Letters From Our Readers
Feedback pours in on our stories about conservation authority consolidation and new recycling bins, along with thanks for telling local stories.
Small planes, big dreams
Still crying over my lost dream, but reliving all the moments through your story [“Long Runway, Small Plane, Big Sky,” summer ’23]. Thanks for that.
— Evelyn Elliott, Guelph
A note of thanks
I want to say that I love your magazine In The Hills. It is always great reading and provides so much information about Dufferin-Caledon that I might never have known about. It has helped my family discover new places and things, and goings-on in the community for us to take part in. Thank you for a wonderful and informative read, always.
— Barb B, East Garafraxa
In defence of local conservation authorities
Conservation authority consolidation is a misguided concept [“Explainer: Ontario’s Conservation System Faces a Major Overhaul,” summer ’26]. Fixing some current issues of inconsistencies in CA capacity to deliver programs or fee structures makes sense. Taking years to amalgamate up to seven CAs into one new regional CA with no lower-tier municipal representation or voices on these very large bodies does not make sense, will slow current activities including permitting, and will result in harm to our watersheds.
— Rob Messervey, Pickering
Pros and cons of bigger bins
In response to the “Recycling woes” letter to the editor [Letters, summer ’26], I remember feeling exactly the same when the large wheeled bins for recycling, garbage and organic waste were introduced here years ago … in the middle of winter! Now I love these bins with the big wheels. They are easy to manoeuvre and I don’t put my recycling out until it’s full. That silly little green bin drove me nuts! It was heavy and I had to lift it into a wheelbarrow to get it to the road. The blue bins were a disaster on windy days. Now I can pull both bins to the road at the same time. I’m 78 and have a long unpaved driveway too, so I know where you are coming from! Give it a try. You may end up seeing the advantage. I am sure the workers like the bins being mechanically dumped. Also many people now leave their bins at the end of the drive and drop things off from their car on their way out. Yes, it seemed like an eyesore at first but it has become almost a status symbol showing one cares about the community. Also if you have a legitimate disability, there is help.
— Peggy Dickey, Caledon
The blue bins now hold a remarkable (and heavy) amount of recyclable material. My gravel driveway is 250 metres long – uphill both ways – so I made an adjustment and hope this suggestion will help others. The blue bin and garbage bin must be placed on the far side of my gravel road for collection. I placed my blue bin by my driveway close to the road, and every few weeks I load it with the contents of my old blue bin. This week I hauled the filled large bin to the far side of the road, snugly beside my garbage bin. The theory is that the total weight of the two bins will discourage the wind from flinging my garbage bin, cover off, into the road ditch (as happens often, especially in winter). It worked. Others may find this tactic useful.
— Charles Hooker, East Garafraxa
Related Stories
Long Runway, Small Plane, Big Sky
When these headwaters pilots feel the urge to fly, they step out their back door.
Explainer: Ontario’s Conservation System Faces a Major Overhaul
By next spring, familiar names like Credit Valley Conservation will disappear as 36 authorities are folded into nine – with potential ripple effects across the Headwaters region.
The Battle of the Blue Bins
Whether you want one or not, bigger – much bigger – blue bins are rolling out to a curb near you this spring, though not everyone is convinced the new system will deliver.
