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Page 6 — Halton Hills This Week, Wednesday, March 10, 1993 Editorial When Halton Region’s budget review committee asked Halton Regional Police Services to cut $400,000 from its 1993 budget recently, the police service obliged. Police this year will cut back on overtime hours, hold off on replacing retiring officers and curb plans for new vehicles and light scanner used in murder investigations. Of all the areas of regional jurisdiction in which money could have been trimmed, police services should have Been the last. A look at the Metropolitan Toronto police force will illus- trate this. Some senior officers are saying they cannot keep up with the rapid increase in crime. In fact, one officer com- plained that 50 cruisers were sitting unused because of bud- get restraints the same day a convenience store employee was murdered in Scarboro. What’s more, that police force could see its manpower drop by at least 300 if promised money doesn’t come through. What message are we sending to criminals? That they can terrorize our neighborhoods. because we don’t have the offi- cers to patrol them properly. The situation here in Halton region is somewhat different. It is unlikely a violent rampage will occur because police will have to cut overtime hours or drive in older cruisers. But that doesn’t mean we are immune from the increase in violent crime in our society. It is important we realize that. Regional chairman Peter Pomeroy was right in saying: “I don’t think we should just fire arrows off at budget time.” Taxpayers in general are overburdened as it is, and the cut- ting of $400,000 from one area is certainly good news in the eyes of the hard-working taxpayer. But cutting it from police services may be a dangerous abs a year it was a light scanner. Next year, it could be er. Granted, no one service should be immune from fiend cuts. However, police services is too delicate an area in which to impose last-minute budgetary restraints. It is the one service we should be more careful with when wielding the fiscal axe. Oakville Free Press Journal A waste of money To the Editor: Someone is either making a lot UD aes cc eee Why cut cops cash? Increase in crime is alarming It was reported in the Globe & Mail, Thursday, February 18, 1993 that the Province of Ontario is going to spend $1,700,000.00 this year to add French to about 1,000 highway signs in Ontario. My simple arithmetic places the cost at about $1,700.00 each, erect- ed. In most cases the posts are already in place holding existing signs. How much does it cost the Ontario Highways Department to remove and replace a sign? Say a truck, a driver, a foreman and two workmen. Two hours including coffee break $700.00?? Most signs are less than two feet by three feet in size. Some bigger signs may be 10 feet wide by five feet high. In a volume order of 1,000, do they cost $1,000.00 each? Price them where you want, $1,700.00 each, erected, looks awfully high to me. of money out of this program or it shows up how inefficient and non- productive our highway department Governments are supposed to administer the country according to the needs of the people. I know Mr. Rae has more money to waste than he knows what to do with after bor- rowing $ three billion (U.S.) recently on the international money markets. Couldn’t the money be spent more beneficiently maintaining our roads, or providing food and cloth- ing for our people on welfare? I could list a page of things we need powdee lowering taxes. all Mr. Rae’s whining about oe government’s lack of money, is buying French signs, costing the citizens of Ontario $1,700,000. Ws a sensible way to spend money Mr. Rod Pinkney Georgetown To the Edi Like ne aad T have been alarmed by the increase in crime over the past several years. My fee- ing of alarm has turned to ange. Not only is crime reform of the justice system. A Party that will commit to a sane and effective way of dealing with law- breakers and will offer a national referendum on capital punishment is the nature of crimes being ent ted AEE more and more violent. Everywhere I hear people expressing fear for their safety on the streets, on the highways and in their homes. We are admonished to lock our houses and cars, install alarm systems and learn methods of self-defense. We are told not to walk or drive along and what to do it confronted by a hoodlum, We are told to streetproof our children. The advice is endless. Fi If we do not take every possible ‘autionary measure, we are con- sidered to be guilty of having “invited” someone to commit a crime. Something is dreadfully wrong here! Politicians in the three major par- ties have ignored public outcry for tougher measures in dealing with criminals. They have worsened the situation with legal hocus-pocus to the point where the justice system is nothing but a joke - a bad, cruel joke on the honest and the innocent. T’m sure many will agree it is high time for positive action to be taken to restore law and order in our with a federal election coming up in the near future, this is a good time re us to take a stand for T hope that all concerned citizens will make a careful study of party policies concerning just reform and assess the depth of commitment to such reform before casting a vote in the upcoming election. Eileen Hutcheson, Acton It’s time to get tacky To the Editor: On Sunday, February 23, three members of F.0.A.D. demonstrat- ed peacefully at a fund raising event to remind Premier Rae that he has yet to fulfill his promise to the citizens of Halton Hills and kill the Acton dump proposal. The statements and actions of one prominent individual within our community involved in the event was “tacky”, prevented us from obtaining Rae’s “autograph”, reminded us that the event was for the children and finally, offered us the advice that we will get further with sugar than salt (sic). ‘is community has fought for the future of its children using “sugar” for seven years. Having worked “within the process” for such a long time it should be clear to everyone that the process has only succeeded in emptying the sugar pot dry. David Milgaard’s mother, the Stephensons of Brampton and Bob Rae himself all discovered that sometimes the process fails us, and when it does, political action is the only alterna- tive. With better places to spend tax dollars (ex. senior’s centre) this whole town should be outraged. It has always been F.O.A.D.’s objective to terminate the RSI pro- posal before a hearing. How can spending still more money on such a preposterous proposal be justi- fied??? To achieve its objective, F.0.A.D. needs your support - not only financial support, but also your attendance at demonstrations. Just imagine if everyone in Halton Hills including all members of Town Council, churches, commu- nity groups and service clubs lob- bied Mr. Rae personally to end this madness. Together, the results would be profound and swift. Maybe it you think about the $800,000 of your money that the town alone has spent fighting this atrocity, you too will be mad enough to get “tat a Rita Landry President, F.O.A.D. Children’s safety comes first To the Editor: I would like to bring something very important to the attention of the citizens of Halton Hills. 1 am a Crossing Guard and this morning I was almost hit by a car when it - went through my stop sign as I was crossing two small girls. To begin with, I would like to know why people don’t properly stop at stop signs. I stand there day after day and watch the same thing happening. People either ignore the stop signs all together or only attempt to.stop. People should con- sider that it is a privilege to drive and not a right. Also, drivers should be more considerate of each ther. Why, this morning I watched a van almost hit a turning bus because he was not watching the road. The bus driver had to slam on her brakes and honk her horn and all he did was go around her. Doesn’t anyone consider the safety of the children. This is an ongoing problem and if we don’t address it soon there will be someone hurt. My message to the public is: Don’t be in such a hurry! Be considerate of the peo- ple out there that you come into contact with. The Crossing Guards and bus drivers are just trying to do their jobs. We want to get your children to and from school safely. Help was there when needed To the Editor: My main reason for this letter is to give praise where it is definitely due. I would like to thank the Georgetown Volunteer Firefighters, headed by their Captain, John Murray, who attended at my home, 4 Beaver Street, Glen Williams, on Friday, February 5 1993 i response to a 911 call that my house was on fire. They were extremely caring and helpful to me (this was a very traumatic experi- ence, which I would not want to go through again) - they were thor- ough with their work and investiga- tions and thanks to their efficiency, I did not lose anything personal. Whatever was ruined was replace- able. People are so ready to criti- cize when things go wrong, but rarely do they give praise to a job well done. Thank you guys, you were great! iy For Pete's Sake by Roe LOVE CD suopPing! OH YEAH? WHY? BECAUSE | KNOW AS LONK AS | Look AFTER THEM, THE SOUND QUALITY ON THESE DISCS WILL LAST FOREVER A.LIFETIME OF ENTOYMESST, SOUND THAT OELIVERS Evert Time! ep TOO BAD CAMPAIGN PROMISes AREN'T OUT ON Disc. The ise continues. Envirobuild. ine: worked on the restoration of my home and have done a wonderful job. Once they took over the contract, they took over my worries (and that’s some- thing I do very well!). We commu- nicated very well and I do not have one complaint, everything moved smoothly, efficiently and very pro- fessionally. Envirobuild Inc. is a Georgetown company, a young team, headed by Brian, Glenn and Chris. Thank you, my house looks wonderful. Last but not least, my thanks to Carl and Denise, who were there for me all the time, from beginning to end, Without all you wonderful peo- ple, my trauma would have been a horrifying aes ore you were all there. Thank you in. iat Blight TEAS ween Hatton Hills This Week, ae 2S is pub- lished every Wedr Georgetown, Ont. L7G ge, and is oid ‘in Caleille by Q.E. Web Printing, In the event poate error advertising goods ‘or services at wrong price, goods or services may Tot be sold. Advertsi ich may be withdrawn at a PUBLISHER: Ken EDITOR: Colin ‘OFFICE MANAGER: IRCULATION MANAGER: Macie Shadbolt HALTON HILLS THIS WEEK IS ee en ta OWNED & OPERATI PHONE: ey FAX:873-3918