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6 Independent & Free Press, Wednesday, July 25, 2007 OPINION Making memories After more than two years of planning, scheduling, booking, organizing and problem-solving Georgetown is ready for a party like it has never seen. Homecoming 2007--a reunion extraordinaire-- is finally here and if you're not taking part, well, there's just no excuse. Inside today's Independent & Free Press you'll find a special 12-page insert on Homecoming 2007, including a schedule of events for the threeday extravaganza (Friday-Sunday July 27-29). Suffice it to say, there is plenty to do for any local resident taking in the event and for ex-residents coming from places, both far and wide, there are a myriad of things to do that will make you feel like you never left home. Of particular interest is the Saturday night dance/social at the Mold-Masters SportsPlex, highlighted by a reunion of the famed (infamous?) Station House band. Also on Saturday there is an open house (complete with tours) of Georgetown District High School where so many memories have been made. Participants should also check out the revamped and rejuvenated downtown and the new Festival on Main which runs Friday and Saturday. On Sunday things wind up with a Remembrance parade in downtown Georgetown at 3 p.m. But those are only a few of the highlights. We suggest everyone attending-- and as many as 5,000 people are expected-- take in as many events as you can and enjoy yourself. We also encourage everyone to act responsibly and do not drink and drive. This weekend is all about memories-- both old ones and new ones about to be made as friendships are rekindled. Congratulations to the organizers for their hard work in making this a weekend to remember. 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 Mom praises efforts of St. Francis staff Dear editor, I have read many letters praising our friends and neighbours for the community spirit that can so readily be found in Georgetown. I am a born and bred Georgetownite and am proud of the fact that my youngest son Alexander has completed his first year of school-- despite the advice of other parents who have children with a compromised immune system (as a result of the chemotherapy he receives weekly for his diagnosis of leukemia). It was this same school that nurtured and assisted in the growth of my first-born, Heather, to the point where she is attending Sir Wilfrid Laurier University. This, of course, does not even touch on the impact the school, and everyone affiliated, has had and continues to have on my four middle children (Karen, Katie, Molly and Joseph). In my opinion, the skill set required for both of these feats, is a support system which is unconditionally there for you, without judgment or prejudice. Both Alexander and Heather have found this support through a number of individuals at St. Francis of Assisi. Alexander's teacher was so supportive that she continually communicated any signs of chicken pox, ensured all members of her class used "green goo"(hand sanitizer) every time they entered or re-entered the classroom and ensured Alex was accepted for his physical appearance (hairless as he was in September). Not to mention the fact that Ms. Andrews' mother works at McMaster Hospital and she visits regularly when Alex is at the hospital. This act of "feeling like you are important", inside and outside the classroom is what makes Alex want to get up and go to school each day. I want to say that Georgetown should be extremely proud to have such a wonderful, caring, educational facility such as St. Francis of Assisi Elementary School in their town. Linda MacKinnon-Ringuette, 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 Why are trash collectors inspecting garbage? Dear editor, As a life long resident in this great town I am very understanding of growth, but I also understand it comes at a price. Here is one price I am not very happy with. Since the garbage collection has been contracted out years ago the service has dropped considerably. Yes, I recycle nearly everything that I can to cut down on the amount that goes into landfills, but my concern is that the garbage collectors are now taking their time to inspect my contents and leaving what they consider is not garbage. Years ago I threw a couple of pine cones off my lawn into a bag as it was not very full. They ripped open my bag and left it saying it was mixed and they do not collect mixed. A few pine cones in a garbage bag? Come on! Recently on a hot day, I arrived home to see the recycle bins empty and the garbage still there. Shortly after I heard the truck pull up and leave, so I went out to find one bag still left. Upon inspection the bag has been manually ripped open. The top of the garbage has regular waste and some small pet shavings from our pet's cage. I guess we pay for inspection before garbage pick up-- that explains the extra taxes. I also suppose we need to give council another raise since that always seems to get better service. Town council needs to wake up and get workers back on the payroll, so those who live in this community work for the community. Contracting workers for cheaper costs while the services diminish is unacceptable to this taxpayer. I heard the Region is negotiating another contract with these collectors. Perfect timing then, as I say it's time to hire Georgetown garbage persons for these now open and available jobs. Just think, workers from our community working for our community and money into our community as they live and spend here. I guess I am falling behind in times and expect too much for the taxes we pay. Jim Marshall, Georgetown 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. 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