Your letters to the editor, Ottawa Sun
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SURPRISE QUESTIONS
Our prime minister received an eye-opener as well as an earful at a packed banquet hall when he tangled with Kathy Katula from Buckhorn, regarding her unaffordable heat and hydro bills.
Justin Trudeau appeared quite taken aback by her direct remarks, and his desperate reply did not appear that helpful. This was something that I don’t think he counted on.
However, he did manage to stickhandle his way through most of the questioning he faced throughout his travels.
I believe that his experience with the real world had to be helpful, but at the same time I think he just wanted to be sure he was still loved by all Canadians and have his picture taken.
Bill Webb, Ottawa
(He doesn’t seem to be getting much love.)
HERO
The word hero gets tossed about freely but it aptly describes Kathy Katula. She’s a hero for conquering serious physical difficulties and somehow managing to still work 15 hours a day and provide for herself and her family. She’s a hero for surviving at near-poverty levels caused by the odious tax burden placed on her and every Canadian, and she’s a hero for pointing all of this out face-to-face to the prime minister, leaving him flustered.
Kathy Katula has put a face to the reality that faces millions of Canadians every day by calling out the political elites at every government level. She is my hero.
Claude Frechette, Gatineau
(She speaks for many.)
FEAR THE FEMINISTS
The Harper Government, which Howard Anglin was a part of, could have been responsible and abolished the “token” Status of Women minister, but more likely did not because they didn’t want to deal with a few fit-throwing feminists.
They’re appeasing special interests instead of addressing modern discrimination against women, which has far more to do with ageism against young and old job applicants and bilingualism requirements, which serve similar special interest groups instead of the common person’s needs.
Gail Seymour, Ottawa
(Point taken.)
TIME FOR PEDESTRIAN LANES
Reading that sidewalks will be widened in the Elgin Street redevelopment, I picture an open, welcoming space for pedestrians. In planning the redevelopment, I suggest the term “pedestrian lane.” Similar to bicycle lanes, it would keep in mind having dedicated space on sidewalks for pedestrians to move freely and unobstructed.
While sidewalks in Ottawa’s suburbs are pedestrian lanes, this isn’t always the case on downtown streets. During decades of walking throughout Ottawa’s downtown, I’ve seen many people walk into, or suddenly avoid, fire hydrants, waste containers, plant containers, trees, hydro poles, guy wires, lamp posts, bicycle racks, traffic signs, parking signs, parking meters, ticket dispensers, benches, salt/sand containers, temporary business signs and temporary eating areas.
If possible, pedestrian lanes would, at least, allow for two pedestrians to walk side-by-side or to comfortably pass each other. This might also help pedestrians stay on the sidewalk instead of stepping into bicycle lanes or the roadway or having to wait for oncoming pedestrian traffic to pass before proceeding.
Alan Starcher, Ottawa
(An obstacle course isn’t your idea of a nice stroll up Elgin?)
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