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OPINION The Ontario election campaign is now officially under way and its difficult to remember a campaign in which the electorate appears to be as conflicted as it is. For the past four years, under Dalton McGuintys Liberals, Ontarios economy has, for the most part, per- formed solidly. There has been labour peace among the public sector workers. There has been a relative calm restored to Queens Park compared to the latter days of the Mike Harris/Ernie Eves Conservative-led years. Yet, virtually every poll to date indicates McGuinty would do well to win only a minority government. Why, one wonders, has the electorate not embraced him and his party? Perhaps it is because, after his election in 2003, McGuinty quickly broke his vow not to impose a health tax a broken promise that has dogged him ever since. In recent weeks the Liberals have been promising the sun and moon with daily announcements of funding for a wide variety of projects all with one caveat attached they must be re-elected. Perhaps voters find this electoral blackmail distaste- ful? Or perhaps they are unwilling to give their trust to a politician who callously abused it the last time around? Since the NDP appears to have little hope or per- haps desire to form the next government or even attain Opposition status, it remains with the Conservatives and leader John Tory to convince the electorate there is an alternative to the McGuinty Liberals. However, Tory has not yet shown to be the dynamic counterbalance to McGuintys blandness. He has, curiously, created a hot-button issue with his call for faith-based school funding something most Ontarians do not appear to support. The Conservative leader has also outlined a spending plan that mirrors that of the Liberals both intend to spend more than $14 billion for programs over the next four years but he brings up a dreaded Mike Harris-era phrase finding efficiencies when asked how he will pay for those programs. Like McGuinty, the voters have not warmed to him at this point. The parties now have a month to give the electorate something solid to chew on and hopefully improve the bitter taste they have obviously so far left in the voters mouths. Game on! 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, After reading letters about garbage pick up I felt compelled to share my story. On the second week of June I was still having major concrete work done to the front of our house. We had workers here for two weeks off and on. On the Thursday I hauled my garbage to the curb (we are the last street in Georgetown to get col- lection). I was standing talking to my con- tractor when the garbage truck was at my neighbours house. The truck then passed by my house which had a pick-up truck parked by the curb four feet in front of the garbage. As he pulled to my other neighbours and started to grab his garbage I shouted, Hey, you didnt get my garbage. The young gentleman, went around to the driver, they both looked back at me, and shouted How am I suppose to get to it? Needless to say I was stunned, my contractor immediately said hed move his truck, worried he was the problem, he jumped in his truck did a U-turn to the opposite side of the road. The driver of the garbage truck got in, the young man on the back got on and they drove away! We were just dumbfounded. I was so angry. My neighbour told me to call the Town because these guys are contract workers. I called the Town and was told to put my garbage back out the next day by 7 a.m. and it would be picked up. I did. And NO it was not picked up. I dont think the Town should rehire this company. Lesley Wilkes, Georgetown Trash collection infuriates resident 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 Something bugging you? 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Phone: 905-873-0301 Fax: 905-873-0398www.independentfreepress.com Dear editor, The Glen Williams Minor Ball Association has quite a list of people to belatedly thank this year for mak- ing our Canada Day Breakfast in the Park a success once again. Firstly, we give a great big high- five to all who joined us for our pan- cakes and sausages. Seeing the line-up through the windows of the booth, knowing that you all love our cook- ing means so much to the parents of the kids who play ball. Your support can only be measured by the smiles on our kids faces when they run the bases. Thank you. The list of donators, all of whom helped us pull it together, is quite a community-oriented list and the Glen Williams Town Hall and all their vol- unteers do such a wonderful job so that the day can be enjoyed by all. We thank you. To the parents and friends and a special grandma who woke up so early on a beautiful Sunday morning to lend a hand in the kitchen and at the barbecue: Thank you. Debbie, you deserve the biggest high five for all of your effort and endless miles on your truck. Dan for your patience with all of the women youve got bossing you around this year and Angie for leav- ing a little late that morning just to make sure we were okay, you guys are the best to work with. We have such a great group and lots of happy ball players. Thank you everybody. See you next year! Brenda Hyde, Glen Williams Minor Baseball Association Glen ball group says thanks for aiding breakfast Dear editor, This summer Ive been getting into regularly exploring the scenic Halton Hills rides on my road bike. and Ive experienced two acts of stu- pidity from people in cars. The first was someone throwing a bottle out of their window at me in May, and the second was somebody on August 14 yelling an offensive word at me while driving by. Random acts of stupidity can tar- nish a towns reputation. Although the fools who throw junk at cyclists and yell out ignorant slurs at them from their cars are also the type to think reading isnt cool, I make my effort by sending this message of concern and frustration: please stop with the nonsense towards cyclists. Rich Marsella, Georgetown Stop the nonsense towards cyclists 6 Independent & Free Press, Wednesday, September 12, 2007