The Hub would love to hear from you. Email your letters, articles, photos, drawings, cartoons, YouTube or Vimeo links to [email protected].
Editor,
Owen Sound Hub:
Irony: Council agrees to stop praying before meetings, because that would be an exclusive practice, and refuses to even consider an amendment to the Flag Policy, which would make the City more inclusive.
I was extremely disappointed in the behaviour of most Owen Sound city councillors at the meeting of May 11. A request was made to consider the current Flag Flying policy of 2006, and add an amendment to allow any local community group to have their flag on the standard which is affixed by the front doors of City Hall, as long as that group is one that abides by and honours the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. By a vote of 4:3, it was decided that Council would not even agree to reconsider the outdated policy. In the light of recent anti-Semitic, racist, and homophobic events, one would think it's time for the City to take a more inclusionary stand. In addition, does Council not realize that the policy has already been breached at least twice, and for that reason alone, needs to be reconsidered? Thanks to Councillors Richard Thomas, Marion Koepke, and Peter Lemon. The rest of you: I expect better.Sincerely,
Joan Beecroft
Owen Sound,ON
To the Editor:
I would like to express my disappointment at Owen Sound Council's May 11 decision to avoid discussion regarding the use of a second flag in front of City Hall.
As Maryann Thomas said in her excellent deputation, using the small flag standard affixed to the building by the front doors, to fly the flags of any community group that honours the Charter of Rights and Freedoms,would be a great opportunity for Council to demonstrate a welcoming attitude to residents, visitors, newcomers, and diverse community groups. This would further support the motto: "The Place You Want to Live".
Unfortunately, Council voted against even discussing the pros and cons of this issue, What a missed opportunity....
Terri Hope
Owen Sound
by David McLaren
This letter is not to disagree with Kimberley Love's recent letter advocating a strategy to deal with mental illness, including the kind of alienation that can lead to radicalization. A police response is certainly required after shots are fired, but something more than even Bill C-51 is needed to prevent disaffected young men from picking up a weapon in the first place.
This is something students at Walkerton's Sacred Heart High School taught me when I visited there a little while ago. And it's just one of the many reasons the NDP voted against Bill C-51. Here I must clear the record made murky by Ms Love's letter, that "Both the Liberals and the NDP have grudgingly accepted that the Bill should be amended – not revoked."
The NDP vigorously opposed the seriously flawed Bill C-51 and offered amendments—as one does in a democracy. None were accepted, so the NDP voted against it. The Liberals voted for Bill C-51 saying they will amend it if they are elected.
That position earned Mr Trudeau this rebuke from a UBC student: "Sir, I must say that supporting the Bill that you know is dangerous while promising to reform it when you've been elected to government is tantamount to putting our rights hostage, and our vote is our ransom."
The government's amendments notwithstanding, Bill C-51 will do more to curtail our rights and freedoms than ISIS has done. That is why New Democrat MPs are vowing to revoke, not just amend, the legislation should they be elected to government.
I would invite Ms Love to check the NDP Twitter feeds and Lead Now's facebook page at Leadnow.ca - À l'Action (postings dated May 7).
by Bill Moses, Owen Sound
There is no doubt that moving the Tom Thomson Art Gallery to the Courthouse is a bold and exciting idea and is an idea that should be pursued. Another bold and exciting idea would be investing in Owen Sound's waterfront. In my view, making our waterfront a true people place would probably have a broader public appeal than an expanded Art Gallery. A people-friendly waterfront would also, perhaps, have a bigger (and broader) economic impact as well. Can we do both? In reality, 10.5 million dollars spent on one project takes 10.5 million dollars away from something else, any way you want to cut it.
To the Editor:
Now that the Supreme Court of Canada has declared that religious prayers may not be recited at Municipal Council meetings, I would like to suggest the following words as a replacement:
To be read by the Mayor or Member of Council:
"As we approach our work here today, may we be mindful of our role as leaders in Owen Sound, a city of great beauty and opportunity. As we face our decisions, may we be guided by strong ethics, wisdom, fairness, and sound knowledge. May we never forget the trust placed in us by the people of Owen Sound."
If an invited guest offers the words, 'we and our' can easily be changed to 'you and your'.
I wrote these words in hopes that everyone will feel included, people of varying faiths, as well as those who are not religious.
Terri Hope
Owen Sound
CopyRight ©2015, ©2016, ©2017 of Hub Content
is held by content creators
