LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Niagara needs a responsible government

Well, after the TVO show, we now know it is (Regional Chair Alan) Caslin’s goal to get rid of our cities and towns and become king of Niagara along with a few henchmen.

The region was not formed to take over everything, it was to help reduce costs on bulk purchasing, policing, water and sewers. Where is the cost reduction?

Mr. Caslin wants everything when it is clear he cannot even keep in line what his present job entails or its legal limits as he has broken and surpassed all.

The people of Niagara deserve a responsible government, not the present crap that is going on. How can he sleep at night involved in breach of municipal regulations, misuse of public funds and it goes on and on.

Niagara District Airport is not the Region’s responsibility but Mr. Caslin took a day to do (an) inaugural (commuter service) flight into Niagara and get the photoop to make it look like he did it. Hope it was a vacation day and he did not expense the travel to Toronto and back. How many times does he try to take the glory for hard work from our cities and towns that he should have nothing to do with.

I thank all the councillors who have tried to move forward and work for the people, but Mr. Caslin and his group of cronies deserve to be taken to court for misdirection, misuse and other inappropriate things they have been involved in.

Also, the paranoid group of (Tony) Quirk, (Sandy) Annunziata, (Brian) Baty and (David) Barrick who think the press is their enemy should remember the old saying: do not shoot the messenger. It is the actions of this group, the chair and a few others who are getting caught with their fingers in the cookie jar. Not the other way around. The press reports what happens after checking it multiple ways, so it would be nice if you guys could stand up and actually admit you’re wrongdoings instead of trying to blame others.

We need a responsible government, not a bunch of hacks.

John Hunt Niagara Falls

Falls fireworks annoying and unnecessary

I know this is a tourist-driven town, but at some point there must be some common sense prevailing in those people who make the decision to blast explosives (because that is what they are) over the Falls’ gorge area.

The noise resonates so loudly that surely the integrity of the escarpment rocks must shift and loosen from this nightly event. Has anyone really thought about the impact the fireworks are having on the water, air and migratory birds that used to live in the Falls area.

In addition, the chemicals in the after-smoke hang over the city and dust our homes and cars with an unpleasant coating of ash. The 10 p.m. banging is so incredibly disruptive to the citizens of Niagara. Everyone complains about it but no one is doing anything to stop this very annoying nightly issue.

I live at the other end of town and know the fireworks are happening because the noise reverberates throughout my house and dogs in the neighbourhood begin barking. As Niagara Falls residents we should be given the opportunity to voice our opinion regarding this nightly ritual.

Now, there is approval for an international fireworks competition in November. Hearing fireworks on a nightly basis has been bad enough, but now we need to endure more noise and air pollution during the competition.

I am worried about the health impact that the fallout chemicals will have on Niagara residents.

Niagara Parks Commission and those who approved ongoing fireworks displays should be willing to negotiate and consult with Niagara citizens on this issue. Remember this: tourists leave the area; Niagara residents stay. We are the ones who have to live with the side-effects of this very unnatural and very unnecessary loud spectacle.

Annie E. Thompson Niagara Falls