Temple debate gets
more heated
Even before the city council planning
meeting this past Monday, the heat was already turned up on the proposed
construction of a Sikh temple in the southend of the city. The proposal to
develop a four acre site along Claire Rd
between Victoria Rd and Tolton Dr has been highly controversial with neighbourhood residents due to
potential increases in noise and traffic to the area, as well as the temple’s
planned size and height. Initial community feedback at a meeting in December
highlighted these concerns especially, but in that time a new element has
emerged in the debate: The Race Card.
A website called Stop The Temple went
online last month as a way for people against the construction of a Sikh temple
to organize. However, if you go the site (found at http://stop-the-temple.info/) and
register, it’s not just the power of community organizing you’ll be struck by. Charges
of racism and, indeed, hate crimes have been levied against some of the people
posting on Stop The Temple. Here’s a sample:
“So
any middle eastern minority wants something, they’d better get it! If we oppose
we are all racist, and discriminating! God forbid we offend these people. Last
I checked, they are suicide bombers, child molesters, they kill their kids
because they go out after dark, rapists, Con artists, Scammers. Sorry no
offence I don’t want to take the risk of hundreds more moving to this community,
and opening hundreds of corner stores, pizza pizza's and subways. Enough is
enough. You have Brampton. Move there, stay there,
and leave our city alone.”
And then there’s the next comment entitled
“Next a mosque”
“First
it’s a Sikh Temple. Next it will be a Mosque. Both are violent cults and
next it will be a memorial to martyrs aka terrorists. We must stop this eastern
influence.”
In 1964, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Potter
Stewart tried to explain the definition of "hardcore" pornography and
obscenity. I think his words, in relation to the two quotes above, should be
considered in our discussion today about what racism is: "I shall not
today attempt further to define the kinds of material I understand to be
embraced . . . [b]ut I know it when I see it…"
Head over to Guelph Politico at
guelphpolitico.blogspot.com for an update on the debate.
Farbridge set to run for third
term
Mayor Karen Farbridge announced to a small
group of supporters and the media last Wednesday that she was indeed embarking
on a bid to win the City’s top job for a third term. “I am excited at the
opportunity to serve my community as mayor,” said Farbridge in a City press
release. “Our city requires experienced leadership to meet the challenges that
are ahead of us, build on successes, and continue the good work we have begun.”
Farbridge was first elected as mayor in 2000, but lost to Kate Quarrie in her
2003 re-election bid by 4,000 votes. She then defeated Quarrie by over 5,000
votes in the 2006 election. The Municipal Election will take place on Monday October 25,
2010. To hear Farbridge’s announcement
speech head over to Politico.
More Special Guests Courtesy of
Valeriote
Our local MP Frank Valeriote has been going
out of his way in the bringing of special guest to town in the last couple of
weeks. First there was Liberal leader Michael “Iggy” Ignatieff and the week
after that it was Justin “You Know My Name” Trudeau. Coming up on Saturday, Guelph will welcome
MP for York West Judy Sgro for a townhall on seniors and veterans issues at the
Evergreen Seniors Centre. Sgro is the former Minister of Citizenship and
Immigration and the current Liberal critic for Seniors and Pensions. She’ll be
taking audience questions and discussing your concerns starting at 10 am.
For more information, get in touch with Valeriote’s constituency office at
519-837-8276 or valerf1@parl.gc.ca
No comments:
Post a Comment