Letters to the editor: Oct. 30

Article content

Anti-racism committee needs more representation

It is laudable that the Woodstock Police Service and Black Lives Matter Oxford have launched a committee to address the issue of systemic racism. I noticed the committee comprises members of the police and various community stakeholders on behalf of a number of racial and ethnic communities.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

Letters to the editor: Oct. 30 Back to video

This is a positive outcome from the Black Lives Matter protest last summer. However, it is unfortunate the organizers are not including some representation from the local disability or deaf community.

A recent study from the United States indicate half of the people of colour who die at the hands of police are people with disabilities or are deaf. Preliminary evidence in Canada corroborates this horrific trend. Highly publicized cases such as Sammy Yatin, Sandra Bland, Freddie Gray or George Floyd bear this truth.

I encourage the organizers of this committee to be more inclusive and reflect the fact that disability and deafness crosses all segments of marginalized people.

Marianne M. Park-Ruffin

Woodstock

Taking the bull by the horns

Hats off to the Tillsonburg town council, their police services board and the organized residents of the Hickory Hills subdivision for being able to reduce the speed of Wilson Street in Tillsonburg from 50 kilometres per hour to 40 km/h.

The addition of solar-powered speed signs is also a great way to let people know the speed they are actually travelling at. Drivers do need to obey the speed limits – and more importantly – the limits need to be enforced.

Meanwhile, back in Woodstock, city council opted to change the name of Prince Andrew Crescent to Silverwood Crescent.

Now that’s taking the bull by the horns! Well done Woodstock!

Thomas A. Ryerson

Woodstock

Tillsonburg legion prepares for Remembrance Day

This time of year finds the Tillsonburg legion busy preparing for our annual Poppy Campaign and the Act of Remembrance on Nov. 11.

This year’s campaign runs from Oct. 30 to Nov. 10.

With thanks to local businesses and the residents of Tillsonburg and area, the 2019 campaign raised more than $20,000. With these funds, we supported our local veterans, veterans at Parkwood Institute in London through the care and comfort fund and veterans arts programs, local bursaries to high school graduates, the Varnavair Cadet Unit, the annual veterans’ banquet, and the restoration of the 1943 anti-aircraft monument located at the Tillsonburg Legion.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, you will notice changes to our normal ceremonies.

We will have our poppy tables at Metro, Sobeys, the Town Centre Mall and Zehrs. If you wish to volunteer for two-and-a-half hours to sit at a poppy table, call the branch at 519-842-5281.

We will not be holding our annual silent walk. We encourage people to go for their own silent walk on Nov. 11 and reflect on loved ones and others who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.

The service at the cenotaph will see a smaller official parade and fewer wreaths being laid, as many will be laid prior to the official ceremony. We encourage anyone attending the cenotaph to wear face coverings and practise social distancing.

At this time, we are trying to arrange live-streaming of the ceremony, and Rogers Cable 12 will broadcast the ceremony at 3 p.m. on Nov. 11.

In an effort to make donating to the poppy campaign easier, you may e-transfer donations to branch153poppy@yahoo.com.

Yours In Remembrance,

Don Burton,

Poppy Chairperson, Br. 153, Tillsonburg