New gaming effort offensive
Sir: I received a flyer this week from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, who are now trying to run a new bingo gaming site on Upper Canada Drive.
They must think we're idiots.
Do they think we've forgotten about Hiawatha Slots and the people who lost their jobs, not to mention the loss of a great entertainment venue?
I believe they said the reason for the closure was that they were not making enough money, not no money, just not enough. I wonder how long it will be before they close this new place down for the same reason?
The flyer states: "Did you know? When you play, you are also supporting charities within your community." Well I have a better deal, let's cut out the middleman (OLG) and give even more to those local charities, instead of padding the provincial coffers.
If, like me, you find this new effort to take our money offensive and obscene, do as your MPP advises and send him an email, and good luck getting past the gatekeeper.
F.G. Smith
Sarnia
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Be careful with pointing fingers
Sir: Re: Fordie Smith letter, “Why didn't churches help homeless shelter?”
Common sense tells me that I shouldn't respond to this letter, but common sense lost the battle.
Mr. Smith seems to be very accomplished at pointing fingers - "church groups" who didn't help River City Vineyard with its very successful court battle; "uncaring and mismanaged Sarnia city council"; "NIMBY" neighbourhood locals (I guess that would be me).
My question is - what did he personally do to help the Vineyard in their mission to shelter the homeless. Did he give $$$ till it hurt?
Is he a volunteer who helps with administration?
I was told last summer by a gentleman who was volunteering by working on the church’s impressive garden that they need volunteers. I sure hope Mr. Smith is coming forward to fill the need. It’s a golden opportunity to put his money and energy where his mouth is.
And, in closing, would he be happy to have his neighbourhood disrupted (and possibly devalued) by a homeless shelter next door? If so, I'm sure a local church and/or organization would be happy to make that happen.
Janet MacKey
Sarnia
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Hey ref. Am I bleeding?
Sir: I’d like to comment on the officiating and reporting of a recent hockey game between the Sarnia Sting and London Knights.
Years ago if somebody did something to you on the ice and you came back to the bench whining, your teammates would call you a suck.
Now, you just roll on the ice, grab your lip or chin, and run to the ref.
Well, the refs do call it. Sting players have been called. It’s not that hard a call to make. It’s pretty noticeable when a guy falls backwards to the ice. So, they make the call.
It’s like the high stick on Jacobs the other night. He was cut and there was no call, no ref huddle, to see if someone saw the infraction.
Maybe it’s the team the Sting are playing (London). Maybe it’s just four blind mice.
Cam Ross
Sarnia
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Dancing with the stars
Sir: The Alzheimer's Society of Sarnia Lambton is pleased to announce our Jan. 23 Dancing With the Stars event was a huge success.
We want to thank all the generous sponsors and the community for their support, as well as the stars and dancers who made the show a sparkling evening for those attending.
The winning dance pair in Year One was Stephanie Chaves of Blackburn Radio and pro partner Brian Slaughter.
The Alzheimer's Society hopes to announce details of next year’s event and fundraising totals soon.
Eve Morgan-Langille
Event Coordinator
Alzheimer Sarnia-Lambton
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Take care of our own
Sir: Re: Should we fear Muslims entering Canada
With all due respect to all cultures, not just Muslims, I do strongly believe that we should take care of our own first.
Once we have taken care of our own then we can support other nationalities that would love to live in a country as rich as this.
With all due respect, unless we get our own people back to work, instead of allowing them to stay at home, living off the system, how can we bring other people in?
Deborah Bruce
Sarnia