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RR#1 Nipissing (Debbie Lamb,Ontario), 12 days ago

I have received alot of e-mails asking to boycott Esso and Shell. Unfortunatly, one is never sure where the smaller stations get there gas from. Anyway buying gas from another station is still buying gas. There are a small group of us in northern ontario trying to push for a BUY NO GAS DAY. Can you magine the millions of gallons of fuel that would just sit if for one day Canadians just said No. July 5, 2008 let us all stand together and send a very loud message to the fat cats controlling the fuel and JUST SAY NO!!!

victoria (johanne,bc), 17 days ago

it sounds like your reader named eric has at least put some thought and energy into what should happen in down town Barrie....over the last many years downtown has suffered terribly form poor planning....this is a huge opportunity to do something really that will make a difference to the down town core....good for you eric. come on people...let's talk about it....what do you have to say...what would you like to see.....

Barrie (Suzanne C,Ontario), 17 days ago

I applaud Mr. Jackson in his attempt to install a wind turbine. I am hopeful Barrie Council will support this project.

Barrie (Micheal Sampson,Ontario), 18 days ago

Good comment from Scott regarding Patrick Brown,s needless and expensive mailings.Patrick Brown spends more than any other MP on self promotion at taxpayers expence.I will never vote for him again.

Barrie (Tammy White,Ontario), 18 days ago

I was shocked by the details of the case against Barrie businessman Les Fox that were reported by your paper at his sentencing for possesion of child pornography last week.I have never heard of children been treated like that before.Something thing i found disturbing at his sentencing is that Leslie Foxes employer Park Place Aquisition told the court that thousands of jobs for Barrie will be on hold if he goes to jail.I will never go anywhere close to Park Place with me,my wife, or my children as long as Leslie Fox is working on site.I,m totally disgusted.Mr. Fox should have been given six years in jail instead of six months for what he did.

Barrie (Erik Meyerhoffer,Ontario), 18 days ago

Here are my 2 cents worth regarding the proposed hotel/convention centre. We have a fantastic opportunity laying at our feet at the foot of Bayfield St. Close your eyes and imagine the following at Five Points; a really cool looking hotel on the NW corner of Five Points. A 25-30 story tall structure that looks great in photographs and publicity shots, that has an observation deck/ restaurant/patio on top. The 'view' will become the selling feature for repeat visits. Anyone who lives in this area will want to bring all their visiting friends to have a look. In order to fascilitate this we need to relocate the existing businesses into an (unfortunatly) already empty storefront downtown. The positives of a plan like this would be many. First of all would be the fact that we would be starting with a clean slate of an entire block that already has all the infrastructure of hydro and water already there. No need to expropriate precious parkland at the waterfront. The convention centre part would need to be able to accomodate groups of up to 1000 people, bigger than Nottawasaga, so there will be no direct competition for miles(kms) for that business dollar. An enterprise of this nature would also create 100's of much needed jobs. From entry level minimum wage positions to mid level to corporate managment, there would be more jobs available to the average Barrie resident.
There would also a possible tie-in with Georgian College and their hospitality program.
So to recap...saving parkland at the waterfront, creating 100's of jobs, giving Barrie a rcognizable landmark, those all sound like parts to a good plan to me. I'm sure there are also negatives associated with a plan such as this, but let's get the dialog started. I realize that alot of groundwork has already gone into the newest plan for downtown, but no one ever planned the fire, so we now have an excellent opportunity to plan how that fire, lets us, as a community, rebuild.

Barrie (Kristine S.,Ontario), 19 days ago

Re: 14 year old struck by ATV (18Apr08)
When is something going to be done about these ATV's, dirt bikes, cars, trucks and SUV's that are driving on the "trails" near Miller Drive that are clearly posted "No Motorized Vehicles"?? I was nearly hit by a dirt bike while walking my dog last summer. A neighbor's child was playing in his backyard when he was nearly struck by a rock that was trajected from a vehicle that was speeding along the "trail" 15 feet from their backyard. I've reported these trespassers several times to the police and have seen no action. I've seen the police attend once and give the driver a "warning" and 15 minutes later, the same vehicle returned. I've gone to Barrie Hydro to see if they can block access to these "trails" and also to the owner of the property. They say nothing can be done. It would be too expensive to put up fencing or additional cement blocks.
Can't the City of Barrie step in and put up more effective barriers for the safety of those walking their dogs or enjoying a bicycle ride?

Barrie (Scott Harradine,Ontario), 23 days ago

Letter to the editor

Our MP (Most Printing) P. Brown’s buddies in Ottawa are proceeding with a bill (C-10) that will restrict government funding of the arts, movies/TV shows etcetera, that they deem to be offensive. In that same spirit I propose they also consider restricting government funding of useless direct mail surveys and newspaper ads from our local MP that I find are also quite offensive.

Barrie (Mark Thomas,Ontario), 24 days ago

Shame on the Barrie council for another round of outrageous tax increases to our property,water and sewer rates.This city is getting to be a rip off to live in.The Barrie council tries to make us feel better knowing that we are getting another 12 firefighters and 8 police but thats the problem. We dion,t need them and their outrageous salaries,back pay and other benefits are the reason our property taxes are so high now. 45 out of 116 firefighters in Barrie make over one hundred thousand dollars a year and they can retire five years early than anybody else with full pensions.The Barrie fire services is more of a social club now with private exercise facilities,free food,free coffee,and non alcohol drinks.Thats just the perks for being on stand by.New Barrie police officers should only be hired when they are being paid by the provincial government who were boasting of a" hire 1,000 new cops" campain during the last election.Te Barrie police are seven percent over budget this year.This will be the norm every year unless the citizens of this city say enough is enough.Shame on both of these mismanaged departments.

Barrie (Marlene Minty,Ont), 28 days ago

Regarding the little dog running loose on Monday in the Big Bay Point Rd. & Bayview area. Yes, he was reunited with his owners -- thank goodness. He and his sister escaped from the yard on Sunday night. We spent much of the night searching and calling for them. Monday morning we made phone calls and kept searching. Finally, we made a call to police and they informed us they had been in pursuit for several hours of a "pooch" in that area. We headed out and found him quickly. He was definately exhausted and disoriented, but safe and unharmed! We are sooo thankful. Not so good for his sister. It is now Thursday and we are still searching for her. There are posters up in much of the area and also at the OSPCA in Barrie, Orillia. You will also find her photo on Kijiji Barrie website. Please, take the time to take a look. We really miss her and are worried sick. If anyone spots her or knows of her whereabouts, we will gladly offer a reward in return.