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6 Independent & Free Press, Tuesday,July 5, 2011 OPINION Deadly drive Despite the end of the long weekend, OPP say they will continue their safety blitz after a deadly weekend on the roads. Seven people have died on Ontario's roads since Thursday, police said. According to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the Canada Day long weekend is one of the busiest on roads, waterways and trails as families begin their summer vacations. The weekend also sees one of the year's highest volumes of boats, camping and ATV equipment being towed which, combined with the increased traffic, means a greater risk of becoming involved in a collision for those who are not completely focused on safe, defensive driving. Over the 2010 Canada Day long weekend, 16 deaths occurred in OPP-policed areas (12 people died in motor vehicle collisions, two in boating incidents and two others in ATV incidents). Tragically this year, the OPP has seen an unusually high number of vehicle collision deaths on Ontario roads recently with 36 people having been killed in June alone (as of June 26, 2011). The OPP will target distracted drivers, aggressive drivers, street racers, those not wearing seatbelts and motorists who continue to drive while impaired by drugs or alcohol. "Despite the proven success of our Provincial Traffic Safety Program, it's always troubling when we see our enhanced enforcement efforts end with tragedy every July long weekend. The more than 6,100 charges we laid over the 2010 Canada Day weekend demonstrate that the OPP is doing its part to keep people safe, but that some motorists, boaters and trail users are not," said OPP Commissioner Chris Lewis. Whether you are in a car, on a boat or exploring off-road in an all-terrain vehicle, remember to put safety first -- so you can enjoy the long summer days ahead with your family. 905-873-0301 Publisher: Ken Nugent General manager: Steve Foreman (sforeman@theifp.ca) Retail advertising manager: Cindi Campbell (ccampbell@theifp.ca) Managing editor: John McGhie (jmcghie@theifp.ca) Distribution manager: Nancy Geissler (ngeissler@theifp.ca) Classifieds Kristie Pells (classified@theifp.ca) Accounting Rose Marie Gauthier Editorial Cynthia Gamble: News editor (cgamble@theifp.ca) Ted Brown: Photography (tbrown@theifp.ca) Lisa Tallyn: Staff writer (ltallyn@theifp.ca) Eamonn Maher: Staff writer/sports (emaher@theifp.ca) 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@theifp.ca Mail or drop off: Independent & Free Press, 280 Guelph St., Unit 29, Georgetown, ON., L7G 4B1. Steve Nease Letters to the editor Hwy proposal affects all here Dear editor, I would like to thank everyone who took the time to attend the GTA West information meeting last Thursday night at Glencairn Golf Club. An MTO panel was no match for the 200 plus Halton Hills residents who enjoy the peaceful beauty of our community and won't quietly accept that the 4-3 proposal is an acceptable way to manage traffic for the future. Many of the residents expressed fear at losing valuable Class 1 farm land and others are concerned about environmental impacts and future land values. Mayor Rick Bonnette and MPP Ted Arnott listened and then both articulated their commitment to ensuring both the Minister and the MTO are aware that 4-3 is not supported. We need to make sure everyone is aware of 4-3 and the comment period runs out shortly. The 4-3 proposal affects all Halton Hills residents and the decision made will affect generations to come Please contact Town Hall, the MTO, our MPP to make known your objection and support our Mayor and council in this fight. Wendy Bruchal, Halton Hills Rural waste pickup is not necessary The following letter was sent to Wards 1&2 Regional Councillor Clark Somerville and sent to The Independent & Free Press for publication. Dear Mr. Somerville, Just a few thoughts on the garbage pick-up in the rural areas: Moving to rural Halton Hills a few years ago from a suburban community,we have had to make adjustments with respect to services taken for granted in the past and garbage is one of them. We have now, as a household, reduced our garbage to one bag every three to four weeks. We have done this by re-use, reduce,recycling,composting and use of the fantastic Green Bin. Our garbage disposal costs are $2/ bag (add gas cost,$3/bag) in town. If we can do it so can everyone else. No magic, no sleight of hand,just a little effort on people's part. The benefits can be morally uplifting and financial. We feel good doing our little bit for the environment and hopefully avoid another tax increase. So, Mr. Somerville, please oppose this initiative as it does not benefit the vast majority of rural residents. We will be eternally grateful. Frank Piccolotto, Acton Big Chill was a great time for residents Dear editor, Like I've said before, I love Georgetown. There are many reasons why but the Big Chill revival was a recent highlight for me. What a great time! Everyone was having a blast. Smiling and laughing faces abound. At my son's ball tournament the next day it was the talk among all the parents. Lots of "did you see so and so?" and "I haven't seen them in years". The event rekindled old friendships, strengthened current ones, started new ones and raised money for a great cause all at the same time. For that I say thank you to Rob Clark, Dick Spear, the firefighters, and all the people that put in a ton of time and effort to make this all happen. And thank you to Krafty for digging me up a couple of tickets at the last minute. No doubt it was too much fun! Brian Magee Georgetown WEB POLL RESULTS (Go to www.independentfreepress.com) Prince William and Kate will be in Canada for nine days. What does their visit mean to you? 1. I'm excited. I can't wait to get a glimpse of the Royal duo. (39%) 2. Ho hum, who cares? (39%) 3. They should have stayed at home to save taxpayers' money. (22%) 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.