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OPINION While we wholeheartedly support the Ontarios Liberal government plan to ban smoking in cars with children, we wonder how in the world it will be policed. Is it realistic to expect law enforcement officers to be on the lookout for smokers with young passengers, or will fellow motorists be asked to be the eyes and nose of this new provincial law? Will children exposed to second-hand smoke in the family car face the prospect of testifying against a par- ent in court? The provinces decision to propose a new law in the spring legislative session is a no-brainer considering the startling data provided by provincial health offi- cials. Children who breathe second-hand smoke are more likely to suffer Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, asthma and cardiac disease. Second-hand smoke kills more than 300 Ontario residents every year. We know that this is harmful to children one hour of second-hand smoke in a car is the same as giv- ing kids an entire pack of cigarettes, said Premier Dalton McGuinty in a Wednesday news release announcing the proposed law. We need to do every- thing we can to keep our children safe and healthy. Frankly, we find it impossible to comprehend how an adult could expose any child to second-hand smoke. Its about as abusive an act as an alcoholic par- ent feeding a youngster liquor. With the present and future health of Ontario chil- dren at stake, we hope the punishment for breaking this law will be substantial. The deterrent of a hefty fine and possible jail time for repeat offenders will be needed if it is to have any real impact. There are some who believe government should not be in the business of legislating common sense. However, there are also times remember seat- belts? when the failure by some members of society to exercise common sense leaves our elected officials feeling obliged to intervene in the interest of public health and safety. This is one of those times. Butting in 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 sig- nature 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 ser- vices 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. Steve Nease THE INDEPENDENT & FREE PRESS LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear editor, This past Monday the school buses were cancelled. No one can understand why as the road condi- tions were wet and the forecasted temperature was 10C. Who makes this decision? Is it the transportation company or the school board? Is someone pulling the safety card? Luckily I am able and willing to drive my teenaged high school chil- dren to school but I hear comments like there is no point, there wont be any classes and the teachers dont take classes as they wont teach the same lesson twice. Monday this turned out to be true. My daughter informed me that aproximately 20 students were in school that day. To make mat- ters worse, she was told to go to the library as the staff were having a meeting. I am told that roughly half the students do not take buses. That would be around 725 students who did not go to school even though I am quite sure these kids were able to go. My question is, if the parents adopted the same attitude that I did, and made sure that their kids went to school anyway, would the teachers have taught the class? Should the teachers teach our kids when they turn up? Should the kids who do turn up get extra cred- it for making the effort? Wouldnt an incentive be that if the non-bused kids did not turn up for school, they would have to do a make-up class in their lunch hour the next day? The high school curriculum can be especially tough for some stu- dents. For those students with high marks I am sure one more day at home will not make a lot of differ- ence to them. For those students with average marks it could make all the difference. Who is really paying for all these days off? Where does the money go that is saved from not running all these buses? I have no problem with being safe, but I have a huge problem with the attitude buses are can- celled lets have another day off. Sharon Foster, Georgetown Who is cancelling school buses and why? 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 Something bugging you? 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Phone: 905-873-0301 Fax: 905-873-0398www.independentfreepress.com Dear editor, Why has there been such a strong reaction to the Toronto District School Boards decision to create a school with an Africentric focus? Education never will be a one- size-fits-all experience and the Toronto board has long-demon- strated its progressive approach to alternative programming for stu- dents. It has 23 secondary and 16 elementary alternative schools, including the First Nations School of Toronto, and the Triangle Program, which provides a safe environment for students who identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual. Each alternative school offers a unique learning environment, and each was established in response to student needs. When these alterna- tive schools were proposed, we did- nt have crowds showing up to protest because their children did- nt need such schools. We didnt have newspaper editors demanding changes to the Education Act to block such efforts. If it can be shown that a school with an Africentric approach engages stu- dents who might otherwise have dropped out, would anyone think this was a bad thing? The school will be open to all students who are interested in attending. In what way does this sound like segrega- tion, as some have suggested? For those students who might achieve academic success in a school with an Africentric focus, I applaud the boards decision. Its just one step in addressing the high drop-out rate there are too many young people on the streets, with few job prospects and little hope for the future. Judy Scannell, Georgetown Africentric school proposal is not a bad thing 6 Acton/Georgetown, Friday, March 7, 2008