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Sending a message "The squeaky wheel gets greased." "There is strength in numbers." Both of the above axioms apply to Halton Region's bid to get the provincial government to stand up and take notice of the Region's displeasure with the current GTA pooling formula. After sending previous letters and resolutions to the Province outlining its concern with the formula used by the province to help the City of Toronto pay for its social services-- and hearing precious little in return-- the Region voted 19-2 this week to freeze its upcoming 2007 payment at the 2006 level. York and Peel Regions have already frozen their pooling payments in a bid to get the Province to revisit the issue, so Halton isn't breaking new ground here, but it is, as Burlington Mayor Cam Jackson said, hoping "there is strength in numbers." Halton Hills Wards 1 and 2 Regional Councillor Clark Somerville actually brought the pooling motion forward at Halton Region last week and the vast majority of his council mates agreed with him when he offered up euphemism of his own. "Let's draw a line in the sand," said Somerville. "The pooling system is broken. We've got to get it fixed." Region staff estimate that, based on the 2006 rate, Halton will fork over roughly $41 million to help out Toronto-- that's too much, most councillors contend, and they're right. With a provincial election on the horizon the Region is right to make this move now and to keep the pooling issue on the front burner. There is no better time to get a sitting government to listen to you than when it wants your support. That said, however, the Province may have a saying of its own for Halton and the other dissenting regional governments. "Buzz off!" Youngsters' cancer fund-raiser nets $7,500 Dear editor, Recently, my sister Karen and I hosted a fundraiser at the Georgetown Cinemas 3 in support of those dealing with cancer in our community. An article published in The Independent & Free Press, announcements being made at Christ the King Secondary School, mention being made at the masses leading up to January 11 at Holy Cross Church as well as much extended family support, resulted in an event that not only allowed us the opportunity to raise more than $7,500 for three local charities (Cancer Assistance Services-Halton Hills, Canadian Cancer Society and Credit Valley Pediatric Oncology Clinic) who assist those living with cancer, BUT, has shown us what a fabulous community we are a part of. The kind wishes, raffle donations, monetary donations, door prize donation and time spent by many known and unknown individuals were the key to the success of this event and we would like to acknowledge all of the residents who attended and/or supported the event with a very heartfelt thank you Halton Hills! Heather and Karen MacKinnon, Georgetown JUMP schools thanked for participation Dear editor, February is Heart Month. Numerous schools in Halton Hills will be participating in the Heart and Stroke Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Hearts programs. Jump Rope for Heart (JUMP) is a contagious fundraising program that gets kids active and promotes the health of Canadian children. JUMP activates kids to embrace a lifetime of healthy living and social responsibility by skipping and raising money for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. And, when they do, they'll be helping reverse today's trend towards childhood obesity and inactivity. With millions of Canadians living with some form of heart disease, there are few people whose lives are not touched by this terrible disease. And now, with childhood obesity threatening more families, it's critical we focus on the health of our hearts. This year JUMP is celebrating its 25th anniversary. In the last 25 years JUMP has taught millions of kids the value of staying healthy and giving back. Community support has enabled us to continue vital research leading to ground-breaking achievements such as: · Preventing blue babies by developing a procedure enabling surgeons worldwide to repair switched heart vessels, giving their tiny patients a chance at a full active life. · Better control of cardiac arrhythmias, a common cause of sudden death in seemingly healthy young individuals by discovering a gene that controls the heart's electrical patterns. The Heart and Stroke Foundation is pleased to announce more than 1,200 students across Halton Hills will be participating in the Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart programs during February. We would like to thank all schools participating, Centennial Middle School and Robert Little Public School. Stephanie Kuczerepa, Peel chapter, Heart and Stroke Foundation Owner of lost keys grateful for their return Dear editor, I lost a "bunch of keys" and I would like to thank a "bunch of people". I would like to thank the kind person who handed my keys into Blockbuster January 15. Luckily I had a Blockbuster identification card on my key ring which was used to identify my contact details. Thank you Georgetown Blockbuster and to Kay who helped me look for my keys in the freezing weather on Sunday evening-- what a trouper. Sue Tolley, Georgetown