Letters to the editor

C6

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3 Comment(s)

Re: Letter published Oct. 26, called The constable should have been reprimanded

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This letter is in response to a letter written by Frank J. Barton with reference to Fredericton Police Cst. Nancy Rideout's quoted comments.

I find that Cst. Rideout's comments were totally appropriate and well said.

According to Mr. Barton, she stated that "If I had the authority I would have the students work to clean up garbage or do things around the school or even work at the homeless shelter instead of a fine."

Cst. Rideout expressed her opinion, which she is allowed to do, just like any other citizen in Canada, thanks to freedom of speech.

She clearly and unequivocally stated that, in any event, she did not have that authority.

Why would we want to "reprimand" a hard working constable for thinking outside the box?

I for one will not call for a reprimand. However, perhaps a well deserved pat on the back for doing a sometimes thankless job is in order.

I agree with Cst. Nancy Rideout 100 per cent on alternative measures, as I don't think that court or a fine is appropriate in every case. Most times the parents pay the fine of the child.

Let's not forget that this case is not about the Fredericton Police Force and one of its members. It is about a fight.

Cst. Rideout is on the ground daily at that school. I would suggest that she knows what she's doing!

Gilles J. Blinn

Nasonworth, N.B.

What a kind, honest person I have found

Re: The kindness of strangers

I am writing a few lines about honesty.

On Oct. 14 I gave a cheque to my son-in-law to get cashed for me. He went to the doctor and came back and said he lost my cheque, perhaps in the doctor's office.

They said if they found it they would call me.

About an hour after he left, I had a knock at the door. I looked out the window and saw a white car in my driveway. The woman at the door asked me if I had lost a cheque. I said yes.

Then she asked me if I was Dorothy Price, again I said yes. She had found my cheque.

I asked where and she said outside Shoppers Drug Mart. She noticed it on the ground. She said she was going to leave it lying there but because it had a name on it, she picked it up.

She couldn't find my phone number so she drove to my house.

I sure was lucky and truly say that woman is a real honest person.

I asked her name but forgot it, but remembered the village where she lived is where I was born - Stanley.

I would like to say if the woman reads this, please call me at 457-4066 and give me your name.

I would like to say thank you again for being so kind in bringing back the cheque.

As long as I live I will remember you.

I hope we will be able to find more people like you.

Dorothy Price

Lincoln, N.B.

We need an independent senate

Re: Letter published Oct. 24 called

The heavy burden of political hypocrisy

Wendell Fulton's letter reminds us that although Canadian Liberals are an endangered species, they are not yet extinct.

Points:

1. The laws of Canada can only be amended by parliament.

2. The Senate must approve any change of Canada's laws.

3. Canada's Senate is stacked with Liberal appointees who will not allow a triple-E senate, which would mean many giving up their positions.

4. Therefore, the only way to get a triple-E senate is to change the Senate, over time, by the current laws of Canada, which means Prime Minister Stephen Harper holding his nose and appointing senators who are more likely to agree with his plans for senate reform.

Anyone without a big "L" tattoo should understand that.

If you want my "druthers," I would like to see a senate that is independent of party affiliations altogether, truly a "chamber of sober second thought."

Does anyone think that is what we have now?

Stuart Mills

Fredericton

This is going to take teamwork

Re: Climate change

Climate change is influencing our lives, so the upcoming Copenhagen Climate Conference is important.

How can we ignore the billion dollar weather disasters and upsurge in extreme weather events such as the forest fires in British Columbia and wildfires in California, Greece and Australia and drought in Ethiopia and Kenya?

Global warming trends stalled in 1998 but still the Arctic had summer temperatures that have been only this warm once before in the last 200,000 years.

BBC has acknowledged that although carbon emissions have increased, the temperature has not. We have become skeptical because of climate paranoia, apocalyptic language and believe they are exaggerated.

Credible writers like George Will and H. Leighton Steward, in articles and books, use national and international studies to challenge the myths of global warming and the damaging effects of carbon dioxide.

Climate change is caused by many things and it will take teamwork to fix it.

Harold Phalen

Fredericton

Money will help with Huntington's research

Re: Successful fundraiser

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who supported the Huntington's Disease quilt raffle and made donations to the Huntington Society of Canada.

Also I would like to thank Mayor Brad Woodside for drawing the winning ticket on Oct. 17, which went to Nova Scotia. The money collected goes toward research for a cure for the disease.

Marie Colwell

Fredericton

Your support for Special Olympics was amazing

Re: Special Olympics tag days fundraiser

I am the parent of a Special Olympics athlete.

This past weekend you may have noticed a number of Special Olympics athletes in front of the New Brunswick liquor stores in Fredericton and Oromocto. These athletes were raising money for their sport programs in the area.

We had a very successful fundraiser and I would like to thank all the residents of Fredericton who were so generous in helping out these athletes.

My daughter was elated every time someone dropped two cents or $5 in her cup. Her sense of accomplishment was awe inspiring.

I was amazed at the number of people who went out of their way to give. Some went to their cars to get change, some even went back into the store and lined up at the cash to get change to be able to support this program.

Others even offered to volunteer with the organization.

Hats off to all of you who felt compelled to support these athletes. Your generosity is truly appreciated.

Debbie Thomas

New Maryland, N.B.