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•Th e IF P• H al to n H ill s • T hu rs da y, J un e 5, 2 01 4 6 OPINION There's only a few days left until the June 12 provincial election. A date that should be penned in your date books, pinned to your fridges and marked with a flag in your online e-mail calendars. It's a vitally important day that is going to determine the fu- ture of this province, the future of its residents and most importantly the future that you, the residents of Ontario, decide. Something to think about over the next few days is the difference we can make by marking an X on a voter's ballot. It's a simple act that takes but a few minutes of our time but has consequences that will im- pact our lives and those of our families for the next four years and beyond. Sadly, provincial elections have a low voter turnout. According to Elections Ontario records, in the 1970s close to 70 per cent of eligible vot- ers voted, but by the last election in 2011 that number dropped to 48 per cent. It's a shame that more local residents haven't bothered to act in the past and stand up for how they feel this prov- ince should function as a whole. And yet it's these same people who have no problem complaining from the sidelines. If you don't vote, how can you complain? Too often some may feel that their one voice can't make a difference or they don't know who to vote for. It is our collective voices that can and do bring about change, ensuring the people we want to govern our province get elected. First and foremost, every one of us can make a difference. And secondly, there's a wealth of information out there on your local candidates-- including on pages 8-9 in this edition-- so get to know them to make an informed choice. 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 Get out and vote Letters to the editor Democracy allows us to vote as we choose or even to choose not to vote. • You can review the platforms/ policies and character of the can- didates and their parties, consider the future and vote, even if your choice is amongst the least bad. • You can vote on the issues and forward your views to your party of choice. • You can vote for a woman or a man, which was not possible a mere 100 years ago. • You have party choices, and can even start your own. No one makes you vote for a certain crite- ria. • You are even free to poke fun at our politicians, be angry with them and protest without fear of reprisal. These are exceptional and envied rights around the world-- we are truly privileged. Democracy is a fragile institu- tion and we see it attacked daily in the news. It is new in history and to hu- mankind. It can easily be extinguished if not defended. This right to choose was won through protest and human sacri- fice and needs to be continuously re-affirmed. We can do this through the simple act of voting. History shows us that the fewer people who vote, the more strength is given to radical and activist agendas-- it becomes difficult to oust undesirable leadership. When you vote you deny others their ability to dictate our future. You prevent our rights from being cast away to others. Your vote is important, your attendance at the polls will help ensure your children's and grand- children's right to choose-- even if, in your opinion, the choices are less than desirable. I for one, choose to vote. Finn Poulstrup, Halton Hills The Farmers' Almanac is predicting a warmer than usual summer. What's your preference? • 70 F or 20 C all summer long (52%) • Whatever, as long as the weekends are warm and sunny (27%) • Hot, hot, hot (21%) WEB POLL RESULTS (Go to www.theifp.ca) Democracy is a privilege Heat can kill Maybe you could post a remind- er to people how leaving a dog or a child in a hot car can be deadly. Today, while waiting in the Ca- nadian Tire parking lot, some older lady left her dog in her car while she went shopping. We had parked next to the other car. I noticed the dog in the back seat and tapped on the window to see if the dog was responsive. For- tunately it was, but it was showing signs of stress. While I was looking for something to bust her window out, she came back. I took a picture of her, her licence plate and her dog. The car was a black SUV type and the dog a black lab. Kerri Chaplin,Georgetown 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.