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OPINION Tonight thousands of children in Halton Hills will be roaming area streets in a bid to scare up some treats (and hopefully not pull any tricks) from local homeowners. Halloween is perhaps one of our oddest tradi- tions, but it is also one of the days on the calen- dar that children eagerly anticipate. In an effort to ensure children are safe while theyre out trick or treating tonight Halton Police have offered several safety tips. Younger children should go trick or treating with an adult. For older children who do not go out with an adult they should head out with at least two friends and pass on the route they are taking to a parent or other responsible adult. They should keep track of time and return home on an agreed time. Be visible. Wear light-coloured clothing and bring a flashlight. Wear reflective strips on cloth- ing. Stay off roadways. Walk on sidewalks where available, and if there are no sidewalks, walk fac- ing traffic. Make sure you can see clearly. Use makeup on your face if possible, and if you do wear a mask make sure the eye openings dont restrict vision. Take off masks when crossing streets. Dont eat any treats until parents have looked at them first. Accept treats at the door only. Never enter a strangers home and only visit homes where the lights are on. If a stranger approaches you, head to any lighted house and ask to contact your parents or police. Halton Police also want to remind motorists to take extra care driving on Halloween night and to watch for children on the roads and in driveways. By exercising a little bit of caution there is no reason tonight cannot be the fun evening it is meant to be. Play it safe Steve Nease LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear editor, The Halton Down Syndrome Association is proud to announce National Down Syndrome Awareness Week, November 1-7. Some important facts: Down syndrome is a naturally occurring chromosomal arrangement characterized by extra genetic material on the 21st chromosome. Down syndrome is present in approximately 1 in 800 births. Down syndrome is not a disease, disorder, defect or medical condition. Down syndrome itself does not require either treatment or prevention. Most people with Down syn- drome learn things more slowly, or may find it hard to learn. People with Down syndrome often learn in differ- ent ways. The Halton Down Syndrome Association is a non-profit organiza- tion established 24 years ago by a group of dedicated parents who want- ed to build a better future for their children. For 24 years, the HDSA has provided support to families facing the unique joys and challenges of raising a child with Down syndrome. In January 2007, we began a strate- gic planning process in which we re- examined our goals and strategies as an organization. We conducted a survey to learn more about our families, and then began implementing our plans to help meet their needs. In the last two years, we: have started a New Parents Networking Group, a Mothers Networking Group, and a Tweens Group; have begun the process of imple- menting an Adult Networking Group that will examine what exists for our children once they leave school and a Host Family Program that will link experienced parents with new families to provide support and guidance through their childs first year; we have maintained as our prima- ry focus the Therapy Program, which assists families with the excessive monthly costs of therapies for their childrens overall development; Since we began our strategic plan- ning initiatives we have seen our mem- bership double as families see new rea- sons to be part of our association. By coming together and sharing knowl- edge and resources, we are creating new possibilities for our children. The Halton Down Syndrome Association is run by parents who commit their time on a volunteer basis. All of our programs are funded through donations, membership fees, and our own fundraising efforts. If any- one would like to make a donation, they can send a cheque to HDSA, P.O. Box 86003, 1011 Upper Middle Road, Oakville, L6H 5V6. Receipts are issued for donations over $20. Leanne Kirk, President, Halton Down Syndrome Association Down syndrome group enters 25th year 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. E-mail: jmcghie@independentfreepress.com Mail or drop off: Independent & Free Press, 280 Guelph St., Unit 29, Georgetown, ON., L7G 4B1 Publisher Ken Nugent General manager Steve Foreman (sforeman@independentfreepress.com) Retail advertising manager Cindi Campbell (ccampbell@independentfreepress.com) Managing editor John McGhie (jmcghie@independentfreepress.com) Distribution manager Nancy Geissler (ngeissler@independentfreepress.com) ADVERTISING Advertising co-ordinator Jennifer Christie (jchristie@independentfreepress.com) Retail Sales: Jennifer Spencer (jspencer@independentfreepress.com) Brendan Louth (blouth@independentfreepress.com) Amy Sykes (features@independentfreepress.com) Andrea Lefebvre (alefebvre@independentfreepress.com) Brendon Stevenson (bstevenson@independentfreepress.com) Real estate: Sue Spizziri (realestate@independentfreepress.com) Classifieds: Kristie Pells (classified@independentfreepress.com) ACCOUNTING Rose Marie Gauthier, Michelle McEachern 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 Something bugging you? What do you think? Below are the results of our most recent online poll. For the current poll go to www.independentfreepress.com Should the Town of Halton Hills have designat- ed the derelict Barber Mill lands a heritage property? Yes (59%) No (41%) The Independent & Free Press is published Wednesday and Friday and is one of several Metroland Media Group Ltd. community newspapers. Editorial and advertising content of The Independent & Free Press is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. THE INDEPENDENT & FREE PRESS 6 Acton/Georgetown, Friday, October 31, 2008 Dear editor, On behalf of Community Living North Halton, the CLNH barbecue fundraiser team would like to thank the community for their support dur- ing our Thursday night summer barbe- cue fundraiser at Georgetown Price Chopper. More important than funds raised, you gave our team an opportunity for community inclusion and skill devel- opment, both socially and work-relat- ed. A special thank you goes out to Brian Bartlett and staff of Georgetown Price Chopper, Calvin Crawford of Georgetown Home Hardware Building Centre for supplying the propane, Floyd McDonald (The Civitan Club) and Maple Baptist Church volunteers. Community Living North Halton is a non-profit organization providing support and services to children and adults with special needs in Halton Hills and Milton since 1955. Without the generous assistance and spirit from members of the com- munity, many of our projects and pro- grams would not be possible. As a United Way-supported organization, we appreciate your continued interest and involvement. Linda Gehl-Hunt (co-ordinator of business, events, and volunteers) Shannon Patrick (employment supports specialist) Bonnie, Mark, & Donna (barbecue team members) CLNH thanks community for supporting fundraiser