Letters, Sept. 24

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/09/2022 (825 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

‘Problem house’ was full of love

Re: Neighbours demand fast-tracked demolition of Wellington Crescent problem house (Sept. 21)

Reading the story about the proposed demolition of the 93-year-old home at 1188 Wellington Cres. has left me with a deep sadness.

I am the grandson of Richard R. Collard who, as president of Commonwealth Construction Company, had this house designed and built; he and his wife (my grandmother Mildred) and family resided there for many years.

Their home had a beautiful rose garden in back, and was carefully maintained throughout the time it served as the Collard family residence. Christmases, birthday celebrations and many other gatherings of family and friends were truly joyful occasions in this loving home over the years.

Whenever I would drive, walk or ride my bicycle past this house, it would bring back many poignant memories of my grandparents and family.

While I understand and, under the current circumstances, agree with the need to demolish this house, I am very sad that some of the most recent owners have allowed this once beautiful and happy home to decline to its present state of disrepair. Although it will likely be taken down, I will carry in my heart the many wonderful memories that were created there.

Richard Condo

Winnipeg

Unfortunately, this is an all-too-frequent story: a formerly distinguished house has been allowed to sit vacant and fall into neglect. We have walked past this house in the past year and appreciated the once-stately mansion, which had a storied history and had undergone numerous renovations, and the many mature trees on the expansive property, which likely will be removed by the developer.

When will the city take steps to ensure the endless destruction of viable homes and mature trees in established neighbourhoods will cease?

Karen Solomon

Winnipeg

Queen’s service had limits

Re: Queen’s service exclusionary (Letters, Sept. 22)

As the rector of St. John’s Anglican Cathedral, I write in response to the letter from Stephanie Fingerote on the queen’s service here at the cathedral as exclusionary.

We can seat safely, within the requirements of the fire department, 300 or so people. There is simply no physical way we could have opened the doors to any and all who might have wanted to join us, as much as I would have liked to see that happen.

We wished to invite a wide spectrum of people, leaders themselves representing many more, including about 40 MLAs, about 25 military leaders, about 35 religious leaders, from Christian and other traditions, and several grand chiefs and other Indigenous and Métis leaders, along with leadership of a variety of community groups and organizations.

We also had about 30 musicians participating in the service. There were actually some just plain folks there, too, including about 40 from the cathedral congregation.

I appreciate very much Stephanie’s concern, but I would point out also that, as the Manitoba service for her late majesty, we were at our level, the equivalent of the late queen’s funeral service in Westminster Abbey, where there were only 2,000 or so people from the entire world. That also was by invitation only, based strictly on safe capacity.

May Queen Elizabeth rest in peace and rise in glory. God save King Charles III.

The Very Rev. Paul N. Johnson

Winnipeg

Define limits on nuclear use

Re: Nuclear posturing exposes Putin’s weakness (Opinion, Sept. 23)

If columnist Max Boot knows how a line can be drawn between strategic nuclear war, tactical nuclear weapon use and direct NATO engagement with Russian forces, he should tell us. Otherwise, his comments amount simply to a game of Russian roulette.

Norman Rosenbaum

Winnipeg

Plan to return toppled statues

Re: Divine inspiration drives downtown green plan (Sept. 19)

Toppled statues should return (Opinion, Sept. 10).

Thank you to Cathy Campbell and Holy Trinity Anglican Church for working toward a garden beltway along Graham Avenue — what a great idea!

Thank you, as well, to Carl DeGurse for his recent column that ended with this: “It’s time to free the damaged pieces from their clandestine confinement. Winnipeg doesn’t need to hide its rejection of the ugly aspects of colonialism.” Well said.

The project DeGurse suggested would cost big bucks. There are other options that would be quick, cheap and easy.

Let’s stick Queen Victoria’s head back on her body, return the statue to its pedestal, and return Queen Elizabeth to her location on the grounds of Government House. In both locations, we will install plaques outlining the events of Canada Day 2021, much like the streetcar on Main Street.

The location of Queen Victoria’s monument, directly in front of the Manitoba Legislature, is the most prominent location in the province when it comes to Manitoba politics. What a great place for a lesson on the dark side of colonialism.

If this idea doesn’t fly, how about a gallery of statues along our new garden beltway on Graham Avenue?

Rich North

Winnipeg

Collect COVID-19 fines

Re: Ninety per cent of $8.5 million in Manitoba COVID-19 tickets unpaid (Sept. 21)

It is a slap in the face of all of us who abided by rules for the health of society. I hope these fines will be collected, otherwise there will be less incentive, less of a deterrent, the next time we need to have people follow rules.

It is like a mother saying to a misbehaving child that there are consequences to their behaviour, but the mom does not follow through so the child learns they can do what they want.

Eleonore Dyck

Winnipeg

Trustee candidates disturbing

Re: Public-health order scofflaws, anti-vaxxer among those running for election (Sept. 22)

Heaven help us if the likes of Patrick Allard and Todd McDougall were ever provided the opportunity to impose their mindsets upon the public education system as school trustees.

We’ve all been through enough as it is. I see no need to prolong the suffering.

Dan Donahue

Winnipeg

Make composting election issue

Re: Time to make green dream a reality (Editorial, Sept 19)

I was so pleased to read the very well-written editorial on citywide composting. I have been waiting patiently for years to have a composting service rolled out for all Winnipeggers.

Although I have my own yard composter, it cannot handle many items a commercial system can take, such as meat, bones and compostable containers.

Having visited Calgary many times, I’ve experienced the convenience and practicality of city compost pickup.

Why can most other major Canadian cities have this service and we still lag behind? How is this not an election issue?

Joyce Loftson

Winnipeg

Seek N.D. advice on roads

My wife and I recently took a four-day vacation in the United States. It is amazing how the quality of Highway 75 changes for the better south of the border.

The road conditions travelling south from Winnipeg to the Emerson border crossing are terrible, but once into North Dakota, the condition of the roads is so much better. Why is this so? We experience the same weather.

Perhaps the companies that construct Manitoba roads would do well to consult with those companies that do the same thing in N.D.

Ken Butchart

Winnipeg