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OPINION This Saturday, the renovated Georgetown Library and Cultural Centre will offi cially open its doors to the public after 21 months. The ambitious project, which cost $13.2 mil- lion and sees the library triple in size to more than 34,000 sq. ft., has drawn both praise and scorn from the community. Those who support the expansion plan say improvements to the library/cultural centre were long overdue while others believe librar- ies are going the way of the dinosaur and an in- vestment of this magnitude was unnecessary. Make no mistake, the new library is an im- pressive structure and one that you'd be hard- pressed to fi nd elsewhere in a community of this size. This isn't your grandfather's library-- it is, for all intents and purposes, a community centre. Along with the expected books, computer stations, CDs, DVDs, etc. available, the library will have areas for seniors, infants to tweens, small offi ces for community groups, a large community room, quiet study rooms and lis- tening rooms. In 2011 Halton Hills Public Library's branch- es saw a total of 209,000 visitors and circulated 495,874 items. That number is expected to soar with the re-opening of the new Georgetown branch, which follows the opening of the new Acton library last year. To Town council's credit, extended hours were approved last week after staff were able to re-allocate funds within the library budget to ensure there would be no additional impact on taxpayers. It would have been foolish not to expand service after investing so much money and time into the Georgetown branch renova- tion. Much like the debate over ice surfaces, the decision to expand the library was a divisive issue. However, now that the work has been completed, we urge residents to visit the new branch and take advantage of the many pro- grams and features it offers. You paid for it... you should use it. The Independent & Free Press is published Tuesday and Thursday and is one of several Metroland Media Group Ltd. community newspapers. Edi- torial and advertising content of The Independent & Free Press is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. The Independent & Free Press Check it out Steve Nease Letters to the editor Dear editor, I'd like to take a moment to put something in perspective. Newtown, Connecticut, a com- munity similar in many aspects to Georgetown, is currently reeling in grief due to the violent death of several young students within a school setting. While a local teacher's recent decision to include students in the creation of political campaign posters may have been an error in judgment, there was certainly no physical, social or emotional harm infl icted on students. Parent con- cerns in regards to such an activity are legitimate and all school boards have processes in place to resolve these issues. Although the political situation in education is not comfortable for all involved, especially teachers and parents, does it warrant members of small communities turning on each other? Do we want our children to learn how to navigate a challenging situation by publicly attacking others? The current tense political climate will change over time; is it possible to maintain respect for each other along the way? Melissa Koene, Georgetown Letters policy 905-873-0301 Publisher: Dana Robbins 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) Classifi eds Kristie Pells (classifi ed@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) Will you be more inclined to use the Georgetown library now that it has undergone a multi-million dollar renovation? • Yes. The new library offers more for me (54%) • No. Libraries are outdated institutions (46%) WEB POLL RESULTS (Go to www.theifp.ca) Dispute requires dose of respect CAShh campaign needs volunteers Closing saddens senior 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 Mail or drop off: Independent & Free Press, 280 Guelph St., Unit 29, Georgetown, ON., L7G 4B1. Dear editor, Cancer is a terrible disease--it picks and chooses who and when, with no remorse. For those affected by it, Cancer Assistance Services of Halton Hills (CAShh) is here to help you and your family. CAShh will always help, but we cannot do it alone. We need volun- teers now for our April Residential Campaign. A great deal of planning, time, effort and volunteer dedication is needed to ensure the campaign runs smoothly. We need help stamp- ing envelopes, assembling canvasser kits, knocking on doors for dona- tions, tallying funds and balancing the books at the end, no matter how big or small the job, the responsibil- ity levels are all of equal importance. The April Campaign is our major source of funding and we need team captains and canvassers to help us achieve our goal of providing Halton Hills with access to the best practical care services. Please call and volunteer. You or someone you know and love may need our services. Don't deny anyone the chance to call CAShh for help. Please contact: Betty Fendley, Campaign Manager, CAShh 905-702- 8886. Betty Fendley, CAShh •T he IF P • H al to n H ill s •T ue sd ay , J an ua ry 2 2, 2 01 3 6 Dear editor, I am a Georgetown senior. Recently I heard that McDonald's in Walmart in the Georgetown Market Place is clos- ing, and is not reopening in the new Walmart. This McDonald's has been a real godsend for seniors, especially, and others who come often. Some who live alone come every day to meet with their friends for fellowship and food. They really appreciate that this Mc- Donald's is roomy and quiet and they don't have to walk far to be seated. The employees here are exceptional and they go out of their way to know their customers. I am sure I speak for many seniors who like me are hoping that the "pow- ers that be" will reconsider and reopen this McDonald's in the new Walmart. 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