Opinion | Oct. 21: Spec readers agree Don’t you dare kill those beavers, what to do with SJAM and other letters – TheSpec.com

Turn SJAM over to HHS

I agree with the comments on the use of the school Sir John A. Macdonald. There is more than enough room for 200-plus individuals. There is room for administrators, medical professionals and social workers. It is clear that the taxpayers have paid for this building. Therefore, transfer this asset to Hamilton Health Sciences and assist those in need. Is there a clearer answer? Remember, this is taxpayer money.

Christopher Risidore, Hamilton

Old Cathedral School is a shelter already

Regarding the letter Turn unused school into a shelter (Oct. 19): The author is right its a great idea to turn unoccupied schools like Sir John A. Macdonald into shelters for homeless people especially now that winter is coming. The thing is we already have one! For the past year, The Good Shepherd has run an overflow mens shelter out of the old Cathedral High School on Main Street East. Its a great resource. Sadly, it is scheduled to shut down in December as the COVID funding is ending. What a pity.

I dont like this idea

Turning Sir John A. Macdonald school into a temporary shelter was an idea recently put forward by a Dundas letter writer. As a longtime resident of the Central neighbourhood, living in proximity to the school, I have concerns about this. Shelters, temporary or permanent, are not a solution to the homelessness crisis. Interestingly, the letter was adjacent to an article by Lily Noble of Stop the Sprawl Hamilton. She points out that infill development is less expensive and more environmentally and socially sustainable than sprawl. Surely, with all the vacant buildings that we know exist in Hamilton, a permanent solution to homelessness could be found. Readers may be interested to know many Central residents would love to see the SJAM space become a vibrant community hub that could include health services, recreation and meeting spaces as well as perhaps a seniors facility, all badly needed.

Joan Little has my back

Regarding the commentary Column unfairly portrayed Christmas market plan (Oct. 18): Wow! Watch your back Ms. Little, the knives are out! It seems a couple of typos can be lethal!

I read Ms. Littles Sept. 29 column, as I do all her columns, and really appreciate her knowledgeable insights into the workings of Burlington. Frankly I dont recall anything nefarious in her article, but if Coun. Nisan felt she had made an error, why didnt he just write to set the record straight? Why this Gang of Four approach? Methinks they doth protest too much!

Poor Ms. Little! I must pay even closer attention to her columns in future; apparently I missed something juicy. I know for sure that Ms. Little has had MY back for many of the 55 years Ive been a Burlington resident, with her timely and valuable information.

Dont kill those beavers

Im sad and frustrated to read of the mindless solution the City of Hamilton came up with to solve a problem caused by three beavers. According to the city, they are happy to keep an eye on most beaver hot spots throughout the city. Someone forgot to monitor the damaging 20-metre dam beavers built across Davis Creek. The only solution the city came up with kill the beavers!

Pamela Holland, Stoney Creek

Blame city hall, not the beavers

I would imagine that if Canadas symbol of hard work and perseverance has survived over a century of steel mill induced smog, decades of contaminated soil and years of billions of litres of raw sewage flooding the wetlands then the beaver is more toxic avenger than chubby little rodent with a serious overbite. Seriously, blaming beavers for decades-long neglect of bursting pipes, overflowing sewer systems and 100-year floods is ludicrous. The fault lies squarely with the provincial and municipal governments who put expansion ahead of maintenance. Add thousands of new homes with little regard for aging infrastructure and you get a sewer system that like the highways are clogged and bursting at the seams.

Try chicken wire around the trees

As to the beaver situation: put chicken wire around the trunk of the trees. Then the beavers cannot chew the trees down because they cannot chew through the chicken wire. The beavers will relocate themselves.

Wayne Richardson, Hamilton

Its all part of nature

Perhaps readers should be made aware of how beavers are trapped. Trappers set underwater traps that drown them. It is cruel and unnecessary. Share the land with all creatures. Be kind. I live abutting a conservation area and yes have had high water issues because of their activity. Its part of nature. And life.

Michelle Gagnon, Hamilton

Killing them is not an option

If the city is having a problem with beavers, why dont they get permission from the province to relocate them someplace more suitable, such as up north past Timmins? Its not rocket science. I wouldnt mind seeing my tax dollars spent to capture these pesky creatures and move them by to another area. Killing them is not an option.

Jeremy Duffy, Stoney Creek

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Opinion | Oct. 21: Spec readers agree Don't you dare kill those beavers, what to do with SJAM and other letters - TheSpec.com