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•T he IF P• H al to n H ills • Th ur sd ay , A p ril 1 7, 2 01 4 6 OPINION Like a villain of horror movie cliché, the life- threatening measles virus is back, this time with a vengeance. Once considered virtually eliminated in this country, measles has stricken hundreds of Canadians so far this year. Measles cases have been reported in Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. This is worrisome news on two fronts. First, children are suffering and in real danger. Most hit by measles endure a blotchy red rash, puffy eyes, a fever and then recover. But some also experi- ence pneumonia and even inflammation of the brain causing permanent damage. Tragically, about one in 1,000 dies. The second reason for worry is that Canadians have become dangerously vulnerable to the spread of this disease. Too many parents are deciding not to vaccinate their children, either through a mis- placed fear that immunization is harmful, reli- gious fundamentalism or simple complacency and neglect. Whatever their reason, it's an ill-judged omis- sion that puts kids at needless risk. The painful irony is that almost every measles outbreak in Canada could have been prevented through time- ly immunization. Local outbreaks are generally triggered when people carrying the measles virus arrive from outside Canada. Ontario's most recent confirmed case is a Brampton infant arriving on a flight from Abu Dhabi. Around the world, measles kills about 122,000 people a year -- mostly children. That's 330 a day. And as long as Canadians travel the world, return- ing from areas where measles is endemic, kids who aren't immunized will be at risk. Family doctors need to forcefully make that case to parents unsure about vaccination for their children. It's a safe, highly effective treatment that can ward off a world of suffering. The Independent & Free Press is published Thursday and is one of sev- eral Metroland Media Group Ltd. community newspapers. Editorial and advertising content of The Independent & Free Press is protected by copy- right. Unauthorized use is prohibited. The Independent & Free Press is a member of the Ontario Press Council, which is an independent ethical organization established to deal with editorial concerns. For additional information or to file a complaint, contact info@ ontpress.com or call 416- 340-1981. The Independent & Free Press Stamp out measles Letters to the editor Dear editor, The Georgetown Impact girls Un- der 13 Volleyball team wants to thank a wonderful coach for a great year. Coach Kevin Hughes is a dedi- cated teacher, a phenomenal coach and overall amazing person who has devoted his life to helping others. His belief in fair play and skill development built confidence on our team throughout the season and paid off on the day of the championship. The girls, in our first year together, could not have managed our golden success without the encouragement and enthusiastic guidance of Mr. Hughes. Allison, Amanda, Avery, Britney, Erin, Grace, Jenna, Kira, Marina, Meghan, Sarah and Teah, Halton Hills Lawns are littered with broken limbs from the December ice storm. Have you begun your yard clean up yet? Yes (75%) No (25%) WEB POLL RESULTS (Go to www.theifp.ca) Volleyball coach makes an impact Wi-Fi needs a filter Letters must include the author's name, address and daytime phone number. Anony- mous letters will not be published. Letters should not exceed 150 words and may be edited for content and/or length. Publica- tion is not guaranteed. Email: cvernon@metroland.com Mail or drop off: Independent & Free Press, 280 Guelph St., Unit 77, Georgetown, ON., L7G 4B1. Letters policy 905-873-0301 Publisher: Dana Robbins General manager: Steve Foreman (sforeman@theifp.ca) Retail advertising manager: Cindi Campbell (ccampbell@theifp.ca) Managing editor: Chris Vernon (cvernon@metroland.com) Distribution manager: Nancy Geissler (ngeissler@theifp.ca) Classifieds/Real Estate Kristie Pells (classified@theifp.ca or realestate@theifp.ca) Classified Call Centre 1-855-415-8237 haltonhillsclassads@metroland.com Accounting 1-866-773-6575 Editorial Cynthia Gamble: News editor (cgamble@theifp.ca) Lisa Tallyn: Staff writer (ltallyn@theifp.ca) Eamonn Maher: Staff writer/sports (emaher@theifp.ca) Get the latest headlines delivered to your inbox by signing up for our twice weekly electronic newsletter. Go to www.theifp.ca and click on 'Newsletter sign-up' at the bottom of the homepage. Dear editor, I am a parent of two young students who currently attend school within the Halton District School Board. I can't seem to understand why Halton Region is one of very few who have not adapted their continuously expanding Wi-Fi with any form of filter. I am very tired of hearing the trustees say that if a young child unintention- ally or intentionally comes across suspect material while at school that it is a "teachable moment." As a parent I will go after the teach- er, school and board with everything I have if any teacher thinks they have the right to discuss such sensitive issues with my children, and I am positive I am not alone on this. Parents have to sign a form that allows teachers to discuss grade-appropriate sex material, right before they do the lessons. No parent would agree to another person talking to their kids about pornogra- phy. I strongly believe the filter needs to be used on more than just pornogra- phy. It should be filtering excessive vio- lence, racism etc... I am happy to take the pornography as a starting point. My other issue is with the role of trustees. It seems that a few of them are dead set against filtering and as far as I understand a trustees job is to represent their geographical area and it's not sup- posed to be a personal decision. Michelle Malawi, Halton Hills Dear editor, To the person or persons who stole the bench… This past Saturday our family held an auction at our family home on the Eighth Line in Georgetown. It was a beautiful day and a wonderful turnout. Thank you all for coming out. There was one item that was NOT in the auction sale that has been stolen from our family home. The green and white bench was stolen that night. This bench holds memories beyond compare and we are asking that it be returned before April 25th. It would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Elizabeth Hunter & family Georgetown Please return stolen bench