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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, Ju ly 12 ,2 01 8 | 6 The Georgetown Independent & Free Press, published every Thursday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corpora- tion. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised of more than 80 community publications across Ontario. The Independent & Free Press is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants are urged to bring their concerns to the attention of the newspaper and, if not satisfied, write The National NewsMedia Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2H2. Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca newsroom@theifp.ca IndependentAndFreePress @IFP_11 ABOUT US The Independent & Free Press 280 Guelph Street, Unit 77 Georgetown, ON L7G 4B1 Phone: 905-873-0301 Classifieds: 905-234-1016 Fax: 905-873-0398 Letters to the editor All letters must be fewer than 200 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters. Delivery For all delivery inquiries, please e-mail lpolar@miltoncanadiancham- pion.com or call 905-234-1019. CONTACT US VP, Regional Publisher Kelly Montague General Manager Steve Foreman Retail Advertising Manager Cindi Campbell Regional Managing Editor Chris Vernon Regional Managing Digital Editor Robyn Wilkinson Distribution Representative Iouliana Polar Classified/Real Estate Kristie Pells Regional Production Manager Manuel Garcia Production Shelli Harrison WHO WE ARE OPINION The phrase "hunger doesn't take a vacation" sums it up best. While the school year is over, and children are enjoy- ing summer vacation at home, or at camp, the reality is there are likely many families struggling with food inse- curity. The school breakfast and nutrition programs are no longer an option for parents, and an alarming num- ber of children across the region face the reality of not having a stable source of nutrition during the summer months. While many communities are always quick to step up to the challenge at peak times, like Christmas or other holidays, sometimes food banks can be forgotten during the summer. Most people are enjoying summer vacation and food donations may not be on top of their minds. Yet, the summer months are a critical time for food banks, who have trouble keeping up with the demand when they need it most. Food Banks Canada says close to 1 million Canadians are in need of food bank supports during the summer months. That's why Food Banks Canada launched its annual Every Plate Full campaign, highlighting that while the holidays are the traditional season of giving, food banks also need support in the summer, when food insecurity doesn't take a summer break. This year, the Every Plate Full campaign launched a summer hunger challenge to invite Canadians to get involved and raise enough funds to provide the 26 million meals that are needed this summer. Food insecurity aside, summer can take a toll on families. Aside from the additional meals, there are other added expenses like child care, summer camps, not to mention any additional increases to utilities or expenses at home. Giving back can happen in different ways. It begins with helping keep the shelves at local food banks stocked with the items they need. Many of the most- needed items are simple basics we would take for grant- ed: Canned fruit, vegetables, pasta and soup, fruit juice, cold and hot cereal, granola bars, personal hygiene items, and more. For those who can contribute financially, any mone- tary donations can also go a long way to helping. A cash donation not only allows the food bank to focus on pur- chasing any priority needs, but the agencies can often stretch the dollars even further. It's not about what you give, it's about how you make a difference. Even a little means a lot to the friends and neighbours in our community who need some support. Summer an important time to give back 'Historic' McGibbon Hotel needs to be demolished Re: McGibbon condo stalled as investors evalu- ate feasibility It was obviously a big mistake to plan some pres- ervation of the McGibbon Hotel as part of a big condo project in Georgetown's old downtown. It seems changed mar- ket conditions make it no longer financially viable. A stream of water run- ning under the founda- tions is also a problem. For over 30 years The McGibbon Hotel has been a negative influence on the downtown and is current- ly a boarded-up eyesore. It needs to be demol- ished forthwith! Some "historic" buildings are just not worth preserving and The McGibbon is one of these. Area businesses and citizens don't need to have it sitting around for more years while further stud- ies happen on what should be done with it. Meanwhile, the Town needs to review how it deals with all so-called his- toric properties. Another head shaker is how Habitat for Humanity got into a plan to restore the derelict Station Hotel that now sits boarded up at the junction of Queen Street and King Street. The town spends too much time and effort in designating ordinary resi- dences as historic. What is particularly disturbing, however, is the way Halton Hills and the Credit Valley Conserva- tion Authority (CVCA) have seemingly washed their hands of doing any- thing to preserve the 13 acre Barber Paper Mill property beside the Credit River at River Drive and Maple Ave. The 1854 mill was the first industrial application of hydroelectric power in Ontario and for years has been listed by the National Trust as one of the top ten endangered historic sites in Canada. It is designated historic under the Ontario Heri- tage Act and a ramshackle provincial information sign stands beside a bro- ken fence on River Road. Essentially the proper- ty has been left to rot and while the owners, Everlast Group Ltd., spent more than $1 million several years ago on cleanup and restoration the company has been unable to negoti- ate a site plan agreement for future use with the CVCA and the Town of Halton Hills, even though Ottawa offered a substan- tial grant toward preserva- tion. Currently, the site con- tinues to be an unsightly mess, is a safety hazard and even basic mainte- nance isn't done. Yet, this is the most important heri- tage building in Halton Hills about which nobody seems to care! Shame, Shame, Shame! Brian Dexter, Georgetown l MORE ONLINE See all our published letters to the editor online at theifp.ca • EDITORIAL • • LETTERS & COMMENTARY •