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OPINION While some may find it easy to dismiss a $96 increase in Town taxes for 2008 after all its only a couple dollars more a week such a hike does not deserve a cavalier attitude. It might be easy to dismiss the Towns 9.8 per cent tax increase if Halton Hills residents were seeing similar hikes to their weekly pay cheques. However, we doubt they are. So, for this year, homeowners, with a house assessed at $300,000, will be forced to pay nearly $100 extra for the same services they received last year. Thats a bitter pill for many residents, espe- cially seniors living on fixed incomes, to swal- low. Unfortunately, (and stop us if youve heard this here before) its the cost of the Town doing business today. Roads need to be repaired, recreation pro- grams need to be run, facilities need to be maintained, staff have to be hired, etc. With neither the federal or provincial gov- ernments eager to provide sufficient infrastruc- ture funding to municipalities, the pressure to keep tax increases to a reasonable number (and 9.8 per cent is not reasonable, necessary per- haps, but not reasonable) only increases. Town treasurer Ed DeSousa has already fore- warned that, with local assessment growth vir- tually stalled because of water and wastewater servicing constraints, tax hikes like this years will become the norm instead of the exception. With dire warnings of a downturn in the national economy, the stock markets taking a large hit, job losses mounting and now huge municipal tax hikes on the way, 2008 is not starting out on a positive note. Huge Town tax hike a bitter pill to swallow The Independent & Free Press is published every Wednesday and Friday at 280 Guelph St., Unit 29, Georgetown Ont., L7G 4B1. It is one of several newspapers published by Metroland Media Group Ltd. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of the advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with reasonable allowance for sig- nature will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the acceptable rate. In the event of typographical error advertising goods or services at wrong price, goods or ser- vices may not be sold. Advertising is merely an offer to sell which may be withdrawn at any time. Editorial and advertising content of The Independent & Free Press is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Price: Store copies 50 each; Subscriptions $26 per year by carrier; $92.50 per year by mail in Canada; $130 per year in all other countries. Plus G.S.T. Second Class Mail Registration Number 6869. The Independent & Free Press is a member of The Canadian Community Newspaper Association and The Ontario Community Newspaper Association. Steve Nease THE INDEPENDENT & FREE PRESS LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear editor, In reference to the article titled Region encourages residents to get flu vaccine in the December 7 issue, I would like to point out some facts regarding the flu vaccine provided by doctors across Ontario. A product called Thimerosal, which is 49 per cent mercury, is used as a preservative in all three flu (0.01%) vaccines currently in use in Ontario. Among other things, mercury expo- sure has been linked to slowed devel- opment, and increased incidence of autism & ADHD in young children, which is why Health Canada has pro- hibited vaccines containing mercury typically given to young children. According to a 2001 US Department of Education report, autism and speech disorders were cor- related with increasing mercury from childhood vaccines. Although there is likely some bene- fit to having the flu shot, I would sug- gest that you carefully review the bene- fits of doing so. Kevin Rumo, Georgetown Benefits of flu vaccine should be reviewed Something bugging you? 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Phone: 905-873-0301 Fax: 905-873-0398www.independentfreepress.com Dear editor, The Acton Christmas Hamper committee sends sincere and heart- felt thanks to the individuals and groups in Acton and surrounding areas for your generous support of this years Christmas Hamper pro- gram. We especially appreciate the amount of non-perishable food donated by the six local schools. Your kindness helped us to provide hampers for over 80 families, including more than 100 children. Christmas was much happier for these people because of your thoughtfulness. Thanks also to the many volun- teers who gave their time to sort the donated food and pack the hampers, helping to make this years program such a success. This year the Knights of Columbus Council 8050 provided great help with the hamper distribution and we welcome them to our group of faithful volunteers. The spirit of caring and sharing is indeed alive and well here in our town. Thanks again; we wish you Gods blessings now and in the year ahead. Acton Rotary Club, Lakeside Chapter IODE, Salvation Army Acton Family Services, St. Vincent Charities of St. Joseph, Patron of Canada Dear editor, Re: Angels 4 Abby fundraiser. My nannys good friends, Margret and Roper, have a granddaughter who has a disease but it is not con- tagious. At the mall (Dec. 15) there was a table where they were selling pins as they dont have enough money for the equipment for her so they are raising money to give her some medicine that makes her cheeks go puffy. She is in the Hospital for Sick Children and her name is Abby and she is only five years old. With this disease you can get moody. My cousin Kylie has the same disease. The pins are only $5 so I hope you go and buy one. Katie Harrison, Georgetown (Editors note: An Angels 4 Abby Fund has been set up at TD Canada Trust, transit number 2472, account number 6283421.) Youngster urges all to donate to cause Hamper committee appreciated support Dear editor, The Homecoming 2007 Committee would like to thank all those who con- tributed to the success of our July 2007 event. With your help, we raised $79,271 for our library. To think that we gave thousands of people a won- derful weekend and at the same time raised this much money for our com- munity is very gratifying. We are particularly grateful for the outstanding assistance from The Independent & Free Press for helping us get the message out (Amy, John, Steve the whole staff). Georgetown is a most beloved town and the enthusiasm of all who attended attests to our affec- tion for our hometown. What a great place to be from! What a great place to live! The Homecoming 2007 Committee Homecoming was a hit 6 Independent & Free Press, Wednesday, January 16, 2008 Letters to the editor must include an address and daytime telephone number. Unsigned letters will not be published. Letters should not exceed 200 words and may be edited for content and/or length. Mail or drop off: Independent & Free Press, 280 Guelph St., Unit 29, Georgetown, ON., L7G 4B1 E-mail: jmcghie@independentfreepress.com