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OPINION If only we could gaze into a crystal ball to see what Halton Region would be like in 2031. We are sure it would make life much easier for the region- al planners who are doing their own form of crys- tal-ball gazing as they prepare for Haltons expect- ed massive growth. According to the provincial Places to Grow doc- ument, Halton must plan for up to 780,000 people and 390,000 jobs by the year 2031, while the cur- rent Official Plan looks at growth to 2021 and for a population of 628,900 people and 340,000 jobs. When we plan for what Halton will look like in the future, we need to hear from the community on what they want to protect and preserve as we plan for that growth, said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. Thats the reason why Halton Regions planners are turning to the community now to find out what local groups and businesses believe are the most important issues and challenges that will face this area in the coming years. Sustainable Halton is a planning process designed to consider all aspects of growth includ- ing, among other things, the environment, trans- portation needs, infrastructure, social and emer- gency services and adequate housing. While the Region intends to host open houses this winter, it also wants to ensure that everyone has a chance to participate. Halton staffers say they are available to any community group or business that would like to hear a presentation and discuss the Sustainable Halton planning process. It is important for all of our voices to be heard as the Region prepares to meet the critical chal- lenges in the years to come. If you would like more information and to have Halton make a presentation to your group either send an e-mail to sustainable@halton.ca or phone 905-825-6000, ext. 7455. Additional details are also available online at www.halton.ca/sustainable- halton. Halton is a great place in which to work, play and live. We need to keep it that way. Its YOUR Halton 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, I am writing in regards to the sup- posed advance left light at Winston Churchill Blvd. and Steeles Ave. The new sign has been on that light standard for a few years now. It does have the four circles where there could possibly be an advance left turn when turning east onto Steeles from Winston Churchill, but, I have yet to see that little green arrow I so anxiously await every morning. What is the problem? Turn it on already! That light can drive you crazy at rush hour in the morning when myself and oh, about 2,000 other commuters, are trying to get out of Georgetown. Its really frustrating to sit at that light three or four times or more (depending in the traffic and the time). It creates road rage as it can some- times take 10-15 minutes just to get through that light. Only two cars go through in the morning because of the flow of traffic. It is ridiculous that, considering the rate that Georgetown is growing, no one has proposed new two-lane highways or the widening of any of the major roads leading in and out of Georgetown. I love the small town feel of Georgetown but lets get with the program and let commuters get to and from work in a reasonable amount of time. At least, turn on the advance left light at that intersection. Maybe our council members should discuss this brilliant idea? Oh yes, and way to go on canceling the plans for the Barber Mill it looks much better the way it is now. Another issue for another day... Lisa Zide, Georgetown Lack of advance light angers commuter 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, We am concerned that The Independent & Free Press continues to publish covertly racist, homophobic, and intolerant letters to the editor. Please realize that by publishing such letters, The Independent & Free Press is promoting the myth that Georgetown is a town full of racist and intolerant people. For example, consider the Sept. 28 letter from Ms. Ezeard regarding her objections to the pride flag. She asks us to spend more time dis- cussing the real issues (crime, poverty and discrimination) and less time trying to promote division. The pride flag is only a divisive sym- bol to those who are homophobic and intolerant. And to Ms. Ezeard who must now face her daughter, the seeming vic- tim of Georgetowns courage to sup- port diversity: children do not learn intolerance from seeing a rainbow flag, they learn it from their parents and community who continue to support prejudice. The Independent & Free Press should take more responsibility in what it publishes. Letters that attempt to justify intolerance are not con- structive to the community at large. We all have the right to free speech, no matter how hateful or ignorant. The Independent & Free Press, however, has a civic duty to reflect the positive initiatives in our community, rather than dwelling so often on the negative. Lyne and Richard Marsella, Georgetown Intolerant letters should not be published Dear editor, I agree with recent letters from Barb Alderton (too much administration in government at all levels), K. Leslie (when will Halton Hills enforce the same bylaws for people who own annoying outdoor cats) and Konstantin Fedotchev (too many acci- dents on Ninth Line). My own area on Stewart MacLaren Road in Georgetown has three-hour limit parking signs at each end of this short road yet vehicles park all night and on weekends there are sometimes as many as 40-50 vehicles on both sides of the road. Parking bylaw offi- cers do ticket some of the vehicles every few weeks but at $25 a pop thats really cheap parking. The Town has known about this problem for a year but nothing was ever done. If ever there was an acci- dent, fire or emergency God help us. J. Allen, Georgetown Town ignoring problem 6 Independent & Free Press, Wednesday, October 31, 2007