4 minute read
Opinion
from January 20 - 2022
ARTWORK
Mikayla Alexander, Grade 8
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Publisher Theresa Arnold publisher@merrittherald.com 250-378-4241 MERRITT HERALD
Editor Jake Courtepatte newsroom@merrittherald.com 250-378-4241 Reporter Morgan Hampton reporter@merrittherald.com 250-378-4241 Sales Representative Office Administrator Ken Couture kcouture@aberdeenpublishing.com 250-378-4241 Making Advertising Work For You.
OPINION
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LETTERS to the editor Come check out the Seniors Association
Editor,
An open letter to all Merrittonians 40 years of age or older who are looking for something new, or maybe old, to try this new year of 2022.
The Merritt Senior Citizens Association is still up and running with several programs or activities for you to enjoy. Yes, we adhere to all health protocols and restrictions, so if you are feeling bored or lonely, come and see what we have to offer. Our physical address is 1675 Turtill Court (behind Save-On) and the phone number is 250-378-3763.
Our slogan is “Seniors Helping Seniors” and we believe that seniors must be recognized as an asset to the community, not as a burden.
Our programs include whist, rummoli and crib, darts, and shuffleboard. Annual dues are $15 and there is a small fee for each activity. When restrictions allow, we will start exercise groups and bingo games.
The executive board would love to have you join us for some mental health and/or physical activity.
Cyril George President
Resident not happy with treatment
Editor,
I am 85 years old. I didn’t evacuate because our street was safe right behind the Civic Centre. We sat patiently from Nov. 15 to Nov. 26 when the City decided to let some people back in their homes. Our grocery store and WalMart opened up to help us people. We drove up the hill and the City had a roadblock. They said we had to have a bracelet to go shopping. We went back to City Hall and I told the lady we didn’t evacuate, didn’t take any money from the government and all we wanted to do is buy some groceries. The lady at City Hall said “No, because you didn’t evacuate, I will not allow you to go shopping.”
Is this not acting like the Gestapo?
We are the silent majority; we ask for no freebies and yet our municipal government treats us like this!
I do want to praise the Public Works Dept. for doing a good job. Thanks to you guys, too bad the City Hall couldn’t do the same.
Val Davis Merritt
Don’t follow my lead, says senior
Editor,
I lived in a time and a place when vaccinations were pretty much unheard of. Children’s diseases were looked upon as part of growing up, almost a “right of passage’. You would allow your children to play with other children who had measles or mumps just because it was believed that it was better for them to get diseases when they were young. Usually they would not have any long-term effects.
When I was a young working gal I went to visit a distant sister, who had a big family. After the first night I discovered that two of her children were quarantined because of the measles in a back room and I was not allowed to see them. However, before I left I did go into that room and said goodbye and promised to come visit them soon.
I went back to my job after the weekend. Soon two children who lived in my rooming house came down with the measles and eventually I broke out into a rash also! I had allergies and was used to being told I had measles or chicken-pox or something else contagious! I learned to ignore because I knew many foods caused me to get a rash. When the doctor was called to see me and diagnosed me with having measles, I didn’t believe him! I did stay home from work for the required time, reluctantly.
Shortly after that, one of the ladies in my office had a still-born baby and she was never able to have children. Another couple down the street, whom I had spoken with for just a few minutes, lost twin boys by miscarriage!
Although my city was rampant with measles, I have always felt guilty about those I may have been responsible for infecting! I would gladly go back and get vaccinated if I could and erase the trauma those people were put through, possibly because of my refusal to obey the doctor.
For your own peace of mind, get vaccinated if you can! Don’t follow my lead.
A Repenting Senior
From the Herald archives: October, 1997
RECYCLER SHUTS DOWN OPERATION
LCC Waste Systems closed its Merritt doors today.
However, whether or not it starts up operation again is currently being reviewed.
Company owner Don Lougheed said he could not keep the recycling services going in Merritt because he was losing a lot of revenue every month.
“It’s just way too costly,” he said.
“I ’m tired of beating my head against the wall.”
According to Lougheed, LCC Waste Systems was losing approximately $2,400 a month.
LETTERS POLICY
The Merritt Herald welcomes your letters, on any subject, addressed to the editor. Letters must be signed and include the writer’s name and address. Letters may be edited for length, taste and clarity. Please keep letters to 300 words or less. Email letters to: newsroom@ merrittherald. com.
John Isaac
250-378-1586
F: 250-378-6184
www.royallepage.ca/merritt 3499 Voght Street, Merritt, BC
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