Please slow down

December 2, 2008

Dear Sir,

I received this e-mail recently and maybe it should be shared with your readers in view of the carnage which we are seeing on our roads. We all need to slow down and adhere to the speed limits, that is the only way lives will be saved. I just hope another death will not be recorded this year!

Jack took a long look at his speedometer before slowing down: 73 in a 55 zone. Fourth time in as many months. How could a guy get caught so often?

When his car had slowed to 10 miles an hour, Jack pulled over, but only partially. Let the cop worry about the potential traffic hazard. Maybe some other car will tweak his backside with a mirror. The cop was stepping out of his car, the big pad in hand.

Bob? Bob from Church? Jack sunk farther into his trench coat.

This was worse than the coming ticket. A cop catching a guy from his own church. A guy who happened to be a little eager to get home after a long day at the office. A guy he was about to play golf with tomorrow.

Jumping out of the car, he approached a man he saw every Sunday, a man he'd never seen in uniform. 'Hi, Bob. Fancy meeting you like this."Hello, Jack.' No smile. Guess you caught me red-handed in a rush to see my wife and kids."

"Yeah, I guess.' Bob seemed uncertain. Good. I've seen some long days at the office lately. I'm afraid I bent the rules a bit -just this once."

Jack toed at a pebble on the pavement. 'Diane said something about roast beef and potatoes tonight. Know what I mean?' 'I know what you mean. I also know that you have a reputation in our precinct .' Ouch. This was not going in the right direction. Time to change tactics. 'What'd you clock me at?' 'Seventy. Would you sit back in your car please?"

"Now wait a minute here, Bob. I checked as soon as I saw you. I was barely nudging 65." The lie seemed to come easier with every ticket. "Please, Jack, in the car."

Flustered, Jack hunched himself through the still-open door. Slamming it shut, he stared at the dashboard. He was in no rush to open the window. The minutes ticked by. Bob scribbled away on the pad. Why hadn't he asked for a driver's licence? Whatever the reason, it would be a month of Sundays before Jack ever sat near this cop again.

A tap on the door jerked his head to the left. There was Bob, a folded paper in hand. Jack rolled down the window a mere two inches,

just enough room for Bob to pass him the slip. "Thanks." Jack could not quite keep the sneer out of his voice.

Bob returned to his police car without a word. Jack watched his retreat in the mirror. Jack unfolded the sheet of paper. How much was this one going to cost? Wait a minute. What was this? Some kind of joke? Certainly not a ticket. Jack began to read:

"Dear Jack,

"Once upon a time I had a daughter. She was six when killed by a car. You guessed it – a speeding driver. A fine and three months in jail, and the man was free. Free to hug his daughters, all three of them. I only had one, and I'm going to have to wait until Heaven before I can ever hug her again. A thousand times I've tried to forgive that man. A thousand times I thought I had. Maybe I did, but I need to do it again. Even now. Pray for me. And be careful, Jack, my son is all I have left.

"Bob"

Jack turned around in time to see Bob's car pull away and head down the road. Jack watched until it disappeared. A full 15 minutes later, he too, pulled away and drove slowly home, praying for forgiveness and hugging a surprised wife and kids when he arrived. Life is precious. Handle with care.

This is an important message; please pass it along to your friends. Drive safely and carefully. Remember, cars are not the only things recalled by their maker. Pass this on, you may save a life. The life you save may be ... Your own child or grandchild.

ANTONY SIESE

City of Hamilton

Charlie's a good man

December 6, 2008

Dear Sir,

It is with great hope and pride I write to you.

The recently elected Mr. Charlie Swan fills me with hope and pride. I know Charlie to be capable of bringing people together and also a person of honesty and integrity. This makes me proud and hopeful for a new beginning in party politics.

The people of Southampton will benefit enormously having Mr. Swan as their representative. His selfless and caring demeanour stands to not only benefit his constituency but also the country as a whole.

We must give credit to Mr. Marc Bean and Mr. Raymond Davis, who ran good, clean, non divisive campaigns. The fact that Mr. Davis did not attract too many votes suggests that there is not much room for Independents in the current political sphere.

The opposition UBP, should gain strength and encouragement from Mr. Swan being elected. With the non-support from some quarters in his own party, it could be suggested there still is work to be done. Charlie in my view is one of the people who can bring the UBP together.

I THINK WE'VE FOUND BARACK!

Southampton

Selfish Saltus parents

December 5, 2008

Dear Sir,

To Saltus Neighbour,

I used to be a Saltus mother, and I totally agree with you.

I have actually witnessed a parent arguing with a Police Officer who was asking them to move on as they were blocking the road.

I have seen teachers turn right at the No Right Turn sign. In fact, I almost struck one. What a fine example set for the students of not obeying traffic rules!

After day one of picking up my child there I laid down the following rules:

1. If you are not ready to get out of the car when we arrive, I won't go into the lay-by, you can walk from where-ever I can next drop you off.

2. If I come to collect you and you are not there yet, I will go around (via Langton Hill, Blackwatch Pass, Tennis Stadium) and come back again for you. If you are further delayed I will keep circling until you are ready. So don't panic if you see me drive off!

This way, I did not delay other parents.

I did find the arrogance of some of the other parents extremely annoying, and they obviously had no problem in sitting there and causing havoc with the traffic, and other parents' timetables!

ST. GEORGE'S

Thanks, Belco linemen

November 28, 2008

Dear Sir,

I would like to give my thanks to our BELCO linemen!

On Wednesday, there was a powerful outage in Smith's covering the area from Flatts to Knapton Hill, including Town Hill Road and Harrington Hundreds. the repair to remedy this situation, I understand, included the replacement of a telephone pole.

The blackout occurred at 3.45 p.m. when we went to bed there was still no power. When I awoke in the night and looked at the clock it was 1.45 a.m. As I turned over to go back to sleep, the lights came on. This meant that our BELCO linemen had worked for nine hours straight to restore our power!

I'm sure many others join me in saying a huge thank you!

JOAN SKINNER

Smith's