The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

•Th e IF P• H al to n H ill s • Th ur sd ay , M ar ch 1 3, 2 01 4 6 OPINION Here's a skill-testing question that Ontar- ians may soon be forced to consider: Which has more calories -- a cheeseburger or a bran muffin from Tim Hortons? According to Ontario's Minister of Health, those mid-morning muffins are more fattening than greasy burgers, every time. It's enough to make your waistline expand in horror. Caloric details like this will no doubt shake the foundations of nutritional beliefs-- and hopefully change eating habits-- if Health Minister Deb Matthews' food labeling bill is passed. Matthews' bill would force posted-calorie counts on food sold in fast-service chains, restaurants, supermarkets and convenience stores with 20 or more locations. The number of calories would be posted beside each item on the restaurant's menu. There are cash fines to remind restaurants of the duty to label, although at $10,000 for a corporation's second offence, the deterrents could be higher. The point of the exercise is to educate din- ers before they order unhealthy meals that contribute to the problems of obesity and ris- ing health care costs. No one expects obesity rates to drop overnight, but making consum- ers face up to calorie counts could inspire restaurants to offer healthier choices. That beef burrito might look lean, but it's actually loaded with an entire days' worth of calories. While some, including the Heart and Stroke Foundation, call the bill a "big win," others such as the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association, are less than thrilled. It promotes posters and brochures for nutritional information, instead of menu labeling focused on calories. But however de- tailed those brochures may be, they simply won't provide the shocking immediacy of a calorie count right on the menu. 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 List those calories Letters to the editor Dear editor, An open letter to drivers on rural roads. It is about time that drivers on our rural roads adopt some com- mon sense and good neighbourly attitudes with regard to pedestrians using the same roads you drive. Courtesy alone should dictate that when you are approaching someone walking along a rural road, especially when there is absolutely no escape due to high snow banks, you slow down-- at least to the posted speed limit if not a little less and pull to the opposite side of the road to provide a wide, safe distance between the vulner- able pedestrian and your big, heavy vehicle. Moreover, when a vehicle is com- ing in the opposing direction, slow down and yield to the pedestrian. It's common sense and it is the law. You do not have the right-of-way. One day, you'll be responsible for maiming or killing another resident or their pet. Ask yourself, isn't it better to modify your driving habits now before taking someone's life? Dan Poirier Acton Do you plan to go away for March Break? • No, I can't afford to go anywhere. (67%) • No, there's lots to do here. (20%) • Yes, get me out of here! (13%) WEB POLL RESULTS (Go to www.theifp.ca) Rural drivers lack courtesy Distracted driving must end Residents praised definitely wrong. I sincerely hope that you see this letter and cor- rect your insane driving habits before you become the next driver involved in an accident caused by this insane habit. Georgetown recently had a lady killed by a careless driver. It's time this law, that recently had the fines increased, was strictly enforced. Ed Yearwood, GeorgetownDear editor, Just the other day on CityTV news they showed a film of a dis- tracted driver using a cell phone, causing a severe accident in Ke- nora. I can sadly report that George- town has these crazy drivers as well. On Thursday, March 6, I wit- nessed a lady make a right turn from Armstrong onto Mountain- view north without stopping at a red light. As I came up beside her, I no- ticed her talking on her cell phone. This lady was driving a white VW SUV. I assure you lady that you were 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, Kudos to those residents that cleared the Hungry Hollow trails after the ice storm. Much appreci- ated. F. Leslie, Georgetown