Jackson Park needs to be protected from Parkway

Re: “Parkway good for the city” (letters, issue 4, September 30)

Dear Arthur,

Your letter-writer Joan Reeves [Letters, Issue 34] claims to be a life-long environmentalist who wants to see the Parkway bridge built through Jackson Park to “save” local streets from truck and excess car traffic. She even suggests it would be undemocratic of new councillors to jettison the idea.

She likely doesn’t appreciate that a referendum in 1992 found a majority of residents were opposed to building an overpass through the park. It is therefore completely undemocratic of our current council to have overturned that public plebiscite.

Anybody claiming to be an environmentalist cannot legitimately advocate for the destruction of green space to reduce traffic in their own neighbourhood.

That is not an environmental position. That is NIMBYism at its best. Jackson Park is a great green sink that has provided solace and respite to citizens for a century. Let’s protect it for future generations by electing local municipal candidates pledged to keeping the park intact. There are other unexplored alternatives: traffic calming; rerouting to Atkinson Rd, car-pooling, better busing and bike lanes.

Trent students have the right to vote for former Trent alumnus Maryam Monsef who is running for Mayor, as well as other progressive candidates for council. Please register to vote and help this community elect candidates committed to green principles and alternative planning. Peterborough needs young Trent voices too. Online voting is now in process!

Kathy Woodcock

Arthur Editor 1979/80

The mystery of the missing nachos

Re: “Why students don’t go to the Writer’s Readings” (campus, issue 6, October 15)

Dear Editors,

I am writing in response to Brian Hough’s article on the Writer’s Reading Series to refute an atrociously inaccurate claim that he has made.

As a current English Literature student, I am appalled at this ignorant misrepresentation of fact, and I think the student body will agree with me as I not only disprove his most revolting misconception, but enlighten with knowledge meaningful to students across Canada.

In the article, Mr. Hough claims that students who attend the Writers Reading Series are invited to “attend a free reception with free food (nachos!)”. Under the assumption that he has attended the WRS—given his incontestable knowledge on the subject—I would like to address his overt falsification that there are, in fact, nachos at these events.

In an interview with the Trent English Student Society’s Vice President, Amanda Hobbs, she states that “there are plain chips with some artichoke dip so guests don’t go hungry” and, when asked about the presence of nachos, she claims “I don’t think we’ve ever had nachos” (Hobbs, 2014).

Webster’s defines nachos as “a tortilla chip topped with melted cheese and often additional savory toppings such as hot peppers or refried beans” (Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary, n.d.). As plain chips with dip do not fit this definition, nor do nachos with Hobbs’ report, there emerges a question of where Mr. Hough’s evidence for this overdrawn statement comes from.

Someone who has been to the Writers Reading Series would assumably be capable of making this clear distinction, yet he has chosen to outright deceive the community via nacho fabrication. A deplorable lie about the presence of a delectable snack.

However, as a critical thinker I will explore a more optimistic deduction in his favour: that Mr. Hough has simply misconstrued what nachos consist of, making this an equally disturbing argument. Don’t worry, I can help.

Using the above definition as a jumping off point, the “chip” is merely a component of the “nachos”, not the entirety. Toppings and condiments must be added to make the full assertion that the deliciously cheesy dish you are eating is in fact, nachos.

Many examples of this can be found at some of Peterborough’s local restaurants such as Riley’s located on George Street, or Gabby’s located on Hunter Street. I personally recommend checking out Riley’s as nachos are half-price on Mondays!

As this is seemingly common knowledge to the average university student, we must remember that due to many circumstances, there may still be those lacking this intellectual distinction.

If this is Mr. Hough’s predicament, I thoroughly apologize for my harsh language and hope I have assisted him in his academic pursuits and—by education—maybe even contributed to his employability for the future.

Sincerely,

Clarissa Harlowe