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Letters, week of Sept. 10

My Big Sister made a huge impact Sir: The Big Brothers Big Sisters organization has had a great impact on my life and my family.
Letters to the editor

My Big Sister made a huge impact

Sir: The Big Brothers Big Sisters organization has had a great impact on my life and my family.

When my mom was a girl she had a Big Sister named Marj, who showed her the true meaning of friendship and unconditional love.

They stayed in contact, and after I was born I got to meet her.

The impact Marj left on my mom made it easy for her to sign up my brother and I for a Big Brother and Big Sister.

A lot changed when I met my Big Sister. Pat found time to hang out with me each week, and was always interested in what I had to say. We would bake, do crafts and go to the movies.

She took me to my first concert, and I remember how cool I felt. We also helped out at a lot of Big Brother Big Sister events, especially the Show and Sale.

Pat taught me a lot. She was deeply involved with her family and helping others, and that really opened my eyes. We were matched about six years, until I became really busy with school and work. We still keep in contact and I still love to see Pat when I’m home from university.

My brother Ronnie was very shy as a boy. He was matched with his Big Brother, Cyril, at the age of six. It was nice to see him finally come out of his comfort zone with a new person.

Cyril introduced Ronnie to hockey, and through the organization got the equipment he needed to play. Cyril was up bright and early for every practice and game. He has always been there for Ronnie.

My brother turns 18 in a couple of months, and though they won’t be matched on paper anymore, I know they will still hang out and continue to be a part of each other’s lives.

Big Brothers Big Sisters helped mold my family. The listening ears and personal support is something you can’t put a price tag on.

When I’m finished at school I plan on being a Big Sister myself.

Autumn Lepore

London

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Why haven’t government heads rolled?

Sir: What seems to be the problem?

It has been a very long time since the Ontario Provincial Police began investigating the questionable actions of the provincial Liberal government.

What is the status of the investigations into the gas plants, deleted related emails, problems with respect to Ornge air ambulance service, E-Health etc. and the last provincial election in Sudbury?

Have these investigations been concluded and, if so, what were the findings?  If they are still ongoing, just how long does it take to “investigate”?

I find it questionable that the ONTARIO Provincial Police are investigating the ONTARIO government.  In my not so humble opinion, this constitutes a conflict.  Didn’t the OPP support the Liberals with an ad in the last provincial election?

These investigations should be conducted by an impartial body, such as the RCMP.  Perhaps, then, we would get some answers and, depending on the revelations, some heads could roll and the government could fall.

Perhaps the perpetrators hope that they will fade away and be forgotten.

Bernice Rade

Forest

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Boaters need to understand anchoring rules

Sir: I read the letter "bothered by boating critic" and was really miffed at this woman’s self-centered ignorance on common courtesy boating, as well as common sense boating safety.

It doesn't matter where you are from, or what waterway you are boating on, when it comes to anchoring there are rules and there are courtesy's to follow.

I have been on the beach many times on a weekend in Bright's Grove, and the number of boaters that anchor there leaves very little room for the safe swimming of any person, not to mention the toxic smell of the gasoline mix floating about on the surface.

All boaters must understand the "anchor rode" guidelines when anchoring on any waterway. Knowing and applying these formulas will keep the boat and the ground tackle from those swimming in the area.

If the boaters choose to go to shore and hang out on the beach, they should also have the means to take them there in a non-motorized way.

There are also many public beaches that have buoys marking out the swimmer zone, which also require that pleasure boaters’ anchor 20-to-75 feet away.

It is the boater’s responsibility to know these rules and guidelines.

In closing, I ask that this "appalled" woman not only study her safe boating guides, but more importantly to practice putting others before herself when it comes to public pleasures that everyone deserves.

Patti Cook

Sarnia


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