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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2012-03-08, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012.Grandparent disappointed in Legion’s actions Legion shamed by locals after speech competition THE EDITOR, The Wingham Legion Branch 180 is unfair and unfeeling to public school children. Imagine you are 10 years old and your teacher assigns you to write a speech. You put your heart and soul into writing your speech. You perform your speech in your classroom and your teacher picks you to perform your speech in the gym. Then you go to the gym and perform and you are picked to go to the Legion. You practise and practise because you don’t want to let your school down. Then the day comes, you go to the Wingham Legion and wait patiently until it is your turn. You get up on stage and you perform your speech without a mistake. You wait patiently until the end for the judges to discuss and pick the winners. Then you – yes you – are told you have won first place – yes first place. You are given the prize money. You get your picture taken for the newspaper. You are presented the trophy for your school. You are told you will say your speech at the zone competition. You are on top of the world. Everyone is so proud of you. You tell all your family and friends that you have won. You feel great. Then you come home from school four days later to be told by your mom, “The Legion called today and said they made a mistake and you did not win first prize, you are not going to the zone competition, and they hope you are not disappointed.” What?? How could they do this? You are crushed! You are hurt! You are humiliated! How could this happen? How unfair! What does the Wingham Legion think it’s doing – to crush a child like that – not just one child but three? These are public school speeches not a presidential race. You had your time to make your decision. You should stick to it, or have sent two children to the zone competition. You don’t do that to a child. Do you think they are going to take speeches seriously again? I am ashamed to think a community organization would do this. Wingham Legion you need to take a long hard look at what you have done! This is shameful! Jeff and Cathy Thomson Grandparents of Grace Caldwell – the initial first-place winner of junior level. THE EDITOR, After seeing the picture of my granddaughter on page 30 of the March 1 issue of The Citizen, concerning the public speaking competition at the Wingham Legion on Feb. 18, I felt compelled to submit a copy of my letter that was forwarded to the Ontario Provincial Command at www.on.legion.ca in Aurora, Ontario. This letter was not about sour grapes, but about fairness. Numerous letters were also sent expressing the same feeling as I had. Within two days, most people submitting letters received a reply from Robyn Zettler, the education chairman, stating that the incident was being referred to the provincial youth education chairman for resolution. As of today, March 5, there has been no resolution and the three original winners have all missed their opportunity to compete at the zone finals. It is not fair to any child to be promised to have your name engraved on a trophy and then four days later have it taken away from you. It now is a fact that this happened to all three original winners. The following letter is self explanatory. And, because I still believe that the pen is mightier than the sword, I thank you for printing it. Sincerely, Leslie Caldwell. “To Whom It May Concern, I am writing this letter to inform you about the recent tragedy that has taken place this past weekend at the Legion Branch in Wingham, Ontario. Our nine-year-old granddaughter had the pleasure of presenting her public speech where she competed against five other contestants and was declared the first-place winner. Her goal of competing at the Legion was reached. Furthermore, she was told, that she would advance to the zone finals also in Wingham on March 3. Yesterday that all came crashing down when the local Legion phoned stating that they had made an error and that she no longer was the winner nor would she be allowed to advance. To compound the problem I know for a fact that the winner of the senior category was also phoned with the same information and I believe that the junior winner was also contacted or phoned. This was devastating to a nine-year-old girl who yesterday was celebrating her 10th birthday. What a birthday present! If they felt an error had been made, why wait for four days to announce it? I question what kind of an example our local Legion branches are trying to set when they expect a young girl to have to carry on her shoulders the brunt of their (the Legion’s) mistake. It is our understanding that all three levels of the competition were messed up by people not fully understanding what they were doing on Feb. 18. I am sorry but I just can’t believe that an organization as reputable as our Legion branches would try to mend their mistake in this fashion and while I realize anyone can make a mistake this is not a responsible way to fix it. In order to help me to regain some of the respect I have lost for the Legion allow me to offer some possible, responsible solutions to this problem: 1. Allow the positions to stand as originally declared or 2. Have all of the participants in all of the classes present their speeches again, or 3. What I think is the best solution – have the students declared winners advance to the zone finals along with the students the Legion feels should have advanced, participate as well. This way no one is punished and the chips are allowed to fall as they may. May I also take the opportunity to thank you for this program that involves our youth and provides them with a talent that will help open doors in their future. This program is a good program, let’s not destroy it. Thank you in advance, Leslie Caldwell.” THE EDITOR, This letter relates to an article in the March 1 issue of The Citizen about North Huron Council’s idiotic decision to force us to use clear garbage bags. Speak of the invasion of privacy. Now we are forced to display our garbage at curbside for the whole world to see. There should be a law against that. If they really had to enforce such a stupid rule could they not at least have given us some notice so that we could use up the black bags that we recently bought? Does the council really think that the busy garbage collectors will take the time to scrutinize every clear bag they pick up to make sure it meets the requirements? The council doesn’t mind raising our taxes but they sure do not care about making life in North Huron more pleasant! A very disgruntled voter, Ike Fehr. THE EDITOR, As ratepayers in the Municipality of Morris-Turnberry, my husband and I strongly object to the building of two new fire halls. First, the cost Mayor Paul Gowing has stated (in the report presented to council) is only the beginning. The cost will be much higher, now and in the future. Second, to have three fire halls in such a close proximity is a duplication of service. Three, we have a small tax base to pay for this expenditure. We sincerely wish council will reconsider this decision. Respectfully, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Beer. THE EDITOR, The month of February has been celebrated as Heart and Stroke Month for many years. A dedicated group of volunteers in Grey Township canvas for the cause and do a fantastic job. I would like to thank my canvassers this year, Val Pethick, Judy Lee, Jose Kuijpers, Ernie and Annette Lewington, Steve and Kathy Blake, Stewart Steiss, Brenda Perrie, Jessica Bentley, Matthew Swart, Jim Armstrong, Shirley Baker, Pam McLellan, Kendra Cardiff, Deb Campbell and Scott Dolmage. The generosity of Grey township residents exceeded $2,200. Thank you for helping to “Make Death Wait.” Captain for Grey Township, Jo-Ann McDonald. Letters to the Editor Thank you for making our “Rocks for Docs” Curling Bonspiel a huge success! Special thanks to John Smuck, Lynn Hoy, Bruce Skinn & Staff at the Wingham Golf & Curling Club as well as all of the curling participants, sponsors and pledges. Howson & Howson Leslie Motors Huron Bay Co-op - Belgrave Hunters Haven Frosty Queen Masterfeeds Steffen’s Auto Supply Ideal Supply Middleton’s Countrywide Stainton’s Hardware Foxton Fuels James Brown Pharmasave Schmidt’s Power Equipment Lynn Hoy Enterprises Hyndman Transport Ideal Supply Turnberry Estates Marg Webster Hodgins Rona Neil Vincent Wingham Golf & Curling Club Blyth Festival Theatre Libro Financial Group Pioneer Britespan Building Systems Wingham Vet Clinic Municipality of Morris-Turnberry McGavin Farm Equipment Joe Kerr Construction Wingham Sales Arena Montgomery Motors The Wingham Health Professionals Recruitment Committee is committed to bringing quality Healthcare Professionals to our community. Thank you for supporting our efforts. #3 And We Try Harder Recent circulation figures for the 8 paid circulation newspapers serving Huron County show The Citizen has the 3rd highest circulation. The Citizen Proudly Community-Owned Since 1985 Writer disagrees with new waste policy in North Huron Couple opposes department proposed for Morris-Turnberry Writer thanks Heart & Stroke Month volunteers in Grey Have A New Addition? Call for prices and details 519-523-4792 or 519-887-9114 Let everyone know about your new bundle of joy! The Citizen