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OPINION Does the Town of Halton Hills realize something the other three municipalities in Halton dont, or vice- versa? Thats what were left to wonder after Halton Hills councillors recently voted unanimously to send a rec- ommendation to the regional representation review sub-committee asking the committee to defer its review of regional council representation until 2011. Written by Halton Hills Chief Administrative Officer Dennis Perlin, the local report concludes that reviewing the makeup of regional council at this time is unnecessary. As Perlins report correctly points out, the Halton Sustainable Plan, that will determine population growth to 2031, is yet to be complete as are provincial and regional service realignment reviews. When one looks at the current population data... there is nothing at this point that would suggest that there is an urgent need for any change to the present formula, Perlin told council. Hes right. The present system of seven reps in both Oakville and Burlington and three each in Milton and Halton Hills has only been in place for 12 years and there is nothing to indicate the workload of regional politi- cians has become unbearable in that time. Were also quite confident that the general public doesnt see the need for potentially increasing the number of councillors around the region table. So what is exactly at play with this review by our southern cousins? Is there a move afoot to pull a Mississauga-like power play in which Mayor Hazel McCallion threat- ened to pull out of Peel Region two years ago if her city wasnt allotted more regional representation? Would the rest of Halton like to rid itself of Halton Hills (just before we possibly begin to experience the growth Oakville, Burlington and Milton have seen)? Or are the other three councils in Halton simply supporting an exercise in futility? Curious, isnt it? Council review a waste of time 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, I am one of the unfortunate people who have been affected by the work done by the Region on Steeles Avenue. I have lived on Sixth Line for 50 years and up until this past summer have had absolutely no problems with my well. I had excellent water quality and the well recovery was also excel- lent. Then this past summer the trou- ble began when everyone in this area started to have water problems. Either their wells were drying up or the water quality was very poor and unusable. The Region took responsibility for this and started providing water tanks and water to those they felt were affect- ed by the work they were doing. However, the powers that be decided that the work did not affect my well or that of my neighbour and accepted no responsibility for my problem. After several phone calls by me to the Region it was decided that they would supply water to my well, more or less as a favour, still not accepting any responsibility. Unfortunately, the water put in the well drained away almost as fast as it was put in. So again I was asking for a water tank but could not get them to budge. In desperation I contacted HARP (Hornby Asscociation of Rate Payers) and they came to my rescue. With the help and determination of Ken Lawday and Erik Kowal from HARP I finally got my water tank. I understand that Ken and Erik asked a couple of our local politicians to become involved and I believe that without the help and involvement from Councillor Clark Sommerville and Mayor Rick Bonnette I would not have received this water tank. I want to say a very big thank you to all of you who went to bat for me. Needless to say I was getting very frus- trated over the mess of it all. I could not have done it on my own. Ann Sharpe, Hornby Tanks everyone, says relieved Hornby resident 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 6 Acton/Georgetown, Friday, March 14, 2008 Dear editor Re: Dissatisfied new Canadians. If I, and millions of other immi- grants, had a better place to go we would have gone. In gratitude for a new and free country, we should not try to impose the worn-out baggage of our old countries onto our benefactors. As an immigrant, it offends me deeply that newcomers to this almost- Utopia, refuse to adapt and obey Canadian laws, surely the most kind and humane in the world. We were welcomed with open arms. Willing Canadians took us in. We were cared for and a national health system took care of our, and our childrens, health. We received pensions, supple- ments and free education. We were elected into government and became MPs and MPPs with all the rights and privileges of citizenship. Grasp the opportunities that are available under the canopy of our national flag, be a proud Canadian and join us in lifting our voices and our hearts to proudly salute our Maple Leaf the same flag that drapes the coffins of our fallen soldiers homeward bound to their final rest. The country of my birth is also beautiful, but Canada is my homeland. Trev Trower, Georgetown Be grateful for Canada Dear editor, I want to say thank you to a special snowplow driver on February 15. That morning, my father (hes 85) had a medical appointment and I need- ed to shuffle three cars to pick him up. So I moved one car out onto the street and my sons car was temporarily parked behind mine, with the back end hanging over the end of the driveway. In the middle of the shuffling, the plow rounded the corner right in front of my house. The driver had two options: he could continue his plow- ing, thereby covering in the foot of my driveway and then continue plowing around the car I had idling on the street, effectively burying it. This would have forced me to shovel my driveway as well as the car I needed. Instead, waved to me to continue what I was doing. I was able to park the one car in the garage and back the other car off the street. This courteous gesture saved me a lot of shovelling and also helped me get to the medical appointment on time. My thanks to that conscientious plow driver. J. Clemance, Georgetown Snowplow drivers courteous gesture appreciated