Dear John Richard Francis,
I’ve not had the pleasure of reacting so strongly to one of your editorials but your most recent one has riled me. First off regarding the incident at the Tugs last weekend. Four women out for a walk tried to politely inform the family there picnicking that it was not allowed and they were then seriously verbally assaulted by two of the young adults. When they then spotted the older woman making a fire they spoke to her also and felt so threatened and concerned by this group they called 911. Fire personnel arrived first then OPP but by then the family left in their vehicles. They were spotted and dealt with as in fined so they were to use your term “rousted”.
Secondly, your sympathy for city dwellers living in cramped quarters is compassionate, however, believing that the ones who travel here live in cramped apartments and borrow someone’s car to come here for a day thereby declaring them less fortunate and stating “do we really want to discriminate against the less fortunate” is delusional.
The majority of cars we observe here from out of town are Audis and convertible jeeps, etc. Often with boats or kayaks attached and not cars that appear to be borrowed as you noted. Nor are they people that appear to be destitute. Especially with the amount of cash they hand over for boat tours and meals and accommodation.
I tell you this as a woman who came to Tobermory throughout the 90s when I was a young single mother of one, specifically because back then I could afford to bring my son here and camp and eat and hike and take a boat tour even on my very limited income. Since returning to work here and now live here full time I’ve often noted that low income folk cannot afford to visit this town anymore due to the much increased costs of gas but also accommodation and tourist attractions.
What I have observed in this town, both as a citizen and an employee, is what comes with financial privilege – arrogance, self righteousness, speeding (poor people can’t afford or risk a speeding ticket) and more recently seen in the “Covidiots.” Not of most but of many visitors. From all cultures I might add.
I state this with respect as your friend and as a person of long time limited income and as a witness.
Yvette Roberts, Tobermory
