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6 Independent & Free Press, Tuesday,November 29, 2011 OPINION Gas pains We don't profess to be planning engineers, urban development specialists or architects. Therefore we can only offer a layman's impression of a plan to build a gas bar/store at the corner of Trafalgar Road and Maple Avenue/17 Sideroad. It seems like a pretty silly idea. While planning consultant Glenn Wellings, on behalf of the property owner, says the proposal makes good planning sense, we tend to agree with the handful of neighbours who recently voiced their concerns about the proposal at a recent public meeting. The proposed gas bar is planned for the northwest corner of the busy intersection where there are currently two homes on adjoined lots. The third lot was also wanted but the owner refused to sell. Neighbours listed various objections to the plan but their key complaint-- traffic congestion-- resonates the loudest, even though neither the Town of Halton Hills's nor Halton Region's traffic experts have expressed concern with the plan. This is a busy intersection that only gets more congested when a train passes by over the two nearby rail crossings (Trafalgar Rd. and 17 Sideroad). Traffic backups are not uncommon. To add a gas station, from which vehicles we assume will eventually want to exit onto either roadway, seems to be a recipe for an intersection logjam. Perhaps this location would make sense if there was a train overpass or Trafalgar Road was four lanes wide, and not two. Those plans are in the works, but not for several more years. Right now this location for such an operation seems terribly flawed. But then, we're not experts. 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 Anonymous letters will not be published.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 Steve Nease Mail or drop off: Independent & Free Press, 280 Guelph St., Unit 29, Georgetown, ON., L7G 4B1. Letters to the editor Occupy protesters unfairly criticized Dear editor, I am writing in response to your November 15 editorial on the Occupy Toronto protests. I, too, believe that the current protest has served its purpose: to change the austerity and `race-to-the-bottom' channel that the Sun, et al, have put forth. We should be talking about economic fairness and jobs rather than making sacrifices so the rich can get richer. Thus, the encampment should end, and that energy channeled into other areas. However, I believe you unfairly criticized the movement for not putting forth a clear message. I think at this point the only thing the diverse elements of this group agree on is anger with the current situation. To demand that they speak with only one voice, or to insist on the clear 10-second sound bytes preferred by the media is beyond them at this point. A cacophony of varied demands is not preferable to a lack of them. Furthermore, to complain that "The protesters have railed against big business, but freely use the tools (i.e. computers, cell phones, tents, etc.) that business has created" is unfair. You imply that unless they are going back to fire, sleeping in caves and communicating with morse code or smoke signals, they are hypocritical. Yet the 99% live in this world, not some alternate universe. They should be allowed to use the tools of this world to change this world. Lastly, you end your diatribe by noting that the protesters have not offered a clear alternative to the current economic system. So, in other words, until we have a complete working alternative to every aspect of the existing system we should just shut up? We should continue to just let the neo-Victorian levels of inequality pass without comment? If so, then you should have couched your advice in neo-Victorian terms: while having your economic future raped, we should just lie back and think of Canada. Michael Halsall, Georgetown It was remarkable for many reasons, most especially, the number of enthusiastic and committed volunteers. I greatly appreciated the encouraging and outgoing youth who were terrific role models for the younger children. This activity has helped my son grow as an athlete, but more importantly as a team member and for that, I am truly grateful. Thank you to all those who bring this program to our community. Patti Birk,Georgetown WEB POLL RESULTS (Go to www.independentfreepress.com) Halton Police say local residents aren't locking their vehicles often enough and this is leading to an increase of thefts from autos. If you don't lock your vehicle why don't you? · I'm just being foolish and I'm asking to be a victim (52%) · I think the town is safe enough not to (22%) · I don't keep valuables inside so there is no need to lock it (22%) · I can't be bothered (4%) `Good person' thanked Dear editor, The other day I lost my camera in Tim Hortons on Mountainview Road. A kind man turned in my camera to the counter and, luckly my phone number was on it, so he called me to tell me. I want to thank that man for being so kind and turning it in because it has some very inspirational photos from We Day on it. I'm very happy that there are good and honest people in the world because I now have my special memories back. I want to thank the man again for reinforcing my belief that there are good people in the world today. Angelica McDaid,11, Rockwood Volunteers terrific Dear editor, Recently, my son had the opportunity to participate in the Sportz Plus basketball program run by The Salvation Army Georgetown Community Church. 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.