The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

6 Independent & Free Press, Tuesday,May 4, 2010 OPINION Behind the times In Ontario, wearing a seatbelt in a vehicle has been mandatory since 1976. To put it in perspective: · Halton Hills' population was less than 34,000; the 1976 population of Halton Region (226,145) was less than half it is today · Canada has had eight prime ministers since then · Seven different men have held the job of U.S. president · In 1976 the space shuttle was a dream. So far there have been 131 missions · Almost 11 million fewer people called Canada home than they do today · A gallon of gas cost 59 cents, the average home was priced at $48,000 and a dozen eggs were priced at 84 cents (U.S. figures) · An entire generation has been born, gone to school, graduated, found work, raised a family and is now approaching middle age since seatbelts became law. So, how is it that during a recent 10-day seatbelt campaign, operated by Halton Police, 743 tickets for seatbelt violations were handed out to Halton drivers, with the majority-- 370 tickets-- going to drivers in Halton Hills and Milton? Folks, seatbelt use nothing new and it is not optional. It is the law. "Given their effectiveness in helping prevent injury and death, it is inconceivable that some people are still not wearing them (seatbelts)," said Police Chief Gary Crowell. To date this year, Halton Police can attribute one death to the lack of seatbelt use. In 2009, the lack of a seatbelt was a contributing factor in five fatalities on Halton roads. Several weeks ago a Milton youngster survived a serious crash on Trafalgar Road simply because she was buckled into a properly installed child car seat. Car seats were not even part of the original seatbelt legislation. We've come a long way since 1976. It's a pity so many Halton drivers have continued to live in the past... at their own peril. 905-873-0301 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) Classifieds Kristie Pells (classified@independentfreepress.com) Accounting Rose Marie Gauthier 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) WEB POLL RESULTS Toronto council will be considering a proposal to allow shopping at all stores on every statutory holiday, including Christmas. Would you support a similar Ontario-wide plan that allows for shopping on all holidays? · Yes (27%) · No (73%) Steve Nease Go to www.independentfreepress.com Letters to the editor Store's `bong' display should be removed Dear editor, I was shocked on a recent trip to my neighbourhood corner store, to see the collection of "bongs" displayed on the wall behind the cash register, as well as in a clear case on one side of the counter. For those of you not familiar with this term, a bong is a "water pipe" that is commonly used to smoke marijuana. Some of these items were even phallic-shaped. How is it that legislation dictates cigarettes be hidden behind a door, but yet these "water pipes" can be in plain view? The use of drugs should not be facilitated with the convenience of buying paraphernalia at our local corner store. When I mentioned to the owner of the store that he should not be selling these here, he simply said that people where asking for them, and that he didn't sell to minors. I am the mother of two young boys and Georgetown is a community bursting with children. I urge other concerned Georgetown parents to speak up and we, as parents, should refuse to shop in stores that sell this paraphernalia until it is removed from the shelves. This is one way we can help to keep drugs out of our children's lives that much longer. Erin Schleyer, Georgetown Youth show great Dear editor, Congratulations to all the cast, production and directing staff of the Georgetown Little Theatre Youth Company for their opening night performance of The Crucible. We have the privilege of knowing quite a few of the actors and set designers from this production and know what dedicated and talented individuals they are. We are very fortunate to have the GLT in Georgetown and we look forward to seeing many more productions in the future. The Bradshaw family, Georgetown nity, we, as direct neighbours, find it hard to share in your joy. We have all chosen to live here because we want to enjoy the peace and quiet that country living is supposed to provide. Amplified announcements echoing into my backyard on a quiet summer afternoon or evening is not what rural living is supposed to be about. Surely if I parked my car on your street and left the stereo on for six weeks this summer you would have something to say, but I guess in our me-based society as long as Halton Place positively affects you, you should not worry about the neighbours you are disturbing. Rob Brettle, Speyside Works staff praised Dear editor, A follow up to my April 27 letter (Clean up spoiled by ignorant SOB). When I phoned the works department about the tires being dumped on the side of the road, a lady named Brenda showed great concern. She took the message and we received a call from Dick Spears. He wanted to know the exact location and had the tires picked up promptly. Thank you to Town employees like these who work to keep our community clean. Bill Gerrie, Limehouse Letters to the editor policy Letters must include an address and daytime telephone number. Anonymous letters will not be published. Letters should not exceed 150 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. Neighbour not happy Dear editor, Re: Letter to the editor April 22 (Riding to defence of Halton Place). First off, there are not only three neighbours against Halton Place, there are 13 households, including my own. Thirteen households in rural Speyside is significant. As much as you may be thrilled to have Halton Place in your commu- The Independent & Free Press The Independent & Free Press is published Tuesday and Thursday 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.