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Readers Forum This is where puslinch.net readers can express their opinions on matters of interest to the residents of Puslinch. Or, you can promote an upcoming community event, or report on a past event. Or, you can just say what is on you mind. Its simple, just send an e-mail to puslinch.net by clicking here. I just wanted to say that I think that the puslinch site is great. I commend your efforts to promote Puslinch and its businesses, while providing residents a venue to learn more information important to us all. While hooking up to send you this quick message I realized that I know of some information that may be of interest to readers. On Tuesday mornings at the Valen's Community centre there is a weekly meeting of Mom's & Tot's. Although the centre itself is located outside the area it is very close and open to all mom's to come and participate with their children. If you think that this is something that you would like to include in the website, you can email me and I can give you more details. Once again thanks for your efforts and I hope that your site continues to grow. Karen Peebles This is exactlly the type of information sharing puslinch.net was designed to promote, and with the support of other Puslinchers like Karen this web site will continue to grow and fulfill its purpose. Another Karen sent a response to the article on the proposed Corwhin development. With the Thomasfield venture headed to court can't we as Puslinch residents see that these large corporations will get their way no matter what. They will bully their way to their advantage. And just wait until they are here (I am hoping - not.) they will see to it that they get their way over and over and over. Puslinch will never be the same- mark my words. It won't look the same and it won't be in control the same way ever again. On a different note, I am glad to see that 34 & Victoria is getting some attention before we see death on our doorstep, hope the speed is reduced as well. It is a race track for motorcycles, trucks, cars etc. from Brock road to the Milton line. We have horses as do many of our neighbours and according to the highway traffic act horses still have right of way so I would also like to see some signs posted on 34 that the road has horse travel, horse crossing or something to that effect. Possible?? Thanks Puslinch, may your gravel pits dwildle and your truck traffic see the MTO or OPP in their rear view mirrors. Karen Dailous This enquiry came from the UK. Please can you give me any further information or map about Puslinch I am looking to visit in the near future having found a long lost relative living there.post code nob 250. Thank you Penny Ledger Puslinch.net was designed as an on-line repository for information about Puslinch Township, but it is not a tourist bureau (do we even have one?). If anyone can help Penny out please send her an e-mail by clicking here--any long lost relatives out there? Karen Dailous has another comment regarding the proposed Corwin development. Thanks Puslinch residents for your show of support in the battle over the Corwin development. Canadians are known so it sems for standing by and giving in, it's nice to see that the people who live in our great community are willing to stand up for their community and the guts to fight against those who would like us to sit and shut-up. Well done Dick Visser and the rest, let Puslinch remain a rural community of some great residents and wonderful family farms and lets celebrate in the fact that we don't need the"city slicker" atmosphere here. A proud resident, Karen Dailous Here is another inquiry. My name is Mr Sergio Corvinelli an I live on Gilmour Rd in Aberfoyle and I am inquiring about the new development at the corner of Gilmour Rd and Brock Rd. I would appreciate some information on the up coming plans for this development. Thankyou. If any one has any information fo Mr Corvinelli they can e-mail it to him by clicking here. Paul...here's some info for your web site...which is great by the way! I don't know what council would think of this but I would like a way of sending/posting/emailing ideas/thoughts/concerns/suggestions to them via the web site. Attachment "Puslinch Manor UK.bmp" is a photo taken this year of Puslinch Manor by my brother Andrew Lolley who lives and works near Plymouth and below are 2 maps progressively zooming in on the whereabouts of Puslinch Manor. If you would like more info on this...eg. a close-up of the manor, he would be very happy to oblige! James Lolley Thank you James, for the picture and maps of Puslinch Manor in England, after which the Township of Puslinch was named. Yes, by all means please provide us with more information. As for posting thoughts/concerns via the web site--this is the place to do it! Hi Paul , Keep looking at "our" website and would like to notify "foreigners" about it, mainly so that they know how to get here. But the place names on the maps are totally out of position, so its usefulness is zeroed. Crieff, for instance, appears to be right in the middle of our farm, which it ain't! If it could be corrected the maps would be so useful. Congratulations on an interesting site. Michael Simpson. I agree, the maps I have posted on this web site are not very accurate. I will look for better maps, but if anyone out there has seen a better map on the internet or has one I could scan, please let me know. Thank you Michael, for your feedback and encouragement. I just found out today that Puslinch has lost a fine family and a community business in the Gauthier Family. Yes, they have left us and gone to Orilla. Waht will happen to the business so well established and run by this great family for so long? We will certainly miss our hot cider and beautiful tree this Christmas.Where will we go now? I have known Frank and Barb since 1979 and will personally miss them as friends and neighbours. I wish them all the best and happy retirement Frank. On another note, it was the aggragates that have bought their property apparently, what will happen to it now? and if water was an issue what about the well of others in the same vasinity? And why in the heck is any gravel pit allowed to go below the water table in any area or community. I hope Puslinch is not going to to be renamed pushover. At the township office the other day I saw notice of even another, in the Crieff area. From the air, Puslinch must look like a war zone of empty land and hollowed out pits. When is it enough and was the fight to stop the pit at Victoria and 34 a result of the Gauthiers moving? I hope we have not lost long time residents because of this. As I understand, they sold out some 5 years ago. As a neighbour who just bought one and a half years ago I am somewhat angry that I have been in the dark and it makes me wonder how many of us might be in similar situations. Lets be upfront with our community and its people, the people and their families that proudly call this area, HOME. Karen Dailous I agree with Karen, The Gauthier's will be missed. I am intrigued by Karen's speculation about what Puslinch looks like from the air. Does anyone have any aerial photographs of Puslinch I could post on this web site. Or, is there among us a Puslincher with a pilot's license who would like to take aloft the web master and his digital camera. And here's more from Karen: Hi Paul, I haven't heard or seen any responses to many of the items on your site. Where are all the people? Does anyone have any kind of response ? What about the recent news in regards to pits and the U of G. I certainly don't think their attitude to the problems of Puslinch are what we would expect from this establishment and what we think an agricultural institute should response like with respect to enviornmental issues. I hope I am not the only one of a few using this site, come on residents. Karen Dailous (again) Come on Puslinchers, Karen needs some feedback. Please send in your comments. Hi: I read the concerns on the Puslinch.net site about gravel pits and what they must look like from an airplane. Over near Elora, we have similar concerns. We put it this way: "A gravel pit is not a beautiful thing. From a few thousand feet in the air, as seen for example in the aerial photograph (see, for example, Map 1 of the "Planning Report for the Shoemaker Pit", Murray Group), there are certain highly noticeable features in our country side. We see the great winding path of the Grand River and of its smaller glistening tributaries, including the Swan, Cox, Canagagigue and Carroll creeks, with carefully tended farmlands and woodlots. And sadly, we cannot help seeing certain "scars" in the land, namely, we see large expanses of barren soil which are our gravel pits." http://plg.uwaterloo.ca/~holt/pit/misc/flyer03.html Regards, Ric Holt, RR1, Elora Thanks, Ric. Are any of the aerial photographs available on the internet? I guess it's not only Puslinch Township that has gravel pit issues. A couple of weeks ago I asked if there was a private pilot who would like to take me flying to take pictures of Puslinch from the air. Well, pilot Harry Panjer was able to do that. The pictures are posted in the June Puslinch Diary. This is the first reader response to the proposal to charge residents to use the dump. Thank you for your interest in keeping me informed. I have bookmarked the link to the Puslinch Bulletin Board. I do not wish to have any further e-mails sent to me from you, re-garding upcoming events or new information. My feelings on the paying to use the dump issue, are as follows: I agree we should pay. $1 per bag is reasonable. Check the fee's for other towns. They are higher!. As for making a stand to opose paying to dump my garbage, I will not. If you would like to fight for lower taxes for Puslinch, Lower fuel prices, or higher income tax returns, I will give you all my support. If you could save me 2% on my property taxes that will releive me of approximately $60/year. That is $60 worth of garbage I can dump and not feel the pinch. Saving 10 cents per litre of gasoline per tank of gas, saves me $8. That's 8 bags of garbage. Paying to dump your garbage makes us all more aware of how wasteful we can be, just for the sake of convenience. If I didn't enjoy what I did for a living, I would definately be setting up a program, were things that do not need to end up in our land fill sites would be stored and sold if not given away, just to recycle them. Considering all the other expenses and big ones at that, I do not feel that paying a $1 per bag is unfair. If anything, we're lucky it's so low. Publish this opinion, if you wish to. You have my permission. Or discard it if it offends you, since I do not agree with your point of view. Sincerely; Jim Solakofski Puslinch Resident. Jim seems to be in the minority as at the recent meeting no resident voiced an opinion in favor of being charged to use the dump, while many argued against it. Read more about the meeting. The Puslinch Historical Society has a new President and here is her comment. Congratulations on your wonderful website. Even if I were not interested in Puslinch, I would enjoy your beautifully-designed site. The simplicity and lack of"blare" are quite a change from the usual "noise". I also appreciate the opportunity to learn more about Puslinch issues and how people feel about them. We have just discovered you and are delighted we may be able to make use of the new to preserve the old. You may be sure you will hear much more from us. Sincerely, Beatrice Woolsey, PHS I received the following inquiry: I was wondering if you would be able to provide me with some information regarding waterfowl hunting in around the Puslinch area. I thank you for your help! Sincerely, Joe If anyone can give Joe information please send him an e-mail by clicking here. I think this is a good question: Paul -fairly easy to navigate. good work. I was looking for e-mail addresses for the reeve and councillors. i had a list for some but have misplaced it. any chance of adding links to the pages thanks wray I'm sorry, no, I do not have the e-mail addresses of the councillors or the reeve. If they send them in to me they will be published here. If there is a demand for them, I will seek them out and make them available. Thank you Wray for bringing this to my attention. Hi Paul: People have been finding me on the internet already to ask genealogical questions, so you might as well put me on your Puslinch Link site as a repository of answers for historical and genealogical questions about the original township. Your Puslinch web page is excellent - just what we need. I use it whenever I have a Puslinch question. Anna Jackson Telephone: 519-824-1099 e-mail anna.jackson1@sympatico.ca Thanks Anna for being our resident historical and genealogical resource person. Is anyone else concerned about the plans(?) to turn our dump into one of only two-a south dump and a north dump? Especially given the morons in Guelph who put in a residential development next to the Eastview dump then wonder why the community raises a stink (no pun intended!) Seems they are having trouble finding someone to take their garbage when Eastview is closed. I sure would hate to see more of Puslinch annexed for Guleph's garbage. Any possiblity of this happening? How about some comments from our mayor re the likelyhood of this happening, and what has been implemented to prevent this? Before we get sucked into being the garbage pit of Wellington, I hope we have more and better information than we did on the implementation of the $1 a bag garbage. Hope someone is on top of this! Sandra Hall I think Sandra has voiced concerns that are on the minds of many Puslinchers. On Oct. 19 the above message was sent Mayor Whitcombe for his comments. His response will be posted below. Well it has been over two weeks now and still no response from the Mayor. Sandra has another comment: Paul, Nice to see our mayor is right on top of the garbage issue. I asked for comments regarding the dump proposal, maybe 2,3 weeks ago? Is this the kind of prompt response we can expect from our mayor? No wonder Puslinch is turning into the trailer park/gravel pit from hell. Given his prompt action on this, it comes as no surprise that he was the last to know that the $1/bag fee was being implemented at the dump. I wonder if he was even in attendance when they made the decision? Regards Sandra Hall In defence of the Mayor, the dump is now being administered by the county and the Mayor and the Township have no control over it. At the recent information meeting held by the county Solid Waste Services, the point was made that there are currently no plans to bring Guelph garbage to the Puslinch landfill, but garbage from other areas of the county will be brought in. You can read more about the recent landfill Meeting. Karen Dailous has concerns about traffic on County road 34 in the area of the Victoria Road intersection: I remember getting a visit from Barb McKay when the last elections were drawing close and what prompted me to vote for her was that she said she would be getting something done with the intersection of 34 and Victoria. Yeah right, nothing done. there has been little to no police radar on the road, mainly at the milton end. There should be huge stop sings put up to replace the small ones and a flashing light in the middle of this horrible intersection. I have prepared a letter to the Minister of Transportation, with no name, that in the event of an accident there which claims my life or a member of my famiily it will show my constant nagging in trying to get something done. I live on 34 and travel it many times a day and at least 3 time per week we have near misses with someone traveling south, going through the stop sign. People go through it constantly, somethime 2-3 cars at a time and they don't seem to realize that they have cut off another driver, I must say that the trucks entering and leaving vic. to go west on 34 have much improved, it's the truck and car traffic going east and west that think they are on indy speedway. The long straight stretch between mini lakes and the milton line is too much of a temptation and I wish council would hurry up and get something done. Enough is enough already!!!!!!! KJD It sounds to me like Karen has identified a problem and is taking action--good for you. Any comment from Barb MacKay? I received the following request: I live in Australia and on a recent visit to Toronto visited the Craft Fair at the Convention Centre. I bought a wooden knitting spool from a booth and wish to buy some more. The only information that I have is on the little tag on the spool which says made by Cedar Hollow. I did remember that the lady said she came from Puslinch so I thought I'd take a punt and see if anyone had heard of them and might be able to give me the address. She also said that they were working on developing a website but I wasn't able to find anything as yet. They sold wooden knitting spools in various sizes and shapes. They may also have produced their own wool as well. Any help you might be able to give would be appreciated as I would like to contact them regarding buying more spools. If not - nothing lost! Many thanks for your help Regards, Margaret Collins If anyone has any information that can help, please forward it to me and I will relay it to Margaret. Today I stopped in at The Bird's Nest on Brock Road and asked if they knew what a knitting spool was. The store owner, Robin Wayne, did and she showed them to me. They are also called corkers. So Margaret, you can e-mail Robin at "7633314@rogers.com" to get some more. There has been no response from Mayor Whitcombe to the above request for a comment, so Sandra has written back: After waiting for a month to hear comments from our Mayor about why Puslinchers were not informed or given the opportunity to respond prior to the Wellington County decision to bring in garbage from outside the township, I just want to follow up with some comments. This is typical of the performance of our mayor and the obvious contempt he holds for the lowly constituent in our township. All is sweetness and light when the candidates were vying for our votes, full of promises, but the mayor's lack of response shouts loud and clear that he is obviously in this strictly for the money, and not for the betterment of the township. My reponse is that we as voting taxpayers, had better get off our ass, and ensure quality representation in the next election. In other words, make damn sure that there is more than one alternative to any council representation. If this means that I have to run against Brad Whitcombe, to ensure a choice then that's exactly what I will do. I don't care if it means getting 3 votes, at least there will be an opportunity to express the displeasure with the mayor's performance thus far. Regards, Sandra Hall Here is a problem of a different kind: Hi - does anyone have any good (or bad) experiences/recommendations with products that remove Sulfur/Rotten Egg smell from the well water? I'm considering moving to another house and have discovered that all well water is not the same in Puslinch! Regards, Michael Eggens When we built our home we soon discovered the water had a high iron content. Of course we had a water softener, but that didn't take care of the problem. We consulted a plumber and he installed an iron filter. Perhaps there is is a similar type of filter for sulphur. Does anyone else have information about this problem? Paul First of all, I never knew Puslinch had a web page, and now that I have been here am I ever glad we have something like this. All sorts of information to be found, and a great place to share ideas, and complaints. The only reason I came here was someone at work mentioned that my boss and his wife (Duane and Frebis) had some pictures of their adventures in Australia on the web. Boy was I surprised to find everything anybody needs to know about Puslinch all in one spot. Keep up the good work. Secondly if you could add me your mailing list about updates and events, it would be much appreciated. Sincerely, Darius Summers Victoria Rd. Thanks for your positive comments Darius. On 24 January, 2002, Mayor Whitcombe did respond to the comments above. His response is on a new page called, appropriately, The Mayor's Page. Any comments or questions relating to the management of the Township will be posted there, along with any response from Mayor Whitcombe. Early in the 18th century philosopher Bishop Berkeley posed the question, "If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?" Below is another seemingly unanswerable question. Hi Paul, I was looking at the map of Puslinch on the internet and I'm puzzled. I'm curious as to when Brock Rd. became Gordon St. when the signs on the ramp off the 401 always had Brock Rd. marked on it? I was given the address as Brock Rd. North when I built my house in Aberfoyle and yet this road has lately been called everything but Brock Rd. Official Ontario road maps list Gordon Street as ending at Clair Rd. coming south from Guelph and Brock Rd. south from there. If I don't live on Brock Rd., what road is this?????? It's Ridiculous to think that this one road coming north starts out as Highway 6 then becomes Highway 6 South A.K.A. County Road 46 then becomes Brock Road (I think) then becomes Gordon Street then becomes Norfolk Street then becomes Woolwich Street only to end up being called Highway 6 again. It seems that there is very little involvement by Puslinch Township to establish names for the local roads, using the names dictated by the County such as County Rd 46 and County Rd. 34 etc. Even though Aberfoyle is but a Hamlet, and not a Shakespeare, there is something to a name. Regards, Al Krist Yes, Al it does seem ridiculous and you have asked a very pertinent question--one that has puzzeled me for some time. What IS the name of that road? My "official" Township of Puslinch map shows Gordon Street going down to the intersection of Maltby Road, south of that it becomes Wellington Road 46, no mention of Brock Road, which of course is what everyone calls it. Regarding the naming of local roads, the municipality is responsible for only 193.39 km. of the roads within the Township--the county has the rest. In 1994 we built our new home on Side Road 15. At about that time the City of Guelph annexed a large chunk of Puslinch south to Side Road 15, then proceeded to rename their section of the road, Maltby Road. The Township then renamed the rest of the road Maltby. So now we live on Maltby Road East. Is there a long time resident or perhaps someone in the roads department out there who can give a little history on Brock Road. Let's help Al out! Eventually Berkeley, being the good Bishop that he was, determined that the tree did make a sound, because God would hear it. It may not be as simple for us mortal Puslinchers. Recently (20 Sept 2002), I was at the crossroads of Maltby Road and Brock Road/Gordon Street, and noticed that on the north east corner--within Guelph--the street sign had Gordon St., while on the opposite corner--in Puslinch Township--the sign had Brock Road. This would indicate that Brock Road becomes Gordon Street when it enters Guelph. I received the following e-mail in response to a comment posted above. In her letter, a comment of "trailer park/gravel dump from hell" was mentioned. My response to Ms Hall is unless you know us do not judge us. I happen to be a resident in this so called "Trailer Park from hell" and quite frankly take great offence with her comments. The residents are either hard working or retired persons who take great pride in their homes. For most of us we have sold larger homes so that we may retire in a quiet, gentle community. We bring hundreds of thousands of dollars into the community as well, we show great respect to the natural environment. Perhaps Ms. Hall should take the time to visit either Mini-Lakes or Millcreek and see for herself how lovely the two parks are maintained. We are not beer guzzling fowl mouthed people who party non stop, we are however just the opposite. If we have functions, they are controlled within the parks just like any function that is held outside. Does Ms. Hall think she is better than any of us. Wake up lady and get a life. If you already had one you would be able to tell the difference between our style of living and what you are refering to as trailer trash. (There is a difference) Puslinch is a wonderful community and we have chosen to be part of it. Send me an e-mail, I would be glad to give you the grand tour. With respect, C. Ladley At this point I received several e-mails about the propossed Highway 6, Morriston by-pass. As that appears to be an important issue for Puslinchers I have started a new page to cover these concerns and share information. It on the Morriston Tract Forum page. I received the following inquiry: Dear Sir, I was wondering if you could provide any more information regarding the re-routing of Townline road. I heard that there are plans to have Townline Road made 6 lanes wide at the 401 and that they were re-routing the road itself to the East of its existing position, making it 4 lanes wide and connecting it to Shellard Side Road at Gore Road. Can you please let me know if there are any meeting regarding these changes and if any groups have been formed to oppose this plan or provide an alternative route that won't destroy forests and wetlands. Thank you in advance for your assistance. Regards, Karen Spencer I don't know anything about this. Can anyone with more information help Karen? And, is this within the Township? Dear Paul, Congratulations on your excellent web site! Would you please include the attached letter in your forum? Many thanks. By-law 1/2000, which sets the line of sight requirements for lot entrances in the Township of Puslinch, is seriously flawed. "Line of sight" is the maximum distance from which an entrance can be clearly seen from the road. The Province determines this required distance using a formula based on "stopping distance", which includes driver reaction distance and braking distance. There is a consensus on this scientific method among reputable road authorities. These include the County of Wellington, the Ministry of Transport of Ontario, the Federal Government and other international governments including the U.K and the U.S.A. Stopping distance varies according to speed. For 50 kph it is set at 65 metres, 60 kph = 85 metres, 80 kph = 135 metres. To these distances the MTO adds a safety buffer so that the line of sight requirement for 50 kph is set at 120 metres, 60 kph = 140 metres and 80 kph = 180 metres. The previous by-law (18-80) recognized the relation between speed and stopping distance and set the line of sight requirements at 300 feet (92 metres) for speeds under 80 kph and 500 feet (153 metres) for 80 kph. Admittedly, this was low but By-law 1/2000, which sets line of sight requirements for all speeds at 500 feet, is much too high at lower speeds and much too low at 80 kph, when compared to provincial standards. We have proposed, as a compromise, that the Township adopt the line of sight rules of Wellington County, which are somewhat higher than those of the MTO. Council has refused. Our response to council may be found at "http://www3.sympatico.ca/paterson.dave. David Paterson Thank you, David, for your positive comments on this web site. But, I am not clear as to how line of sight requirements and stopping distances impact greatly on Puslinchers. It may well be that they do--please provide a little more background on this issue and why we should be concerned about the by-law. Karen is still hoping for an answer to her question posted above (just above the previous item) and offers an answer to a querry further above. At this point this page has become to large to be easily edited. You may continue reading Puslinchers concerns and comments by going to Readers Forum page 2. Back to the Top |