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Letters, week of Oct. 23

In defence of dog-cycling Sir: I am writing this letter in regards to the recent letter, “Dog-cycling borders on cruelty.” I am one of those people that ride their bikes with their dogs.

In defence of dog-cycling

Sir: I am writing this letter in regards to the recent letter, “Dog-cycling borders on cruelty.”

I am one of those people that ride their bikes with their dogs. I do not drag my dog along for a ride; she runs beside me on my bike. When I stop she stops, and sits.

It really bothers me to see how someone can say such things about everyone that has a pet. The writer is probably a person who has never owned a pet, let alone been around one.

This is probably a person who parks in a handicapped parking spot to be closer to where she has to be, or parks halfway across your driveway to pick her kids up from school.

I go everywhere with my dog. We go under the bridge for a walk and a swim. When I stop she stops, and sits, and she will not move until she is released by me.

People sitting in their cars have whistled to her, and she won’t move. It’s dedication. You show love to dogs and they will show love to you.

As for a law or bylaw, that is insane. What about the bikers who ride two abreast, or skateboarders who take up the road? Nothing said about them.

Besides, animals need their exercise too.

Jeff Parsons

Sarnia

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Cycling with dog is not cruel

Sir: I am writing in response to the article ‘Dog-cycling borders on cruelty.’

I do my best not to judge because everyone and every animal is different and unique in many ways. I was taken aback by this article as I think it's wrong to assume that running a dog alongside a bike is cruel to the animal.

I don't understand how this can be a "lazy way" to spend time with your dog, especially when the onlooker only sees the situation at a moment’s glance.

I feel that the comment about the dog being dragged is an inflated exaggeration as I am an active individual that spends ample time running, walking and biking in this town, and I have never seen a dog being dragged.

Dogs, like humans, are individual in their ability to endure exercise in different ways. I have an extremely hyper dog that needs to run before I can even attempt to take to her for a walk. I have had numerous training sessions with her prior to the running on the bike, and she was cast aside as being "untrainable."

These are some of the poor dogs that end up in shelters because they are not understood by their owners. My dog was given up for this reason by the previous owner, which is sad. Running on the bike is the only way I can truly give her what she needs physically.

Some people can run and some can't; this also goes for dogs. I think feeding them table scraps and having an overweight animal is crueler then being active with them.

People judge too quickly before knowing the facts. Again, some dogs can and need to run and some can’t. It’s that simple and it's NOT CRUEL.

So for the people out there that are judging me, you need to give your heads a shake before assuming that I am being cruel to my amazing dog, who is loved.

Jaime Hayes

Sarnia

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Extend Rapids Parkway under 402 overpass

Sir: I’m writing in response to Dann Cuthbert’s letter, “Nature Trail An Election Issue,” in The Sarnia Journal, Sept. 25th.

I checked current Sarnia telephone directories and, unless he moved recently, Mr. Cuthbert lives south of Wellington. So how does Mr. Cuthbert feel he can make knowledgeable comments on traffic flow in the city’s north end?

I live on Graycliff Drive, which runs parallel to the Rapids Parkway, and, yes, residents in this area do travel on Berger and Modeland to get to the Exmouth-Quinn-Lambton Mall shopping area. The traffic on Modeland is not the issue.

The issue is traffic entering Modeland Road southbound from the 402 exit ramps. For southbound traffic on Modeland desiring to use the Exmouth/London Line exit ramp, this can be a “white knuckle” experience.

This is because the 402 merge lanes are too short to allow safe merging with Modeland traffic wishing to exit to Exmouth/London Line. If the southbound Modeland traffic “holds its ground” in the outside lane, it runs the risk of being bullied out of the way by merging transports. If the southbound traffic does the courteous thing by moving to the inside lane to accommodate merging traffic from the 402, it runs the risk of not being able to get safely back into position to exit to Exmouth before being driven past the exit point.

Mr. Cuthbert feels the desire to extend the Rapids Parkway through the Howard Watson Trail right-of-way under the 402, thereby severing the trail, should be an election issue. If this issue were to be discussed in a purely objective manner, it would be a no-brainer.

The Parkway should be extended under the 402 to Quinn Drive to provide a safer alternative for residents in the Rapids Parkway subdivisions to get to the aforementioned shopping area.

In case Mr. Cuthbert hasn’t counted lately, there are five land packets in the Rapids Parkway area where new homes are being built, and two more directly north of Michigan.

Such growth will surely result in more cars travelling southbound on Modeland and trying to squeeze off at the Exmouth/London Line exit ramp.

Don McClintock

Sarnia

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Wind turbines are sign of progress

Sir: I hereby would like to voice my support for the opinion expressed in the letter, Turbines aren’t hurting anyone, (Oct. 16 2014).

I was born and raised in Holland where windmills have been around for centuries. European countries have had modern wind turbines for decades now and their numbers continue to grow, one wind farm at a time, on-shore and off-shore.

I applaud the German government for initiating the "Energie Wende," a total transformation of power infrastructure from fossil fuels to renewable energy. That nation will reap the benefits for decades to come, and ensures its position as a global powerhouse in all aspects.

I simply do not understand what all the fuss is about by some here in Sarnia-Lambton; to me the new wind turbines along the 402 are a symbol of progress to a more advanced society. Yes, we are paying now, but this is necessary for the well being of generations to come.

 E Mulder

Sarnia

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Euthanasia story was biased

Sir: An article was printed in the Oct. 2, 2014 edition entitled "Life and death debate comes to Sarnia."

I found the reporter’s story to be very biased and unfair.

In the article, specific comments were taken from Michael Payton's perspective in support of euthanasia, and yet nothing from the viewpoint of Alex Schadenberg, founder of "Euthanasia Prevention Coalition."

I find this unacceptable in regards to fair and responsible journalism.

Both sides of such an important issue should have been clearly and accurately written without favour to either side.

Sincerely

Cindy Nashed

Sarnia


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