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6 Independent & Free Press, Tuesday,April 27, 2010 OPINION Mill plan Part II When it comes to the Barber Mill property on River Road, general agreement can often be found in several areas. First, most people would likely agree that the lands-- once the pride and joy of Georgetown and a vibrant component of Ontario's economic engine-- is a disgrace. For years it's been a hangout for troubleseeking teens and vagrants. There have been fires and dozens of episodes of vandalism. The property's owners over the decades have let the once-proud paper mill badly deteriorate. Secondly, there is little debate that the property is in a wonderful location-- right on the edge of the Credit River, tucked away in a little corner where the views are stunning. Third, over the decades an oft-heard comment has been: "Something should be done with the property". However, this is where the commonality ends, and the debate begins: "Do what, exactly?" Everlast Group Ltd. (formerly Everlast Restorations Inc.) the current property owners, brought forth an ambitious plan a couple years ago of turning the mill site into a retail complex, complete with hotel and 14-storey condominium. The latter, perhaps rightfully, proved be a contentious issue with nearby residents and councillors who were cool to the idea of a 14-storey monolith in their neighbourhood. Everlast has now come back to Halton Hills council with a revised plan, one that still calls for a 65-room hotel and "unique retail" opportunties. Spokesperson Paul Backewich compares the project to ones completed in Toronto's Distillery District and Seagram's Project in Waterloo. At first blush, this plan certainly looks more appropriate but there is undoubtedly much discussion ahead. That's likely something else everyone can agree on. 905-873-0301 Publisher: Ken Nugent General manager: Steve Foreman (sforeman@independentfreepress.com) Retail advertising manager: Cindi Campbell (ccampbell@independentfreepress.com) Managing editor: John McGhie (jmcghie@independentfreepress.com) Distribution manager: Nancy Geissler (ngeissler@independentfreepress.com) Classifieds Kristie Pells (classified@independentfreepress.com) Accounting Rose Marie Gauthier 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) WEB POLL RESULTS Toronto council will be considering a proposal to allow shopping at all stores on every statutory holiday, including Christmas. Would you support a similar Ontario-wide plan that allows for shopping on all holidays? · Yes (26%) · No (74%) Steve Nease Go to www.independentfreepress.com Letters to the editor Cleanup spoiled by `ignorant SOB' Dear editor, The whole community just did an amazing job of cleaning up roads, parks, and just about anywhere people litter. The Town just picked up five industrial bags of litter from our driveway that was collected on a two-mile stretch on the Sixth Line. Not 48 hours later some ignorant SOB dumped five tires on the side of the road. I cannot believe how inconsiderate some people are. Have they no respect at all? Littering has gotten to be a real problem and something needs to be done. Fines should be doubled and the person's name made public. Maybe then, people would think twice about discarding that coffee cup, pop tin, fast food wrapper or anything else, anywhere they please. Take it home and discard it properly. Bill Gerrie, Limehouse should be closed) I was still trying to establish what her complaint was. In four hours her husband was seen, given a bed, tests and given good news. This I would think was great service with a great result but yet, this woman thinks the hospital should be closed! Does she seriously believe that service in Mississauga hospitals would have been quicker and more efficient? Perhaps she would change her opinion if she went and visited the emergency on other days or nights and see how busy it can get and how hard the staff works there. Perhaps it's time Mrs. Vitorino left our humble town so she can enjoy the pleasant atmosphere in Mississauga where I am sure she will find congestion, noise, pollution, and crime. Oh, and just so you know, you have no vote on whether to close the hospital or not. Greg Thoms, Georgetown comments, I felt it was time for me to support our great hospital. Last December, I had to go to the emergency department with my husband. He had been released from St. Mike's a day and a half prior after having had a triple heart bypass. Since he was running a low grade fever and his ankles had become badly swollen our family doctor recommended that I bring him to the ER. I was very impressed with their immediate response to the situation. They did many tests and determined that he was fighting an infection. They admitted him that night and started a general antibiotic treatment. Once they found the cause, which turned out to be a staph infection, it was treated very aggressively. He was then transferred back to St. Mike's for a further operation to repair the damage done. Everything was successful. The doctor and nurses in the ER that night acted quickly and decisively. When I asked questions I was always given the answers. I really appreciated the caring and informative manners of Dr. Ockley. She is a gem. We think that we are very lucky to have such a fine hospital that is so close to us when we need it. Keep up the good work. Marlene and Henry Burnett, Ballinafad Letters to the editor policy Letters must include an address and daytime telephone number. Anonymous letters will not be published. Letters should not exceed 150 words and may be edited for content and/or length. E-mail: jmcghie@independentfreepress.com Mail or drop off: Independent & Free Press, 280 Guelph St., Unit 29, Georgetown, ON., L7G 4B1. Hospital care great Dear editor, This will be the first time I have written in but I feel very strongly about the letter "Smaller hospitals should be closed". After reading Dr. Sutherland's The Independent & Free Press The Independent & Free Press is published Tuesday and Thursday and is one of several Metroland Media Group Ltd. community newspapers. Editorial and advertising content of The Independent & Free Press is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Why the complaint? Dear editor, After re-reading Anna Vitorino's April 1 letter (Smaller hospitals