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OPINION School's in... so drive carefully It's hard to imagine that the summer of 2006 is officially over for Halton students (and parents). While it may not officially wind down until Sept. 23, once the kids head back to school the carefree days of summer are just a sweet memory. This time of year can be particularly scary for motorists and students alike. Our congested roadways do not make it easy for bus drivers to collect their charges -- especially if they are being tailed by an impatient motorist late for work. All one has to do is look at the main arterial roads to see what commuters are up against as they try to get to work on time. Drivers are already forced to concentrate on long lines of traffic, speeding and aggressive motorists and those individuals who refuse to slow down for a yellow light. As well, drivers often deal with youngsters and teens who pay little heed to the rules of the road. Little ones who dart across the street and teens who think they can saunter into oncoming traffic are every driver's worse nightmare. But it is up to you, the motorist, to do everything possible to ensure our students arrive at school safe and sound. These are some of the reasons Halton Regional Police officers step up traffic enforcement in an effort to remind drivers to be extra cautious now that classes have resumed. Project Safe Start is already under way here with an emphasis on five S's-- speeding, seatbelts, stop signs, school zones and school buses. Basically, it means motorists had better be paying attention to what's going on around them and that means hanging up the cell phone and to stop fiddling with the car's stereo system. The police are also asking drivers to be courteous to each other and the children. So think twice before sending a rude gesture and laying on the horn if you feel slighted. Safe Start continues until Sept. 15, but you can bet traffic cops will be keeping a careful watch on drivers as they make their way around the city long after this particular program wraps up. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Tribunal made a bad situation worse Dear editor, The recent article on Craig Harrison shows how far people will go to accomplish nothing. The Harrison case simply does not warrant that much press. This should not have been human rights case at all. In making it one,you have all just served to give Mr. Harrison the press he did not deserve to have, but the very press he was looking for all along. He is doing what he does for the shock value and nothing more. Congratulations, you have elevated him to a level he could never have achieved by being ignored, or having his case dealt with on the back pages of the newspaper instead of the front. When will people realize that you cannot legislate morality, nor punish people for their beliefs no matter what they are, and how repugnant those beliefs are to you? When will you learn that it is only through education that we can eliminate racial and other forms of illogical hatred? It cannot be done with some politicized Human Rights Tribunal which has now made a bad situation much worse. You have given Harrison legitimacy whether you realize it or not-- a legitimacy that we will all eventually pay for as other are drawn to the pseudo-martyr's cause. As hard as it may be to do, we must stop dealing with these issues with our hearts, and start using our heads. My head tells me to shut these people down firmly, but quietly, and without the fanfare they need to feed on while perpetuating the idiocy. They will soon become extinct. Darrel MacCrae, Georgetown Street party allows neighbours to meet Dear editor, I would like to share a good news story reflecting truly what a great community Georgetown really is. On Saturday, August 19 the neighbours of Stockman Crescent gathered for the third official "Stockman barbecue". It has been organized by three very committed families and the day includes games, raffles, swimming, a fantastic barbecue and for the first time ever "Stockman Idol". In today's working society it is often times difficult to truly know your neighbours. This gathering offers great comfort in knowing your neighbours and providing the additional peace of mind we all look for when raising our children. We live in a wonderful community and I have experienced the additional privilege to reside on a street that is welcoming and inclusive of all. Debbie Moffatt, Georgetown Median's removal would benefit downtown Dear editor, Re: Downtown median. My recollection of the primary reason for the town's consultant wishing to eliminate the median is that it widens walkways to invite more people activities-- unique shopping in and out of doors, 7/11 events and vibrant social gatherings to fill the downtown with healthy life during most hours of the day and year. These improvements also enhance the downtown's unique architectural character, eliminate a barrier to buggies/wheelchairs/bikes, trims time crossing the narrower road, reduces after-hours vandalism and slows down automobiles, thus encouraging through-traffic to seek more efficient routes. Contrary to intuition, the median increases the speed of automobiles by requiring a driver to watch for traffic on their right side only. More vehicles at higher speeds decrease pedestrian activity. While the councillors' decision to keep a median based on weight of opinion might seem a regressive step to some, it is also my understanding that the lease rates of shops along Main Street have been trending toward doubling in very recent years, causing shops to move out and services (eg. storefront law offices) to move in. If so, a lost opportunity to vitalize downtown may be a dead issue. Tom Bentley, Georgetown