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6 Independent & Free Press,Thursday, March 31, 2011 OPINION A dream come true The United Way of Halton Hills set a very ambitious goal for itself last year when it announced the 2010 campaign goal of $325,000-- its largest campaign goal ever. With many businesses still reeling from the economic downturn and residents trying their best to keep their heads above water financially while being hit with tax and price hikes at every turn, the 2010 target may have been a bit optimistic. Also, there is much community group competition for donations. Every organization needs more funds each year to maintain/improve on their services and several agencies geared to helping the less fortunate are seeing more clients, not fewer. So, the fact the local United Way managed to not only meet but exceed its goal-- $329,000 was raised-- is a testament not only to the generosity of local residents, and businesses and but the United Way workers themselves. Brian Clark, president of the board of directors for the United Way of Halton Hills said it best, "Goals such as these are only dreams waiting to come true." According to United Way executive director Janet Foster local business one-time corporate donations increased by about 25 per cent and a couple major workplace campaigns in town were up about 15 per cent. Events like the President's Ball and Holiday House Tour brought in more funds, as did the direct mail campaign. Perhaps more importantly more residents are realizing the importance of ensuring their out of town workplace donations are directed back to the Halton Hills United Way. This year will mark the 25th anniversary of the United Way of Halton Hills and we're confident local residents will add to the $4 million the local organization has donated in funds to local agencies over those years-- agencies that offer help in a wide variety of areas. Congratulations on a fine 2010 campaign. 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 Do you think a federal election is necessary at this time? · Yes (37%) · No (61%) · Undecided (2%) Steve Nease Go to www.independentfreepress.com Letters to the editor Arnott is urged to fight hydro gouging (This letter was originally sent to Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott. A copy was made available for publication.) Dear Mr. Arnott, I just read your flyer that came with the mail and have something to say about the hydro gouging. My wife is unable to work right now due to illness and I am unemployed, laid off after 13 years. My family and several others in the area, have electric heating and I am absolutely floored by the notion of hydro rates increasing by 46 per cent! The Clean Energy Benefit is nothing more than a dry, crusty napkin offered after a punch to the face. Any clean energy propaganda should encourage people to save/ conserve. They want us to buy electric cars, too? I'm better off keeping my 24-year-old gas guzzler on the road and polluting the air. At least gas prices are stable and will be for some time to come. The costs of converting to natural gas are not cheap, and we will no doubt find natural gas prices skyrocket when the now-plentiful fuel becomes scarce-- I figure by the time my gas retrofit is paid off so it's a lose-lose. My family's other option is to install a wood-burning stove, which would cost about $300 to heat my home from October to March. My last hydro bill for 60 days, with a mild winter, was almost $650! If there was a safe way to heat the house using my gas barbecue, it would be done. Please fight the rate increases and eliminate those blasted `smart meters'. They only limit my family's comfort to specific times of day. Feel free to forward this to anyone who doesn't have their hand in the hydro company's pocket. Andre Arsenault, Acton in her role on the board, revamping the website, working on the festivals and events, writing the constitution and the magic wand she waved over our RED grant from the Province as well as many other wonderful contributions she has personally made. The bookstore also brought the wonderful Harry Potter event-- who can forget the excitement and enchantment that brought downtown! To Kate, to the staff of the Freckled Lion and to all the magic you brought downtown...thank you, but let's hope it is not goodbye. Kay Matthews, manager, Georgetown BIA 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. Lion will be missed Dear editor, We are sorry to say goodbye to a dear friend and retail store on Main Street. After many years of service to the community, the Freckled Lion Children's Bookstore is closing. Kate Murray has been a board member of the Downtown Georgetown BIA and has worked hard within our downtown community A `brighter' idea? Dear editor, So we were all encouraged by the Town of Halton Hills to "read a book with a flashlight", or "eat dinner by candlelight" on Saturday, all in the name of Earth Hour. I have a better idea-- why don't we ban Japan from building any more nuclear reactors? Let's see which idea works better when it comes to helping the environment. Matt Penny, Georgetown 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.