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OPINION Theres an old Irish proverb that says: Praise youth and it will prosper. So often the accomplishments and good deeds young individuals perform are overlooked and under acknowledged. So quick we are to dismiss the young as frivolous. The Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Awards are here to ensure young people are recognized for their contributions. This recognition can help kids realize they are making a difference in their community, and by celebrating it we might inspire a lifetime commit- ment to community service. As your local newspaper, we are proud to offer the 2007 Junior Citizen of the Year Award so we can recog- nize the outstanding contributions and achievements of young people in our community. Any Ontario resident aged 6-17 is eligible to receive an Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Award. Please help us by nominating an individual in one of four cat- egories: A person involved in worthwhile community ser- vice. A special young person contributing to their com- munity while living with a physical or psychological limitation. An individual who has performed an act of hero- ism in the past year. Good kids who show a commitment to make life better for others and do more than is normally expect- ed of someone their age. Co-ordinated by the Ontario Community Newspapers Association and supported by TD Canada Trust, this program recognizes all young people nomi- nated for the awardeach nominee will receive a cer- tificate of recognition from their community newspa- per. Up to 12 of the nominees and one group will be chosen as the final recipients of the Awarda plaque citing their accomplishments, a Junior Citizen lapel pin, and a cash giftwhich will be given during a cere- mony held in the spring, 2008. Nominations will be accepted until December 28, 2007. Forms and further information can be obtained at our office, online at www.ocna.org, or by calling OCNA at 905-639-8720 ext. 228. In praise of youth 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, During the past five years, I have been met with open arms by thousands of new residents who have decided to make Georgetown their home. As a Welcome Wagon representa- tive for Community Welcome and Business/Professional Welcome, I have had the privilege to meet and greet some wonderful families and business- es to our quaint town. Over the past few months I have come to realize that our town has changed. In 2003, Georgetown was voted by Welcome Wagon as the Community of the Year. Then again, in 2005, we were voted Ontario Community of the Year. However, it will be hard to live up to past standards with the influx of unprofessional and rude people mov- ing into our town. Have people lost their common courtesy and manners? It is unbeliev- able the treatment and lame excuses given when just a simply no thank you would suffice. Dont waste my time by not being at home for appointments or giving me the runaround. It is better to tell it to my face and then Ill go on my merry way and not waste my time and energy on people who do not appreci- ate the service. I take pride in serving my commu- nity and all I ask in return is respect and common courtesy from the people I cross paths with. The rotten apples have no place in our basket and I hope those people who Ive offended or dis- turbed along the way, learn to polish their manners so that they can fit in with the rest of us friendly Georgetown folks. PoLee Mark, Georgetown Welcome Wagon rep sees change in attitude 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? Publisher Ken Nugent Advertising director Steve Foreman (sforeman@independentfreepress.com) Retail advertising manager Cindi Campbell (ccampbell@independentfreepress.com) Managing editor John McGhie (jmcghie@independentfreepress.com) Distribution manager Nancy Geissler (distribution@independentfreepress.com) ADVERTISING Advertising co-ordinator Jennifer Christie (jchristie@independentfreepress.com) Retail Sales: Jennifer Spencer (jspencer@independentfreepress.com) Andrew Key (akey@independentfreepress.com) Brendan Louth (blouth@independentfreepress.com Amy Sykes (features@independentfreepress.com) Real estate: Sue Spizziri (realestate@independentfreepress.com) Classifieds: Kristie Pells (classified@independentfreepress.com) ACCOUNTING Rose Marie Gauthier, Michelle Wimmer EDITORIAL Cynthia Gamble: News editor (cgamble@independentfreepress.com) Ted Brown: Photography (tbrown@independentfreepress.com) Lisa Tallyn: Staff writer (ltallyn@independentfreepress.com) Eamonn Maher: Staff writer/sports (emaher@independentfreepress.com) PRODUCTION: Mary Lou Foreman, Kevin Powell, Shelli Harrison, Dolores Black, Debbie MacDougall STAFF DIRECTORY Send us a letter! Phone: 905-873-0301 Fax: 905-873-0398www.independentfreepress.com 6 Independent & Free Press, Wednesday, November 7, 2007 Dear editor, To the residents of Acton and area I express sincere gratitude for your generosity in donating $33,083.71 to the Canadian Cancer Society through our residential campaign this past April. Special thanks are also extended to our wonderful volunteer can- vassers who walked streets and drove roads to knock at your doors. Only with the combined efforts of can- vassers and contributors could we have been so successful. In response to a frequently-asked question, How is the money spent? I assure you, it is used first and fore- most to provide local services transportation of cancer patients to treatment centres, lodge costs for in- treatment patients, wigs and hats, information and education programs and a unit office in Guelph to respond to requests (only CCS main- tains a local office). Any remaining monies are allotted to ongoing, approved research as we attempt to eliminate this dreaded disease from society. During the past 10 years, tremen- dous strides have been made in the prevention, detection and treatment of cancer. Through our united efforts we shall make cancer history. Carl Leybourne, Wellington County/Acton Unit President, CCS and Liz Bailey, Acton Branch Acton residents thanked for campaign support Dear editor, I love Georgetown. My family is fairly new to town and I also have the good fortune to work for the Town. Recently, I had the opportunity to listen to a resident who took the time to explain that there are dead trees and weeds, among other things, fouling our community. The resident asked me if I had noticed these things and I admitted that I hadnt. Surprised, the resident asked if I lived in town and I confirmed that I did. The resident then asked me if I thought the town looked good and I commented that it was far better than where I grew up. Where I grew up I have lost friends to heinous crimes, my sister was almost attacked in the bed where she slept (thankfully he failed) and a stray bullet went into the window of the sunroom where we hung out. So, as I walk with my family and my children pick the flowers from the weeds and watch in wonder as the ants and bugs crawl through the bark of the dead trees all I can think about is how much I love Georgetown. Brian Magee, Georgetown Reader loves this town