If Chemical Valley moves, good riddance
Sir: It’ll be a pleasure to see the Chemical Valley dismantled.
Anyone who has grown up barely able to breath with asthma and a puffer, as I have, watched scum emitted into the St. Clair River, or waited for the putrid egg-scented invisible chemical crap to waft out of the Valley has a hard time hearing the sentiment around here that the cancer-causing industries “smell like money.”
No: they’re death and smell like it, too.
Mark Mathewson, President of Unifor (local 808) is right to try and protect the industries that sign the cheques of thousands of our workers, but he also said that a quarter of Ontario’s largest greenhouse gas emitters are located here. This industrial development didn’t happen overnight—but in the face of overwhelming environmental and health evidence, why are we continuing to allow our community to be a dumping ground for the boardroom whims of multinational corporations?
I find it ironic that, as a city, we take pride in our bridges, beaches, park, and enviable location within Ontario; we rightfully invite friends and family from around the world here, organize festivals, start families—all the while huffing and puffing an obscene amount of airborne contaminants. Shell alone, as the Sarnia Journal says, reportedly emits 170,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year that all have to go somewhere.
Actually, “somewhere” is our lungs. For instance, if you were unlucky enough to be displaced and have the Valley dropped into your lap, as the Aamjiwnaang First Nation were, you’d wonder why it’s the only place on earth where two girls are born for every boy.
These industries have already irrevocably wrecked countless lives, and they’ve had decades to clean up processes and invest in Sarnia-Lambton but our property values are flat, population growth is stagnant, and the streets are crumbling. Are we the home of industry or its dumpster?
If Ontario’s Cap and Trade policies forces industrial polluters to close or move, perhaps Mathewson can send a delegation to the new locations, warning people that after more than 100 years of development they’ll be able to look forward to dirtier air, fewer jobs, and fewer boys.
And a nickname for the town that ends in -hole.
Michael Banovsky
Sarnia
...............................................................................
What council is doing is right
Sir: I am astounded to read how many people are defending Mike Bradley's behaviour, even after the release of a report that found he was responsible for workplace harassment.
Unless you have experienced a toxic work environment you shouldn't underestimate the damage it does.
It affects a person's health, physically and mentally, which is why we have laws against it.
I am glad that city councillors are now taking the issue seriously, and wish they had addressed the issue years ago when it first appeared.
We should be supporting the staff that have been affected by this and not giving them the impression that "it isn't a big deal."
It is and it cannot be allowed to continue.
Trina Smith
Sarnia
...................................................................................
What council is doing is wrong
Sir: Sarnia City Councillors needs to be told, enough is enough already. They need to stop harassing our Mayor Mike.
What they are doing is far worse than what they are accusing him of doing.
I wish the Mayor had the power to kick their sorry butts out on the street where you belong. And they know who I'm talking about. Good luck getting voted in next time.
Mayor Mike has served Sarnia well for years and years, but if people don't like the way he does things then they should vote next time for someone they think is better. That’s how it works!
I'm speaking for many Sarnians who voted for Mayor Mike and are sick and tired of this witch-hunt. They are wasting our time and our money with their childish behavior.
The Mayor has apologized for what they think he did wrong, now let's go forward, get focused on the work that needs doing for this great city of Sarnia.
We voted for Mayor Mike and that's who we want running our city. Please support him and show some respect. What City Council is doing is wrong and unproductive.
Greg Hamilton
Sarnia
.......................................................................................
Taxpayer tired of the whole debacle
Sir: In the past 40 years or so of working in industry I have seen how there is a tendency for people who are re-elected to positions continuously to become comfortable in their empowerments - sometimes to the point of breaking rules and protocol that are part of their position.
In my view, it seems this is what has happened to the Mayor of Sarnia. It appears this has been addressed via the investigation and subsequent disciplines set in place by council.
It also appears that the mayor has publicly accepted responsibility for his past actions and has promised a positive change in his fulfillment of his mayoral duties in the future.
So expectations of his behaviour have been clearly set out for him. He has agreed to abide by those expectations. We now need to let him perform his mayoral duties within the expected behaviours.
If he violates the agreed upon behaviours there should be another progressive discipline in place up to termination of his employment as mayor.
To me, presently, any further actions against a generally well-regarded public servant would be viewed as somewhat of a witch-hunt by others at City Hall.
As a taxpayer, I am now tired of this whole debacle and certainly do not want him "banned" or working "remotely" from City Hall.
My vote and my tax dollars have elected and paid for him to do his job in his office at City Hall.
Lorne Muhlig
Point Edward
..................................................................................................
Great ISO opener
Sir: What a grand and charming International Symphony Orchestra concert we heard Oct. 15 at the Imperial Theatre.
For any orchestra to prepare two such demanding and magnificent works of Beethoven for one concert takes a ton of hard work, dedication and passion.
The 4th Piano Concerto presented so many moments of lyrical brilliance, and the 5th Symphony focused precisely on Beethoven’s sparkling harmonic colours.
The orchestra demonstrated a great depth of sound highlighted by their dynamic woodwind section. We are very fortunate to be living in such a musically rich environment!
David J. Nichols
Sarnia
.........................................................................................
Sting fan excited about season
Sir: The Sarnia Sting are off to a great start. These guys have shown they can skate and work hard.
They’re going to miss Travis Konecny, who has not been returned by the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers. He could do it all and had great heart.
I’m praying we get Jakob Chychrun back from the Arizona Coyotes for his leadership, commitment and desire. Maybe a good run at a Memorial Cup will look good on his resume.
The Sting did their homework in the off season and picked up four new faces, all close to 200 lbs., something they needed with small fast forwards.
One great move was picking up Jaden Lindo. I’ve been waiting four years for this guy. Not many will drop the gloves with this man.
Go Sting go!
Cam Ross
Sarnia