Perspectives by Rev. Duncan Perry

Going forward, we remember

Over the last couple of weeks we as a nation have been angered and outraged. We have been saddened and disheartened. We have been astounded and dumfounded. We have been proud and patriotic. We have been reminded what is really important, and we have been encouraged to hug our spouse and children and grandchildren.

Some have spoken about a corporate Canadian loss of innocence. We have heard about home grown terrorists. We have seen divisions over the effectiveness of our political, social, and religious institutions. It seems in some ways our very way of life has been attacked and compromised. 

We mourn the loss of Nathan Cirillo and Patrice Vincent. We uphold in our thoughts and prayers their families and those whose lives have been drastically and forever changed.

And yet for most of us as these headlines faded into yesterday’s news we got back to life as normal.  From the distance most of us have to these events, once the initial shock and horror subsides it is business as usual. So we go back to doing what we do. Maybe changed in some ways but resigned to the realization that these are the facts of life in the world in which we live. 

As Remembrance Day rolls around once again maybe this year’s remembering will be a little bit different. Take the opportunity to remember for it is a bit more real this year. 

Maybe we will have a slightly deeper sense of how this all does touch our lives and the lives of our families and friends and communities. 

What we have has been attacked and threatened and compromised. And the sacrifice of those who gave of themselves in the past, in the long ago, in recent events of our world, in days just gone by, and those who will continue to serve and give of themselves into the future may give us something more to remember and to live for and commit ourselves to. 

We cannot go on as though these things never happened. We have all been changed by these events. We can ponder and lament and mourn, or we can remember and keep remembering and can go forward and make a difference. Living in ways that declare that the sacrifices have been recognized and have become a part of who and what we are here and now and a part of what we carry into tomorrow. 

Long ago, Paul writing to a community in some chaos and confusion in Rome put it this way: Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17-20

May this be our act of remembering.

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The role of independent media is to present the facts to the readers and viewers to enable them to form opinions and make informed choices about what affects them. That responsibility includes holding government to […]

Dear Editor,

I am writing in response to a recent letter you published from a Mr. Mason about the Iroquois Farmers Market vendor permits. 

In his letter he referenced our farm located in Ingleside and that people such as myself are taking all the permits from local area vendors.

First let me start off by saying that permits are available to all and any persons willing to operate at the local area farmers markets and are available at the township office at the beginning of every year. We purchased our permit back in March of this year, and it states directly on it that sales of any goods are to start no earlier than April 15 and end no later than December 31 of that same year that they are purchased. 

It does not state an exact date for the market to begin and we have chosen to begin our market days in June as that is when the produce will be ready for our customers. 

I am sorry if Mr. Mason did not purchase his permit at an earlier date to ensure he had the right papers in place to sell his wears. 

As for the fact that we are not local vendors I am very saddened by this comment. It is true that we no longer reside in South Dundas, but before purchasing our farm we were long time residents of South Dundas (we lived in Morrisburg and in Williamsburg) and my husband’s family still resides in Morrisburg. Our farm is located on the South Dundas/South Stormont border. 

It is people like Mr. Mason and his opinions that have made it so that new vendors would prefer to take their business to larger cities instead of staying close to home and offering their services or products to the local residents. 

I am happy that I will be bringing my Gluten Free Baked goods and organically grown produce to South Dundas as there is a need for these products in our community. 

I hope that comments such as those made by Mr. Mason do not scare off potential new vendors. And instead of them looking to the larger cities they will look to our local farmers markets to sell their products so that there will be many options available for those who come to the markets every week. 

We should be encouraging others to come to South Dundas to sell their products not frowning down on them or belittling them.  

As only five permits are issued every year, we should be looking at the township to increase these numbers and ask them to make available more permits for vendors so that we can bring forth more people willing to sell their products instead of turning them away just as the township did to Mr. Mason in the first place. 

His issue should be with them and not with me.

I thank you for taking the time to read what I have to say and in listening to my side of the story as I felt like I was being attacked by the words Mr. Mason had to say in regards to his very upsetting letter to you. I hope you will publish this letter so that others can read about the other side of being a new vendor and purchasing permits.

Sincerely,

Ann Marie Hollister

SHELDANNA FARM

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