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6 Acton/Georgetown, Friday, September 21, 2007 OPINION This weeks sentencing of the truck driver who struck and killed an off-duty OPP officer, who was riding his bike on a rural Milton road, reveals a gaping crack in the system that is suppose to protect victims and punish criminals. Its a monumental struggle to comprehend a justice system that isnt equipped (or prepared) to balance the scale that finds a 45-year-old man dead and the man responsible for his death a chronic repeat offender walking away with probation and a suspended drivers licence. The incongruity of their fates is ludicrous and symp- tomatic of laws that are in desperate need of an over- haul. On the afternoon of June 6, 2006, Burlington resident Gregory Stobbart was struck and killed by a truck attempting to pass him as he rode his bicycle along Tremaine Road in Milton. The 31-year-old Grimsby trucker, despite having amassed $14,000 worth of fines related to five convic- tions for driving with a suspended licence and two more for driving with no insurance, had somehow managed to negotiate his way to a licence reinstatement at the time of Stobbarts death. This is where the system stops making sense. Allowing criminals especially those of the repeat offender variety to slip through the holes of a less- than-perfect legal system is inexcusable. Anyone who makes the conscious decision to drive while suspended and then harms another as a result of their error in judgment has earned themselves a jail sentence. Such a blatant disregard for the rules that govern the rest of us needs to be met with complete and immediate removal of the privilege to participate in society. While we appreciate that the justice of the peace in this case was bound by rules of punishment set out by our legal system and reinforced by endless volumes of case law, we question how anyone could look Gregory Stobbarts widow in the eye and suggest to her that jus- tice has been served. Could you? Is it justice? 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, The community of Halton Hills lost a community-minded citizen with the death of Irene McCauley August 5. As stated in her obituary, Irene was dedicated to her family, Holy Cross Church, the Halton Catholic District School Board and her com- munity. She donated time to charities and coached lacrosse and hockey for many years. Irene was a person who always set high standards for herself and performed all tasks with great dedication. She led an exemplary life and, despite many setbacks, she sol- diered on, doing things for the bet- terment of her community. After losing her husband John at a young age, she continued raising three children as a single parent. She was proud of her children Wes, Bridget and Blaine and their accomplishments in life. Blaine sat by her bedside for hours this past year and in Irene own words she wouldnt have gotten through the year without him. She expressed this sentiment pub- licly at the dedication of the theatre at Christ the King in her name this past year. The theatre was named in her honour to thank her for her 26 years of service as trustee for Halton Hills a well-deserved honour. I know her ideals will live on through her children. After receiving a kidney transplant last summer, Irene ran in the last election for trustee and still wanted to serve the community. Most people would have given up long before. Irene touched many lives as was evidenced by the huge turnout at her funeral mass. This included, Bishop Tonnos, Bishop of the Hamilton dio- cese who cherished his long friend- ship with Irene. I am also thankful for the long friendship I had with Irene. I have never met a person in my life who has inspired me more for her perse- verance and acceptance at what life threw her way. She will be greatly missed. May she rest in peace. Peg Graham, Acton McCauley remembered for dedication 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? 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) 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 STAFF DIRECTORY Send us a letter! Phone: 905-873-0301 Fax: 905-873-0398www.independentfreepress.com Dear editor, On Saturday, August 11, Georgetown hosted the Second Annual Welcoming Diversity March, celebrating the various cultures, ethnicities, ages, races, sub-cul- tures, religions, sexual orientations and gender identities that are represented in our growing community. On behalf of Peer Outreach Support Services and Education (POSSE) I would like to thank all of the people and organi- zations for their time and support that made this day a success! Thank you, to all the youth for their hard work, leader- ship and spirit that inspired an outstand- ing day, as well the partners of the Welcoming Diversity March, Halton Organization for Pride and Education (HOPE), North Halton Cultural Awareness Council, Halton Multicultural Council, Sexual Assault Violence Intervention Services (SAVIS), ROCK (Reach Out Centre for Kids), Parents, Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Regional Chair Gary Carr, Mayor Rick Bonnette, Councilors Bryan Lewis, Joan Robson, Bob Inglis, Dave Kentner, Jon Hurst, Halton District School Board Trustee Donna Danielli and Halton District School Board Chair Gillian Tuck Kutarna for their leadership and support encour- aging a diverse and safer community for people of ALL sexual orientations, gender identities, cultures and colours. Thanks to all the diverse people who make our world beautiful! As we said during the march, the world is better in colour be that a rainbow or the many shades of skin that people come in! We would also like to extend a huge THANKS the to United Way of Halton Hills, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Lois Fraser of Fraser Direct Logistics Ltd., and Elizabeth Doell for sponsoring this event! Heres to a third annual Welcoming Diversity Day in 2008! Kimm Kent POSSE POSSE appreciates support