At the bottom of all local stories published on BarrieToday, readers have the option of submitting feedback. Here's a snapshot of what readers had to say about what was making news over the last week:
Oct. 6
MTO acquires five homes for demolition to build new Sunnidale bridge
I would like to make two points. First, although we should not expect a lot of common sense from government, no matter which party is in power, it does seem particularly ignorant for the Ministry of Transportation not to have included bicycle lanes and pedestrian sidewalks on both sides of this bridge. After all, we are dealing with climate change and working to persuade people to drive less in future. Second, I am hoping that the Ministry of Transportation will act intelligently (is that too much to hope?) and reserve two or three lanes on the 400 for through traffic; vehicles which have no intention of exiting to Barrie. The remaining lanes will then be available for Barrie drivers to use as a north-south expressway, as we have been doing ever since the road was built. But these lanes will not be bunged up with through traffic as they so often are on Friday and Sunday afternoons! — Peter B.
City's financial forecast for next 20 years appears bleak and 'frightening'
The real answer to this problem is that cities — all Ontario's municipalities — must be given additional revenue from sources other than the property tax. One obvious potential resource should be motor vehicles. Much of what the city spends is for motor vehicle infrastructure and maintenance — paving, plowing, policing, etc., of roads. To me it makes sense that car owners should pay for this directly. (Full disclosure: my wife and I have two cars.) The single largest line item in the budgets of all cities is policing. If we are to achieve savings, policing must stop being a "sacred cow." They must participate in the process — let them make suggestions how they can reduce expenditures by — say 10 per cent. They will claim they cannot. We have to respond "You must!" After all, crime statistics keep coming down... — Peter B.
Oct. 4
COLUMN: Nothing heats up a marriage like cold granite, wool sweaters and a sheet of ice
Welcome Shawn (and wife) to a fabulous culture and people at the Barrie Curling Club. You both will thoroughly enjoy the experience and participation, I’m sure! — Mike V.
Oct. 3
What will downtown Barrie look like a decade down the road?
Great overview of the challenges and opportunities facing downtown. Although I no longer live downtown, I try to get down most weekends, at least. Kudos to the small business owners who have taken a chance downtown! There are lots of great local businesses! Practical needs like a pharmacy will be met, I'm sure, as the number of customers increase when condos are completed. Beyond that, I think good marketing will help get more new residents downtown. The social issues exist in all larger cities and I want to see tolerance and acceptance of all people downtown. Personally, seeing people struggling doesn’t stop me from enjoying the businesses and activities downtown. — Eleanor A.
First Nations communities could still get help from city with water services
It’s a shame that we’re needing to have to contribute to this as we already have to the feds to do so. If the federal government would do their job, we wouldn’t have to. Instead of giving all our monies away to help other countries, we should be helping this country first. Charity begins at home. They should of had good water decades ago by now. — Mike B.
Sept. 30
Solicitor General's office says superjail policing costs could be reduced with new billing model
Perhaps Penentang should have kept their own police service before being low balled price-wise by the OPP. — Bernie H.
Sept. 29
Rogers' new Pro On-The-Go service rolled out today in Barrie
What is the point of having Pro-on-the-Go services when the Rogers base services: internet, TV and home phone, don’t work on a daily basis? The Riverwood Farms area in north Barrie has been without those services for several hours daily since as far back as May for many and it is getting worse. We are paying top dollar for these services and the one time credits are a fraction of what we have paid and not had the benefit of. Rogers acknowledges that due to the age of the neighbourhood, it all needs rewiring but choose to offer rarely used Pro Services rather than fix the bread and butter products due to the cost. Repairs are on a complaint basis only and take out the whole area while being done. Suspect it is no different in Tall Trees, Allandale, and other older areas. — Sharon F.
Sept. 27
Springwater woman 'terrified' by Wilson-Carson intersection outside Barrie
With another subdivision being built around that corner, it's inevitable that planning did not take in the amount of traffic that occurs as a result. Perhaps we should have an overpass so drivers don't need to wait to cross. This road services traffic off Hwy. 26 and Toronto on weekends and Seadon Road didn't exist till recently. I have lived and used this route for over 50 yrs. — Mary Anne L.
