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6 Independent & Free Press, Tuesday,January 4, 2011 OPINION Crime fighting Along with being the first month of a new year, January is also Crime Stoppers Month. Recently proclamations were made at all four Halton city/town halls noting that fact. Since its local inception in December 1988 Crime Stoppers of Halton has proven to be a police success story. Its mission is simple: "to help solve and deter crime by providing a means of reporting criminal activity, with guaranteed anonymity, through co-operation with the police, the media, and the community." Crime Stoppers of Halton is a community volunteer organization. It offers a telephone service that allows you to anonymously give tips on criminal activity. To further protect you, Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display. Rewards of up to $2,000 are offered for information leading to an arrest. As of the end of September (2010), 879 arrests had been made through Crime Stoppers of Halton and more than 1,900 cases cleared. A clear indicator of how valuable the 22year-old program is can be found in the fact that more than $18.6 million in stolen property ($2.2 million) and drugs ($16.4 million) has been recovered. Worldwide a staggering $9.9 billion in stolen property/drugs have been recovered, with $95 million in rewards being paid out since the birth of Crime Stoppers in New Mexico in 1976. If you have a tip about a crime you can call the Crime Stoppers of Halton hotline at 905825-8477. Tipsters also now have the option of giving tips online. The process is completely secure and anonymous. The unique integrated two-way dialog capabilities allow the tipster to come back and provide additional information to their tip at any time, and also provides a secure means for the co-ordinator to ask questions or provide reward information back to the tipster through the same secure and encrypted interface. Text TIP201 (plus your message) to CRIMES (274637). 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 Do you think there will be a general election in Canada in 2011? · Yes (61%) · No (39%) Steve Nease Go to www.independentfreepress.com Letters to the editor Garden vandalism is on the decline Dear editor, I would like to share news about another successful season at the Old Seed House Garden including our new motto "Visit it once. Love it forever." The good news is that very little damage or vandalism occurred on the site, perhaps as a result of our new video surveillance system that was put into place by the Town. I would like to commend the young people, including many high school students who often come to enjoy the garden. The majority left no garbage or damage, and some assisted in tasks that were underway at the time. In general, the garden is treated with respect and care. The Art in The Garden initiative continued this year with the installation of a beautiful goose sculpture, generously donated by local artist Ken Hall. The two bronze sculptures and the Fantasy Gate have drawn many appreciative comments too. Many visitors strolling among the shade trees and colourful beds have said that they find the garden "a spiritual place" and a "beautiful peaceful oasis". I would especially like to thank the Friends of the Old Seed House Garden volunteers who have faithfully tended to the limitless garden tasks during the past six months. Without you there would simply be no garden. You are angels all. Big thanks also to other generous helpers who shared in tasks when special requests were made. The kindness of donors who contributed to the garden again this year is what makes everything possible. Every donor is recognized on the bulletin board in the kiosk, and we ask that visitors take note and patronize these wonderful communityminded businesses. Grateful thanks to all. To everyone, enjoy your garden! Barb Baron, Chair, Friends of The Old Seed House Garden of daylight dwindles, one can feel their energy and mood to be at its lowest all year. This is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAAD). The solution is easy and simple: Either be outside more in the winter months (not too many are fans) or begin supplementing vitamin D3 in liquid or tablets. First, one should talk to their family doctor before administering vitamin D as people react differently to natural health products. For anyone who can relate to this do yourself a favour: Be friendly with vitamin D3! George Lema, Georgetown Thanks for CF support Dear editor, On behalf of Eagle Ridge Golf Club and the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation I'd like to thank everyone who attended Brunch with Santa. Santa told me he had a wonderful time meeting all of you! Special thanks to our sponsors: Airborne Trampoline Mississauga, John Near, JV Clothing, Shelly's Chocolate and Gifts, Terra Cotta Inn and The St. George Pub and Restaurant. Kathleen Paterson, Eagle Ridge Golf Club 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. In praise of Vitamin D Dear editor, This time of season can be bright and joyous for most of us. However, the winter months can be a dreadful time for some people if experiencing the effects of decreased vitamin D3 levels (vitamin D3 is produced by our bodies when sunlight hits our skin). As the time 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.