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6 Independent & Free Press,Thursday, December 1, 2011 OPINION RIDE 101 Hands-on learning is great for both educator and student. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the RIDE 101 classroom organized by Halton Regional Police. As in past years, the police have partnered with students, businesses and community organizations to offer this unique program that is designed to show young drivers firsthand the consequences of drinking and driving. RIDE 101 officially kicked off in Oakville last week and will be at Christ the King Secondary School today (Thursday). Students get an opportunity to try out roadside breathalyzers and are put through simulated sobriety tests in a fun but informative format. In the evening, the teens are invited to assist police officers in speaking to drivers during an actual RIDE spotcheck. In addition, they distribute Think of Me cards-- hand-drawn and coloured by Grades 4, 5 and 6 students that reflect the child's thoughts on drinking and driving. It's too bad that people still need to be reminded -- constantly-- not to get behind the wheel of a vehicle after drinking. Knowing the dangers that exist with drunk driving, one can only wonder what the police have to do to get their message heard. What do youngsters have to do to ensure no more tears are shed thanks to the actions of a drunk driver? You can't legislate common sense but you can throw the proverbial book at drivers who still believe it is acceptable to have one for the road. Losing your licence, being fined and spending time behind bars are nothing compared to wiping out an innocent life. 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 Anonymous letters will not be published.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 Globe fan disagrees with Joseph review Dear editor, I am writing this letter in response to Ted Brown's review of Globe Productions' latest show, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Orchestra overwhelms vocals in Globe Productions' Joseph). Ted wrote about his experience from the opening night that had some serious problems with sound. Problems so bad, that people could not enjoy the show because they could not understand a word the actors were singing. With the first sentence "It was such a waste" Ted set a very negative tone that was hard to overcome. Few positive remarks about choreography and costumes were killed by complaints about the sound over and over again. When I asked a few friends if they would come to see a Globe show after reading his review, they said no. Clearly, Ted's review has hurt the reputation of a great theatre group. I saw the show and it was spectacular. After seeing Jesus Christ Superstar twice in May, and Joseph now, I will not miss another Globe show. These guys always shock me with their abilities. You expect them to sing pretty well, but when they start dancing...it's hard to sit still. Autumn Smith, a professional critic and educator from Toronto told the Joseph audience: " If I didn't know it to be different, I would have thought that I was at a Mirvish production. If you're looking for criticism, you'll be disappointed, because I have none." A ticket to a Globe show is only $22 so why not come and see for yourself? Their next show is a tribute to Andrew Lloyd Webber at Acton Town Hall in March 2012, Annie is coming up in May. Exact dates can be found on www. globeproductions.ca. Andrea Dubravsky, Georgetown accommodation. We are disappointed that the proposed capital budget makes no definitive commitment to funding the expansion of the Gellert Centre Phase 2 to accommodate a seniors centre adequate for that growing segment of our local population. It is estimated that seniors will comprise over a third of the local population within four years. Given the lead time for planning and constructing facilities, the proposed allocation of funding, simply to come up with a conceptual plan without more tangible commitment to funding its construction, is totally inadequate. The town has found the resources to fund youth facilities (arenas and sports fields) and expand our library and cultural centre. It is now the turn of seniors who are contributing to those other ventures to receive consideration. We urge you to support a more tangible commitment to the Gellert Centre Phase 2 project at the Council meeting November 28. Rod Taylor / Ruth Taylor Georgetown (Editor's note: At the Nov. 28 meeting council committed to have Town staff study funding strategy options for Phase 2 and the Acton Seniors Centre). 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 (42%) · I think the town is safe enough not to (28%) · I don't keep valuables inside so there is no need to lock it (22%) · I can't be bothered (8%) Phase 2 exclusion disappoints seniors (This letter was originally sent to Halton Hills Councillors Jane Fogal, Moya Johnson and Dave Kentner. A copy was made available for publication.) Dear Councillors, Re: 2012 Budget seniors' centre 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.