Sir: Further to the “Green Space” photo and caption in the May 22 edition.
Please note the refurbishment of the south side flower bed at the Sarnia Library is the Sarnia & District Horticultural Society’s Centennial Project. The Society wished to do a new public garden to celebrate Sarnia’s centenary and consulted with the City Parks & Recreation Department for an available community location. We picked the library flower bed and department horticulturalists drew up three designs for our approval.
The S&DHS donated $500 towards the cost of the plants and we applied for and received a matching special projects grant from the Ontario Horticultural Association.
The City of Sarnia will mount a plaque on the exterior of the library indicating this is the S&DHS Centennial Garden. The Society thanks the staff of the City Parks & Recreation Department for their creativity, cooperation, time and physical labour.
We also thank photojournalist Glenn Ogilvie for covering the event. The Sarnia Journal with its local coverage is a most welcome addition to our mailboxes each week. Thank you.
Barb Toye,
President, Sarnia & District Horticultural Society
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Accurate labour market data needed
Sir: Over the past few months, national newspapers have publicized the differing labour market information from Finance Canada (Government of Canada department) versus the Parliamentary Budget Office and Statistics Canada. Differences arise because these parties make different assumptions about the future of work in Canada and don’t use the same data sources and measurements. The fact that a labour market data debate is occurring between federal institutions tells us two things:
1 - Good local labour market information is needed
2 - Collecting this information from within the community may be the best option for rural areas.
Wouldn’t it be advantageous if local employers themselves shared their workforce needs? Aren’t they the ones who know what jobs will need to be filled?
The Sarnia Lambton Workforce Development Board (SLWDB) is in the position to collect this important information through its annual EmployerOne Survey. The survey asks questions about:
* Recently filled positions (how many, job category, job title)
* Anticipated hires (how many, job category)
* Skills, training and education required for current and future employees
* Competencies valued most
* Recruitment methods
Survey results will be shared directly with the local college and school boards, employment service providers, community partners, and the general public.
To learn more about the upcoming 2015 survey, or to sign up to complete the survey, contact [email protected] or 519-332-0000.
Catherine Gordon
Sarnia Lambton Workforce Development Board
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Hazardous waste collection needed
Sir: I recently attempted to be an educated Canadian citizen and tried to divert a large, circular fluorescent bulb containing mercury from the local landfill.
I happened to be under the erroneous impression that our local big box stores would accept such waste, but my attempts to do so were futile. On of them seems to have recently discontinued doing so.
Well, I suppose Sarnia taxpayers should be prepared to survive in an environment laden with toxic waste?
Suggestion: Why don’t we have a green box for such recyclables and more, such as batteries, paint, small electrical appliances, copper wires, etc.
Shiba Raza
Sarnia
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Shame on city council for closing homeless shelter
Sir: I am in total agreement with Bill Reckman’s recent letter.
He is ashamed, as I am, that our city council decided not to rezone the River City homeless shelter.
River City was originally a YWCA/YMCA, a Christian organization that held Christian activities of all sorts for both young and old. We now have a new Y and River City is a church.
Jesus tells us to care for the hungry and the downtrodden. He always gave them a hand up and never turned them down.
However, he had harsh words for those who were hard-hearted and thought they were better than everybody else. That made him very angry.
Do our city councillors not know we are all God’s children? And, but for the grace of God, go they?
Have they ever been hungry and had no place to sleep?
The Inn of the Good Shepherd is a great place – but not all are comfortable there.
Please, council, do the right thing, rezone the area, and let me be proud of my city again.
E. J. Souwand
Sarnia