LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Engaging citizens to help environment

Re: City hall faces challenges to meet greenhouse gas reduction goals (SP, Jan. 16) The City of Saskatoon is definitely headed in the right direction with its public outreach efforts to try to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Our excessive consumption of fossil fuels has increased the amount of trapped gases in our atmosphere, which causes chaos for the overall environment. These frequently seen consequences include extreme weather events, climate change and increased cases of respiratory disease.

Instead of the emphasis given to the business sector, councilmen should stress the importance of actively engaging community members to become significant drivers of change. Investing resources into local community centres, workplaces and schools can help implement initiatives to target key areas such as household energy, transportation, electricity generation and how to support businesses with clean practices.

Getting our children involved with the environment will help spread the word at home and can advance the targets set out by the city.

By providing these techniques we can start a dialogue that I am hopeful will bring upon massive changes and give locals a reason to adopt cleaner practices and invest in greener businesses. Our efforts coupled with the municipal government’s enthusiasm will surely lead future generations to a sustainable future. Asvini Keethakumar, Toronto

Children help fend off loneliness

Re: Fighting loneliness If one wishes to protect oneself from loneliness (SP editorial, Jan. 19), the answer is to have more children.

Unfortunately, some life lessons are just learned too late. Tom Schuck, Weyburn

Stop posting signs when not needed

Hey Sask. Highways, you’ve got my attention! Now I’d like yours. On Jan. 25 at 3 p.m., I was driving on Highway 7 from Saskatoon to my home near Vanscoy. Just past the intersection with Highway 60 were construction signs, with a 60 km/h speed limit and fines tripled.

I get it. I know the importance of this. As I said, you have my attention. I obeyed the rules, as did a semi trailer and other vehicles behind me.

Only one guy in a half-ton blew by us. But what? In the next 10 kilometres to my place, there were no people, no vehicles, no robots or aliens working on this road.

I have seen this several times on several roads. I hear complaints about it from others.

You keep doing this to us, and you are going to defeat the purpose of what should be a life-saving new law.

And please don’t tell me “well, the contractor was going to be there a bit later.” You can control this, Sask. Highways. Even if you have hardly any staff left, you can demand it of your private contractors. We deserve better. Calvin Young, Vanscoy

Door-to-door mail service once a week

Why can’t mail be delivered once a week to everyone’s door?

Rather than five-day-aweek delivery to the door for some and delivery five days a week to community boxes for others, let’s reduce costs and give everyone door-to-door service once a week. Harvey Peever, Saskatoon