The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Editorial Feelin' blue If there is a lesson to be learned-- by all politicians-- from Monday's federal election results it is this: Do not take the electorate for granted. In a sharp rebuke to Paul Martin's leadership (or lack of) and 13 years of Liberal rule, Canadian voters elected a minority Conservative government. While not the blue wave of change Tories had hoped for, it was at least a ripple. The fact Harper was able to bring Conservatives to power barely two years after riding shotgun on a merger between Reformers and Conservatives, and only 18 months after an election defeat, is nothing short of remarkable. Of course, he had plenty of help-- mostly in the form of Martin and the Liberals. While Harper can be credited with doing the seemingly impossible, the same can be said for Martin. His party was in firm control of this election when it began, yet he failed to convince Canadians his party was best for the country despite a booming economy and low inflation and unemployment rates. Instead, the unfocused Grits adopted a "who cares" attitude when it came to the crucial issue of the sponsorship scandal (and other scandals), and failed to act on a number of promises during the past 18 months. They adopted an arrogance-- as if it was their right to govern and angered voters in the process. Martin and company blithely ignored signs the electorate was out for blood-- governing blood. The Liberals got off to a slow start in the campaign, stumbled repeatedly, then in the final two weeks tried to demonize the Tories (and especially Harper)-- a strategy that proved somewhat less effective than last time. This time, however, voters didn't completely buy the Liberals' message, and because they didn't, paid more attention to the Conservatives' vision for this country. While that vision is not one embraced by the majority of "progressive" voters, it is one that many on the left side of the political spectrum are at least now willing to try out. While voters gave Harper the keys to the car Monday they did so with reservations-- handing him only a minority win. How Harper and his party proceed will be interesting to watch. He promised a more centrist Conservative government and we hope he delivers-- despite obvious pressure he will face from his Western power base. While the NDP can rejoice in increasing their seat total by 10, it is a hollow victory as Jack Layton is no longer the power broker in Ottawa. A Grit-NDP tag team can no longer carry the day. Locally, Michael Chong was easily returned as the MP for Wellington-Halton Hills in a race many correctly expected to be about as close as a Toronto-Ottawa NHL match. Chong has been a good representative during the past 18 months and as we said a week ago, should merit consideration for a cabinet post within a Harper government. We congratulate him on a well-earned victory. But, perhaps the most pleasing aspect of this campaign was the fact more than 70 per cent of this riding's voters exercised their democratic right. So much for a winter election not being exciting. Letters to the editor.... Use money for roads before trails Dear editor, On January 6 there was an article in the paper about the Town of Halton Hills acquiring some money from the federal government that is labeled gas tax revenues. I have worked and lived in town since 1974 on a street that may see a street sweeper once per year. We do have some catch basins but they are so covered with leaves and junk that the water can't get through so it just runs down the road. Most of the streets in the immediate area have at least had a new top coat of asphalt but we only seen to get cold patch in the holes. The people on the Trails Advisory Committee must live in a part of the town that has good roads. To my thinking the gas tax money should be used to repair ALL roads in town and the rural areas before any of the money is used for other things. I don't have a problem with the maintenance of the trails but as for the creation of new trails/paths that should have to wait or they do some fundraising for the Trails Association. Maybe someone should charge a user fee or licence fee like they do for snowmobiles so they could do their own maintenance. As for the environmentalist that is totally out of the question. The six o'clock news tells it all. Gord Kearsey, Georgetown Hamper committee says thanks Dear editor, The Acton Christmas Hamper committee sends sincere and heartfelt thanks to the individuals and groups in Acton and surrounding areas for your generous support of this year's Christmas Hamper program. Your kindness helped us to provide hampers for 79 families, including 105 children. Christmas was much happier for these people because of your thoughtfulness. Thanks also to the many volunteers who gave their time to help make this year's program such a success. The spirit of caring and sharing is indeed alive and well in our town. Thanks again, we wish you God's blessings now and in the year ahead. Acton Rotary Club, Lakeside Chapter IODE, Salvation Army Acton Family Services, St. Vincent Charities of St. Joseph's Church