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6 Independent & Free Press,Thursday, May 26, 2011 OPINION Accountability lost It's hard to fathom why the governing Liberals would reject a bill aimed at bringing more transparency to Ontario's school boards. Earlier this month, the majority government voted down Bill 183 at second reading. The private member's bill would have expanded the power of Ontario's ombudsman to investigate school boards, hospitals, nursing homes and children's aid societies. In 2009-10, Ombudsman André Marin reported his office had to turn away 1,523 complaints and inquiries against the "MUSH" sector (municipalities, universities, school boards and hospitals). Basically, the government's decision to defeat Bill 183 adds merit to accusations that elected board trustees are accountable to no one. We suggest the fear of scrutiny from the Ontario ombudsman would act as a deterrent to any abuse of power. The ombudsman investigates complaints about services provided by the government of Ontario and its organizations. He also conducts systemic investigations on important issues about government services, which can affect large numbers of people. Notably, the ombudsman uncovered the eHealth scandal and spending irregularities at the Ontario Lottery Corporation. Many of the boards included in Bill 183 provide service to some of society's weakest members-- the young and the very old. These are individuals least able to advocate for themselves. When it comes to school boards, sometimes parents seem to be shut out of the process. Taxpayers deserve value for the dollars they invest in education and other government services. Education costs represent a huge slice of the public money pie. Why not open the door to more accountability? What could possibly be wrong with that? 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) Letters policy Letters must include an address and daytime phone 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. Email: jmcghie@independentfreepress.com Steve Nease Mail or drop off: Independent & Free Press, 280 Guelph St., Unit 29, Georgetown, ON., L7G 4B1. Letters to the editor Thanks for support of Acton CCS events Thanks to the generous support of our donors, the Canadian Cancer Society is leading the fight against cancer. We fight back by doing everything we can to prevent cancer from happening in the first place; funding research to outsmart cancer, empowering, informing, supporting and improving the lives of Canadians living with cancer and rallying Canadians to make cancer history. Thank you for supporting our events and for making our fundraising efforts a success. Cathy Gerrow, Acton Branch president, Canadian Cancer Society I will never forget. Perhaps, if all drivers would drive a little bit slower, and, when driving, include the boulevards in their line of vision, where there are small children and beloved pets doing who knows what at any split second. Then maybe that fraction of a second would have made all the difference and our Tigger would still be with us. We miss him! The Francescutti family, Georgetown Dear editor, On behalf of the Acton Branch of the Canadian Cancer Society I would like to thank all those people who supported our fundraising events during the month of April. We began the month selling our beautiful fresh daffodils and our new daffodil pins, then we canvassed door to door and ended with the "Dance for the Cure" event featuring the live music of the Boomerangs. At the beginning of May the Paul Murr Memorial Golf TournaWEB POLL RESULTS ment raised an impressive $50,000 (Go to www.independentfreepress.com) for our branch and we are very There have been a number of recent thefts grateful for the tremendous effort from autos according to Halton Police. Do you that they put into organizing such a usually lock your vehicle? wonderful event. Thanks to all the golfers who continue to come out · Always (78%) each year to support the work of · Most of the time (19%) the Canadian Cancer Society. · Rarely (2%) The Canadian Cancer Society · Never (1%) needs your help in order to continue their work. The funds raised The Independent & Free Press help the Canadian Cancer Society The Independent & Free Press is published Tuesday and Thursday and to achieve our mission to eradicate is one of several Metroland Media Group Ltd. community newspapers. Edi- cancer and enhance the quality of torial and advertising content of The Independent & Free Press is protected life of people living with cancer. by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. A bloomin' success Dear editor, May 13 proved to be a lucky day for the Georgetown Horticultural Society. Our annual plant sale and silent auction was a success. Thank you to the many people who braved the weather and found those special plants and items during the sale and a special thank you to the businesses which contributed plants or merchandise. The proceeds from the sale allows the Society to continue its work in the community, including the ongoing revitalization of the Mary Street Parkette. If you are looking for ideas for your gardens and yard come to our Garden Tour June 26. Dorinne Wagner, president GHS Tigger's tragic end Dear editor, On Saturday, May 21 at approximately 6:30 p.m. at 66 Irwin Crescent our beloved Tigger ran home for safety. As I was looking out the window at him a car driven by a young person ran him over, killing him. The driver did not stop. I can't stop seeing Tigger's little face as he was running home, then to see him get run over and die a few minutes later in the arms of my husband. The terrified look in his eyes