At the bottom of all local stories on OrilliaMatters, readers now have the option of submitting feedback. Here's what readers had to say about what was making news over the last week:
Ren's Pets to open new Orillia location in West Orillia in April
As a pet owner my entire life, I've had everything from chinchillas to bunnies, to cats and dogs so I understand the need for choice when it comes to needing a variety of things when it comes to caring for our fur kids. That being said, do we really need two Pet Values, a Global Pet Foods, Critter Cove, the one that took over the TSC store, plus Walmart, Zehrs, Canadian Tire, Metro, Home Hardware, No Frills and Food Basics all selling food and other forms of toys and supplies?
I mean, I fully understand that Orillia also services the areas west towards Coldwater, north towards Gravenhurst and south towards Barrie and that the population does increase during the summer, but that doesn't mean that everyone brings up an animal with them nor do they forget to bring supplies for said pet with them. I wonder what the saturation point is when it comes to specific types of business. I need to count dollar stores and Tim Horton's because I don't think we've had any new ones of those built of those go in lately. — Mindy Grainger
I know there has been mixed reactions about these bins, but I'd really like Orillia to institute them. This will protect the garbage/recycle from being rained on or blowing out of the bin on gusty winter days. The current garbage collection routinely leaves objects stuck to the inside of my recycling bins, so perhaps a machine giving it a firm shake would prevent that better than the human operators that have been leaving it behind. — Danny Galea
COLUMN: Is it time to re-think battle against invasive species? - Orillia News
So is the photo here phragmites? Do they grow at the side of the road? If so, I have seen people with shovels digging them up probably for their own garden. Can we erect signs everywhere they grow saying don’t spread them or move them? Also, do our children learn anything about invasive species in school? Thanks to the columnist for doing this important work. — Sherry Lawson
Oro-Medonte Renaissance clothing designer looks to sew up success - Orillia News
I looked at their website and their designs look very interesting. They will look good on just about anybody. Good luck with your new business. — Holly Levinter
Local Lifelabs employees protest over wages, staff shortages - Orillia News
I am retired teacher who highly respect the essential workers. They should all have decent benefits. I believe that the municipal, provincial and federal governments have not done enough to help. I want to volunteer for outdoor recesses and was told that volunteers are not allowed on school property. — Hélène Deschênes-Allen
COLUMN: Lost Heroes of Oro tells 'moving' origin story of county's Black community - Orillia News
I can’t wait to see this play. Racism exists everywhere but thankfully by educating people, you will hopefully change their narrow minded perception. — Hélène Deschênes-Allen.
LETTER: Oro-Medonte accused of US-like 'voter suppression' - Orillia News
The letter and recent stories raise the issue of opportunity versus risk and the ‘Chicken Little’ wave around security seems to have been started by Oro-Medonte’s mayor and some other council members.
‘Opportunity’ in this context, is to provide a voting service in which every individual is treated equally, unhampered by artificial barriers such as age, handicap, physical location, etc., except when exclusions can be justified. ‘Risk’ is the possibility of something bad happening. What is the probability or possibility of a municipal election process being hacked, by who, and why? No answer.
Toronto and other municipalities such as Innisfil and Adjala-Tosorontio have at least used the Request for Proposal process to have internet voting service providers demonstrate that they have the required security measures in place - and provide that information to the public, instead we have opinion and ambiguity from Oro-Medonte council.
Yet, Oro-Medonte decided to reject internet and telephone voting based solely on the opinion of some councillors. Somewhat like the COVID virus: hidden in plain sight. — Allan Baker
