Letters to the Editor

Harper sets sights on pensions
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
AN OPEN LETTER:
It seems all but certain that Stephen Harper is set to hike the qualifying age for the Old Age Security (OAS) from 65 to 67. For our most vulnerable seniors, that means they will go without $30,000 of much needed support for two additional years. For you, it may mean significantly altering your plans for retirement. 
And you are not alone. Over the next 10 years, more than four million Canadians will be turning 65. Unless you are set to retire with an annual pension of over $112,000, Harper is telling you to rethink your plans. 
Museum for Human Rights could be about wrongs
Wednesday, February 1, 2012

The Editor,
The Canadian Museum for Human Rights? $340 million and counting and the displays are not in yet.
The name conjures up images which might be humorous, if we were not paying for it. The whole idea sounds silly at worst and ironic at best. It is being built not far from where Louis Riel committed some of the heinous acts for which he was hung: trying to protect his people from invasion.
Generally, a museum is a place where objects or ideas from past times are stored and shown. What could we have on display in our Human Rights Museum? A few ideas:

Questions to consider before township takes over building
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
The Editor,
Re: the recent article stating that serious negotiations between the L’Orignal chapter of Chevaliers De Colomb and Champlain Township proposing the take-over of their hall due to their inability to both maintain membership support and financial profitability.
There is no doubt that communities should have a facility to promote fellowship within its boundaries and most important, reflect the needs of the whole community.
MP pensions outrageous
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
The Editor,
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation held a press conference to make public how and who pays for the ludicrous pensions of members of Parliament.
The funds are not invested but are guaranteed to grow by 10.4 per cent per year. This high rate is paid by taxpayers. On the average, $248,000 in taxpayer dollars goes to an MP’s pension account each year.
The more we move forward, nothing changes
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
The Editor,
On Tuesday, January 10, the citizens of Grenville-sur-la-Rouge have, once more, witnessed the disorderly game which is played at every council meeting of our municipality.
It is always the same councillors playing with the population by reputedly using the same tactics, meaning:
- Voting against requests from Mayor Saywell.
- Maintaining a disorderly approach, thus confirming there is a division at the council table.
Next time, vote for exceptional candidates
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
The Editor,
Last May, we all laughed at the “stupid” Quebecers who voted for the NDP without even knowing the candidate they were electing. Well, they are now having the last laugh.
Great turnout at mayoral debate
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
The Editor,
On behalf of the Glengarry Public Affairs Forum, we want to say how pleased we were with the citizen turnout at the recent mayoral debate held on Thursday, January 5, co-sponsored by the Alexandria and District Chamber of Commerce.
There was standing room only, with more than 150 in attendance. Questions were frequent and respectful. Congratulations to both candidates for their serious and willing participation. It was a successful demonstration of the interest in citizen participation and involvement in choosing a leader for our township.
In response to Mayor Saywell
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
The Editor,
In response to Mr. John Saywell, mayor of Grenville-sur-la-Rouge, who brought up certain points and asked specific questions:
First to be addressed is urbanism. No definition of the word “urban” fits Grenville-sur-la-Rouge. Calumet and Pointe-au-Chene are separate and would be described as semi-rural. There are no public transport systems, centres for arts, sports, or higher education; none of the items which urban planners plan. It will probably be a long time before a car is not needed here, so roads are needed.
2012 – A Call for Cooperation
Thursday, December 29, 2011
THE Editor,
Here we are, winding up 2011 on a note of discord at the council of Grenville-sur-la-Rouge. However, perspectives for 2011 are far from worrisome.
The year 2011 began with our financial base cleaned up and a coherent budget platform. An important list of discrepancies compiled by the auditors over the years was almost completely resolved. We are ending the year with an operating surplus, a reimbursement of $100,000 of old debts and $600,000 invested in infrastructure improvements.
The right to life is the defining issue of our time
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
The Editor,
Whether we’re considering abortion or euthanasia, the right to life is the defining issue of our time. Homicide is the killing of one human being by another. Intentional homicide is murder. What no proponent of “pro choice” ever says is that the choice they defend is the choice to kill people.
It is impossible to be “pro choice” and Christian. That is an oxymoron. We no longer have the luxury to be indifferent or cowardly.
Finding the Christmas spirit
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
The Editor:
I was in a grocery on Wednesday.  I was putting my food on the counter. I was tired and thinking of my list of all the stuff that I had to do. Clean the house, shopping, thinking about that one person that I might have forgotten. What do I buy them? You know -- at this time of year everyone has so much to do.
I heard this older gentleman behind me. He asked me if I have grandkids. I looked at him and I thought to myself “What does he want?” I said, “Yes” and he reaches in his pockets and gave me some CDs and told me to give them to my grandkids.
New Age dream may leave us cold
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
The Editor,
A heads-up for all American ex-pats and those who travel to the USA: as of January 1, 2012, 100-watt incandescent light bulbs are illegal in America. Ownership is allowed but trade, barter, lending, interstate transport, etc. of such will be met by the full force of government. Ontario was thinking of the same ban.
Reader only sees positive; language not an issue here
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
The Editor,
I understand everyone is entitled to his or her opinion but was disappointed and saddened in reading the letter, “Make yourself heard” regarding flyers being printed in one language only.
Continued contempt for Parliament
Wednesday, December 21, 2011

THE Editor,
House of Commons Speaker Andrew Scheer ruled that Conservative party tactics against Liberal MP Irwin Cotler were “reprehensible.” Did the Conservatives acknowledge their wrongdoing and apologize to Mr.Cotler and Parliament? No. Instead, senior cabinet ministers defended their actions and said the Speaker was mistaken, thus compounding their egregious behaviour.

Make yourself heard
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
The Editor,
As an English-speaking person in Prescott-Russell county, I have finally had enough of the arrogance of major chain retailers whose flyers are only printed in one language – and in the case of the Hawkesbury flyers, in French only.
I have news for you; we are a bilingual country, even in Quebec.
More on the Christmas pageant
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Dear Editor,
Isn’t it wonderful, those great unwashed lefties, those who know what’s best for us, better than we do, are at it in Embrun, with the cancellation of their Christmas pageant?
These guys, who have all the answers, are responsible for the erosion and dismantling of our Canadian culture. Bit by bit, little by little, we are losing our traditions and way of life, because they, these lefties, not those they are claiming to represent, are responsible for us changing our country one word at a time, an event at a time, a prayer at a time.
Just how dumb are we?
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
The Editor,
Just how dumb do some individuals believe the population is? (Re: Article, December 7, “Counties set to spend $107K on cultural mapping study.”)
Where have all the other similar and/or related studies completed in the last 20 years gone? If they accomplished nothing to date, why do another?
In reading the article and the plan, all I see is hiring consultants to do the jobs some individuals are hired to do in the first place. A short article, but look at the list of committees, consultants, etc. involved.
•UCPR
•UCPR tourism partners
Time to outlaw the collecting of personal information
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
The Editor,
Thoughts on the CIP, cement plant
Wednesday, December 14, 2011

The Editor,
Normally, I don’t get involved in things that are no longer my business, but when someone calls me a NIMBY, I have to take exception! Having worked for 31 years for C.I.P. (Canadian International Paper Company) in Hawkesbury as an engineer in the steam plant for 22 years and nine years as a production supervisor, I know a bit about pollution, air and water and land.

Controversy at council?
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
The Editor,
The population of Grenville-sur-la-Rouge is undergoing, for the third time in a period of 16 months, controversy at council. In fact, there are actually four “delinquent councillors” at the council table, who are systematically blocking other members of council that want to move forward in order to meet the Municipal Code delays.
The citizens of this municipality deserve to know that, withstanding the oath of office that they have signed, those delinquent councillors concert amongst themselves to discredit the mayor and the other members of council.
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