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6 Independent & Free Press,Thursday, December 30, 2010 OPINION Looking ahead Remember Y2K? Remember when the dawn of a new century was bringing with it worries of a global computer crash and impeding chaos? Well, that was 10 years ago! We're already heading into the second decade of the 21st century. Time flies, huh? So what lies ahead for 2011? Let's gaze into the crystal ball. · Dalton's days done?: Ontario goes to the polls in October. Okay, that's a given. In 2007 the count was Liberals 71 seats, Progressive Conservatives 26 and NDP 10. This time, Dalton McGuinty doesn't get such an easy ride but still, unfortunately, gets a majority: Liberals 55, PCs 40, NDP 12. However, all bets are off if PC leader Tim Hudak can somehow convince more than just immediate family members that he really is a provincial party leader. · Road wars: Regionally, nine out of the top 10 capital expenditures for the next year are road-widening projects, and that trend is expected to continue to 2020. Nothing brings out the anger in residents like bulldozers cutting swaths through "environmentally-sensitive" land (isn't all land "environmentallysensitive") in the interest of getting people to where they need to go faster. Prepare for war. · Third time the charm?: Canada will go to the polls in September as Stephen Harper tries to win a majority government having failed in 2006 and 2008. This time he succeeds as Liberal boss Michael Ignatieff implodes. · The bunny that roared: Having done battle with the U.S. and its trade policies, Halton Hills Mayor Rick (Bunny) Bonnette pokes China with a civil rights stick. · Lotto luck: The Town invests heavily in Lotto Max tickets in a bid to find the cash needed to pay for future arenas, library renos etc. Sadly, only a free ticket is won. · Stanley comes home: The Leafs win the Cup, er, make the playoffs, er, don't finish last overall, er, hire a new janitor named Stanley. Happy new year! 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 Which of the following do you think was the most significant news story of 2010? · Vancouver Olympics (20%) · Haiti earthquake (22%) · Gulf oil spill (40%) · Chilean mine rescue (18%) Steve Nease Go to www.independentfreepress.com Letters to the editor Reader embraces use of `holiday' Dear editor, In response to Barbara Wallace's letter "Reader offended by use of `holiday' December 23. You are contradicting yourself by complaining that the term Christmas is lacking in retail ads and offending Christians. You are offended by the excessive use of the word "holiday" and insinuate that people are boycotting retailers because of this choice of wording during our `holiday season'. Retailers are a driving force behind the excessive commercialism and materialism that has evolved during this time of year. I think many people would agree that the commercialism and materialism is not the central core of Christmas, rather it is my understanding, as you pointed out, that "Jesus is the reason for the season". Therefore the correlation between the retail industry (i.e. commercialism and materialism) and the term Christmas should not even be used. I would be more offended seeing retail ads with the word "Christmas", as the association with commercialism is defacing the real meaning of Christmas. I embrace the use of the word "holiday" during this time of year, especially in retail ads, after all this holiday season is based on the pagan traditions of winter festivals and the gift-giving at New Year's. Happy holidays! Laura Lee, Georgetown celebrate Christmas? At Christmas time they celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, not a holiday, so the greeting for this time of year must continue to be "MERRY CHRISTMAS", regardless of one's beliefs. Terry Brown, Georgetown Teacher impresses Dear editor, Over the past six years it has been a great pleasure to work with an intellectual, confident woman. Mrs. Patty Hall is a dedicated teacher at Centennial Public School and an inspiring coach for Georgetown's Impact Volleyball Club. Throughout my high school career, Mrs. Hall has been a prominent mentor. Being in my final year at Georgetown District High School I feel the need to recognize this special individual. Mrs. Hall dedicates her life to her wonderful family, teaching and inspiring the young, and making a positive impact on daily lives. Thank you for being an excellent role model in my life. Nicole Arthurs, GDHS student Why take offence with `Christmas'? Dear editor, I agree with Barbara Wallace. I am fed up with these politically correct zealots who are trying to destroy my culture and heritage. I don't consider myself to be a Christian, but my culture is Christian-based. I grew up in a country, and now live in one where Christian laws are the basis of the country's laws. I do not believe it is right for these people to change this arrangement just to avoid offending people who are not Christians. Christians are not offended when people of other religions celebrate their beliefs, so why should they be offended when Christians 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. 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.