Dear sir:
When I was about 10 years old, I asked my father what “oxymoron” meant. He explained that it was the conjunction of mutually exclusive terms—two things that could not possibly go together. He quoted the two most famous examples as “military intelligence” and “bureaucratic initiative.”
It took about 10 years to persuade the Ministry of Health that Manitoba has a perfect right to decide who is a specialist in that province.
It will, apparently, take even longer to persuade them that Winnipeg and Thunder Bay are almost exactly equidistant from Fort Frances.

Dear editor:
In a letter dated June 17, 2008, a letter was sent to Premier Dalton McGuinty, which had been prepared by Ontario Nature.
In it, a number of organizations had their names attached as supporting the position of Ontario nature as it applies to an exemption of the forest industries to the application of the Endangered Species Act.
Amongst these signatories was the Rainy River Valley Field Naturalists, based in Fort Frances, Ontario. I am a member of that club, and wish to make it known, that this endorsement has been done in error.

Dear editor:
Several media recently published a letter written by Janet Sumner, executive director of the Wildlands League, a special interest group located in Toronto.
Upon reading Ms. Sumner’s op-ed piece, we immediately were struck with many questions.
Ms. Sumner makes a bold claim in her opening paragraph when she asks the question “Will the sky fall for the forest industry because of the new Species at Risk Act?” To which she quickly provides her own opinion, “No.”
We are curious as to what qualifies Ms. Sumner to make this statement/assessment?

Dear editor:
The Northern Cancer Fund raises funds that are 100 percent dedicated to supporting excellence in cancer care throughout Northwestern Ontario.
Your gifts—past, present, and future—helps ensure our regional cancer programs continue to offer timely, quality care with the latest cutting-edge equipment and treatment options for your friends and family.
A cancer diagnosis can be a terrifying experience. But thanks to our generous donations, more people in Northwestern Ontario are living with cancer than dying from it.

Dear editor:
I thought I would like all readers to hear the little story of the break-ins and stealing that has been going on. I must say I have been careless leaving my purse out in open view, but feel trusting in this building.
In the past four weeks, however, I have had my purse rifled, all the paper money, plus two change purses gone. Twice!
I will never recover the money, but if the guilty party reads this, I hope you will feel shame to have stolen from an 89-year-old woman.
You should not be stealing at all!
Thank you for the space.
Signed,
Pearl Wardman
Fort Frances, Ont.

Dear editor:
On Tuesday, June 17, I had the honour of joining my mom and about 60 Rainycrest residents and guests as they spent the day at Sunny Cove Camp.
It was an incredible day! The sun shone, the residents enjoyed the bus trip, the food was great, and a few residents even enjoyed good luck at Bingo.

Dear editor:
I am writing this letter in hopes to help others with similar problems.
Our Ontario travel grant program is supposed to help with expenses for tavelling for medical help outside our area. In the past year, we have had to travel to see a physician in Kenora (Morningstar Rehab Centre).
But each time I have sent in the travel grant, it has been denied.
I finally went to see Howard Hampton, who is trying to resolve the problem on our behalf. He has encouraged me to let others having the same difficulty contact him, too (the more voices, the better you are heard).

Dear editor:
I can’t believe (in fact there’s many of us who can’t believe) the sad state our roads are in within the Town of Fort Frances.
Everyone is complaining that tourists aren’t coming or staying in our town and area due to high gas prices and a hassle at Customs. I think not! Look around and see how hard it is to travel west to east or north to south.
It’s ridiculous and uncalled for to have all this work being done at the same time.

Dear sir:
I strongly support the building of the new public library for Fort Frances. I have been involved in the effort to make this a reality for 13 years now.
Do we need a new library? Yes!!! In 2003, a feasibility study was conducted by the architectural firm of Kuch, Stephenson, Gibson and Malo. Cost studies were done on whether to renovate the old building, renovate and add on to the old building, or build a new facility altogether.
Based on that study, it was decided the most efficient and cost-effective choice for the town was to build a new facility.

Dear editor:
We live on the 300 block of Sixth Street West. Sometimes I think we live on the edge of town.
Our road is full of patches and holes, no curb or gutter, and no sidewalks, and yet our taxes are high—and keep going up.
I could deal with the odd/even days to use water outside our homes, but I have a problem with no water until August. I always have kept my yard nice and my vehicles clean. I have never gone to the car wash during the summer.