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6 Independent & Free Press, Thursday, June 24, 2010 OPINION Give peace a chance With the G8 and G20 Summits set to begin, it is our fervent hope that those planning to protest the talks do so peacefully. Unfortunately, indications leading up to the summits are that not all groups intend to be law-abiding. "We will take back our city from these exploitative profiteers, and in the streets we will be uncontrollable! This is a militant march where many forms of resistance and tactics are welcomed and respected," says one Internet posting promoting an "anti-colonial, anti-capitalist convergence" organized by a group calling itself the Southern Ontario Anarchist Resistance. The right to protest the actions of any government and its leaders is a cornerstone of any democratic society and no one is suggesting those intending to march in Toronto this weekend do not have the right to do so. However, we can't help but wonder if those protesting these talks can't see the irony in how their "fight for the little man" is adversely affecting the very segment of society they profess to be fighting for-- the underprivileged and ailing. Due to the planned protests, small business owners will be forced to close their shops, hospital services have been affected and even a Meals on Wheels service has been suspended for several days. Past protests have seen clashes with police and damage to public and private property. Again, we fail to understand what point the protesters are trying to make by breaking the law? What societal change would be enacted through lawless behaviour? How would breaking a struggling store owner's window help feed starving children in Africa? The G8 and G20 leaders have much to be held accountable, especially in the wake of last year's debacle involving bank bailouts and the global economic collapse. However, unruly protests will only result in removing the spotlight from the world leaders who should feel its uncomfortable glare. Is that what the protesters truly want? 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 Harmonized Sales Tax takes effect July 1 in Ontario. Do you think the HST is a better form of taxation than currently is used? · Yes (12%) · No (88%) Steve Nease Go to www.independentfreepress.com Letters to the editor Turning Fairy Lake into wetland `absurd' Dear editor, After reading the article about returning Fairy Lake to its original form, that being a wetland which last occurred more than 140 years ago, I was very upset because I believe this proposed idea might be based on business rather than ecology. First, there is already a huge wetland within the town limits. It is at the end of Kingham Road. I believe we should share our bounty: one wetland for all the little critters and one beautiful fresh lake for us humans to enjoy. Fairy Lake has been utilized by this community for more than 140 years via boating, picnics and young ones actually swimming in a real lake with a beach that is safely marked for swimming. I think making Fairy Lake into a wetland is absolutely absurd and makes me think something else is in play. Second, this is the first time since I moved to Acton in 2002 that Fairy Lake smells disgusting. It has a pungent smell that is barely tolerable, especially when the wind is blowing in your direction. There are two reasons I believe are causing this smell. One is that the water level is low. I noticed the affluent water flow is slow to almost nil and sometimes it actually goes back up the washout drain areas on the north side of the lake. I do not think this is a coincidence but has something to do with the new subdivisions north of town. I believe it is possible the natural flow of the river systems are not being maintained and the Ministry of the Environment needs to investigate this possibility. I have also heard a rumour that someone has dumped industrial waste into the lake Is this true? I recently took a photo of foam on the shores of the lake. If the rumour is true we need to warn the public not to swim in the lake or let your pets drink from lake water. V. Junghans, Acton that will never be replicated, and as the next leg of my life journey begins, I hope that I will be as privileged and lucky to meet people that are half as amazing and special as all of you at GDC are to me. I love all of you and you will always have a reserved spot in the "Happy Place" of my heart. Victoria Fraser, Georgetown Message for speeders Dear editor, To answer the letter writer (Crash course for speeding drivers (June 15) don't worry about it. Don't you know the local council has installed speed indicators on Mountainview Rd. South, that will make them all slow down! Terry Brown, 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. Two goals achieved Dear editor, One year ago this May I vowed to lose 100 lbs. and run 10 km. Last December, I had lost 100 lbs. and, in May, I ran 10 km. I want to thank Patti, the manager of Schillaci's Café, and a marathon runner, for convincing me the only barrier to running 10 km was psychological. She also challenged me to run a marathon. I will try. Michael Xanthios, Georgetown Dancing through life Dear editor, I have been dancing at the Georgetown Dance Company (GDC) since I was four years old. Over the years of dancing together, our team has become unimaginably close. We have spent ridiculous hours laughing, living, and growing together. Dance has created an outlet for me The Independent & Free Press The Independent & Free Press is published Tuesday and Thursday and is one of several Metroland Media Group Ltd. community newspapers. 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