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•Th e IF P• H al to n H ill s • Th ur sd ay , F eb ru ar y 13 , 2 01 4 6 OPINION Every February, Canadians are invited to participate in Black History Month festivities and events that recognize the contributions of black Canadians, past and present. During Black History Month, Canadi- ans can gain insight into the experiences of black Canadians and the vital role this community has played throughout our shared history. We encourage you to learn about the many black Canadians that helped shape and forge this nation. They include: • The first named black person to set foot on Canadian soil, Mathieu Da Cos- ta, a free man who was hired as a trans- lator for Samuel de Champlain in 1605; • Mary Ann Shadd, the first woman publisher in North America, establishing the Provincial Freeman, an abolitionist newspaper; • Anderson Ruffin Abbott became the first Canadian-born man of black heri- tage to become a licensed physician in 1861. He was born to a prominent fam- ily in Toronto. Through their contributions, and those made by many other black Cana- dians, our country and our world is a richer place to live. Celebrate our shared history this month. The Independent & Free Press is published Thursday and is one of sev- eral Metroland Media Group Ltd. community newspapers. Editorial and advertising content of The Independent & Free Press is protected by copy- right. Unauthorized use is prohibited. The Independent & Free Press is a member of the Ontario Press Council, which is an independent ethical organization established to deal with editorial concerns. For additional information or to file a complaint, contact info@ ontpress.com or call 416- 340-1981. The Independent & Free Press Black history is our history Letters to the editor Dear editor, Re: Local realtor wants residents to be aware of Heritage Register changes (Jan. 30) Mr. Poulstrup is entirely correct in that owners need have no "issue with Town Staff or Council" nor, I might add, with the Town's Heritage Committee. Along with other On- tario municipalities, Halton Hills is required by law to comply with The Ontario Heritage Act, and its sub- sequent amendments, as enacted by our elected representatives at Queen's Park. In keeping with the 2005 provin- cial policy statement: "Significant built heritage resources and signifi- cant cultural heritage landscapes shall be conserved." The Ontario Heritage Act requires the clerk of each municipality to keep a regis- ter of properties that are of cultural heritage value or interest. The Mu- nicipal Heritage Register may in- clude an inventory of "listed" prop- erties. Citizens, who own "listed" properties are free to alter, extend, or renovate as they see fit. The only constraint placed upon such prop- erties is that the owners must give council at least 60 days notice if they plan to demolish. For more details, visit www.mtc. gov.on.ca/en/publications/InfoS- heet_Listing_Final.pdf Pat Farley, president The Architectural Conservancy of Ontario, Halton Hills Branch Do you think the Olympics Games are a waste of time and money? No (55%) Yes (45%) WEB POLL RESULTS (Go to www.theifp.ca) Town has mandate to protect heritage Clarification A letter by Bob Desjardins to the editor published on page 6 Feb. 6. regarding ice storm branch cleanup requires clarification. The Town had, in fact, rectified the situation Mr. Desjardins referred to prior to the letter appearing. Parents must think safety first Letters must include the author's name, address and daytime phone number. Anony- mous letters will not be published. Letters should not exceed 150 words and may be edited for content and/or length. Publica- tion is not guaranteed. Email: cgamble@theifp.ca Mail or drop off: Independent & Free Press, 280 Guelph St., Unit 77, Georgetown, ON., L7G 4B1. 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: Chris Vernon (cvernon@metroland.com) Distribution manager: Nancy Geissler (ngeissler@theifp.ca) Classifieds/Real Estate Kristie Pells (classified@theifp.ca or realestate@theifp.ca) Classified Call Centre 1-855-415-8237 haltonhillsclassads@metroland.com Accounting 1-866-773-6575 Editorial Cynthia Gamble: News editor (cgamble@theifp.ca) Lisa Tallyn: Staff writer (ltallyn@theifp.ca) Eamonn Maher: Staff writer/sports (emaher@theifp.ca) Get the latest headlines delivered to your inbox by signing up for our twice weekly electronic newsletter. Go to www.theifp.ca and click on 'Newsletter sign-up' at the bottom of the homepage. Dear editor, We recently went to a public skate at Mold-Masters SportsPlex. I was appalled to see a man carrying a baby (less than a year old) in his arms as he skated around. He even went around with her on his shoulders. The child had no helmet. The man was a very good skater, which to me means nothing as any- one could bump him or fall in front of him. I would hate to see what would become of that poor child if her head slammed against the ice. I asked a young guy that was work- ing there to have a word with the man. I saw him talking to him but the man continued to skate with the child in his arms-- just not on his shoulders. I complained to the front desk also and hope that there is a rule imple- mented to protect these children Cindy Wood, Georgetown