Sound Off — Dec. 31, 2015

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 31/12/2015 (3923 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Conversions should not be part of the plan

The article on the front page of the Tuesday edition of The Brandon Sun reports on the work of local church groups to provide a new life and home for a Syrian family. While I applaud the efforts of these religious organizations, the following quote from the article is worth considering: “As people of faith, we’re always looking for ways to extend what we believe in a practical way, and there were several people who had the same tugging on their hearts to help in this way.” What concerns me is the statement “extend what we believe,” which to me sounds very much like proselytizing. If the conversion of immigrants to your religious faith is your primary motivation for assistance, then perhaps you should reflect on what it means to be a compassionate and caring human being.

Firefighters did not need a free dinner

I am very upset seeing the photo on Saturday’s front page of a local firefighter delivering dinners to the firefighters from the Westman and Area Traditional Christmas Dinner. I have donated hundreds of dollars over the years for this worthy cause, and don’t feel right that our local firefighters are taking this “free” handout. If this was appropriate, then what about all the health-care workers, police officers and any other person who has to work on Christmas Day? Shame on you for taking this handout — very inappropriate for people who work in one of the top-paying professions in our city. Instead of taking, maybe try volunteering or donating some money instead of taking a handout.

And it’s not for the lazy, either

I was listening to the radio one day and they were talking about the Westman and Area Traditional Christmas Dinner. I was very surprised to hear them invite anyone who didn’t feel like cooking to bring family and friends for a free meal. I was always under the impression that it was for people who couldn’t afford it or were all by themselves at Christmas. I am quite sure that this isn’t what Rocky Addison envisioned when he came up with the idea.

Isleifson’s got my vote

I must first explain that I am not a political animal, nor do I hold a membership in any party, federally or provincially. I do, however, believe in the right to vote and to be fairly represented at all levels of government. In your recent poll by Probe, I noted with interest that my former councillor, Len Isleifson, leads the poll over my current councillor, Vanessa Hamilton. When I compare their knowledge and level of concern and care for our ward, the only thing that surprises me is how inflated the polls are for Hamilton. Hamilton has abandoned her role for which I now realize was a waste of my ballot. Isleifson respectfully completed his term and did not run in the recent municipal election because he was planning on running provincially. For many reasons, but this classy move included, will ensure my family votes for Isleifson in April.