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6 The IFP · Halton Hills, Thursday, January 5, 2012 Real justice OPINION 905-873-0301 Publisher: Ken Nugent General manager: Steve Foreman (sforeman@theifp.ca) Retail advertising manager: Cindi Campbell (ccampbell@theifp.ca) Managing editor: John McGhie (jmcghie@theifp.ca) Distribution manager: Nancy Geissler (ngeissler@theifp.ca) Classifieds Kristie Pells (classified@theifp.ca) Accounting Rose Marie Gauthier Editorial Cynthia Gamble: News editor (cgamble@theifp.ca) Ted Brown: Photography (tbrown@theifp.ca) Lisa Tallyn: Staff writer (ltallyn@theifp.ca) Eamonn Maher: Staff writer/sports (emaher@theifp.ca) We have often been critical of our judicial system-- and its judges-- for the lenient approach often taken when handing out sentences for various criminal activities. Sometime during the early hours of last Wednesday (Dec. 28) someone driving a large vehicle spent a considerable amount of time repeatedly driving across the rugby field at the Gellert Community Centre, a mini-baseball diamond at the Georgetown Fairgrounds and a soccer field at Harrison Public School. The end result was roughly $15,000 in damage, fields that will need repairing in the spring and several man hours of unplanned work by Town staff. In all likelihood the person(s) responsible for this idiocy will soon be charged by Halton Police (the vehicle is believed to be a dark Dodge Dakota) and this individual will have his/her day in court. Should the culprit be convicted for this wanton act of vandalism we would like to see the following occur when it comes to sentencing: · A minimum one (or two) year driving ban (that should make it tough maintain a social life, get to work, etc.). · Full financial restitution (a $15,000 hit the wallet is sure to hurt) · All field resodding, raking etc. to be paid and done by the driver (preferably on very hot days). · Written apologies to the Town, Harrison Public School and all sports groups who use these fields. · Public speaking engagements to be given at each school in Halton Hills. The subject: Why it doesn't pay to be an idiot. Sadly, we doubt the court will take our suggestions to heart when this individual is brought to justice. In the meantime we can only encourage this person to turn themselves in to police and not prolong the inevitable. Letters policy Letters must include an address and daytime phone 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 Anonymous letters will not be published.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. Email: jmcghie@theifp.ca Steve Nease Mail or drop off: Independent & Free Press, 280 Guelph St., Unit 29, Georgetown, ON., L7G 4B1. Letters to the editor Resident wants debate on census Dear editor, Data is one of the most important tools in almost any profession. Knowing how people live, where they're from, and income disparity of a region is an important part of policy making in both the political and commercial world. Therefore it is questionable why the mandatory long-term census was scrapped. The argument goes, that many hard-working underprivileged Canadians or recent citizens don't have the time to fill out the admittedly tedious long version of the census. However, filling out the census is part of being a Canadian citizen. Considering it was the underprivileged Canadians who were being marketed as the ones being too busy to fill it out, I find it ironic that these are the people the government needs to know the most about. It is the recent citizens, and working poor who don't fill out the census and these groups require assistance in many aspects of their lives. How will planners know where to set up the services necessary to help these people? We will now have data that does not reflect the true nature of our towns because a certain group of people won't fill out the census simply because they don't have to. In addition to that, no one has ever been charged with not filling out the long-term census. Most people who have a legitimate reason can get special permission to bypass it anyway. So I would encourage our local MP, Michael Chong to stand up and reopen the debate on the census. By eliminating the mandatory longterm census we are doing more harm than good to the people that need our help the most. Rory McNeil, Georgetown safely home. As a lifelong resident of Ballinafad, I have always known that I was fortunate to live in such a kind, friendly neighbourhood (I am also referring to the surrounding areas of Georgetown, Erin and Acton). But I was reassured of that fact when so many people either contacted me to report a sighting, allowed me to search their property, or called/stopped by to offer their support and hope. I can't find the words to express how much it means to me for so many members of the community to reach out and offer assistance. In the course of this search, people have regularly commented on how special Kaitano must be, for us to spend so much time and energy searching for him. He is that special...truly the most affectionate, loving cat I have ever encountered. He is my furry soul mate, paws down, and not knowing what happened to him has been absolutely devastating. However, I am so grateful for everyone who has offered their support in trying to reunite us. Here's hoping our efforts bring him home safe. Kelly Holman, Ballinafad WEB POLL RESULTS (Go to www.independentfreepress.com) Which new year's resolution are you most likely to try and commit to? · Lose weight (33%) · Reduce personal debt (32%) · Exercise more (25%) · Quit smoking (11%) · Volunteer (0%) 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. Dear editor, I would like to thank all the wonderful people who have helped me in the search for our beloved cat Chaos (or "Kaitano"). I have been running ads in The Independent & Free Press since he went missing August 1, and although he is still a "furry fugitive", I still have hope that he will return Cat owner thanks all for their concern