Relay for Life raised $150,000 to fight cancer
Sir: For 20 years, Relay For Life has united communities across Canada with teams of family, friends and colleagues.
Relay is active in 29 countries and 6,000 communities worldwide, whereby participants commit to raising funds for work against all types of cancer.
On June 14, we held Relay For Life Sarnia at Clearwater Park. At this event, teams of family, friends and colleagues celebrated those who live and have lived in the face of cancer, and those moving past cancer.
Six hundred people in our community supported this year’s Relay by volunteering, participating, sponsoring or walking the survivor lap.
Thanks to the efforts of these dedicated individuals and the generosity of community members, I am thrilled to report we raised over $150,000, with more funds coming in daily.
The money will support ground-breaking research, provide trusted information, offer programs and services to help people with cancer and their families cope, and advocate to governments for important social changes.
Thank you Sarnia-Lambton for helping make a difference in the lives of those with cancer.
Paula McKinlay
Community Fundraising Specialist
Canadian Cancer Society, Sarnia Lambton
Coun. Bird acted appropriately with her notices of motion
Sir: Regarding Bryan Trothen’s letter of June 20, “Coun. Bird’s very serious allegations should be investigated.”
Mr. Trothen suggests the integrity commissioner should be paid to investigate statements the councillor made at the May 27 council meeting.
He says councillors ‘took her to task” for a lack of detail provided in advance of three notices of motions she brought forward for discussion.
Coun. Bird clarified her reason for not providing more detail, explaining that, a short time ago, one councillor had the audacity to urge, via email to all councillors, that they vote against a motion she was bringing forward, a motion Coun. Bird posted in its entirety.
The conduct of this councillor was wrong, inappropriate and possibly illegal.
Coun. Bird, rather than filing a complaint with the integrity commissioner, chose to deal with this unacceptable conduct by keeping her motions brief, so discussion could take place and decisions could be made where they were intended, that is, in council chambers at a public meeting, not via email.
It raises the question — why are some councillors so obviously concerned about voicing their thoughts on a motion in public? Shouldn’t we be encouraging transparency?
Mr. Trothen was correct in saying that Coun. Bird has every right to express herself on matters of city business without fear of conspiracy to suppress her voice. So far, she has been doing just that, in my not so humble opinion. She obviously comes to meetings well prepared and provides reasons and justification for how she casts her vote. She does not simply ‘go with the flow’ as some are inclined to do.
Mr. Trothen asks for proof of the accusations of unlawful behaviour. Would not their emails suffice?
As a former councillor who continues to have an interest in Sarnia’s politics, I attend council meetings and frequently offer my comments and observations.
Councillor Bird is entitled to an apology.
Bernice Rade
Forest