VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

INSENSITIVE

It was with shock my husband and I saw the huge article in the Dec. 22 edition. Why would anyone want to know these details of the Nova Scotia mass murderer?!

There are so many grieving people as a result of this man's actions that it was such a raw and inconsiderate thing to do, to give him so much print space. We continue to shed tears over this tragedy and this "article" did not need to stare us in our faces when the page was turned.

Our Tuesday issue has not been read. We could not get over the Herald's lack of sensitivity.

David Lunn and Lynda Scott Lunn, Dartmouth

NO ANSWERS

In today's newspaper (Dec. 22), you talk about the gunman's history. You said his Uncle Gwynn was to have taken the gunman to live with his grandparents, that it was agreed to. No mention if this actually happened, though. Where do the gunman's grandparents live? If the gunman did go to live with his grandparents, you do not mention how long he was with them for. Maybe you can clarify this.

Yes, the abuse he allegedly suffered at the hands of his family (nothing seems to have been proven in court) may have affected the gunman. Maybe the COVID-19 pandemic pushed him over the edge. The public will never know why it happened. Not every victim of abuse goes on to commit atrocities. Keith Lamb, Dartmouth

SAFETY ISSUE?

Is a safety issue anticipated this coming winter when heavy trucks mix with car traffic at the current checkpoint in Fort Lawrence by the inbound scales? If so, this has not been mentioned but it would be better to leave things where they are rather than set up on the highway.

The Fort Lawrence site is very similar to the checkpoint entering New Brunswick from Quebec on the Trans-canada Highway. (The current arrangement also allows access to Amherst's Laplanch Street, although you have to know where you are going, but better than nothing).

I fear that using the old tourist site drive-through would create major backlogs, especially during bad weather. Having spent nine years with RCMP traffic services in Cumberland County, I can pretty well guarantee that.

On another note: my wife and I returned from Ontario in late October. When we stopped at the Nova Scotia entry checkpoint, the conservation officer asked for our travel declaration. Unfortunately, I had not prepared one. The officer was very polite and explained what was required. He provided a paper form for my wife at her request, and gave me information required to submit the electronic form. No garbage tongs were used. I have heard of cases where the questions were not asked, but both borders were staffed by confident, considerate and professional officers.

Paul Calder, Amherst