on the top. Although I did notice a few small maples, huddled together for warmth or companionship, toward the middle of the site. Possibly left as a resting place for any small birds attempting to cross these barrens. The Somme may have looked like this, but with shell craters.
I realize it’s easier to clear it all away, and when it’s done, I’m sure it will be an asset for the community; but I wonder why projects such as this can’t be done in the open. All of it! What other attachments will come to light as this project develops further?
Why, after dealing with land developers, politicians and bureaucrats does one feel “back stabbed, door slammed and dog bit.”
I remember this comment made by the character Mordecai Jones (George C. Scott) in the movie ‘ The FlimFlam Man’.
Flim-flam, as I understand it, is nonsensical or insincere talk.
Ain’t that just appropriate?
Ray Vowels says
I agree with Lanor Lovegrove why spend money on something that works fine Most if not all are used to four way stops and have no problem. My opinion is if you need something then stop lights are the best option.
Lanor Lovegrove says
I must ask an obvious question, “why can’t the four way stop at Hanes and Centre stay the way it is, a four way stop?” Why are we trying to fix something that isn’t broken? I go through there often since center st. has taken over for main st.. Plus this was during the busiest time of the year while having more people than usual here due to those not going far from home for vacations. I have never found it slow, confusing or threatening in any way. Why are we even talking about spending money when it isn’t, yet, necessary.
John Stanley says
Ryan: the yield signs are for most not all stop signs. they are for climate change, cars take a lot more energy (gas, electric, etc) to roll after a full stop than a rolling yield. lots of times people come to a sign and no other cars around except for the cop hiding in the bush to give you a ticket if you do not come to a complete stop. ha ha
Ryan Vallentin says
Hey John,
Yield signs are a terrible idea, a traffic circle is by far the best option for almost all intersections. I grew up with some of the first traffic circles in Canada (Ancaster) and it vastly improved traffic flow. Just look at the traffic circle on Taylor Drive in Bracebridge at Ceder drive, it works wonderfully.
The current four way stop is a disaster, as people rush to jump the correct order. A set of yield signs would result in many collisions, I wouldn’t dare approach without my dash cam (which I refuse to drive without full time recording now already) as it can save you the headache of being deemed at fault.
George Gilley says
Does anyone know the story behind the tree cutting that has left a disgusting mess on the property east of the “Panalam” factory on Aspdin Road
Assuming there was a permit for this is there not an onus on the property owner to leave the site in a clean and safe state
Marie Sparling says
Hi. My name is Marie, & I’m trying to locate my Cousin’s sister who is from Huntsville. Her name is Georgette Kilpatrick, & she would be about 43 years old now, & has a daughter, Hailey Wolfe, who would now be in her early 20s in age. My Paternal 1st Cousin, William Kilpatrick, is Georgette’s older half-brother, & he lives in Iroquois Falls, where I too, live. It is our home area.
If you or anyone you know are either, related to my cousin, William, through surnames such as: Kilpatrick, Guthrie, Hill, Crawford, Loshaw, Shirk, Bye, amongst many other surnames; you can contact us at my personal email address: [email protected] & I will be happy to forward all communication to him.
You can also contact us on Ancestry.Com, as we are on there as well, & have multiple trees on there as well. All of which I manage on behalf of William, his mother, Ruth, myself & both of my parents as well. All of whom have done the Ancestry.Com DNA test.
Our trees are called:
1.) Ruth’s Johansen Sparling Family Tree (Ruth N.J. Sparling)
2.) William’s Sparling Guthrie Family Tree (William E. G. Kilpatrick)
3.) Georges Johansen Millen Family Tree (George E.C. Sparling)
4.) Dales Denault Gelinas Family Tree (Dale S. M. Sparling)
5.) Marie’s Denault Millen Family Tree (Marie Ann Sparling)
6.) Dales Denault Peever Millen Family Tree (Ruth N. J. Sparling)
I manage all 6 Trees & all 5 Accounts he too, & all are linked to DNA Tests except for Tree #6. The names in brackets represent who’s name the account is in, which also matches that of both the Home Person on the Tree, as well as who’s DNA test it’s linked to also.
I’m a huge genealogy buff, & if anyone is interested in contacting me re anything outside of my search for Will’s sister, Georgette; please do so. I am always happy to help out in any way that I can.
Please let me know if you know the whereabouts of his sister or niece.
Thank you very much for your time, consideration, & help. It’s greatly appreciated by us all.
Sincerely,
Marie Sparling
(Iroquois Falls, Ontario, Canada)
Diana McCormick says
Just wanted to say thank you to Catherine and her staff for being there for all of us, in her shop…book lovers will be sad as many of us are not interested in on line shopping…I realize there are options but none will compare with the warmth and expertise in this shop.
Many good wishes as you move on…will be a sad day indeed for Huntsville.
With many warm memories, Catherine.
Diana McCormick
John Stanley says
i still think yield signs is a better allturnitive for the hanes and centre roads intersection
John Stanley says
Allen, because of the canadian (and many others) news cycle that disaster has long been forgotten. shame.
Paul Sass says
How was it determined that anything other than stop signs were needed at the Hanes Rd / Centre St intersection? Frankly, I think the traffic moves quite well using the four-way stop system and installing any other option will only lead to additional congestion.
Allen Markle says
I cannot blame youthful exuberance for my error, but I hope to find something.
The blast and immediate death toll in Bhopal was listed at 2,259 persons. Compensation was paid to 3,787 family members.. An estimated 8,000 died within 2 weeks and a further 8,000 to 15,000 since then. The contamination is now found in the groundwater, soil and plants and is still sickening people today. In the subsequent 37 years, an estimated 600,000 have been made ill by the isocyanate.
Terry McCaffery says
I am just adding my two cents worth regarding the intersection @ Hanes Road and Centre Street! I would advocate for a roundabout! The Bracebridge one seems to work well and allows for a constant flow of traffic! The cost would be greater than traffic lights installation but would pay dividends (environmentally) by not having idling cars needlessly spewing exhaust while waiting for the lights to change!
Allen Markle says
I do not believe that we will stop using fossil fuels in my lifetime, or even the near future. But my contention is that we never know the true costs of what we do and corporations count on our not holding them to account.
The bay at Hamilton is an excellent example of pollution that will likely never be cleaned up. It would be too expensive. And a rather poor reason for us to pollute somewhere else. A clean up was never factored into the price of the steel. Sydney harbor will never be restored, nor any other Canadian port for that matter.
The Cuyahoga river is noted for having caught fire in the past, the pollutants coming to the surface and igniting. I think there are few of us would take a dip there, even today.
The toxins are still spreading from the Bhopal tragedy. About 600,000 people died, but Union Carbide still makes a profit after paying about $500,000,000.00 in compensation. Bhopal will never be cleaned up.
You can compile quite a list of disasters mankind has visited upon itself; Three Mile Island, Love Canal, Exxon Valdez, the BP spill in the Gulf of Mexico, garbage floating in the Pacific, Chernobyl, the Sukinda Valley in India and lots more.
The production never includes the cost of cleaning up the contamination, because there is never any intention of cleaning it up.
Doing this in our own country in the hope of making money is the quandary we seem to face. I would rather we spent our money on researching and manufacturing products and technologies to deal with the clean-up rather than the production of massive pollution. Like the tar-sands.
Instead we offer cash incentives for multi-nationals to come and ruin the land. Now, Reuters reports “Top-emitting oil sands site gets government relief from pollution payments.”
Otherwise, I guess there would be no profit in producing that ‘oil’.
Apparently there will be no requirement to clean up the oil sand, we will just let it flow to the ocean.
Sad.
Ray Vowels says
Well Allen Markle While I agree with you these ponds should not be released I disagree that we can no longer get along without Plastic. If we turned the clock back and started to make everything out of steel or glass like it was years ago. I think you would find the iron ore mines would pollute just about as bad as the oil sands and then you have the smelters. If you lived around Hamilton when both smelters were running you would know how bad the air was along with the water in the bay. Not only that but most of the cars made today are plastic if they went back to steel then they need more power so that means bigger motors. I sure don’t know the answer to this problem and it seems no one else has it either not yet anyway. But I just can’t see shutting down our oil industry as helping much. We just have to buy it from some other country but it’s ok for them to pollute their country just not us.
Allen Markle says
Just read the Dec. 6 report by Kyle Bakx in the CBC Business report. The government hopes to have the standards and regulations in place by which companies in the oil sands will be able to begin releasing their tailing ponds.
Those ponds contain millions of cubic meters of contaminated, saline and toxic waste water, water too dirty to even be of use to the companies that made it. Supposedly, those companies want to be able to restore and clean the land beneath the ponds! They can’t even clean the water; it would be too expensive. Ironically, we still subsidize billion dollar corporations to come and defile our country.
Now these companies want to be allowed to release the waste water into the Athabaska River. Toxic waste will flow into Lake Athabaska, to Great Slave Lake, the Mackenzie River and on to the Beaufort Sea. It won’t happen all at once, but over the years it will surely contaminate everything as it goes. And boiling won’t help; at present nothing will help.
Today, the tailing ponds are fenced and posted, to prevent wildlife from being destroyed by the toxic broth (remember the ducks? still happening! just not newsworthy any more).
People say that too much in our homes depends on oil (plastics); there was a time it wasn’t. You can’t convince me that we need to destroy our land, lakes and rivers, to be able to sell one of the world’s dirtiest oils at reduced prices.
In the end, these multinationals will divest themselves of the tars-ands and move to the next ‘bright and shiny object’. Without even so much as a “Sorry ’bout the mess. But that’s the oil business.”
Em Arde says
John, I apologize for my ambiguity. My disappointment is 100% with the general populace, which seems unable to follow simple rules and guidelines and do what is best for the good of the many, even if it does require some short-term personal sacrifice. There was no need for things to have gone on this long. I actually sympathize with the governments and authorities who have had to deal with this situation, and I applaud their efforts to even try to herd all these selfish cats.
John Stanley says
i am sorry Em but this whole societal thing is going to go on for years more. it is called control..
John Stanley says
wow??? i am supprised that no one picked up on my idea of yield signs. the cost to the enviroment to start a car from dead stop, is a lot more that from a rolling yield. the cost of the round about would be a lot more that the signs, or the stop lights. Oh well some folk do have set ways.
Em Arde says
So disheartening to see the COVID numbers going crazy again. Why so many weren’t willing to endure sustained personal sacrifice short-term in order to achieve societal gains and prosperity long-term is beyond me. This roller-coaster ride we are on seems to have an endless loop of track, as we keep going back and forth with the degree of pandemic restrictions in an attempt to continually placate the selfish.
Ray Vowels says
It seems to me that stop lights are much safer and cheaper to install than a roundabout. I think maybe the roundabouts work if you know where you are going but if you’re new in town like so many people are in the summer they are an accident waiting to happen. I hope they stay with lights.
George Hines says
Steve, Round abouts , great idea. Cities like Kitchener/Waterloo have used these extensively in there new infrastructure and they work extremely well. So does the one in Bracebridge.
There appears to be more entrances coming to Centre Street and Hanes Rd so something will need to be done.
Jacquie Howell says
Yes. Yes yes. Has the town missed an another opportunity to be forward thinking. A round about at Hanes and Center street. Makes great sense. Of course we can navigate it – Bracebridge did !
Perhaps we could eliminate cutting another entrance on to Center Street as it would be a short trip to a round about to move traffic south
Thanks Steve for bringing this up
John Stanley says
Round abouts are very expensive to construct. The simple solution is to make most stop signs into yield signs. I am sure the yield signs would be a lot cheaper than 1 set of stop lights.
Anna-Lise Kear says
With friends like Rex Murphy, who needs enemies? His latest article, notes …” our earth is not in danger, democracy is”. Without an earth, a planet for humankind, there is no need for democracy. Not really certain that RM is on the same planet on which I’m residing. May I suggest a referral for some special care or at least a reality intervention?
Once again, “freedom over any/all consequences” – a similar perspective to the DF ethos for COVID management.
Steve Lehman says
I just heard a rumour that traffic lights are going to be installed at the Hanes Rd./Centre St. intersection this spring. If this is indeed the case, then it is so unfortunate because if ever there was an intersection in this town that was crying out to be turned into a roundabout, this is the one.
While I apologize for not being a hard core environmentalist, I do cringe whenever I am at that intersection and see vehicles stopping and then accelerating through it, noxious fumes billowing out of their tailpipes. I think most of us are aware of how much more gasoline it takes to proceed from a dead stop as opposed to a rolling one. While it wouldn’t save the world, rolling through a roundabout would be one small step towards less air pollution.
Sometimes I feel that politicians underestimate the intelligence of the electorate and while I will admit that often their opinion of us is justified, I think that we locals are becoming cosmopolitan enough to navigate this formerly exotic European style of traffic movement. Non?
George Hines says
Great news about the new Fairvern Nursing Home.
With the Town wanting to limit tree cutting in the Rural areas how much clear cutting will be done on this property?
From my understanding there will be an extensive road system all the way from Centre Street to Shay Rd. Could someone actually show us what the plans are ?
Is the road being built to accommodate future development on adjacent properties?
Whatever happens let’s keep Clear Cutting to a bare minimum.
Jim SINCLAIR says
does anyone know what caused the Flash/Bang late Sunday night?
Allen Markle says
There seems to be a hush over the land. No one here on Doppler, is posting the latest figures they have worked out to manage the world’s financing of climate change. Maybe they have just witnessed the most recent convulsion of ineptitude performed in Europe. Every ‘have’ nation telling the smaller, ‘in trouble’ nations to hold their breath as the water rises. “We will get to you eventually.” Maybe!
There seems to be no one worrying as to how the situation at home would be, politically’, if DF or JK had their way, or if JT and SH met in the ring. ( on payperview, that would sell out. In Canada anyway.)
Or did the American border open and everyone just blew Dodge? Everything is on hold for 6 months?
Meanwhile, back on the hill, the house will be reconvened (or whatever they call it) after an election that was supposedly necessary so the government could deal with a lot of important legislation.
Apparently not that important, ’cause nothing has happened for 2 months. Parliament will now sit for 13 days and then call a halt for another 44 days. That means if the parliament had just continued for 2 more weeks in August, we could have dispensed with an election and the expenditure of 600 million dollars!
Don’t even try to tell me this leader of ours is working for our benefit.
On Nov. 23 the Gov. Gen. will read the speech ‘from the throne’; something she did not write, outlining what the PM and his government want to accomplish. It wasn’t written by the PM either. A bunch of bureaucrats and advisors that form the PMO have it put it together. I guess that’s the way our democracy works. Too bad.
I will add here, that for the next 4 years, Canada will operate as an elected dictatorship; or at least until the time comes that someone decides to stop propping this government up.
Proportional representation would allow a greater percentage of the population to have a voice in government and reduce the ‘party politics’ that has made our democracy ineffectual.
Do I hear an amen?
Allen Markle says
Talent will out. Cheers Mr. Vowels. Stay safe.
Ray Vowels says
Allen Markle I could not have said it better and I’m still laughing.
Allen Markle says
You are a very understanding person Dawn Huddlestone and your math skills are ‘Mahvelous! Simply mahvelous’. A la Billy Crystal.
Stay well all.
Dawn Huddlestone, Managing Editor says
It’s the same pool of people. You can’t have a second dose unless you’ve had a first. The second doses are all people who have also had a first dose.
Ray Vowels says
I just read on Doppler here that 85.2 % of the people have had at least one shot while 82 % have had both shots that adds up to 165.2% of the people how can there be more than 100% of anything am I missing something
Oliver Klimek says
Ray and LaNor, I’m glad we are talking about the issues. I don’t want to hog Speak UP, so I will answer three of your questions:
1. Aviation: we burn fossil fuels when we travel on air planes, and this contributes to global warming. One way to help cut emissions is to reduce air travel, but if people don’t limit themselves, I think stricter rules and higher prices are necessary.
2. Batteries: current EVs use a variety of lithium ion technologies, and they continue to improve (e.g. smaller, lighter, more powerful). If they are no longer able to power a car, they can be repurposed as battery backup systems. The best news is that EV batteries can be recycled (95%) into new ones!
3. Cost: we have been burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas, natural gas) as our primary source of energy for over 100 years, and with this energy we changed the world. Most of us didn’t realize what we were doing was harmful, but now we know: climate change is our fault.
If we want to leave our grandchildren a liveable planet we have to make some serious changes. We have eight years to cut our emissions in half. Let’s get started.
Ray Vowels says
I would like to reply to Oliver Klimek. All of everything you say can be done if there is enough money around to make it happen. The one thing I don’t see you saying is anything about the most polluting things on this planet and that is aircraft of any kind. Have you ever watched the jets taking off from pearson there is more pollutants from one of them than my car emits in a year and once they are up they still pollute and it’s already up in the atmosphere. When they were all grounded after 9/11 the astronomers reported seeing stars they had never seen before and they were only grounded three days imagine if they were grounded permanently. I’m old enough that I will never see most of the stuff your talking about being implemented But I hope for my Grandchildren’s health you are right.
LaNor Lovegrove says
Gentlemen,
I have some questions maybe one of you could answer.
1. The rockets that are flying through and beyond our atmosphere, what are they using for fuel. We should know because what we see now is just the beginning.
2. Batteries, also a rapidly increasing product. What happens to them when their time is up. What will they contain…. I’ve heard lithium might be used, which I understand has been banned in some places because it can be toxic……and how will it be disposed of?
3. What power source will be used to charge these many billions of batteries on a daily basis.
4. How do they safely get rid of nuclear waste.
5. Solar power seems like a good idea. Only, am I correct in thinking they will have to find a different way to capture the amount of power that will be required for use by the average person and businesses around the world?
6. A huge question is …..cost. Wouldn’t over half the world be unable to
afford these changes?
7. This question is just out of curiosity. If I can point my cars remote control at my car and send the message through a cement block wall for it to start, I assume that all the messages of all the remote controls around the world…. Satellite messages to earth, plus… are traveling through my physical body and yours and our atmosphere. Could this also be making us and our beautiful earth sick?
I won’t be around to see any of these changes but I have grandchildren and great grandchildren who will. So I would like a little knowledge of what might be.
Sadly, I’m not very encouraged. I recall David Suzuki and several other environmentalists saying, THIRTY OR MORE years ago that if we didn’t change things now, it would be too late. I just pray we don’t create more problems than we correct.
Thanks for letting me ramble on.
Wendy Brown says
Ok our family is trying to do as much as we can with the limited technology we can afford. Simple things like , sounds silly but use only 1 pound of hamburger in a pot of chili and bulk it up with beans, I use kidney, black, white and chicken Peas and no one notices a difference. We have a hybrid car and if the next door neighbours tree dies at some point we can have solar panels, we are looking currently for someone who wants to buy a black walnut tree, due to the fact it will cost alot to take it down its very large. Promise we will replace it with a more viable option. But we had to buy a gas furnace and we bought the most energy effient one we could, also a new not water heater. We would have gone with geothermal but like I said huge tree tons of huge roots. Also we are doing other little things like reinsulating. Basically what we can. The government needs to offer more rebates and incentives that would help getting people more inline with helping.
Oliver Klimek says
Bob, I agree that we need to consider the economic costs of our transition from fossil fuels. You mention Federal and Provincial revenues from fossil fuels. Can you be more specific about your concern?
Oliver Klimek says
Thank you Ray and Bob. You both identify some important issues. I would be happy to address all of your concerns, but let me begin with Ray.
1. Electric Vehicles: Passenger EVs are already here. Rivian, Ford, Tesla and others are now producing electric pick up trucks. Amazon is converting its entire delivery fleet to electric vans. Lion makes electric school buses. Volta makes electric transport trucks. All current modes of transport can be electrified, it’s only a matter of time.
2. Heat pumps: Air source heat pumps now work to -30C (e.g. Mitsubishi H2i). An air tight home with adequate insulation will be comfortable in any Muskoka conditions. If additional heat is required, radiant electric heat can be used as a backup.
3. I suggested that people consider eating less meat as a way to decrease GHG emissions. I didn’t suggest we stop people from eating meat. People must choose.
4. Plastics: We currently use oil to make plastic, and some plastics are very helpful, but we can reduce our dependence on oil by limiting packaging and single use plastics.
Let’s stop burning fossil fuels in our cars and our homes (as soon as we can). We need to cut our emissions in half in 8 years. It can be done and it must be done.
Ray Vowels says
Oliver Klimek has some good ideas but I’m not sure how they could work. First we could drive EV cars but just how EV trucks would work. The big 18 wheelers run 24/7 and could not take the time to recharge and how about in winter in a bad snow storm when they run around the clock to keep us as safe as possible. I don’t know much about heat pumps but unless they have improved a lot they could not heat a home all winter spring and fall yes but at what cost, I just installed a new energy efficient propane furnace and water heater three years ago do i just throw them out. About eating less meat not sure you can ever get most people to go along with that. We have been meat eaters for to many generations to stop now. Even if we did all these things as soon as possible we would still need gas and oil just think of all the farm machinery plus all the other machines in manufacturing they all need to be greased and i would think EV cars would need some grease to keep running. And what about plastic just take a good look around your home and think if I got rid of everything in my house that is made of plastic just what would i have left my bet is not much. Most if not all your plumbing pipes are plastic now just for starters, I guess what I’m saying is we have to stop and think of a better solution than just saying stop all oil production with no alternative to go to.
Bob Slater says
Amazing how everyone wants to go green and eliminate fossil fuels! .. BUT ,, has anyone ever thought about .. how the fed and prov governments right across Canada are going to recover all the revenue $$$ that comes from fossil fuels? ie propane, natural gas, fuel .. both diesel and gasoline,.. etc etc. Time for a reality check and assessment of impact and consequences to EVERYONE in the country of eliminating fossil fuels. SJW’s and climate enthusiasts need to understand we all don’t ALL live in golden horseshoe and need these fuels to survive in our lifestyles north of the GTA!
Oliver Klimek says
LaNor, you’ve made some good suggestions but to cut our use of fossil fuels in half by 2030, Canadians must make significant changes in 3 important areas of life: transportation, buildings and food.
1. Transportation: go EV (as soon as you can).
2. Buildings: replace natural gas/wood heating with electric heat pumps (as soon as you can).
3. Food: eat less meat and eat seasonal, local food (as far as this is possible).
People who have the means should change now.
People who have less should receive support to make the necessary change.
All of this is possible; let’s start today!
LaNor Lovegrove says
Hi Oliver,
For your first sentence to come to fruition, it would have to be ALL the governments and ALL the people of the world to cooperate. A miracle in my mind. But who knows, maybe someday.
To try to contribute to better tomorrows I would suggest the average person, such as myself, revert back to what used to be as much as possible. Walk or ride your bike rather than drive your car every time you go anywhere. Cut down on how often you jump in that hot shower. Twice a week is considered healthier than once a day. Only one laundry day a week. Air dry instead of the dryer. Eliminate disposable diapers, disposable anything if possible. Have the governments stop the manufacturing of all plastics. I know I’m asking for a miracle but, as I said before, who knows. Take vacations that don’t require planes, ships or any fuel burning vehicles for long distances. Remember how quickly our air was becoming much cleaner during the Covid shutdowns. By the way, I’m wondering what kind of fuel is used to send the rockets into the atmosphere and beyond? Now that private people can send their own rocket up, there should be many more to come. Sort of like the first airplane. We know how far we have come in the last 100 yrs. What lies ahead for the next 50 yrs.? We have more knowledge but do we have more wisdom? Hmmmm.
That’s just my humble opinion.
Oliver Klimek says
Hi LaNor! Your logic is sound and your comments are welcome.
If governments and people cooperate, the transition from fossil fuels to renewable electricity is an achievable goal. Have you started to plan how you will reduce your emissions? If you want some tips, I would be happy to share some!
LaNor Lovegrove says
Oliver,
I just hope IF our fossil fuels use will be cut in half in 8 yrs., that a replacement energy source such as solar, wind, etc. will be on the go so that as the other is faded out the new one can be there to take its place. Of course all of us will also have to be ready to receive the new power sources. New heating systems for our homes, all new reception for the replacement of electricity. New cars, electric or whatever. If they and we aren’t ready can you imagine the cost of oil, gas and electricity when there is only 50% of the usual amount available?
I am not a scientist or an “in the know person” on these subjects. I feel that what I have just said is based on good, old fasion logic.
Oliver Klimek says
Our Prime Minister is currently in Glasgow, Scotland at a UN climate conference called COP26. He and other world leaders are there to negotiate ways to reduce global warming and limit climate change. The science and the goal is clear: we must reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 to keep global temperature rise to 1.5C.
That means we have 8 years to cut our use of fossil fuels in half. That will be hard to do, but we CAN do it!
Peter R. Dirks says
By – Laws are becoming a joke . If a Town can not enforce a By- Law , it should not exist. The function of our Town is more and more run by By-Laws with no control . The list of all this is getting bigger and bigger.
For example : Handicapt parking , Standing water, Tree removal, Dumped cars, ( just take a trip south on Bayle Road, ) . There are at least three places of visual dumps for cars, trucks and Machinery, not counting the stuff hidden in the bushes .
If our Town wants to clean up , get on with the current By-Laws in place .
David Wexler says
Regarding your recent article on the removal of District trash bins from the community, this is a local catastrophe in the making. Waste disposal for rural properties and properties on private roads (often farm right-of-ways) adjacent to municipally maintained roads (where the trash bins are located), is a critical service. These owners pay substantial property taxes and receive virtually no service in return…no sewer hook-up; no curbside waste pick-up; no infrastructure/beautification investments. The trash bins and maintenance of the public roads are just about all that these residents receive, and in the absence of trash bins, garbage will most likely end up on a private forested lot somewhere as has happened in the past. For a District that cares about the environment, removal of the trash bins versus considering alternatives that allow for continued local storage and removal of waste is definitely a move in the wrong direction. How about lockable bins with key card access for locals or smart bins that accept only acceptable waste. Until the District figures out something better than simply removing trash bins and expecting residents to travel up to 40 minutes to centralized waste disposal sites (if so inclined), I encourage District and Town elected and employed representatives to halt further removal of trash bins. Please?
Anna-Lise Kear says
Earning Public Trust- a valuable asset for Huntsville business. Following public health and government mandates to protect the public makes good business sense. For example, if a Huntsville restaurant does not follow public health advice and government mandates for protocols, restricting numbers of patrons, checking vaccination status of guests, etc., then why should I trust that restaurant will also follow public health requirements for food safety preparation? It is a no-brainer, I won’t.
Allow me to praise the Family Place restaurant, which has earned my public trust in all they have tried to do during COVID to follow public health and government mandates to protect the public. Thank you!
Anna-Lise Kear says
What I am grateful for: that the constitution may actually stop Jason Kenney and his nonsense!
The National Post headline recently about Canada not working is laughable. Can you imagine it working as a republic, cue the USA, where it is not so impossible to imagine another civil uprising?
It takes work to foster and grow this diverse Country, with its beautiful but varied geography and its both good/troubling history.
The east-west concerns have been going on for hundreds of years -it takes work. Federalism takes work, this is nothing new. There will always be divisive issues to sort through. Perhaps JK’s recent salvos over the bow of the ship are meant to distract from his and his party’s very sad, very inadequate response to Covid pandemic for the people of Alberta. Perhaps. Thanks for reading.
Rod jones says
Why is the town not responsible for their workers when they miss checking the building code?And why does the home owner has to pay for the repair? The town is paid for the inspection when are building permit is bought and is expected to be do a good job not just sigh off the work
Rod jones says
So if I read this right the town is going to tell me I can’t clear my lot to build or cut some shade trees down that I want sun .I pay dam good taxes on lot and I should be able to cut trees but not clear cut like the town allowed them to to going up to lions lookout.
Leonard Smith says
Heads Up Rural Huntsville this new Community Planning Permit By-Law that the Town of Huntsville is preparing includes a new Tree Removal, vegetation removal and Site Alteration by-law requiring a permit on property over 0.5 hectares that is located in the New Natural Constraints precincts (no longer zones).
I urge you to look over this, join in on their meeting October 27, 2021 at 6pm, ask questions, listen and voice your opinions to them. This could become a Tree Cutting by-law that will affect almost every landowner in Huntsville if passed.
LaNor Lovegrove says
Christmas is coming and Huntsville is looking forward to a display of decorated homes to welcome in the season for Old St. Nick and his crew. What fun and good cheer that will bring.
I hear the pioneer village will be wonderfully lit up come November.
I would like to suggest we light up the rest of Huntsville. After Santa and his helpers have gone back to the workshop, we all leave our lights on until the end of February or March.They do look delightful and will bring such joy. A much needed bright touch to our hearts during the dark, cold, winter months that lay ahead.
george kitching says
Question: Does anyone in Huntsville provide weekend international press/newspapers … looking for a supplier of Weekend Financial Times (of London) US edition (pink paper) published every Saturday? Please advise. Thanks.
Chas Clark says
November 11 is fast approaching and that is the day that we remember those brave Canadians that gave there lives in many conflicts and wars around the globe. Traditionally, on the 11th, Canadian flags are flown at half mast in recognition of their sacrifice and, on the 12th the flags are saluted and raised again. So what is going to happen this year? Our flags are continually at half mast due to our Teflon coated Prime Minister who shuffled off his responsibility to the First Nations as to when they considered the flags should be raised. Do we drop the flags to the bottom of the masts now? What should have happened is the flags should have been lowered to mark the Truth and Reconciliation Day and then raised to full mast the next day. We know how much he thought of that day as he disappeared on vacation. To hell with this ridiculous situation Huntsville, please raise all our proud Canadian flags to full mast tomorrow so we can give the proper honors to November 11th, then after Remembrance Day raise our flags again and leave then there.
Allen Markle says
John MacDonald. I grew up on Brunel Rd. Back in the day, there was little traffic and no Iron Man. Although I think this is a great event for the town, I also firmly believe, that aggravating the same portion of the population, year after year is a bit much. Like knowing you are going to have a toothache; the date is posted and you can’t escape. It’s annual and inevitable. Damn!
We had moved before the Iron Man started, but I know it would not have set well with me.
I did take the time once to go and see the intended course routes, talk to some of the old neighbors and exchange some opinions. There was no flexibility displayed in the layout as presented and it seemed that concerns voiced were dismissed as an inconvenience and the exercise altered nothing.
If Huntsville is such a great site, and it seems to be, why does it seem the Trisport organization is so averse to any move from Brunel Rd?
Could they not lay out a few different routes, alter them annually, and refrain from agitating the same people year after year?
There must be someone capable of doing that. I hope.
Anna-Lise Kear says
DF is flapping his divisive rhetoric again. Watch and learn from DF’s populism, division, as he and his party decide who we should distain, and how we should categorize people, immigrants. One would think he was coaching his high school football team to puff them up for a good play on the field.
He sees himself as someone who knows how to work, and dislikes those who in his view, do not measure up to the task. (guess what, my father too was an immigrant and worked hard, glad to become a Canadian citizen, and appreciative of all he had).
Just remember, DF is limited and predictable in his rhetoric. If during this next provincial election, you find yourself becoming extra angry from one of his speeches/commercials – take a breath, he has studied with the GOP in the US to use populism to best advantage. (I hope never again to hear phrases such as “lock her up” or “the elites” or “buck-a-beer”).
Populism is emotional abuse of the electorate, antecedent to civil war when it goes too far- just look south.
Don’t be taken in by his anger – his anger does not have to become yours, he wants his team players “riled up”.
Thank you for reading.
Ray Vowels says
Rod I just told you what option I had not what you should do. I don’t know who your builder was but thats the one that should be paying . I know there are a few shoddy builders around like there always has been. I have been out of the business for over thirty years so don’t know any of them now. I would be sure to not give whoever it was a good review .
Rod jones says
To Ray Vowels so you are saying just fix your own problems even if the town has signed it was ok. The town signed off on our place but we found out not enough insulation it was to be r50 but we only got r32 but the town signed off that it was ok It cost us 12,500 dollars and you say sue the town which cost more money.So if the town won’t pay for their mistakes WHY do we need building inspectors save money get rid of them they aren’t doing their job anyway
Ray Vowels says
To Rod Jones I’m not sure I bought a new home a few years ago and about a year after I moved in I found out that the in floor heating system was not up to code. I went after the builder who would not do anything so I went to the town building department they admitted that they missed it but about the only course of action I could take was to sue the town. What I ended up doing was install a circulater on the system that brought it up to code cost me $3500.00 but was cheaper than suing the town, I’m not sure just how bad your problem is or what the cost would be to fix it. If it’s a new build you could try the outfit that warrants all new buildings can’t think of the name off hand they would do nothing for me they said it had to be structural or a health hazard but might be worth a try. Sorry I’m not much help I do feel for you and know what your up against.
Rod jones says
Ok Ray Vowels so what happens if he inspector sign off on a house but latter found out it wasn’t brought up to code? Then what happens who pays to bring it to code the town as the inspector works for the town or the poor home owner who trusted the town,is he stuck?
Ray Vowels says
Years ago the building inspectors did not do much but take a close look and if everything looked fine that was it . I think now the inspectors take a lot closer look to make sure the structure is built to code and if not they can and sometime do issue a stop work order. I think they are a lot better trained now and have to know the building code or they wont get a job with any town or twp. that I know of. Every once in awhile they can maybe miss something but that is part of being human.
Rod jones says
Can someone tell me what the building inspector do,do they check the building from top to bottom or take the word of the builder? If takes the case we don’t need them.
Howard Bargman says
Ray Vowels wants some answers:
People with symptoms are tested irrespective of their vaccination status because 20-30% of the positive tests occur in fully vaccinated people. This is important for the person and the community to know since they may need to take precautions and contact tracing may be important.
The information concerning vaccination status and hospitalizations are posted daily on many sites: I check the 680 News and CP24 apps daily.
Howard Bargman MD
Ray Vowels says
I wonder just where all this talk about getting vaccinated is going to end up in a few more months or years. The latest report of test cases in Ont show around 37000 tests and out of that 573 tested positive with 58% being unvaccinated or there status being unknown. 33% were fully vaccinated that number is up in the last week from 23% so what will it be in a couple more weeks. What I wonder about is two things why are they even testing people who have been double vaccinated for one and why are they not reporting how many of the double vaccinated people testing positive are winding up in hospital or maybe ICU these are the figures I would like to see.
Betty Rimmington says
Looking up main street from the bridge it looks like No Parking on main street at all, if this is so, I, and I would think a number of other seniors, will not be shopping downtown, my walking ability is limited and with no place to park close to the stores it would be impossible to even think of trying to shop there, and I would think there are a large number here in town with the same problem.
Others have made the comment that Huntsville will become a beautiful ghost town.
JOHN WYDRA says
I’ve noticed in he last month or so a couple of big half ton trucks that seem to think its quite amusing to blow their black toxic exhuast onto the streets of Huntsville. Its annoying, ugly and stupid. I had the privlegeof driving through one of their clouds and didn’t get my windows up in time. Damn near choked. I felt sorry for the cyclist and pedestrians in the area who had go through this cloud of toxic fumes. COMMON BOYS,GET A BRAIN. These exhaust fumes are hazardous to the people that are exposed to them, let alone the ecological damage to our threatened earth.
Allen Markle says
A pox on potholes!
On hwy. 11 North, near where the ‘Rock’ once stood, there was a ravine that stretched across the highway, from one side to the other, leaving no way around. After every crossing of that “damn spot” it was necessary to check that my cap, glasses, testicles and cell phone were still in, or returned to, their assigned positions. A few days ago a road crew dumped some material in it, in the dark of night. It is a bit better, with a couple of smaller bumps replacing the one big jolt; however, it’s still prudent to check that everything has arrived safely on the other side.
Then I had occasion to drive past the Edmonds auto dealership and noted that an extra lane of pavement had been added there. I drove over this and there was no bump! I went back around and confirmed that it was so. So smooth!
To the crew who did this, my heartfelt “Excellent job.”
Please establish a training school and show others how to do this kind of word. Lord knows there are enough spots in our town for the trainees to practice.
Thanks.
Em Arde says
Re: Vaccine Passports — Except for groceries, medicine and medical visits, since the pandemic began I have eschewed any and all indoor contact with anyone except my spouse in our own home. So I won’t be needing a vaccine passport any time soon. If it is someplace where I need to provide proof of my vaccination, then it is someplace I don’t yet want to visit, anyway.
Brian Tapley says
Back just after the dinosaurs, when I was in school I seem to remember something about the protocol for flying flags at half mast.
I took this to be a practice used to sort of pay respects to “important people” who had died recently. Nowadays it is harder and harder to determine who an “important person” actually might be but we have had our flags at half mast for most of the summer.
There must be a time limit is there not? If there is no time limit and if everyone is important (sort of a given) then we might save some money by building flag poles half as tall to start with.
If we fly the flags at half mast for a host of people who died years ago, then what is the procedure if an important person dies today? Would we take the flag down completely, maybe just wrap it around the base of the flag pole?
Does anyone know what is the protocol here? There should be one and we should be following it.
Rod jones says
If checking handicap parking spots for people who don’t have a handicap sticker or card is the towns bylaws office where are they you never see them,we pay big taxes in this town maybe the bylaw officer should leave his desk and check the parking lots in town,look at all the money the town will make
jerry paris says
There have been comments about the lack of parking at the old theatre site on main street west, where a church, a restaurant. and 14 housing units, with only 4 parking spaces available for all development. Parking is short in town, and is to be shorter when main street up the hill from Brunel is reopened. The new curbing now in place takes out a number of former spots both east and west bound. Where are you supposed to park when you come in to shop or eat? Even more of a problem for those with reduced mobility.
Some wonder why people use the Walmart and other stores of similar type outside of town. Brobably only 20 percent of Huntsville live in town..
Allen Markle says
Mr. Rod Jones: Who indeed! By its’ own admission our town council realises that by- law enforcement is somewhat (?) lacking.( see Aug. 25, 2021 entry on Doppler) It seems to be a sporadic sort of ‘peek-a-boo surveillance’ and the ‘fink’ system. If you have laws and by-laws, they are meaningless without enforcement. Is our by-law enforcement underemployed or undermanned, or both?
The OPP command the streets and highways but who paroles private parking lots like those you mention? By-law? Most people I think will adhere to the regulations, but without anyone checking, there are those who will break the laws.
Signaling, stoplights and signs, speeding: they are laws meant for the ‘general public’, but for some they are little more than suggestions and certainly not for them ‘specifically’.
As for your query about handicap parking cards, would it surprise you if someone told you that there are cards in vehicle windows, issued years ago and for some persons long since deceased, still being used
today.
Sometimes it’s tough to find a place to park in our town, even in the handicap zones and even for legitimate users. But hang tough man, at $3000.00 a pop for in-lieu parking we should have lots of empty spaces…someday.
Ray Vowels says
To Rod Jones It’s the town of Huntsville bylaw department that is supposed to enforce the disabled parking spots. Good luck at ever seeing on around. I think in about 20 years I’ve seen one at the mall not checking parking just driving around LOL. My pet beef is people leaving sopping carts in the disabled spots to lazy to push them another twenty feet . I would like to see all store do like Price Choppers and charge 25 cents each for them then watch people take them back.
Rod jones says
Who gives out tickets to people who park in handicap parking that don’t have a parking card or plate on the car. People park in handicap spots at Walmart all food stores Canadian tire , Home Depot,liquor store etc is it he store or the police?
gerry lannan says
to Brenda Begg
The manager said he had no idea if the staff were vaxxed or not & he couldn’t ask them
Gerry
Brenda Begg says
To Gerry Lannan: I agree. Exactly, what’s wrong with this picture? I’m fine with providing proof of vaccination (POV) to restaurant staff but, staff don’t have to be vaccinated? Or, am I wrong? Do they? If we have to provide POV to gain entrance to restaurants, gyms, concerts etc. the staff needs to also be fully vaccinated. Moreover, I’d like to see hair salons included in this mandate.
There’s a disconnect here.
gerry lannan says
I just spent some time at Tim Horton’s; We all had to show proof of full vaccination for covid 19 to the manager; but apparently the staff is not required to show proof; what’s wrong with this picture..
Kelly Zytaruk says
Was anyone else plagued this weekend by boat after boat of inconsiderate bass fishermen?
As I sat on the dock these fisherman would troll a mere 5 -10 feet off the end of my dock and cast into our shoreline and swimming area. At one point in time as I looked along the shoreline I could see 5 boats traversing the same shoreline about 100m apart.
One fisherman while trying to cast under our dock dropped his lure about 3 feet away from me in the water while I was sitting on the dock. If there was any error in his technique it could have easily hit me.
On another occasion a fisherman bounced his lure off my seadoo as it was parked at the dock.
While my son was out kayaking along the shoreline another fisherman cast directly over his head. Is this acceptable behavior for the sole purpose of catching a fish?
The last thing that I need is some inconsiderate fisherman to snag his hook in my swimming area leaving a sharp swimming hazard behind.
While this is all fine and wonderful for the tourism industry (which is currently hurting) is there any consideration given to cottage owners trying to enjoy their waterfront. I understand that I don’t own the water but seriously, isn’t fishing 5 feet off the end of my dock a little intrusive and disturbing? Its just downright rude and inconsiderate.
Can we not adopt a distance regulation to keep a little privacy and safety?
Jacquie Howell says
Question re COVID -19
How can we know small businesses staff are vaccinated? Especially personal service staff, gyms, restaurants etc, where I will willing show proof of vaccinations but I do not know about their staff
Perhaps the stores could post their status??? Oh I know some might cheat but it would just add to their guilt if someone become sick
Just asking
Lesley Hastie says
This is the climate action election.
Why? Because according to Dr. Mark Carney, former governor of the banks of England and Canada, in his book ‘Value(s)’, published this year, if we wait four more years to reduce Greenhouse gas emissions they will then have to be reduced by 50 per cent every year in order to keep global heating to 1.5C.
And why does it matter?
Dr. Diane Saxe, previous Ontario environmental commissioner and environmental and climate lawyer, says if heating is more than this 1.5C, then in their lifetime our grandchildren will see the end of human civilization as we know it.
So, vote climate!
Em Arde says
Child-free by choice, I am tired of being told I need to change my ways and sacrifice in order to save the planet for future generations. If you chose to have kids who chose to have kids, and so on, then it’s all on you if you think your children, grandchildren and beyond face an uncertain future.
The level of selfishness and self-importance one must have to procreate for their own short-term self-gratification, with complete disregard for whatever difficulties and struggles the future may hold long-term for those they force into existence, never ceases to amaze me.
Paul Kuebler says
Why I am voting for the Green Party of Canada and Marc Mantha,
Parry Sound-Muskoka (PSM) needs REAL representation in Ottawa, not the same old, same old. We need to be a part of the Green Industrial Revolution, by supporting and developing industry right here, on sites already available from industries lost to previous government actions or inaction.
We need to stop the one step forward, two steps back political tug of war, that Conservatives and Liberals love, by starting and killing each others projects, costing taxpayers Billions if not Trillions of dollars. All the while collecting their overpriced salaries and pensions.
The Green Party of Canada (and Ontario) recognize the planet is in trouble, and recognize the Opportunity being handed us, in being a PART of the transition away from fossil fuels. By turning the $1,000 every man, women and child gives to the fossil industry EACH year toward the development of our own Green Energy Revolution, we will be come Leaders, rather than slaves to this changing world.
In all, I just want a Canada that has a job for my Grandchildren in a world where they can afford a home and raise a family in an Environment that is livable, with clean air, water and food.
That is why I am voting for Marc Mantha and the Green Party of Canada
Paul Kuebler
Port Sydney
Marcia Yale says
Customer Service takes a holiday
I have been living in Huntsville for twelve years. Before me, my late husband lived here since 1986. Therefore, there have been guide dogs in this town for approximately 35 years. In fact, I have always told my friends that Huntsville is the most guide dog friendly town I’ve ever visited. However, last Thursday, I finally ran into a guide dog unfriendly restauranteur–at Marigold. My friend and I wanted to check out the new Mexican influences–we both had eaten at Marigold and loved their Indian food, so what could be wrong with adding Mexican? There was never a problem with bringing my guide dog in the past. When we got there, no one greeted us at first–we couldn’t figure out if they were open for dine-in or not, and their website hadn’t been clear. We called out to the empty room and finally a man came out and told us we couldn’t stay because of my guide dog. We both explained to him that it was against the law to refuse access to a guide dog, but he didn’t seem to know the law and insisted we had to leave. We then asked if they were even offering dine-in service and were told no, only take-out. I hope he learned about the laws of this province since then, and how to treat customers with respect, or the Mexican influences won’t get any farther than the kitchen.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Kathryn Henderson: Do average, licensed, responsible gun owners own and use military style assault weapons? Likely not, not to worry. That does not mean dangerous contraband should go ignored -either for the buyer or seller, because these weapons seem to cause considerable damage for criminals and non-criminals alike.
PS. I am not a card carrying member for any political party and have not donated money to any party this election year.
1] So when a leader cannot express clearly the party position on assault weaponry, I am concerned.
2] And when leaders (of any stripe) fail to adequately protect a majority of Canadians, including health care professionals, during a pandemic, it needs to be called out. My definition of “adequate” may be from a higher standard of care to be found along with those very same health care professionals serving the public health and public good by their work in communities.
3] When a party is supported by individuals who deny climate change and the responsibility to Act, a light needs to shine on that reality.
Your comment has been helpful, thank you.
George Gilley says
Some people would like to see Maxine Bernier become the leader of the Conservative party so that their continued criticism of the party might mean something
Sorry to tell you that this will never happen
The leader of the pack in criticizing his opposition is no other than Trudeau Jr
During my many successful years in business it became obvious that if the only way you could try to sell your product was by bad mouthing your compitors’ then you did not have a product worth selling
Does this remind you of someone
David Wexler says
A question for this newsletter. Do you allow posters to this letters page postulate for or against political parties and candidates? Just curious as recently, this seems to be the orientation of the posts. Thanks
Kathryn Henderson says
I love it when government and people talk about getting guns Off people using the scare tactic of saying assault weapons. Crime is up in the criminal circle. Higher now since Trudeau has been in office. The criminals are smuggling in assault rifles from the states. Let’s quit scaring people by insinuating that the average gun owner has assault weapons. DONT take the NEWS BY ITS SELF. INVESTIGATE YOURSELF INSTEAD OF JOINING THE MANY SCARED PEOPLE THAT LISTEN TO THE LEFT SIDED BIASED NEWS.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Warning, election stuff:
Once again I read in Conservative media reference to the appearance of another politician. Seriously, get over such shallow examination of leaders running for office. It becomes very difficult not to believe that the Conservatives are a bunch of “Suits”, when appearance is top of their list for insult (this seems a go-to place for Conservative media, perhaps when they run out of something substantial to say).
The platform and performance of federal and provincial Conservatives is one which does not keep Canadians and Canadian society safe. Examples at issue, COVID-19, climate change, and gun laws which do not strongly support abolishment of assault weapons.
‘Uniting the right’ has come back to bite with the tendency towards the wild west! Individualism (think the Marlboro cigarettes cowboy) is king! Look where that has got the US. We need to think about our communities and collective citizens (not the least of which are health care professionals).
Can’t help to wonder if Maxine Bernier will take over the Conservative party leadership in Canada = then the mantra will become “everyone for him/herself”, forget about your neighbour. Thanks for reading.
Anna-Lise Kear says
“Experts break down the science on breakthrough cases”, Melissa Couto Zuber, Toronto Star, August 30th.
You may be interested in this link and read:
https://www.thestar.com/life/health_wellness/2021/08/26/what-do-we-know-about-breakthrough-covid-cases-experts-break-down-the-science.html
Anna-Lise Kear says
Ray Vowels; you make a good point. Vaccines and passports are helpful and a decent measure, but they are not by themselves enough to keep us from possible infection by the Delta variant. In the case you describe, continuing to follow public health safety guidelines (e.g. mask wearing, distancing) must continue.
It is false to assume we are out of the COVID woods with vaccines and passports – however, we are moving in the right direction, albeit very slowly.
Patricia Snell says
While driving up highway 11 North and passing over the Vernon narrows I looked over to my right and saw two personal watercraft racing! How is it possible that they can do this on our waterways? Are the street racers moving to the waterways because they can’t be caught easily? This is so unsafe for the rest of the people that may paddle board, canoe, kayak or swim!
Ray Vowels says
With 50 or 100 cases of people that are double vaccinated testing positive almost every day a vaccine passport means very little to me. Someone posted it would allow him to go to different places without worrying about a non vaccinated person being there. I would worry more about a vaccinated person being there and being a carrier. Just my opinion
Anna-Lise Kear says
Election item. Thought some may be interested in reading the article in this link from The Canadian Health Coalition.
https://www.healthcoalition.ca/public-health-advocates-cut-through-election-spin-over-public-vs-private-health-care/
Hope this is useful.
Terry McCaffery says
I just heard on the news that the province of Quebec will begin issuing Covid-19 passports next month. Ontario should do the same as soon as possible! If people choose not to be vaccinated, that is their choice. But those of us who are vaccinated should be allowed to enter restaurants, theatres and concert venues with the knowledge that all those who enter are vaccinated and that we are safe in doing so! This will aid in preventing the spread of the virus through the community! Covid-19 is not going to go away anytime soon…it will continue to mutate from what I have read. The American CDC which Canada follows for guidelines, is advocating a booster shot for those who are already vaccinated! Those who decide not to get vaccinated should reconsider their decision as the vaccine limits the transmission of the virus and protects family and friends!
Kathryn Henderson says
It’s easy to judge when you just listen to the news Trudeau puts out which pushes the vaccine. I have investigated and know some bio chemists and made my decision on the information I gathered. To say I’m not entitled to free choice is un Canadian. I am not a threat to anyone. I don’t judge you. Your entitled to your opinion. Keep safe I won’t be responding again. I’m not interested in an argument.
Allen markle says
Bonnie Branton: Approved Unanimously!!! As if you couldn’t be any more surprised.
Bonnie Branton says
‘Approved’! WHAT??
Re: The former Cinema building on Huntsville’s Main Street.
How many cars will need parking to attend the proposed Temple, 14 Apartments and a Tourist Attraction??
These Developers are probably as shocked at their approval as most of us.
NO REQUEST that they provide UNDERGROUND PARKING or a Parking Facility to address that much density!!
Town of Huntsville-
You have created a future social disaster and polarization- so many people, aged, disabled & otherwise unable to simply find a place to park by the Post Office, Pharmacy, Doctor & Dentists offices- all in that immediate area.
We need professional management.
Is ANYBODY Minding the Store’?
Wendy J Brown says
Bring on the vaccine passports, the people who say no obviously don’t remember getting shots in public school. And we had vaccination cards then we just didn’t normally see them. As for the vaccine being untried you kind of have a choice of living or dieing because alot of younger people are dieing unvaccinated now
Norma Stahls says
Kathryn I believe passports should be issued for they are required in many countries if you wish to travel at all. I hope businesses request this information for the safety of everyone. I for one do not wish to be around unvaccinated how else would I know if proof was not required. Vaccines I know are not one hundred percent but it gives protection from getting severely ill in most cases.
Support our community by wearing a mask and please get vaccinated for the higher the number fully vaccined the sooner we can get back to a more normal life which I know we all long for. Thanks to all the medical professionals and all who have worked during these difficult time
Norma
Anna-Lise Kear says
Unfortunately, Ms. Henderson, there will always be folks who deceive any authority if they do not want to follow measures for public safety. I am suggesting that not having a vaccine passport (showing proof of vaccination) might be equivalent to folks driving without a license or car insurance, or perhaps not wearing a seatbelt. Today, seatbelts are a no-brainer.
The public safety is not just about an individual, but about the public -others around them.
What do you think?
PS the issue of wearing seatbelts was thought to divide the country. This issue is no different.
Kathryn Henderson says
I think having vaccine passports will divide the country. If you have had the vaccine you should be safe from catching the covid or what was the point of getting it. A passport should not be required.
Stan Dronseika says
God Bless you Mr. Paris…… my concern exactly. Thank you for bringing this matter to the surface. I think getting this done would be a perfect election promise. This man, no matter the party, would get my vote, and I think of myself as a pretty average voter.
Rod jones says
Can someone please tell me why they fill in the hole at the corner of main st. at least 3times and then dig it up again it just doesn’t make sense why not leave the hole open till all the work is done a waste of time and money
jerry paris says
Hugh, about a week or more ago I called the premiers office concerning vaccine certificates for Ontario people.
The feds do not have our pictures on file, or our vaccine times and dates. I wanted to know why I can not go to my service ontario and acquire a card similar to my health card, pay a small fee and walk out with a card for my wallet or pocket and since it has a picture of me, know one can copy it like the two pieces of paper I now have.
The lady that I talked to was going in to a meeting and would pass on my idea.
Ray Vowels says
It’s too bad Frances Botham but this has been going on in Huntsville since back in the 60;s. But if you want the town to grow this is the cost you pay. I’m not sure if you were born and raised here but any town that does not grow will stagnate and die, It’s to bad but that is the way it is. In 1956 I went to Burlington to work back then we shopped on the main street just like we did here back then Not sure if you have been down there or know anyone from there. The same change is going on here just not as fast. We just have to get used to it or move it’s that simple.
Frances Botham says
There has been a lot of dissension expressed over the desecration of the land in the area of the building previously known as the Waterloo Centre. If you want to see major desecration of land you should take a drive up Hwy 11B N and turn onto Woodstream Drive. If the total removal of trees and all vegetation and boulders and complexion of the landscape is okay, well then I am sickened at Huntsville/Muskoka planning strategy. I wonder if most of us have been sleeping while this travesty has roared on? Maybe it’s time to wake up and express dissent. If this continues at its present speed throughout Huntsville, in the guise of the economy and ‘progress’, we are doomed to development that looks like a big city subdivision and appears to be planned the same way. Bring on the cookie cutter housing, the toy nursery trees and the cute boxed plants. This seems to now be the norm. If that is deemed good planning, in this new environment where ridiculous setbacks, height revisions, facade requirements, and all the other revisions are seldom turned down, then we are doomed to lose our beautiful unique Muskoka. The big yellow taxi has arrived!
Anna-Lise Kear says
Good morning, the E O’Toole’s announcement that he and his party will not require civil servants to be vaccinated for COVID 19 – This has “sealed the deal” for me in not voting for the Conservative party of Canada.
As a retired nurse, having worked locally in public health, this is such a backward, reckless, anti-science position. Thank you for reading.
jerry paris says
Perhaps the town planner who says everything at the old theatre sight is within walking distance should be given two bags of food at the independent and watched as he walks to the building site.
There is way too few parking sites in the centre of town, to take up a dozen more for one down town building is ridiculous.
Marilyn Martin says
Our neighbourhood is grieving. We have lost a much cherished bush. With respect to its ownership, it is commercial property and according to Mobile Marine, it’s been rated so since the sixties.
Since the mature trees were removed, we have lost privacy, a sound barrier, and any sense of sanctuary we once enjoyed.
In light of the pending policy for tree removal, one might anticipate an urgent clearing of this property for fear of objection. Mobile Marine had every right to do what they did in the purpose of business. What is objectionable, is the character revealed.
This was a mature bush. Many of us had been led to believe it was protected, greenspace or wetland.
Never did we think it would be cleared as it was. There was absolutely no communication with bordering properties and with initial inquiry, they were going to clear to property limits. A verbal request for a small buffer was declined. There was no room for discussion. Mobile Marine needs more space for boat storage and this was their answer.
They said they didn’t want a fight. Understandable.
What we as neighbours would have preferred, communication; an understanding of their plan, where and when the bush would be removed and an explanation of why. Common consideration of neighbours.
Yes, Huntsville needs a policy on tree removal, but more, we need respect for each other. That, is a character trait we instill in children and really, a business with good repute, should have as part of their mission statement. We do wish this business continued success but more, improved respect in how they treat others. All the best Mobile Marine, you have work to do.
Kathryn Henderson says
Chuck muir you are absolutely right about parking spaces. There is not enough parking available now.
Chuck Muir says
With the additional 14 apartments, a place of worship and a restaurant being added to the downtown area and a very limited number of parking spaces. I believe our town council is looking through rose coloured glasses to think parking problems won’t be an issue!
Thank you
Chuck Muir
Ray Vowels says
It’s so great to read Margaret Griggs post about the people that helped her out after a fall. Far to often we only hear the bad things about people and how they only think of themselves. Also it was great to read about the staff at Huntsville hospital It’s about time I know from experience just how great these nurses and doctors are. I’ve been there myself a few times and they are always super. My wife will tell you the same thing even in these hard times for medical workers.
Susan Chinnery says
I buy tickets for the RVH monthly draws for the neonatal wing, I buy Princess Margaret tickets to help that hospital out.
I would certainly buy tickets if the Huntsville Hospital would have draws or a lottery to raise money for our local hospital.
I am wondering why they don’t do this………………
They are all on a website, secure and easy to buy.
Thanks and hopefully Huntsville can get on board!!!!
Margaret Grigg says
Yesterdsy, Aug. 7, I took a tumble on the sidewalk across from Port Sydney Beach and
discovered that this community is full of wonderful, caring people. I want to thank you all for your concern and caring. Especially Steph, I do not know your last name, but you were there beside me and stayed until the ambulance arrived. Then you cared for my husband. Low and behold when we arrived home 9 hours later you had left a bouquet of sunflowers at our door. How exceptional is that. Thank you, thank you Steph. who lives in Utterson. Just to let you know I did break my wrist and nose, and my face is a sight to behold. If you wish, drop in so we can thank you in person. I also must mention how great the staff is at Huntsvile Hospital, they were rushed off their feet but still so kind and caring as were the paramedics.
Howard Bargman says
On July 14/21, I wrote a letter to warn others that I hit rocks under the bridge. By 0800 the next morning, 2 people reached out to me to tell me their rock story. I now have the names of 8 people who have hit these rocks.
A common thread for them, and me ( at first), is that they reached out to the town and their councillors, and were met with abject apathy.
In spite of one readers incredulity as to our inept boat driving, we all seem to be seasoned boaters.
I have been advised that marker buoys will be deployed and the middle boat way will be opened in a timely fashion.
BE CAREFUL!
Allen Markle says
At about 7:30 this morning, on Old Muskoka Rd., I found a vehicle’s gas tank lying on the pavement, leaking fuel. I moved it to the verge, but I am curious.
To the driver: you must have noticed by now that it is gone! How fast were you going? How far did you get?
There could be a story in this!
Anna-Lise Kear says
CBC news, “Stephen Harper says Canada’s pandemic spending has been ‘overkill’…”
SH and DF both have lived in Etobicoke. Likewise, if both have the same understanding of science, medicine, and public health, can you imagine who would have been at the receiving end of those “tough decisions”?
One sector who would Not have suffered is corporate welfare executives or known developers.
We now know that between wave one and two of the pandemic, DF solidified government, taxpayer contracts to large for-profit LTC homes so they could renovate. After all, we know the only reason for-profits performed so poorly in the care of our elderly citizens was not enough single rooms (read with sarcasm here)! Rob and Doug’s phrase “gravy train” comes to mind when taxpayer money is used to reward large for-profit LTC owners/managers for their poor health service outcomes.
Nancy Long says
I’m following up on the comment about Etwell Road, also know as District Road #45. I have talked to several people about this road and have been reassured that it is on the list to be fixed. Three weeks ago, I was told next week. Last week, when I inquired, I was told sometime this year. Oh my goodness. We actually have to leave the road and drive in the ditch at one point to have save passage on this road. It is truly terrible. I’m sorry to hear that a cyclist was injured. One of my comments to the district staff was that there will be an accident.
Ray Vowels says
I sure agree with Mr. Lehman and have no idea just what is getting into people theses days. As I was walking out of our Independent store yesterday I had a young man rush past me I walk a bit slow because I’m 81 and had a stroke a few years ago so walking is not a strong point. If this guy had hit me you know where i would have ended up. Then as I was walking to my car a lady came awfully close to hitting me as she was pulling out of the parking lot. One thing for sure that will be the last time I go into town after 8 am for a long time or at least until summer is over, Never saw so many people with the. I’m the most important person in this world Attitude and look out for me because I’ll not look out for you. And they wonder why we wish they would just stay home.
Alycia Bullock says
@Steve Lehman
Hi Steve! Just read your comment below and was left with a sick feeling.
Are you able to tell us what store in town? We have a sweet young gentleman that worked Monday and are hoping this situation wasn’t involving him.
My husband’s email is [email protected]
Thanks!
Steve Lehman says
Bad Manners
An expression I have often heard voiced by many meteorologists is that nature loves a balance. Assuming there is truth to it, other than just popular perception, then perhaps this would help explain the total lack of civility being on display around Huntsville this summer.
A year and a half ago, as the pandemic was making itself known, it actually seemed that the world was a nicer place. We were realizing that we were all in this predicament together and had better unite against a common enemy. Fast forward to the present and the pendulum has now swung to the other extreme. Traffic infractions are incalculable, customer rudeness to service staff is endemic and the me-first-at-all-costs attitude in many social interactions is pervasive. While I have had many anectodal experiences relayed to me second hand, yesterday I witnessed an example that I felt was beyond the pale.
As I sat outside a local grocery store, a car came to a stop on top of the no-parking pavement markings by the ramp leading up to the entrance doors. While technically illegal, I am sure many of us have done this so that our passenger can begin shopping while we go park the car. Not a big deal. This passenger, however, proceeded to go to the back of the car after the driver had shut it off, lift the tailgate and start rummaging around for who knows what or for how long. Again, somewhat rude but not unexpected these days. No parking indicators are only meant for other people.
Unfortunately for everyone involved, at this point in time a cart person was returning carts into the store and this car was directly in their path. As he got, admittedly, dangerously close to the inconveniently parked car the woman suddenly stepped out from behind the vehicle and, I quote, asked him; ‘Are you stupid?’
Now, ordinarily, I would not have troubled myself to intervene on behalf of the young cart person but for anyone who was not so self absorbed as this woman, the syndrome-unique facial features of this hapless teenager did indeed indicate that, while he was not stupid, he did have certain challenges that the majority of us do not have to contend with every waking moment of our lives so, with my sense of indignation welling up inside, I got involved.
Now, without going into detail, after the husband angrily got out of the car, cane in hand, to slowly shuffle to his wife’s defense, things could have gone south very quickly. As they began, in offensively loud voices, to list their own myriad disabilities as their reason for ignoring parking protocols, however, their sense of white, senior entitlement was so pathetically obvious that I started to laugh. I couldn’t help it. The absurdity of them using, in their words, their ‘legally defined disabilities’ as an excuse to be rude and discourteous to someone who didn’t need a doctors certificate to certify his situation was so ridiculous that I just had to walk away, fervently hoping for a quick return of the day when the pendulum swings back to the midpoint of civilized normalcy.
Mildred Tanzini says
It is an accident about to happen. That is what we keep saying about the horrendous conditions on Etwell Road. Well we don’t have to wait any longer. Driving on this road on Sunday to our horror we came upon a person laying in the middle of the road face down! This unsuspecting cyclist had hit a pothole, flew over her handlebars and skidded about 30 feet on the pavement. The ambulance arrived quickly and transported her to Huntsville Hospital. What is it going to take before action is taken to resurface this road?
Allen Markle says
This comment may be soul self serving, but please indulge me.
Many years ago, Mrs. Young our music teacher at the new Locks school (Riverside) took four youthful singers and made a little quartet of us. She gave us some music and taught us