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6 Independent & Free Press,Thursday, May 13, 2010 OPINION If Ontario's premier learned one thing in recent weeks, it's not to step on the toes of religious groups or that of parents. And if you do, performing an about-face and folding your hand of cards is the quickest and easiest manoeuvre to perform in order to avoid further backlash. An unknown amount of parents spoke up in protest after the McGuinty government announced major changes to the Ministry of Education's sexual education curriculum that was supposed to be phased into classrooms this September. What got under the skin of some was what their children in grades as low as Grade 1 were going to be taught about their own bodies and sexuality. For some, talking about such issues was just too premature, and thought, because of the sensitive subject matter, a later grade would be much better suited for students to learn about the birds and the bees. In just 54 hours, parents and religious organizations got exactly what they wanted from the McGuinty Liberals­ a complete abandonment and turn around on work that had been two years in the making. What's interesting about this whole tap dance is the fact that it took an unknown amount of people protesting and complaining about something in a 54-hour window in order for McGuinty to re-think what perhaps should have seen more discussion before being brought forward. Something else comes to mind that prompted perhaps an even greater outcry from the voting public, and has yet to cause the Premier to do back flips quite as easily-- the Harmonized Sales Tax set to empty our pockets on July 1. If back flips can be performed with such ease, perhaps McGuinty should be listening to the majority of the screaming public on a far more regular basis. He's proved he can tap dance, but is he prepared to do it again? Sex and taxes 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 The Canadian Raptor Conservancy is pushing the federal government to name a national bird and boost Canada's sense of identity. Which bird would be the best choice? · Red-tailed hawk (25%) · Canada goose (30%) · The loon (36%) · None of the above (9%) Steve Nease Go to www.independentfreepress.com Letters to the editor Drivers have a right to choose Dear editor, In response to a recent article on the Halton Chamber of Commerce's "Buy Local" campaign, I want to bring to your attention the fact that many insured drivers are not aware they have the right of choice at which collision centre they want to have repair their vehicle after an accident. Many insurance companies have preferred shops and will try and direct your vehicle to these shops. However, as the owner and the policyholder, you have the right to choose the collision centre to repair your vehicle. You have the right to instruct the tow truck operator to bring your vehicle directly to that centre. Georgetown residents have the option to keep their money and that of their insurance company in "our hometown". This directly impacts on the well-being of the local economy. Area residents need to find out exactly where their vehicle is being repaired and at least have the choice of whether they prefer to have their monies remain in the area or, with their knowledge, that their insurance monies are being paid out to collision centres outside of their hometown, more specifically Brampton and Mississauga. Being informed allows the vehicle owner to make his/her informed decision. Thank you for the opportunity to inform residents of their ability and right to "buy local" when it comes to their insurance claims as well as when motorists want collision and repair work done on their vehicles not covered by insurance companies. Buying local helps the whole economy of our local town. Arnold Lefebvre, Arnie's Collision Centre day, when I realized that I may have broken my wrist, was comforting and quick. I was in X-ray within 15 minutes, given a cast, out the door and appointment booked with the fracture clinic within 1 1/2 hours. Everyone was calm, understanding and extremely friendly. I have seen this small hospital overwhelmed by people from neighbouring communities in the past. We are a small community with an amazing group of people who at times are required to support overflow from neighbouring communities not able to handle the numbers coming into their own hospitals. Thankfully this was not one of those times and the ladies and gentlemen at the Georgetown hospital shined. I want to thank everyone who made this day bearable. Were it not for the compassion of the offduty firefighter, the A-plus tow truck driver, the policeman handling the accident and the fantastic group at the hospital, I don't think I would have been able to handle any of the tasks involved in such a serious accident. I am proud to say I live in Georgetown. Thank you all for your help that day. It did not go unnoticed as good deeds too often do. Wendy Davis, Georgetown 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. Publication is not guaranteed. E-mail: jmcghie@independentfreepress.com Mail or drop off: Independent & Free Press, 280 Guelph St., Unit 29, Georgetown, ON., L7G 4B1. Thanks to all Dear editor, After experiencing a very serious car accident recently, the community of Halton Hills proved how fantastic it truly is. While waiting for the police to arrive, an off-duty Halton firefighter stopped, made sure that we were okay and stayed until we were ready to leave the scene. It was very comforting to know that he was there. My trip to the hospital later in the 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.