| Letters
to the Editor Editor's Note: Below is a letter from Angie Hilker regarding recent letters to the editor about the "Apsley Community Care Fires Volunteer" article by Roy Allen that was in our December/January issue. The letters of rebuttal in your Feb./Mar. issue from Carolyn Amyotte and Helen and Ernie Trotter concerning Roy Allen's letter, "Apsley Community Care Fires Volunteer", from the Dec./Jan. issue were quite shocking to me. So much so, that after reading them over several times, I went back and re-read what Mr. Allen had originally written. I did this because I could not imagine a more off-base and ill-informed reaction to Mr. Allen's letter. After re-reading Mr. Allen's letter, I came to the conclusion that Ms. Amyotte and Mr. and Mrs. Trotter had not really read what Mr. Allen had written, or at the very most had read in a very dimly lit room. So, for this reason, I feel compelled to make some observations about Mr. Allen's original letter and the two letters of rebuttal. Did Mr. Allen "slander" or "defame" Community Care Apsley as both Ms. Amyotte and Mr. and Mrs. Trotter imply in their letters? No. In fact, the only direct comment I see in his letter about Community Care itself is "Community Care is a great organization". Did Mr. Allen question the leadership of Community Care Apsley? Absolutely. Is it "uncalled for" to "call into question" the leadership of Community Care Apsley as Mr. and Mrs. Trotter state in their letter? No. It is never inappropriate to question the leadership of any organization. Does Mr. Allen believe that Community Care Apsley could do a better job a serving the community? Yes. Does Mr. Allen believe that there is an unpleasant working environment for the volunteers at Community Care Apsley? It seems quite clear that he does. Perhaps the fact that as many as a half a dozen volunteers have quit Community Care Apsley in the last six months supports his claim. On what authority does Mr. Allen make his assertions? He states in his article that he was a volunteer at Community Care Apsley for six years and and his wife was a volunteer there for 10 years. Their combined 16 years of voluntary service leads me to believe that they likely know a great deal about how Community Care Apsley is run. Are there "always very good and valid reasons for which a person's services are terminated" as Mr. and Mrs. Trotter suggest in their letter? Of course not; to make such a statement shows woeful naivety. Human Resource Development Canada arbitrates, on average, 1,200 cases of wrongful dismissal per year, and many more are settled out of court. Lastly, and most concerning, are Ms. Amyotte's comments about the Apsley Voice itself, such as "the Voice has demonstrated extremely poor judgment and editorial decision-making" and "think next time before you decide to publish submissions of such nature". Is it appropriate for an elected public official such as Ms. Amyotte, a Council member, to attempt to influence the editorial policy of a news publication, as she so clearly did in her letter? No. It is, in fact, highly inappropriate. She ought to have known better. Angie Hilker, Apsley Again...We invite you to send in your comments, arguments or just a Rant!! Speak Up!
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A Silly Winter by Caroline Elder For those of us that live along Eels Creek, we are graced during the summer months with regular visitations from Silly Goose, a.k.a. the Apsley Swan. Silly is a classic white farm goose and doesn’t fly…have you ever wondered how she spends her winter? Silly adopted us two years ago and spends much of her summer around our shoreline, although she has been known to travel down the creek to visit and holiday with other friends, she 
faithfully returns during the fall and swims in front of our property as
long as the creek’s opening will allow her. As the creek begins to freeze
over, Silly starts to panic and is not a good skater. Eventually, she
won’t even try to come for food. This past November was no different and she decided to move closer to the Burleigh Street Bridge, where the water is open, albeit rushing. Since we feed her during the summer, I can’t bring myself to abandon her in the winter, so, I faithfully make my way down to the waters edge and under the bridge with a can of feed and a slice of bread (whole wheat - her favourite), in hopes of coaxing her up onto the shore long enough to grab her. With no success for 3 nights in a row, and with winters firm grip on Apsley, on the 4th night I tried the other side of the creek, and did not even throw a bite of bread to her – I just stood there calling to her and shaking the can of grain to encourage her up on the shore. She was obviously exhausted from the constant swimming and hungry, since this strategy worked. It is not easy to pick up a goose while wearing a winter coat, actually even if you are not wearing a winter coat, they don’t really like to be held. So, she slipped out of my arms the first time and right back in the water, but persistency paid and I got a firm hold of her the second time. Negotiating the snow bank was little tricky, but once we were on Burleigh Street I knew we would make it home. Over the bridge and down our driveway to one of our out-buildings, we now call the “Goose Cabin”, and safely inside. Last year, Silly provided us with 26 eggs, and this year she is up to 20 so far. Straw, a heat lamp and a mirror for company, help her survive the winter. Like most of us, she is anxiously awaiting spring and the flow of Eels Creek. Hi Liz and Bill Just wanted to let you know I was still in the land of the living. Still working in ambulance and enjoying it. I like my boss and the Volunteers that work with me. Please do yourselves a favour, and remember you have put in many articles that may or may not have been perceived as biased. In the end it was clear you showed nothing but true journalism. I just needed to let you know I am still watching and I know your intentions have always been honourable. The Apsley Voice does not have to justify any letters written to the Editor. We are still in Canada, right? Miss you all...... Sissy Response to Bible Tidbits (in the Feb/March Apsley Voice) To begin with, not having my name attached to this submission was an oversight and for that I apologize. I was reminded by Donna Stubbing of Matthew 22:29 “You are in error because you do not know the scriptures or the power of GOD”, and for this I thank her ... Lannie Reynolds |