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10 To the editor, I was a booth holder at the Leathertown Festival along with several other members of my group, Women to Women, a local networking business group. 1am a dog obedience and behaviour therapist and a Easy way to save water To the editor, I read an interesting ar- ticle about water usage in Toronto. Apparently to pump the water through the pipes costs $25 million for hydro yearly. So if water use was re- duced by 30% there would be a saving of -- let's say $7 million. It's easy to volunteer at the Guelph Hhumane Society. I was try- ing to raise some money for the Humane Society with guess how many dog cook- ies in the jar for $2 a guess. I had dreadful trouble getting people to part with a toonie, but those that did I would save water. Use low flow showerheads and low flow toilets. The saving would be over the 30%. Easy to do -- save water -- help the ecology, big sav- ings on hydro, pay less tax. Might even solve power shortages. Then, of course, similar THE NEW TANNER People hold onto their toonies like to thank. I raised $38 for the Humane Society. There were 316 cookies in the jar and the winner was Tyler Bell with the closest guess of 323. He does not have a dog but will be giv- ing them to his best friend. Shirley Thaiss. savings in sewerage dis- posal. Will it happen? Not in Canada eh? Pity. No gov- ernment wants to take in less money --.and most do not care about the ecology. So why do I waste my time? Beats me. John Shadbolt, Acton. School Bus Orientation Day The Halton School Bus Safety Committee is hosting its annual School Bus Orien- tation Day at Acton District High School on Saturday, August 27 staring at 9a.m. The program is sponsored by both the public and Catholic school boards and bus opera- tors in Halton. Parents are encouraged to bring their children to the free session, which will feature a classroom presen- tation on school bus safety, including a special Win- nie-the-Pooh video and a demonstration on a school bus. School bus company safety officers and bus driv- ers will talk to the children about safely getting on and off the bus, proper behaviour on a school bus, crossing the street to get to a waiting bus and overall school bus safety. In addi- tion, a tip sheet on school bus safety, entitled "Think! Think! Think Safety!" will be distributed. The committee hopes that the orientation sessions will help students and their parents feel more comfort- able with the idea of riding a school bus. To register children for a preferred time slot, parents should call the host bus company. In Acton the num- ber is 519-853-1550. Acton Fall Fair _ 2005 aed rtai In ment www.actonfair.ca Acton Fall Fair September Cigars 16, 17,18 2005 Saturday September 17, 2005 7:30pm Entertainment tent SaaS Cee 5:00 pm Saturday - Grant Daniels - Local Singer of Classic Country Come meet "The Three Legged Man" on ST A UE Orel Commence) Open to Children up to 12 ee CLEC ce een LRT RV leat THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2005 Letters Shaw murder drives home justice system shortcomings To the editor, Once upon a time the Liberal Government began dismantling the Canadian justice system. Now, some 30 years later, the justice system appears to have become noth- ing more than an exclusive club funded by Govern- ment for the sole purpose of protecting the criminal brotherhood. Facts recently revealed about the Linda Shaw murder drive home once again the wrongness of letting criminals off the hook with short sentences, parole, plea bargaining, or by any other means. Shaw's killer was twice convicted of murder. One of his victims was a police officer. He was sentenced to die, but was later saved by the abolishment of the death penalty. For two murders, he spent 12 years in prison, then was released for "good be- haviour." One month later he killed again. Now, 10. years after his death, he is still pro- tected by law which prevents the release of his name. Of what value was the life of a young college student compared to a twice-con- victed murderer's right to life; freedom and privacy? Was it not enough for a fam- ily to suffer the loss ofa loved one, but to now know that her death could have been prevented? How must the Shaws feel knowing that their daughter died because a kill- er's rights took precedence over her right to safety? Government is shirking its duty to keep society safe. Politicians do everything they can to avoid addressing the root causes of violent crime and try to reassure us with questionable statistics. They defend the early release of criminals by saying that only a few re-offend. Shouldn't a responsible approach to violent crime be to err on the side of caution? The current rash of shoot- ings in Toronto is blamed on guns. "If that darned U.S. didn't supply Canadians with illegal guns," say the politi- cians, "there would be no shootings." When an earlier outbreak of stabbing occurred, they decried the easy access to knives. One must wonder why the knuckleheads never get the message that it is not the weapon, but the one who wields the weapon that needs to be restricted. Similarly, politicians seem to think that a national sex offender registry will put a stop to child molestation and rape. Or that a list of suspected terrorists to keep them from boarding planes will eliminate the threat of terror attacks. Yeah right! The billions of dollars Government spends on such hair-brained ideas as gun control and sex offender registries would better ensure public safety if they were used to keep known offenders off the streets so they cannot re-offend. How many lives will be lost or ruined before Government takes the necessary action to tighten laws and close the loop holes to keep criminals behind bars? That question is asked every time a known criminal re-offends, but still the public keeps electing the same gutless Government that turns dangerous indi- viduals loose on society. We can't vote for that other guy, can we? He doesn't smile enough or tell convinc- ing lies. He might even decide that law-abiding citizens de- serve more consideration and compassion than those who threaten their safety! Linda Shaw's family has a right to be bitter as do count- less other families that have been shattered by repeat of- fenders. Not only have they been betrayed by Govern- ment, but by a society that meekly accepts the status quo and refuses to demand responsible Government. Eileen Hutcheson, Acton. Appreciates support from local groups An open letter of thanks to the Acton groups who support children with severe food allergies: This fall Sabrina's Law Ana 3 tans for\ $4 G-00 Mon.-Thurs. 9a.m. - 8p.m. Friday 9a.m. - 7p.m. Saturday 9a.m. - 5p.m. Sundays - CLOSED (a comprehensive system for School Boards to man- age children witf severe food allergies i.e. peanut, egg, milk, shellfish and more) will be implemented in our Halton schools, and throughout the province. While this is fantastic news for our children, deep gratitude also needs to go to our wonderful Acton service groups i.e. Girls Guides, Brownies, Sparks, Scouts, Kinette community breakfasts, sports, dance, church, youth groups and many more. These organi- zations are mindful of our children on many levels but their priority is safety and fun. We have enjoyed, with confidence, the benefits of being involved in our caring community through these groups. Lastly to the children, parents and caregivers who are our friends and team mates, we want to thank you for including and often times going out of your way for us by providing safe foods at birthday parties and social gatherings. It is your empathy that makes you strong and wonderful, and makes us very happy we live in Acton. Emily Rose and her Mom and Dad.