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•Th e IF P• H al to n H ill s • Th ur sd ay , M ay 1 5, 2 01 4 6 OPINION Is it true that Ontario's millions of voters abhor extremes and mistrust ideologues? Recent Ontar- io history would suggest as much. The once exalted PC Party ruled over this province for 42 straight years. Tory hegemony was driven by a silky smooth management style based on modera- tion and co-operation, or middle-of-the-road decision-making. "Brampton Billy" Davis (1971-85) came to epitomize the stolid, canny, compromiser -- a centre-of-the road politician. Then, after this long Tory run, and a short Liberal interrup- tion, a shocking thing happened in 1990: Bob Rae and the New Democrats were swept to power with a massive majority. The hated "Rae Days" came to exemplify a party in over its head, said critics. Many be- lieve today's NDP is still mopping up the dam- age. Rae was replaced by Mike Harris' Com- mon Sense Revolution, a neo-con turn to the far right, that was also shocking to some be- cause of its extreme ideological mandate. Ontario voters eventually rejected both 'extreme makeovers,' and in 2003, another middle-of-the-road leader, the bland Liberal leader Dalton McGuinty, gained power. He held it for nearly a decade before hand- ing the baton to his successor Kathleen Wyn- ne -- leaving in his wake massive scandals, including the gas plant boondoggle. This post-Davis rollercoaster ride has left many voters in a funk. If they abhor extremes, then pick the party claiming the middle ground. Perhaps we can never return to a by- gone era when elections were more civil, and voters churned out leaders like Davis whose political philosophy seemed based on com- promise and co-operation. 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 Voters avoid extremes Letters to the editor Cigarettes are proven to kill more people than using cocaine, heroin, and other illegal drugs combined. There is nothing wrong with ban- ning something that will fundamen- tally kill a person. Tobacco is the cause of death of 1 in 10 adults. Children and teenag- ers nowadays are using tobacco for stress-relief but eventually lose their lives to health problems in the long run. About 40 per cent of children are regularly exposed to second-hand smoke in their homes. The cigarette industry is a domi- nant, corrupting force in today's generation. It costs the National Health Ser- vice a huge sum of money to treat people who are essentially causing harm to themselves. People who pay taxes have to spend more money for an issue that could be prevented. Smoking is a slow killer frequently wearing down people over time. Gum diseases, lung cancer, oral cancer, cardio- vascular problems, and strokes are usually the most common illnesses caused by smoking tobacco. The world would be a better place without cigarettes. People could lead healthier and longer lives without tobacco; teens and young children would not get affected by second-hand smoke if cigarettes were banned. A million lives could be altered to be better, people would not have to pay taxes for a cause that is treat- able, so why not change the way we live? Smoking tobacco takes your life away from you slowly but we have the power to cause change in order for us to lead healthier lives. Vrinda Sanghrajka The road work season has begun in Halton Hills Do you think the Town is spending enough money and time on fixing local roads? No (63%) Yes (37%) WEB POLL RESULTS (Go to www.theifp.ca) It's time to ban cigarettes Control your dog This is the perfect time to re- spectfully ask dog owners to ensure that their dogs don't urinate on oth- er people's front lawns. The urine from both female and male dogs burns grass and destroys sections of lawns that owners often spend hundreds of dollars on per year to keep healthy and aestheti- cally-pleasing. Dogs should be encouraged to urinate (and defecate) in dog parks and on their owners' properties. At the least, if your dog must uri- nate during its walk, direct it to the boulevards, thereby avoiding oth- ers' front lawns. Your neighbours will be very ap- preciative. J. Barber With the nice weather beginning, dog-walkers are emerging in droves, enjoying the sights and smells of spring while exercising their pets. 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.