Wednesday, August 23, 2006 · Page 5 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Road improvements questioned During the recent heat wave, my wife and I were enjoying a leisurely drive along County Road 50, down near the Town of Essex lakeshore. As we drove along the highway, we couldn't help but notice that many of the side roads leading from the highway, past many summer cottages, down to the beach, were newly paved. We wondered why these roads were newly paved when more heavily traveled roads in our part of the town, former Colchester North, remain unpaved? Despite many requests from local citizens, our roads remain unimproved, while lesser traveled laneways along the beaches have been newly resurfaced. Let's consider the recent surfacing of the 5th Concession between the McCormack Side Road and Walker Road. There we have approximately 1 km of roadway along which there are only three residences. Could it be that a certain local official has real estate interests along the 5th Concession? To the mayor and our town council, we're aware of what's going on. We're certainly paying attention to your free spending antics. Ron Riggs Essex County council term of office I applaud the forward-thinking and logical actions of County Council (your article Aug. 16) in seeking out options towards the possible reduction in the term of office for the County warden. Bravo. Your article contained comments of one dissenting member who wants to maintain the status quo, completely closed-minded to the exploration of other options. In my view, his reasoning rings hollow yet instead is an indication of his self-serving personal want of the position. I would hope that his colleagues, when casting their votes for the position, will consider the track record and possible ulterior motives of each candidate and hold strong to the election of the individual best qualified to lead in a progressive manner, and with the best interests of county residents at heart. I am a proponent of regional government. It is imperative that a concerted effort be put towards this cause without delay. As long as career politicians with self-serving interests are elected to lead, this area shall remain repressed and stagnant. T.N. Pearsall Tecumseh Re: Britain to pardon Canadian soldiers Our media seems somewhat divided on the question of whether it would be correct for Great Britain to pass an omnibus bill creating a belated pardon for the 23 Canadian soldiers shot for desertion or cowardice in World War I. War historians are more certain that it would be what Desmond Morton of McGill University called "selfindulgent rubbish" and what Jack Granatstein has called "turning fact into fiction." Fresh in my mind were the stories from my father, a decorated World War I veteran, who survived the trench warfare. He never forgave the very small percentage of sol- diers who took the easy route. A quote I gave to the Globe and Mail stated: "Deserters were bad role models for other troops. How can you expect other troops to go on sacrificing their lives if they knew they could get out of it and then get a pardon?" In a perfect world, the Great War of 1914-1918 would never have happened at all. It did. It took the lives of 60,000 young Canadians. I had studied the matter for many years. When contacted by the media, I had no alternative but to speak for the soldiers killed in action and for the British High Command who saw execution of deserters as the only way to maintain discipline. The War Amps, and most of the executive officers from the 55 organizations belonging to our National Council of Veteran Associations, were polled. They came down hard in their judgment against the contemplated action of the British Government to meddle with Canadian politics. Cliff Chadderton Chairman, National Council of Veteran Associations BINGO TROUBLE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 John Fairley, vice president of marketing for CBC Bingo Inc., which runs five halls in Windsor, says the changes to bingo regulations are necessary to retain jobs in the industry after a steady decline in American visitors since Sept. 11, 2001. "Everything has changed since that day," Fairley said. "Our concern has always having enough been American customers to maintain our halls." Two CBC bingo halls have closed within the past year, Derby Community Bingo and Bingo Country on Northway Avenue in Windsor. Fairley said there are close to 500 charities that rely on CBC Bingo halls for fundraising. Bingos have been the primary source of income for the Essex Minor Baseball Association, says president Joe Grondin. The association is gearing up for a golf tournament to help offset the costs of town fees, player and equipment insurance and a number of other expenses. "We expect our revenues this year to be about half of what they've been in the past," Grondin said. The Essex Knights of Columbus hold bingos about once a month to benefit about 50 charities, said deputy grand knight Terry Ducharme. Ducharme said the K of C recently held an executive meeting to discuss bingo hall closures and decreasing revenues. "The big thing we're worried about is the loss of the halls," Ducharme said. "If they close their doors, the charities are going to lose out. Hopefully they will come up with some creative ways to bring more people." Fairley said CBC Bingo has met with Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission about introducing electronic bingo games at some halls as an additional source of income. Still Available Pails of Pitted 68 Talbot St. N., Essex, Ontario N8M 1A2 · Phone 776-7541 HOURS: Mon., Tues., Wed. 8-6; Thurs., Fri. 8-8; Sat. 8-6; Closed Sun. CHICKEN BREASTS $ Fresh Quality Service and Value Since 1962 MEAT MARKET LTD. 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