Comments on: Where the rubber meets the road

By: Write of Way

Write of Way — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 01:24:54 +0000

Like this is news. People from Fox Valley have acted like this for decades. Whoever had the newest Firebird, Mustang or new truck was always the coolest – it’s part of a narrow minded rural ideology. People on both sides of these stories are crazy and not impartial to the events and I wouldn’t take what either side says for real if another article is published. I feel bad for this family but it sounds like there are sides to the story not being presented.

By: admin

admin — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:01:12 +0000

Thanks for your comment.
This article has now been viewed 225 times. I’d say the reader interest is there to warrant the media’s attention.
And, just as a way to highlight everyone’s diverse views – this story was brought to The Badger’s attention by several sources – none of whom are quotes in the article.
In this business, you can never make everyone happy, but you always manage to make a few angry. All we can pledge to do is our best and that, (after being awake for 30 straight hours to put the latest issue to bed) is something I can absolutely guarantee we are going.

Thanks again for the feedback, it is most appreciated. Above all, it shows people are engaging in our content, which is very gratifying and humbling.

By: commonsense

commonsense — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:48:18 +0000

Don’t you honestly believe, if these people who had problems with the youths would have handled this in an adult matter instead of just getting mad and taking police issues into their own hands, that all this injustice that they are talking about might not have happened, If someone is speeding by my place and squeeling tires does it give me the right to side swipe them, then after that complain about bad drivers who might, and I say might hurt someone just after I rammed someone I dont even know just cause I was mad, and then also the person that I rammed and could have killed was a young girl, who is probably affected from this for the rest of her life. Yes I can understand if someone is harassing them, or causing them immediate danger that they have to react, and it sometimes is not the best decision that they could have made, But if they have time to think and then just one night blow up and chase someone down, then there are other issues that we need to look at here and wonder if it is a safe place for them free in the public. Some one commented earlier that youths squealing tires should get jail, then I think if somenone has the intent to injure they should get life. If they have to take the matter in your own hands, why aren’t they writing letters of the poor policing in these towns, Cause that is what they are saying without coming right out and saying it, That they have to save this town, I feel the police in this area are doing an excellent job with the amount of staff that they have to work with, and taking time to work on important situations. I think in everyones best intrests that if all this media would stop, I bet the problem with all the people in question would stop. But if this is what you need to write in order to get people to read your paper than good on you.

By: No Sympathy for Aggravated

No Sympathy for Aggravated — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 16:16:40 +0000

Hmm. Cant help it. I have to comment in Aggravated…
**I am calling the ones who were driving like maniacs “kids” because I don’t know how old they are, but they don’t have the maturity for the “adult” status yet…**

“He deserved to lose his license for driving like that”
-my response…Those reckless drivers should lose their license for driving like that and maybe jail time and hopefully some hefty fines…

“What would have happened if he would have caused bodily damage to this innocent girl because of uncontrollable anger and stupidity?”
-my response… What if those kids would have killed someone due to their complete arrogance and stupidity? How would you feel if those idiot kids would have killed one of his young children? How would you feel Mr. Hitchin would have called this girl a fat bitch? How would you feel if your property was vandalized with spray painted dicks (and it should be because that’s what these kids are).

Just for the record… the actions of the people in this town are completely unacceptable. Shame on those who were sticking up for these senseless reckless drivers. I don’t care if you’ve been in this town for 5 generations EVERYONE deserves respect and EVERYONE has human rights. I am so disappointed in Fox Valley right now. I would NOT be proud to live there after this unless the appropriate action is taken to fix this situation. I hope these kids get jail time for this…

By: Aggravated

Aggravated — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 01:56:33 +0000

There are two sides to every story and unfortunately there is only one side that has been commented on in the paper. Mr. Hitchen is by far the community man you seem to think. I just want to comment on his side swiping he did to some young guy that made him mad. The person driving that truck was a young lady who was driving to pick up a pizza. She had not been drinking nor has she ever spun a tire in her life. When he decided to sideswipe this truck that he was having a problem with, he was not even smart enough to look first who was driving it as it was quite a while later. What would have happened if he would have caused bodily damage to this innocent girl because of his uncontrollable anger and stupidity. He deserved to lose his license for driving like that and not just get a fine. Justice certainly was not served in this case.

By: Joseph Hancock

Joseph Hancock — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 01:06:52 +0000

I’m not offended at all, I love your paper and feel free to use my comments if you wish…:-)

By: Sheri Monk

Sheri Monk — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:46:12 +0000

Hey Joe,
Thanks for the comment.
I had no idea such a term would cause offense – that’s one of the downsides to hobbies and subcultures – the rest of the population doesn’t have the same knowledge of lingo.
But thank you for bringing it to my attention and apologies to all who may have been offended.
I think, looking back, I actually picked up the term from my Dad who used it to describe crazy drivers. But I had no idea it was an official term for those like yourself.

Thanks again for letting me know! We may include your comment in the print edition of The Badger if you are comfortable with that in order to let people know about it. (And maybe most do and I am just the moronic exception!)

Sheri

By: Joseph Hancock

Joseph Hancock — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:02:43 +0000

Sheri;
How are you? I guess I just wanted to take a bit of exception at the use of the term ‘Hot Rodders’ in the article about the bad driving and rubber tracks in Fox Valley. I’m about as HardCore Hot Rodder as you might ever see, and I have laid miles of rubber in my life, even down that same street in Fox Valley some thirty odd years ago… The issue I have is I would never, ever abuse someone who merely wanted me to stop tearing up the street, my tires, and his peace of mind. I don’t speak for all ‘Hot Rodders’ here, that isn’t my place, but most HardCore HotRodders have too much time and money invested in their equipment to be doing that sort of thing. Also, as club members, we have to build a reputation for being somewhat responsible. All Hot Rodders want to play with their toys, I hope we don’t do it in such a way as to hurt someone such as the Hitchen family…
Respectfully
Joseph Hancock..

By: Mike Simpson

Mike Simpson — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 04:05:25 +0000

Found your publication in todays mail, and couldn’t believe it when I saw the front page story (“Where the rubber meats the road”). I had almost exactly the same experience in a somewhat smaller village in Alberta. I found the place almost by accident…it’s way off the grid..
and happily bought a lot, moved my mobile there, and was ready to start enjoying small town life after many decades in Calgary. In no time the locals started performing exactly as Mr. Hitchen describes. I too called the RCMP several times, but one constable had to cover many such towns and was at least 45 minutes away. And, of course, when he did eventually arrive the place was quiet as a tomb. I too chased after one particularly evil pair, but my poor old truck just couldn’t make it. In that regard I guess I was luckier than Mr. Hitchen, although I’d happily have run them off the road at the time. I too encountered the “boys will be boys” attitude from the locals. In fact the town manager told me to ignore them so that I could feel free to do the same things! At that point I started to look elsewhere and found a little house here in Shaunavon. Selling my place in “The Village Form Hell”, as I will always think of the place, I knew would be a problem, but I think they were as anxious to get rid of me as I was to leave. So a local made me a slightly insulting offer which I gratefully accepted. I too was the target of hostilities, although the only damage was a couple of thrown eggs, and the odd bit of garbage dumped on my yard. These young idiots know that the residents are in fact afraid to complain because everyone knows each other and they dare not offend a neighbour, or indeed a relative as most were related one to the other. In that regard Mr. Hitchen, I’m afraid you’ll always be looked upon as an outsider, but I really hope the truce lasts for you. I wish you well.