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Friends of the Cawthra Bush & Greater Mississauga Area
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Opening comments - more at end. 1989 Mississauga News - Editorial - Page - ? Bend the rules Seldom has the old saying, "Rules are meant to be broken (or at least bent)," been more appropriate than in the case involving a local woman running a shelter for homeless and injured cats. Lois Stevens, who runs the shelter in a house she rents on City property on Burnhamthorpe Rd. W. at the Credit River, has been told she has until the end of the month to clear out all but four cats from the building in order to comply with a City bylaw. This would mean as many as 40 cats could find themselves in the municipal animal shelter overnight – an influx which would guarantee some of the older or injured ones would be euthanized. Ward 6 councillor David Cullham has stepped forward to argue in Stevens' behalf, recognizing the simple fact the bylaw in question was never intended to restrict people from running humane shelters. He also knows the Stevens home is located off the beaten track, and her operation is unlikely to adversely affect neighbors. But someone at city hall insists on playing hardball, enforcing the rules as they are spelled out, to the letter. In the vast majority of cases, firm enforcement is necessary and desirable. But just as there must be rules, there must be exceptions to those rules to deal with special cases. Stevens' shelter represents one such case. Cullham says the public should be given the opportunity to decide whether shelters like the Stevens' should be given special consideration. As things stand now, she will have to argue her case before the council's operations and works committee on Jan. 11 and hope for the best. We hope compassion and common sense prevail over dogmatic adherence to the rules. PLEEASSE SIGN OUR PETITION It will make a difference! Home Page - Main Table of Contents - Back up a page - Back to Top [COMMENTS BY DON B. - ] |
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