Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I wanted to write in about the new roundabout on 43 at South Gower Dr. I use it often as I live close by, and I love it! I feel so much safer and I usually catch myself both sighing with relief and smiling because it is such a great change! I know there are people who live close by to it who were concerned about it, and I sincerely hope it is working out for them.

Bradlee Zrudlo

Dear Editor,

Well, wasn't that a weekend! What an amazing place Kemptville is. We have the best music festival and the most well coordinated, professional and friendly volunteers around. As per Peter Johnson's article last week, “A rock & roll song”, we

Have we seriously lost any trace of common sense? I understand the interest created by the “theory” of how much Earth money this asteroid would be worth, but are the people writing these articles honestly believing that this totally worthless asteroid is the solution to all of the world’s problems? The belief that money is some magic outside force that can make goods and services appear out of thin air has to be one of the most brainless things I have ever read. And last week, I was reading about it on the websites of news agencies that really ought to know better.

Money is nothing more than a standardized barter system. If you were stranded alone on an island with no hope of rescue anytime soon, would you rather have a box of food or a box of $100 bills? Anyone with common sense would choose the food. The money has no value beyond what someone else is willing to give you for it. When there is no one around to barter with, the money may as well be firewood, and it won’t burn for long. Take the food! Capitalism is great. Why? Because it encourages hard work and contribution to society through the promise of reward. But we can’t lose sight of what money is supposed to represent. In its purest form, money represents what a person has done for society and for others. If I work 8 hours in a meat processing plant (as I used to every day, many years ago), then I receive a certain amount of money that puts a value on that contribution to others’ nutrition. I can then put my money toward shelter, a variety of food for myself, other necessities, and more. The money I pay to others acknowledges the work they’ve done for me, and they can get necessities as well. And so on.

Money helps us to be more efficient, and helps society avoid conflict (although a wise woman who happened to be my grandmother once told me that “the root of all evil is money”). The efficiency comes from the fact that people can learn one skill, one craft, one role in society and perfect it, while still having the rest of their needs met by the fruit of others’ labour, with contributions measured fairly by the exchange of money. My contributions are providing education and childcare to children, bringing news to North Grenville and North Dundas residents, and facilitating counselling services for those in need of mental health help. I am not skilled in house building, water purification, or farming (to name a few of the hundreds of things that I directly or indirectly pay others to do for me), so I rely on others just as others rely on me to show up for work every day for their lifestyle to be possible.

The avoidance of conflict that money brings comes from the fact that even if everyone did have the skills and knowledge to do everything for themselves, it would surely lead to violence and competition for resources, which would wipe out the population. A structured society with governance and efficient industry is therefore necessary for us to lead the lives we do.

What would someone do for you in exchange for $1 billion of iron, nickel and gold, if they also had $1 billion worth of iron, nickel and gold? Absolutely nothing, except perhaps an act of kindness. The monetary value that we place on goods and services depends on the usefulness those goods and services bring for those who receive them. Starving people don’t care whether or not all that glitters is gold. They care about where their next meal is going to come from. Instead of worrying about get rich quick schemes – and the embarrassing articles from clickbait news agencies that promote these ridiculous ideas – worry about what you can do for society, both today and in general with your gift of life. A fortune not earned is nothing to be proud of. can't screw this up. Most people probably don't realize the hard work and time of volunteers to put on a music festival. Most people don't realize that many profits of recycling all the beverage cans and money put into tip jars goes back into the community. This festival needs more recognition and support from NG Council. It is unfortunate that all the hype for the IPM does not apply to Kemptville Live. I don't think that people realize what we have here in the community and more visibility and support needs to go into it. I agree with Mr. Johnson that the Municipality needs to take a more active role in helping the festival in every way possible and not making it difficult! Music heals the soul. If there are more photo opportunities to be had, let’s see more promoting of this festival. I know we have a Mayor who likes to have her picture taken, let;s put her to work promoting and financially supporting this festival next year. We don't want to lose this gem!!

Rose Daly Music fan!!

Dear Editor,

It would appear to me that the column “Tid bit musings” by Elva Patterson Rutters RSSW aligns with my thoughts. I applaud NG Times for including Ms. Patterson Rutters’ column for her insight, including common sense, at times overlooked. “Tid Bit Musings” offers a person something to think about while including a bit of humour in the mix.

Josephine Herman

Dear Editor, Why do so many dump trucks have to use the route on south Prescott Street? It is constant from early morning until evening. Back and forth. Where do they go to and from? Where are they building? Why is there no alternative route instead of through the town? This has been continual for two or three years now. There is already heavy traffic on this street. It is a “street”, not a “road” or “highway”. Besides steady travel of the dump trucks, are other kinds of heavy equipment passing through. Very poor planning with little consideration for the residents in this area.

K. Piché