Letters | What on earth was council thinking?
Published Saturday June 27th, 2009
Re: FredRock concert
This letter is directed to Mayor Brad Woodside.
I am writing to express my astonishment that an event such as FredRock was allowed in a residential area.
We live many blocks away, and our windows were rattling last night. We could hear every note, every drum beat.
It must have been absolutely horrible for the people who live closer to the exhibition grounds. Our kids are older now, but I can only imagine how difficult it has been this weekend for parents with young children, unable to get them to sleep.
Saturday night was bad enough, but allowing such an event to continue through Sunday, on a work night, is inexcusable.
Hundreds of people must be furious about this, and I only hope your "inbox" is full on Monday morning.
Who decided that the fun of some people (and the profits of the organizers) should count more than the sleep and comfort of many more?
What on earth was city council thinking?
Frederictonians embrace many other outdoor musical events, like the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival and the summer concerts in Officers' Square.
But we've never been forced to listen for hours at top-volume, in our own neighbourhood, whether we want to or not.
Willa Stevenson
Fredericton
System needs to be changed
Re: Impaired driving case in Moncton
Recently a driver in Moncton, who was involved in a fatality, was was found not guilty of impaired driving because of a police procedural error.
No wonder we have no confidence in our judicial system.
It is evident that something happened.
A teen girl is dead.
If he wasn't suspected of being impaired, the officer would not have taken a breathalyzer test.
If he was not impaired, he would have willingly offered to take the breathalyzer test.
Our judicial system needs to be changed.
When a suspected crime is committed, the procedure of gathering evidence should not stand in favour of the defence.
This is why so many people won't vote on election day.
They have no faith in the political system and no faith in the courts.
Both are failing us terribly.
Gordon Mowry
Williamsburg, N.B.
It's the city's duty to intervene
Re: Regulating actions of private businesses
It is not only the right of the City of Fredericton and all municipal governments to limit, regulate and prohibit the actions of private businesses within the city limits, it is their duty.
This is why we do not have oil refineries in the heart of downtown. This is why we do not have nickel smelters next to nursing homes and daycare centres. This is what makes a city livable.
The idea expressed in The Daily Gleaner editorial that municipal governments do not play a role in deciding what private businesses can and cannot do is just plain wrong. The evidence is all around us.
From coast to coast in this country bus terminals are centrally located.
This is not due to chance or the fact that running a bus station in Saskatoon is more profitable.
It is because municipal governments have stepped in and decided that inter-city bus service should be accessible and centrally located. In the exact same way we would expect and demand that city council deny the right of a private business to locate an oil refinery right downtown, we should expect and demand that city council deny the right of a bus terminal to move out of town.
Dave Steele
Fredericton
Concerned over decision
Re: Pets on planes
I am extremely concerned about Air Canada's recent decision to allow pets in the cabin of airplanes.
As an asthmatic, the $300 cost (on average) of my monthly medications places a burden on me.
And now, to learn that I can no longer control my asthma when travelling, basically tells me that I will no longer be travelling.
I have changed my life, all to improve my health (which reduces my overall health care costs to the medicare system).
I quit smoking, lost 100 pounds of excess weight and exercise every day.
After working so hard to take control of my health, it is so upsetting to hear that Air Canada allows pets on board.
It's like the world just closed its doors on me and I am trapped.
How many asthma attacks, COPD episodes, analphylaxis scares or deaths must occur before this policy is changed?
Remember, it's Canadians who will be footing the bill when those attacks occur. If I must travel (for a funeral, etc.), I will most definitely suffer from an asthma attack - the costs of which will be sent to the taxpayer.
This affects all Canadians - not just those with allergies/breathing diseases.
I feel discriminated against because of my health status.
There are millions of other Canadians, just like me, who struggle to breathe every day.
We should have the option of travelling, just like every other Canadian out there.
Louise Steeves
Esteys Bridge, N.B.
Disabled
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Comments (12)
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The government has legislation in place regulating industry and environment, not "private business". Oil refineries and ore processing plants use methods and materials to achieve their end product that are harmful and need to be regulated and inspected. Acadien Lines is a service, not an industry.
How would you like it if the City Council demanded your Free Trade Coffee shop leave town because all the social rejects who mull around outside were bothering private residents? Please use logic.