Tree fines not enough
Re: 776 charges laid against 4 people after trees that blocked condo views of Martindale Pond chopped down, Nov. 14
Most if not all of your readers are likely appalled about the destruction of all those magnificent trees along Martindale Pond.
The fine is not nearly enough and should at least be doubled. It is a drop in the bucket for these self-entitled and privileged people.
The city should make an example of these residents as a deterrent to others. Further, they should be named and shamed.
These residents are not special or above the law as they apparently and incorrectly think themselves to be.
Nancy Reimer
Use Canadian images on currency
As a proud Canadian I am constantly bothered by our continued hanging onto the coattails of the U.K., in this case how our money is designed and produced.
Why on earth are we still putting British so-called royalty on our money?
This royal family’s ancestors were among the greatest slavers of all time, reaping enormous riches by directly financing and profiting from the slave trade to the New World from Africa. The so-called royals are involved in scandal after scandal, yet we still put their likenesses on our money. Why?
The only connection today between Canada and the U.K. is that the U.K. is desperate, especially after Brexit, to maintain economic ties, which are to its, and not to Canada’s, benefit. The U.K. is in its terminal decline from its former boasts of empire, which were enforced by its naval guns, much as the U.S. is doing today.
We have numerous great Canadians we could be putting on our money, including literary, musical, sports and political figures, inventors, authors and Indigenous leaders.
It is time to be proudly Canadian and not retro hangers-on to degraded Britishness.
Kaspar Pold
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Strong mayor powers wrong
Where did Doug Ford gain the authority to legislate “strong mayor” powers?
I find it difficult to understand how he can unilaterally determine democracy can be altered or overridden to suit his personal agenda. He has shown his disregard for accountability too many times.
- Article was updated
There was the Greenbelt fiasco, COVID-19 vaccine rerouting, real estate/planning policies.
I was once a Doug Ford supporter but the apparent incompetence and “pay for play” schemes have cost him my vote, which brings me back to my original thought.
Strong mayor powers? Wrong, wrong, wrong.
Gary Hotte
Welland
Letters welcome
We welcome letters from our readers. Send them to letters@niagaradailies.com or mail to P.O. Box 5031, Stn. Main, St. Catharines, Ont., L2R 7T4. Letters should be 250 words or less, and may be edited for length and clarity. Please include your name, address and phone number for verification purposes.
