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6 Independent & Free Press, Tuesday,December 7, 2010 OPINION POWERful legacy Mother Earth, and particularly the Niagara Escarpment, had no better friend than Barbara Halsall. The 69-year-old Georgetown resident died last week from complications of bypass heart surgery following a heart attach. Halsall was the driving force behind Protect Our Water and Environmental Resources (POWER)-- an environmental group formed in 1987 that prevented the Acton quarry from being converted into a garbage dump. The group, with Halsall often at the forefront, was also behind the change to the Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act to stop waste transfer stations on the Escarpment, and supported the Private Member's Bill stopping landfills on the Escarpment. Halsall's name was no stranger to this page as she often wrote letters to the editor on any number of environmental topics. She cheered when a condo development near the Georgetown Fairgrounds was denied by the Ontario Municipal Board, railed against a Region plan to accept bottom ash from Peel's energy-from-waste facility at the Region's landfill, and expressed her enthusiasm for the Region Greencart plan. The frequent face at Town council meetings was no shrinking violet when it came to environmental matters and issues of growth. While we're sure many people (not to mention politicians) often disagreed with her views (and we admit we often did) there was no denying her passion. Her family and friends should take comfort in the fact that she did what many people do not: She made a difference. 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 How much do you expect to spend on Christmas presents this year? · Between $100 and $300 (40%) ·Between $300 and $500 (16%) · Between $500 and $700 (7%) · Between $700 and $1,000 (12%) · More than $1,000 (25%) Steve Nease Go to www.independentfreepress.com Letters to the editor Teachers do ensure students `remember' Dear editor, In response to "Leave Remembrance Day alone" Ted Brown column Nov. 11. I agree with Ted Brown, that MPP Lisa MacLeod should not try to make Remembrance Day a statutory holiday as I also think people may soon forget that remembering is the purpose of the day. I am however, bothered by the end of the article where Mr. Brown makes the statement, "How about we have teachers organize a field trip to the local Cenotaph." Please realize Mr. Brown that we, as teachers, take the time every year to ensure that our students are actively involved in and are exposed to more than just ministry-dictated curriculum. We not only have veterans from the Second World War to Afghanistan come into our classrooms and speak at assemblies; we also have Holocaust survivors speak of their experiences. We have also had students video conference with active servicemen and women in Afghanistan. We had students from Peel attend the 65th anniversary of VE Day earlier this year and were able to hear first-hand powerful stories of liberation. We, too, are aware that this part of history is slowly disappearing and want students to understand how important it is to remember. So, please understand Mr. Brown, that we do our jobs well, and we do it without requiring thanks. However, that means that we also do not need your passive aggressive criticism of us. In the future how about you go and visit a school to see how their teachers are working with the students to honour the memories of our veterans. Kelly Cross, Georgetown If you think a statutory holiday won't end up as a holiday, think of our southern neighbours' TV ads-- Blowout Veterans' Day Sale and Super Veterans' Day Sale. Remembrance services should be part of the school curriculum, including instruction on the realities of war and why we should never forget. Don't give the people a holiday. If employees wish to attend services, why not close your business for an hour? What it would cost you is nothing to what it cost them. Sandra Timleck, Georgetown Seniors say thanks Dear editor, The Georgetown District Seniors' Centre wishes to thank the many local donor companies and volunteers who made our recent wine and cheese and auction a wonderful fundraising success. Our live auctioneer, Don Thompson, who donated his time, was especially effective and added to the evening's entertainment. We also wish to thank Councillor Dave Kentner who took time to support and participate in this evening. Rick Chambers, Auction co-ordinator GDSC 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. Publication is not guaranteed. E-mail: jmcghie@independentfreepress.com Mail or drop off: Independent & Free Press, 280 Guelph St., Unit 29, Georgetown, ON., L7G 4B1. Say no to holiday Dear editor, November 11 is a day of great significance and remembrance. Significant for the ending of "The War to End All Wars." Remembering for all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. When the last Second World War veteran passes it doesn't end. There was Korea, Vietnam and Afghanistan. Sadly, today we have more than 150 men and women who have given their lives and thousands of "young" veterans fighting for democracy and freedom for others. 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.