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•T he IF P• H al to n H ills • Th ur sd ay , M ay 8 , 2 01 4 6 OPINION As anticipated, we've been thrust into a provincial election, with voters heading to the polls in little more than a month - June 12, to be precise. That's not a lot of time for campaign- ing, so we encourage residents to pay at- tention to the issues at hand, put hard questions to the candidates who show up at their door or attend all-candidates debates, and vote for the local voice you feel will be best for this riding. It's important to note that none of the party leaders will be on the ballot here - what matters most is who you want to be speaking on your behalf at Queen's Park. That's not to say the party leaders don't matter, because they do, but they are not the ones who know our community best and have our specific interests at heart. We're hopeful the local candidates, not all of whom are known at this time, will participate fully in all-candidates de- bates and other forums set up for voters to get to know their options and ask im- portant questions that deserve answers. In all likelihood, we'll end up pretty much where we were last Friday, with a minority government. Some of the faces will no doubt change. The question is which party will hold the biggest piece of the pie and how its MPPs work with their non-government colleagues to do what needs to be done. 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 Vote local Letters to the editor What a great community we live in. This past winter's ice storm had a devastating effect on nature, leav- ing broken limbs and downed trees everywhere. Looking at my property damage, it seemed overwhelming. My kind neighbours John and Sheila Gibson and Les Stokes pitched in putting a big dent in the clean-up. Thank you so much for your hard work. I would also like to thank a great group of volunteers called Commu- nity Unity, who came on their own time with tools and chainsaws and cleaned up the rest of the storm's damage. A heart-felt thank you to all of you. Nadia Noack, Limehouse Ontario voters are headed to the polls? Who will you vote for? Conservatives (46%) Other (21%) Liberals (18%) NDP (12%) Green (3%) WEB POLL RESULTS (Go to www.theifp.ca) Reader says we live in a great community Robots are more than wires It was a pleasure to have them and many others on our team. Dale Lynds and Wayne Melnick, GDHS Rebel Robotics Team 4976 As teachers at GDHS, we have just completed the first (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics night school Program. One important aspect of this course, and for its continued suc- cess in the future, is having great sponsorship. Most of our sponsors are local businesses who have generously donated money, and in some cases their time and supplies, to help us get this program started. We have been teaching at GDHS for a combined 39 years and Georgetown continually sur- prises us with its support. There were many contribu- tors this year but the following companies should get special recognition: Mold-Masters, ITK Vector Inc., Zuraw Technologies, Flodraulic, Eclipse Technology, Prosperity One, and Georgetown Toyota. 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: cvernon@metroland.com 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. Thanks Hospitals, first responders I wish to thank EMS, George- town Hospital and Oakville-Trafal- gar Hospital for saving my life back in February. Now I have a second chance at life due to them. Georgetown Hospital treated me well while I was there and still does. Thanks again. Norman Foote, Acton