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6 Independent & Free Press, Tuesday,September 14, 2010 OPINION Hiring time The 2010 municipal election is now underway. Over the next 41 days candidates vying for a spot on either Town council, regional council or the public or Catholic school boards will be doing their best to convince you-- the voter-- they are best person for "the job". The "job" involves spending your money and putting policies in place that will make your community or school run more efficiently and effectively. The "job" requires the patience of Job, the wisdom of Solomon and the people skills of Santa Claus. The "job", at least it should, entails endless hours of reading reports, listening to the concerns of constituents, debating issues with fellow board/ council members, dissecting information and making hard decisions that will not, undoubtedly, please everyone. However, determining who gets "the job" is up to you. In the last municipal election in Halton Hills in 2006, 38,436 people were eligible to cast a ballot. When the last ballots were counted only 12,144 had done so-- a voter turnout of 31.6 per cent. That means two out of every three people couldn't be bothered to spend the few minutes it takes to vote. Those choosing not to vote were obviously not interested in local programs for their children, better roads, adequately-funded public services, proper taxation, growth, industrial development, properly maintained facilities, new home construction...the list is endless. It is the candidates vying for "the job" who determine the future of our communities and school boards. By registering to run they have made the effort to make our communities a better place. However, only by voting can YOU match their commitment. As always we encourage everyone to learn what they can about the candidates to make an informed decision this election. After all, we all benefit if the right person gets "the job." 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 new National Football League season is now underway. Which brand of football do you prefer to watch-- the NFL or the Canadian Football League? · The NFL (32%) · The CFL (40%) · Neither...I prefer English football (soccer) (28%) Go to www.independentfreepress.com Steve Nease Letters to the editor Bread Basket needs your help Dear editor, As you know, the current economic downturn has hit the population of the area quite hard. At the Georgetown Bread Basket, we are currently serving between 140 to 170 families, including over 200 children every month. The generosity of the population of Georgetown has enabled us to give out over 150,000 pounds of food every year for the past several years. Today however, our shelves are almost bare. We are sending an urgent plea to the population of Georgetown to help us replenish our stocks. Any food donation will be greatly appreciated but here is a list of the items most urgently needed: canned meat, canned fruit, canned pasta, canned tomatoes, juice cans, jam and spreads, sugar, large soups, hot and cold cereals, canned salmon, dry soups. Any items can be placed in the food bank bins at any of the grocery stores and food bank volunteers will pick up. Although fresh fruit and vegetables cannot be left in the bins, should you have a garden and are willing to share your produce with the less fortunate, your fresh food donations are also welcome at our location-- Unit 12, 55 Sinclair Avenue. Your help is greatly appreciated. Maryse Mallet-Sinnis, Media co-ordinator, Georgetown Bread Basket Town's right to to determine its own future and its vision of a sustainable community. I would strongly encourage residents of Halton Hills to learn about the GTA West transportation options (www.gta-west.com) and to express their views. If we don't pay attention to the powerful pressures around us, we will end up with a community that will not be attractive and sustainable. Laurent Thibault, Georgetown Oppose option #4-3 Dear editor, I read with great interest the front page article of July 29 reporting that, in a recent meeting, council emphatically rejected option #4-3 of the GTA West transportation corridor study. Congratulations to council on taking such a clear and strong stand in opposing this option, and indicating council's support for option #4-2. As Mayor Rick Bonnette said, an eightlane major expressway just south of Georgetown proposed by option #4-3 has the potential to devastate Halton Hills. As indicated in the comments in the article by the mayor and some councillors, there are many powerful reasons to oppose option #4-3. In taking that position, I believe council is reflecting a widespread view of the residents of Halton Hills. Perhaps even more importantly, such a principled stand is defending the Paramedics thanked Dear editor, I would like to thank the paramedics who assisted our family recently. My parents live just outside of Georgetown and when we needed the paramedics they were there in an instant. You can only imagine that seconds feel like hours in a time of need. The paramedics who attended our parents' home were very professional and reassuring. Your attention to my father's needs were very much appreciated and I would like to extend my personal thank you to all of you. Doug Cousens, Orillia 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. 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