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Thursday, January 29, 2015 - The IFP - H alton H ills - w w w .theifp.ca Page 7WWW.BROOKS HEATING AND AIR.CA Thank you for voting Brooks #1 again!no cash value expires Feb 28/15 • your window & door professionals • 341 Guelph St., Unit 3 Georgetown 905.873.0236 www.buy-wise.ca info@buy-wise.ca • awarded readers choice 22 times • Visit our showroom • Truck Accessories • Upholstery • Heavy Equipment Glass •Window Tinting 354 Guelph Street, Georgetown 905-873-1655 We handle all insurance work. More Letters to the Editor 'It makes more sense to make changes to a building we own...' Councillor Moya Johnson, pg. 23 TOBOGGAN TUMBLES FROM OUR READERS 'Quote unquote' Principles of western Enlightment will prevail over terrorism Earlier this year, the world was shocked by the terrorist attacks in France, which killed twelve people at the satire magazine Char- lie Hebdo, a French policewoman and four hostages at a Jewish grocery in Paris. Within the last year there have been a number of similar attacks throughout Europe, Australia and North America. Like the attacks last fall in St. Jean, Que- bec and Ottawa, they all were perpetrated by radicalized jihadist in- dividuals. In late January, Nasser bin Ali al-Ansi, the leader of the Ye- men-based Al Qaeda, called for even more lone wolf attacks on countries like Canada, France, the U.S. and the U.K. One of the most important responsi- bilities of the state is the security of its citizens. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms enshrines this responsi- bility, guaranteeing all of us, "life, liberty and the security of the person". The Government of Canada is com- mitted to protecting Canadians, here and abroad. Canada's counter-terrorism strategy, Building Resilience Against Terrorism, sets out basic principles that underpin the Government's counter- terrorism activities. Building resilience is the strategy's core principle. The ultimate goal is to es- tablish a Canada where violent extrem- ist ideologies are not permitted to thrive, and where individuals and communities are resilient to a terrorist attack, should one occur. The strategy also includes fighting ter- rorism and extremism abroad. Western powers learned a difficult lesson when extremism was allowed to flourish be- fore 2001, under the Taliban in Afghani- stan. Similarly, we ignore the extremism that exists in northern Iraq and Syria at our own peril. That is why last October I voted, along with a majority of MPs, to send the Ca- nadian Army and Royal Canadian Air Force into northern Iraq. The mission, in conjunction with our allies, consists of air strikes against the Is- lamic State for a period of up to six months. This mission comes up for renewal in early April, with a vote ex- pected in the House of Commons. However, more needs to be done to combat the terrorist threat. The Govern- ment is expected to introduce new leg- islation in the House of Commons that will provide additional powers and tools for security agencies to identify potential terror suspects, make arrests and detain persons considered a threat. The Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris was not only a senseless act of violence, it was also an attack on one of our most cherished freedoms: The freedom of ex- pression. This freedom is why we will prevail. As English author Edward Bulwer-Lytton wrote in 1839: "The pen is mightier than the sword." Ultimately, the principles of the western Enlightenment which underpin modern liberal democracies, backed by the power and force of the state, will prevail over the anti-liberal nihilism and medievalism of the radical jihad movement. If you have any questions or com- ments, please contact me at (866) 878- 5556 or at michael.chong@parl.gc.ca COMMENT Michael Chong The toboggan hill in Cedarvale Park on Main St. at Maple Ave. became busy after a recent snowfall. Photo by Rein Pater Got a photo you want to share? Email -- with details-- to cgamble@theifp.ca This letter was sent to Mayor of Halton Hills Rick Bonnette, with a copy sent to The IFP. I have received notice that a community mailbox will be placed on my side lawn-- not within the property lines-- but on the lawn that I maintain and consider my side yard. I have lived in Georgetown in this same home for the past 25 years and being a widow for more than 30 years work hard to maintain my home and lawn. I have looked at my side lawn and won- dered why this location was chosen. There is a stop sign on Keats Avenue, which may make an immediate stop to access the mail- box a traffic or accident problem. It is just past an intersection. I am concerned with the interruption of my peace and quiet. My home is a small bungalow and my bedroom window is di- rectly across from the proposed location. I am a light sleeper and in bed quite early and I am sure those coming to retrieve mail will not be respectful of lights, horns, ex- haust fumes, etc. I recently had work done to my founda- tion and have just cleaned up the lawn de- struction, which included the removal of some privacy trees, which may have made this situation tolerable. I have looked around the neighbour- hood and have seen several areas that I would have considered if I was planning a mailbox location. One being at the apart- ment at the end of Shelley St. where it is already a concrete area and cars would not interfere with any private residence. I have contacted (Canada Post) Business Transformation.... they have offered me no solution or acceptance of my dissatisfac- tion. I am asking for your help in this matter. I just want the remainder of my life peace- ful and without the additional groundwork that this location will cause me. I am asking that another location be chosen. Audrey Brown Georgetown New community mailbox will sit on reader's lawn