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•T he IF P• H al to n H ill s •T hu rs da y, J un e 26 , 2 01 4 6 OPINION It's the first week of summer, and already Halton Police has had to respond to a num- ber of calls of pets in distress after they were left alone in a hot car. Leaving young children and pets unat- tended inside a vehicle, even on relatively mild days, can be very dangerous, even fatal. According to Health Canada, outside air temperatures as low as 23ºC/73ºF can climb to more than 50ºC/122ºF inside a vehicle. Imagine how hot it could get during an ac- tual heat wave. Every spring and summer in Canada, there are reports of babies, toddlers and pets dying after being left unattended inside ve- hicles-- something that can be easily pre- vented just by using some common sense! Extreme heat affects young children more quickly and dramatically because of their smaller size. Young children have a reduced ability to regulate their body temperature in comparison to adults, which leaves them vulnerable to heat stroke. Heat stroke oc- curs when our core temperature reaches 40ºC/104º F and can be fatal. In a small, closed environment, our bodies, especially small or frail ones, can go into shock very quickly causing circulation to vital organs to fail. It is never safe to leave people and pets in- side a vehicle. Leaving the window open a crack is of no use. Tips for all Canadians on ways to pre- vent heat-related illnesses and deaths can be found at www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/sun. The same information can also be ordered free of charge at 1-800-O-Canada. -- www.newscanada.com 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 Heat kills Letters to the editor At the end of this month, I am sad to acknowledge that a small, local business, Feet in Motion, will no longer fill our beloved small town Main Street. The cause of death to this great sporting goods store is chronic lack of interest and support from the residents of Georgetown. The same residents who praise the awesome small town community will pay 10$ in gas to go to the Outlet mall to save $10 on a pair of running shoes before trying out a local business first. These residents will gladly show off our vibrant downtown farmers market on Saturday to their friends and tourists but once the show is over do not support the local businesses. I hope the resi- dents realize that they will never see a Nike swoosh or Brooks Broth- ers on their child's soccer or hockey jersey. The local businesses sup- port our community and we need to support them. These businesses add to the character of Georgetown and I ask that you support them or at least see what they have to offer. I guarantee you will not suffer from trying. Claudine Waddick Halton Hills What do you think newly-elected MPP Ted Arnott's first priority should be? • Seeking all-day GO service (45%) • Seeking more road funding (28%) • Seeking the PC Party leadership (16%) • Seeking high speed rural internet service funding (11%) WEB POLL RESULTS (Go to www.theifp.ca) Reader laments another local business gone Bike lane on Miller Drive is unnecesary Businesses thanked for CtK Relay support The Relay for Life Commit- tee would like to extend a sincere thank-you for your support in making Christ the King Catholic High School's 2014 Relay for Life a HUGE success! Thank you CRS Contractors Rental, Domino's Pizza, Georgetown Choral Society, Long & McQuade, Maple Lodge Farms, Party Cinemas, Pita Pit and Real Canadian Superstore. Christ the King Relay for Life Committee Have you heard? The town is putting a bike lane on Miller Drive this summer. Spending $150,000 to do it. Why? Cyclists can already ride on the road way. There is a bike path on the Eighth Line for cyclists to use where they are sepa- rated from road traffic. Why this is necessary? Why not invest $150,000 up- grading our Hospital or the town providing outreach programs for seniors, and families. All this money spent on paint! Residents of Miller were not consulted, we were told. No discus- sion, no recourse for those who oppose. I do not understand how the Town can consult a Trails and Cycling Advisory Committee to "provide advice and input" but they do not consult the residents of that street! How does a Cycling com- 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. mittee have more of a say than a homeowner? Or townspeople? Ask the community what they want! Bruce White Georgetown