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6 The IFP · Halton Hills, Thursday, April 5, 2012 OPINION Halton's finest In his monthly column which ran Tuesday, Halton Chair Gary Carr discussed how the Region's Emergency Management Program worked well during the recent train derailment in Burlington. With Easter weekend being a time for reflection, we thought we'd offer a tip of the hat to Halton's emergency personnel. We know they're just a phone call away, but perhaps we don't spend enough time thinking about the job they do and giving them the praise they so deserve. From police to paramedics to firefighters, Halton's emergency personnel work tirelessly to ensure the safety of residents. Indeed, they work tirelessly to save all forms of life. Just seeing emergency vehicles is often reassurance enough for people in crisis. However, in a situation such as the recent tractor trailer rollover in Oakville in which a female driver was pinned under the rig, the police, fire and paramedics reached out both verbally and literally with the touch of a comforting hand. It was those same sets of caring hands that were part of the mammoth response effort during the VIA train derailment. Emergency workers from around the GTA descended on the crash site. It was a massive undertaking from start to finish. Three engineers were killed and 45 of the 75 passengers injured. We can't even begin to imagine how those workers first on the scene deal with the devastating images of the engineers who couldn't be helped. Aside from their day-to-day work, our firefighters, police and paramedics are heavily involved in community events-- too many to list here. They not only make this town an enviable place in which to live, they also ensure they're building a better and stronger community for generations to come. Thank you. 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) 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 Anonymous letters will not be published.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 Dam in Norval is not necessary Dear editor, Flood problems in the spring are a regular common occurrence. However, this winter, because of the lack of precipitation, one would think the threat diminished. Not so. Mother Nature has a way of equalizing situations such as this. We citizens living in the watershed of the Credit River are more susceptible to the whims of this wrath of nature than some other areas. The Credit River can rise and fall rapidly and in the past flooding was a very real threat to those living along its banks, especially where a dam was located. In Glen Williams the entire village used to flood, every year, until the paper mill dam was removed. Eventually most of these private redundant dams where removed in communities up and down the river by owners realizing the threat to Sreetsville, Huttonville, Glen Williams, etc. One dam remains in Norval. The need for this structure was removed by Hurricane Hazel in the1950s, however, it still stands, impeding the flow of the Credit for no practical reason, slowly crumbling, gathering debris, but still capable of raising the water levels, biding time for the right situation to cause distress. Another situation similar to Hurricane Hazel, or even a few days of heavy rains would surely be the cause of needless flooding. To ignore this or become complacent, could be a mistake. Wm. M. Pomeroy, Norval health care and support services to respond to the often rapidly changing conditions of our palliative patients. Our case managers are an ondemand resource for our clients and their families. They are personal health advisors and care co-ordinators, providing services and supports as our clients move from hospital to home or to hospice, and supporting the families' decisions and needs. Halton residents can be assured that services are available to support them and their loved ones, and their choice to die at home. To access in-home palliative and end-of-life care through the Mississauga Halton CCAC, call 1-877-336-9090. Caroline Brereton, Chief Executive Officer, Mississauga Halton Community Care Access Centre Options available Dear editor, Your online article of Jan. 31 rightfully identifies a need for hospice care in Halton Region, and we applaud the Townsend Smith Foundation's efforts to improve the community's access to these important services. However, Halton residents do have access to other in-home palliative and end-of-life care services through the Mississauga Halton Community Care Access Centre (CCAC), which are fully funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. At this difficult and emotional time for our clients and their family caregivers, our highly skilled and compassionate case managers develop a personalized care plan, arranging for WEB POLL RESULTS (Go to www.theifp.ca) The federal government in its budget has decided to do away with the penny. Are you happy to see the penny eventually disappear? · Yes (53%) · No (47%) Youngster thanked Dear editor, I was so relieved to get my expensive hockey stick back. I had left it in the parking lot at Mold-Masters SportsPlex and only realized four hours later it was missing. When I went back, the staff said that a boy had found it and brought it inside. I am very grateful to that child. Irene Tilling, Georgetown 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.