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OPINION `Silent majority' too quiet Council's recent decision on the Main St. reconstruction project demonstrated its ongoing struggle to determine the views of the "silent majority". The project involves the reconstruction of downtown Georgetown's Main St., from Church St. to George St. As with most other capital projects, council hired a consultant who came up with options for a new look-- something to "drive" more visitors to the downtown area. This was not only presented in an advertised meeting to the public, which gave the options a thumbs up or thumbs down, but also to the Georgetown BIA merchants. Staff then analyzed these opinions to come up with a recommendation, which was then presented to council for approval. Sounds simple enough, right? Nope. In this case, the consultant recommended removing the centre eightfoot median-- something most of the merchants wanted (and we also didn't have a problem with)-- but the majority of residents called for its retention. Council settled on a compromise, retaining the island in a smaller 4-foot format which allowed the expansion and enhancement of sidewalks. This plan was accepted by the merchants. Done deal, right? Nope. At the meeting to confirm the decision, resident David Harley claimed he spoke for the "silent majority" which wanted the median gone. He said council made a rushed and wrong decision based on a need for election votes. Sorry David, but the "majority" should have found its voice on this matter. Never one to pass up the chance to beat an issue to death, Councillor Mike Davis again tried to delay the decision-making until more residents came forward to speak. We think he would be waiting a long time and in the meantime, the business of this Town must move on. As Councillor Jane Fogal said, of the 106 opinions expressed, the "majority" said they wanted the median retained in some form. In this case council did what it's supposed to do-- listen to the people. That's democracy-- and what happens when the "silent majority" chooses to remain mute. The Town is hoping to have this roadwork done by next summer so that the Homecoming 2007 visitors will be impressed. Frankly, we don't think they'll care whether there's a median or not or that the Town has spent $1.2 million on it-- not if they can't find a decent place to park in the downtown. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Resident outraged by `racist' incident Dear editor, This is an open letter to all in our community. My loving partner, and best friend, is Spanish. She has been a Canadian citizen for more than 16 years. As she was born in Central America, her skin is not pure "white". She is stunningly beautiful and has an intellectually creative mind that would stimulate anyone in any conversation. As an artist, she has been honoured to have her paintings chosen for exhibition during Georgetown's Arts Week. She has also had her photography chosen for Georgetown exhibits by The Halton Hills Camera Club. I share this with you to demonstate that she is a proud and enthusiastic member of our community. Recently my partner and her sister were shopping with our 22-month old daughter and her sister's two kids. During lunch she made her way to the restaurant's self-serve drink station. While facing the drink dispenser, she heard a male voice behind her say, "Excuse me!" After moving to the side to allow whomever had asked to proceed through, the same adult male who said "excuse me" pushed her from behind with his elbow. As she turned in obvious dismay, the man yelled for all to hear. "Welcome to Canada. I hope you have enjoyed your visit to Canada. Go back to where you came from!" These words were repeated a number of times. His statements and actions were nothing less than a direct racist reaction to the pigmentation of her skin. This was an exhibition of hate. Whomever you are, be aware that your actions were nothing short of assault. To verbally and physically assault a lone woman due to the colour of her skin makes you a coward of the highest (lowest?) order. I am told that one individual who witnessed this event, stood and made his physical presence known without uttering a word. To you, sir, I say thank you for being near when another was threatened. It is felt that your mere presence aided in tempering the stupidity. Dare I ask what might have happened had my partner been in a much less public space? When I asked her what she wished to do about this, my partner said she would, "rather just forget about it". I do not speak for her. I write this letter not only as a form of public catharsis for me and my family, but more in the hope that by shedding some light against this kind of darkness, that it may be exposed for all in our community to see. Let this be notice that this will not be tolerated in MY Georgetown. I dare guess this does not belong in your Georgetown, either! Stephen Cochrane, Georgetown Reader talks turkey with columnist Dear editor, As I read Ted Brown's column (June 9) about the turkey on his property I kept thinking about the name he's chosen to give his resident turkey-- not the traditional Tom, but Abe the Turkey instead. I kept wondering why Abe Turkey couldn't be renamed Ted Turkey. Maybe Ted sounds a little bit too much like the more common Tom, but then Abe has decided to make his home on Ted Brown's property, right? And as Mr. Brown says, with emphasis and some capital letters to boot, "he's MY turkey...." Ted Turkey living on Ted Brown's land makes more sense to me. And the name isn't exactly ordinary, I would think. Ted is usually the name we give to teddy bears, not Tom. But on second thought Mr. Brown-- or should I call you Ted?-- you might have a problem with a Ted Turkey in your midst, especially as you sit down for Thanksgiving dinner. Can you re-christen the bird Ted now and go back to good old Abe in the fall? Jennifer Enright, Acton