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6 Acton/Georgetown, Friday, July 13, 2007 OPINION Drowning in statistics Three weeks into the official start of summer it's easy to become complacent about water safety. This Sunday (July 15) marks the start of National Drowning Prevention Week, an effort by the Lifesaving Society to make Canadians aware that they can help prevent water fatalities. With more than 400 drowning deaths recorded coast to coast each year, drowning remains the third leading cause of accidental death among Canadians under 60 years of age, according to the society. Many of us are drawn to backyard and public pools, lakes, creeks and rivers to beat the season's extreme heat. Add to the mix the lure of pleasure boating, water-skiing, fishing, camping and visits to popular water parks and it becomes clear many of us will spend a portion of our summer on, in or very close to water. There are two really simple ways to ensure you and your loved ones make it home safely from all the fun activities summer offers; make sure there's a trained lifeguard at public swim areas and wear a life jacket. In both cases statistics supporting these basic preventive measures tell a startling story. According to the Canadian Red Cross and Lifesaving Society, 78 per cent of all recreational boating drownings in Canada in 1999 involved victims who were not wearing a life jacket or personal flotation device (PFD). The presence of a certified lifeguard greatly reduces the risk of drowning while swimming. Less than two per cent of all drownings in our country occur when there is lifeguard supervision. Since trained lifeguards can't be everywhere the society encourages every Canadian to be aware of how they can prevent a tragedy. In 2006, the Lifesaving Society reported more than 250,000 Canadians were trained in National Lifesaving Society programs. Anyone interested in adding to that statistic should visit www.lifesaving.ca. www.independentfreepress.com Phone: 905-873-0301 Fax: 905-873-0398 Steve Nease STAFF DIRECTORY Publisher Ken Nugent Advertising director Steve Foreman (sforeman@independentfreepress.com) Retail advertising manager Cindi Campbell (ccampbell@independentfreepress.com) Managing editor John McGhie (jmcghie@independentfreepress.com) Distribution manager Nancy Geissler (distribution@independentfreepress.com) ADVERTISING Advertising co-ordinator Jennifer Christie (jchristie@independentfreepress.com) Retail Sales: Jennifer Spencer (jspencer@independentfreepress.com) Adam Spinney (aspinney@independentfreepress.com) Andrew Key (akey@independentfreepress.com) Amy Sykes (features@independentfreepress.com) Real estate: Sue Spizziri (realestate@independentfreepress.com) Classifieds: Kristie Pells (classified@independentfreepress.com) ACCOUNTING Rose Marie Gauthier, Michelle Wimmer EDITORIAL Cynthia Gamble: News editor (cgamble@independentfreepress.com) Ted Brown: Photography (tbrown@independentfreepress.com) Lisa Tallyn: Staff writer (ltallyn@independentfreepress.com) Eamonn Maher: Staff writer/sports (emaher@independentfreepress.com) PRODUCTION: Mary Lou Foreman, Kevin Powell, Shelli Harrison, Dolores Black, Debbie MacDougall LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Developers should pick up their trash Dear editor, A few weeks ago, my wife and I picked up garbage along the Eighth Line near Miller Drive. Approximately 50 per cent of the garbage we pulled out of the ditches and treed areas was waste from the new homes development. In addition, on almost a daily basis, we are constantly picking up garbage blowing down the street from the construction area. As you drive south on Mountainview Rd. S. near 10 Sideroad, it is the same situation with construction garbage blown all over the fields. If we are allowing companies to develop our town, should we not be expecting them to also clean up their garbage on a regular basis? Doug Daniell, Georgetown business in the last 10 years. The collusion, or price monopoly, is wrong and we know it, as do the oil companies and the government. Our lives and every service provided is affected, but no one elected does anything about it. I hope a consumers' boycott of these companies will send a message to the people who need it the most. Where the hell is our member of parliament now? Funny, we don't hear much about this crisis do we? Well, elections are coming, aren't they? David Hunter, Georgetown We have lived in many places and so far Georgetown is the safest and most wonderful. Jerry and Kay Wright, Georgetown Something bugging you? Send us a letter! Letters to the editor must include an address and daytime telephone number. Unsigned letters will not be published. Letters should not exceed 200 words and may be edited for content and/or length. Mail or drop off: Independent & Free Press, 280 Guelph St., Unit 29, Georgetown, ON., L7G 4B1 E-mail: jmcghie@independentfreepress.com Wake up Mr. Prime Minister! Dear editor, In the past months we have seen traditionally strong industries like Dofasco, Falconbridge, Inco, Hudson Bay gobbled up by outsiders. Bell, Alcan and Stelco not far behind. This serious threat Mr Harper chooses to ignore and his Finance Minister who started it all thinks it's a myth. I call on Mr. Harper to wake up and stop the hemorrhaging of our industries, the jobs and our children's future. Edward M. Cachia, Georgetown Grateful owner would like to thank Good Samaritan Dear editor, On Tuesday, June 12 I lost my handbag at the grocery store. Later the same day the doorbell rang and a kind gentleman was standing at our front door with my handbag. In the moment of extreme happiness I forgot to get the gentleman's name or give him some kind of reward. My husband and I would like him to call us again so we can properly thank him and give him a small reward. Hopefully he is reading this letter and will contact us again. The handbag was found in a laneway behind Wal-Mart. THE INDEPENDENT & FREE PRESS The Independent & Free Press is published every Wednesday and Friday at 280 Guelph St., Unit 29, Georgetown Ont., L7G 4B1. It is one of several newspapers published by Metroland Media Group Ltd. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of the advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with reasonable allowance for signature will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the acceptable rate. In the event of typographical error advertising goods or services at wrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Advertising is merely an offer to sell which may be withdrawn at any time. Editorial and advertising content of The Independent & Free Press is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Price: Store copies 50¢ each; Subscriptions $26 per year by carrier; $92.50 per year by mail in Canada; $130 per year in all other countries. Plus G.S.T. Second Class Mail Registration Number 6869. The Independent & Free Press is a member of The Canadian Community Newspaper Association and The Ontario Community Newspaper Association. Send a message to gas companies and our politicians: reader Dear editor, Re: May 18 letter (Driver calls for boycott) Finally a person who cares enough to tell it like it is. The oil companies are just taking advantage of the consumer because they can with the blessing of our governments, which also benefit from the collusion. Oil companies were very smart then they put independents out of New speed limit on Hwy. 7 around Norval Dear editor, New speed limit-- Watch your speed when travelling either direction east of Norval on Highway 7. Have you noticed that the limit has been changed from 80 km/h to 70 km/h after you crest the hill. It is 60 km/h going up the hill and often speed trapped. Be careful. Doug Giffin, Georgetown