Trying to stop a quarry by applying a tree-cutting bylaw strikes me as futile (“Quarry opposition seen as $400,000 struggle,” 7 January).

Quarries in Ontario are controlled jealously by the provincial government, which is known for its strong support of development. Municipalities cannot even inspect gravel pits to ascertain whether they are being used as garbage dumps. Only Mr McGuinty’s agents can do so...and they don’t.

If the county tree-cutting bylaw forbids destruction of woodlands exceeding one hectare, then the county authorities should exercise their power to fine Highland up to $100,000. Highland probably considers that sum small, but they would also be ordered to replace the trees they destroyed.

Unfortunately, the county bylaw exempts “the injuring or destruction of trees undertaken on land in order to lawfully establish and operate or enlarge any pit or quarry on land.” An approved quarry therefore has authority to destroy any trees that may obstruct its operation, thanks to our bylaw against tree-cutting.

As the only control that can be exerted by the tree-cutting bylaw is over commercial lumber harvests, and since 97% of Dufferin County forest cover has been nurtured by its private owners for over 150 years, and because the only significant damage occurring to woodlands in this county is caused by housing developments, gravel pits and skateboard parks, I urge that the tree-cutting bylaw be revoked entirely.

Charles Hooker

Orangeville

Claire Hoy has a point when he writes that those who attack Stephen Harper for shutting down Parliament usually fail notice that the Senate is filled with a collection of largely Liberal-appointed and unelected Senators. But excusing one government’s imperial behaviour by citing another’s is hardly compelling- and it solves nothing.

We need to pick all politicians up by the scruff of their necks and tell them to co-operate and govern like adults.

And one more thing: Mr. Hoy can’t resist throwing his own bucket of refuse at the Liberals.” What the Globe- and most media outlets- are upset about is that it will stop opposition parties from continuing to malign our brave soldiers in Afghanistan who stand accused...of charges that our troops are engaged in war crimes...”

Well, there you have it. We should never, ever question what the troops do for as we all know they are infallible. To which any soldier, Canadians included, would offer a big, fat raspberry.

Geoff. Rytell

Toronto

It is in my opinion, very unproductive of Stephen Harper to close down OUR government, especially the many important committees. For one person to be able to stop my democratic representative from representing me by means of one phone call to the Queens representative. Would he of just phoned the Queen?

We realise now that there is a great difference between “Progressive Conservatives” & the present anti-Canadian, anti-public “conservatives”. By comparison his federal predecessors were gentlemen.

George White

Orangeville