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Robert Viera (Barrie,ON), 7 days ago

The letter in your August 18 issue from Barrie Conservative riding association vice-president Shawn Bubel shows that, despite being in power for more than two and a half years, the Conservative government and their supporters remain unwilling to accept the inevitable criticism that comes with being the party in power. Instead they prefer to see a Liberal conspiracy behind every critical item in the media. The media has an important job to do, and that job includes more than just covering every cheque presentation, ribbon cutting, and charity event that Mr. Brown attends. I think that the federal Minister of Health, Tony Clement, who also attended the charity event mentioned in Mr. Bubel's letter, might take exception with Mr. Bubel's suggestion that health is only a provincial matter. I suspect that John Baird, the federal Minister of the Environment, would also disagree with Mr. Bubel that the environment is purely a provincial responsibility. I wonder why Mr. Brown needs to come to the people of Barrie with his hand out to raise money for the RVH when his government has already raised so much money from those same people through their federal taxes. Perhaps if Mr. Brown hadn't spent more than $100,000 on printing and advertising the federal government might have more to send to the provinces for hospitals.

Kim Beadman (Barrie,Ontario), 8 days ago

If the Barrie Police get a new station the provicial government should pay for it all.The reason i say this is because 80% of all crimes commited in Barrie are alcohol related so why should the property taxpayers have to pay for the provincial governments problem they created. I saw a Barrie police officer talking not too long ago on the First Local television call in forum about crime in Barrie and he said his fellow officers often joke that if there was no alcohol related crime in this city they would be out of a job.Thats true.The provincial government is building so many new LCBO and Beer stores in Barrie because they know this city consumes alcohol like no other place in Ontario.The alcohol related crime in Barrie is alarming.I never seen so many people driving drunk as in Barrie, domestic assults,people passed out all over the place downtown,fights,and numerous other bizarre alcohol related incidents.The current police station is only 15 years old and was built in a way that its useless to anybody else and probably can,t be resold.The taxpayers of Barrie should be outraged.

Jackie Jones (Barrie,Ontario), 15 days ago

In regards to your headline ,To build or not to build,Barrie does not need a new police station.Barrie needs more hospital beds than jail cells.Barrie needs a second hospital in Barrie,s South end. I would support that.If the Barrie police need more space and more jail cells they should move into the vacant Barrie jail and stop this crazy idea of ballooning the local police force up to 400 members as soon as possible.The expensive consultant hired by the city to examine the idea of a new police station will always recommend expansion.The Barrie Fire Services should be ashamed too for their demolition of the Barrie arena to make room for another firefighters social club.I will oppose the building of a new police station all the way.Taxpayers ,fight back.

Jennifer Robin (Barrie,Ontario), 28 days ago

I want to comment on the shooting of the dog by the Barrie Police.I read the story and i would like to know why a police officer would fire two warning shots into the ground before he killed the dog.Do the police think a dog is like a human and understands that warning shots means stop?That is the most ridiculous thing i ever heard a police officer doing.This has happened before in Barrie where a dog has been shot and killed by the police.I made the comment last time this happened that the Barrie Police should invest in a tranquillizer gun instead of tasers.Shame on the officer who killed the dog and shame on police chief Frechette for going public supporting his officers actions.This could have been handled differently.The chief says he is a dog owner and understands.I don,t believe him.Rest in peace, Waggs the dog.

Jack (Davis,Ontario), 1 month ago

Another bit of Patrick Brown's junk mail arrived in my box today. It's the second piece in a week. The content, as always, is disappointing. Mr. Brown invariably treats serious issues in the most juvenile and facile manner imaginable. He poses silly 'yes/no' questions about complex issues. I'm sure it's no coincidence that his party has relegated him to a seat as far from the front benches as possible. It is frustrating that Barrie is represented in national politics by a man who can offer us nothing but attack ads and dubious claims about his few accomplishments in Ottawa, such as his earlier misrepresentation that as a Federal politician he had anything to do with the arrival of the Go train in Barrie. That deal was sealed under the previous Liberal government, and Brown's limited role on City Council hardly belongs in his advertising now that he is in Federal politics. Whoever wins the next election, let's hope that Barrie is represented by someone who has the sense and maturity to approach the voters with substance and who can talk about accomplishments and ideas.

Peg (Barrie,ON), 1 month ago

Dear Editor,

Why did the paper feel it necessary to run Rick Hubbert's letter twice? It is clear he should have identified his connections to
Patrick Brown and the local Conservative party. Mrs. Spek's original letter was about a serious environmental issue threatening local tourism this summer. Rotting dead carp should be a priority for Brown's lake cleanup fund. At lot of lakefront owners, beach users
and municipalities need this problem dealt with. It is Hubbert's letter that is sour grapes!

Jennifer Cross (Newmarket,Ontario), 1 month ago

Very good comment Sydney.Another Toronto police officer from the same 31 division in Toronto is in jail at this moment for running a marijuana grow operation. Two Metro police officers and 3 jail guards were arrested in morning raids.I,m sick of police officers commiting crimes and getting suspended with full pay and benefits at the taxpayers expence.

Sidney Russell (Barrie,Ontario), 1 month ago

I was reading your local news this morning and i see another police officer charged with d.u.i. has beaten his drinking and driving rap. Last month a Barrie Police officer had his drinking and driving charges dropped.The latest police officer who beat his rap works for the Metro Toronto police.I,m sick of these police officers who wouldn,t hesitate to charge any member of the public with D.U.I. and ruin their lives but they drive drunk themselves and get off every time.It,s not fair.

johanne (victoria,b.c.), 2 months ago

i have been reading the story of the child with autism and the concern for her by her school aid. whether you believe in the abilities of psychics is not relevant here. I am a licensed child care worker in b.c. and i have worked with children with special needs for a long time. i feel compassion for all involved. the aid is duty bound to report suspected abuse based on reasonable information. i believe the psychic reading may only have been one indicator and i have faith that the child care worker is a responsible educator. remember she is duty bound and may have had other information.
Let the mother be angry about this...but know that people act in the best interest of your CHILD. - It is unfortunate that the mother and the school and the aid can't sit down and talk about all sides. learn from the situation - don't sue..be happy that your child is being looked out for. Move forward and good luck.
Put the child back in school - that is where she is most happy (from my experience in the field.)

Lisa (Barrie,Ontario), 2 months ago

I am writing in response to the article dated July 18, 2008 regarding “Psychic’s charge of abuse leaves Barrie mom fuming.

Being a mother of a 12-year-old non-verbal child who has a disability, the biggest fear that I have always had is that my daughter would be the perfect victim. Because of that fear, I have gone out of my way to watch out for her safety. When she is out of school, I know who she is with every single second of her day.

As a parent raising a child with a disability I have certainly had my fights with the Simcoe County District School Board on what I feel is right for her education and what they are failing to provide her, but I have also depended on the staff at her school to be her protectors while she is not in my care. I have to trust that they look out for her and want what is best for her. Not only is the teacher and E.A.’s the eye’s and ear’s for Simcoe County, but for us as parents as well.

It disgusts me more than I can express to read this article. A family raising an autistic child is not stressed enough so let’s throw horrible allegations about sexual abuse because of a psychic reading.

First: this educated, dependable and dedicated educational assistant would have to visit a psychic because he/she is unsure where his/her life is headed. Second: this ‘professional’ would have to approach the teacher with what this ‘so-called’ psychic told her. Then they would have to go back on Victoria’s recent behaviors as they are now all convincing themselves that this psychic who recalled the letter “V” knows what they are talking about. Third: the principal is approached who makes the final decisions. I am trying to imagine these conversations. “Mr. /Ms. So-and-so visited a psychic and was told someone starting with the letter “V” was being abused. Victoria has been putting her hands down her pants and gyrating against certain staff…”

Was Children’s Aid contacted at this point?

But wait! Dr. Lindy Zaretsky, superintendent at the school board with a portfolio in special education wants to protect the school boards actions, which is what they do in fear of their jobs. With all of the classes of ‘so-called professionals’ specifically trained to teach autistic children, is Victoria the only child, a pre-teen may I add, with new pre-puberty emotions that she cannot express or quite understand, the only child in all these classes that show these behaviors? Anyone that knows anything about autism knows that this is a common behavior.

Colleen Leduc: I am so sorry for what you and your family are currently going through. I cannot believe that your daughter’s education is now placed on hold with uncertainty of where it can go now and that your trust in the SCDSB has been torn from you because of the words of an insecure E. A. who depends on a psychic. I know our children depend so much on routine and we depend so much on the support of Simcoe County. Parents who have children with Autism have fought so hard for this class and one simple-minded idiot created such grief is unbelievable. I am so sorry for what you and your family are going through and you definitely deserve an apology. Your daughter deserves it too! Stay strong as you have always been and don’t give up. MAKE SURE YOU GET THAT APOLOGY…