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•Th e IF P• H al to n H ill s • Th ur sd ay , J un e 12 , 2 01 4 6 OPINION This is a prime weekend in Halton Hills to create some memories, whether it's with dad on his special day on Sunday or with the whole family. Halton Hills will be playing host to a number of festivals and events that will keep everyone entertained. There's the 39th annual Georgetown High- land Games, which is a treat for all ages. While you are in the downtown area, stop by the Village Festival and the Georgetown Farmers' Market. As well, it's Bike-it-to-the Market day when all members of the family can bicycle safely to the Village Festival/Mar- ket and enjoy a quality family time. On Sunday, Riverfest-Norval returns af- ter a hiatus and helps mark the 40th anni- versary of the Norval Community Associ- aiton. Another longstanding tradition also occurs on Sunday‚ Classics Against Cancer. Read about all these events in this week's edition of The Independent & Free Press. Then go out, enjoy what your community has to offer. Volunteers organize and run these spe- cial offerings. So remember to thank them when you see them. Events like these dem- onstrate what a great community we live in. 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 Enjoy our town Letters to the editor Thank you to Nancy Davison for her comments regarding re- cyclable material in her letter to the editor -- Blown recyclables quite an eyesore. We understand her concerns with respect to blowing recy- cling materials throughout her neighbourhood. There are a number of ways Halton Region has been working to help reduce litter on windy days in addition to encouraging residents to also do their part to help address this issue. Residents can help minimize Blue Box litter during windy weather by considering the weather conditions on their waste collection day, and pack- ing the Blue Boxes accordingly. By keeping recyclables below the rim of the Blue Box, flattening cardboard, squeezing down cans and cartons and placing heavier items such as phone books, cardboard and magazines on top of loose materials, residents help prevent the wind from catching them. Blue Boxes are to be placed at the curb by 7 a.m. the morn- ing of the collection day and are best not to be placed out during windy weather the night before. If it's an extremely windy day, depending on the volume of recycling material, residents can also wait until their next collec- tion day. Last year, Halton Region start- ed providing taller Blue Boxes to residents to help reduce wind- blown litter. Blue Box material remains the responsibility of the homeowner until the material is collected. If a Blue Box blows over, it's the responsibility of the homeowner to clean up their material as best they can. Halton Region asks residents to not place recycling material in plastic bags as they are prob- lematic at the recycling process- ing facility, causing equipment break downs and delays. Although there are no fully reliable cost-effective tools that can completely eliminate litter on windy days, Regional staff continue to investigate and eval- uate other methods and systems to work toward minimizing litter from the Blue Box program. Halton Region will continue to raise awareness with resi- dents as much as possible about ways to reduce litter as a result of inclement weather. By work- ing together, we all have a role to play to help address this is- sue and keep our communities clean. Rob Rivers, Director of waste management services Halton Region Do you plan to vote in the June 12 election? Yes, it's a privilege (79%) No, can't be bothered (21%) WEB POLL RESULTS (Go to www.theifp.ca) Region working to minimize litter on windy days 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. Have you voted today? Polls for the pro- vincial election do not close until 9 p.m. to- day. Don't know where to vote? Go to www. wemakevotingeasy.ca to find your poll as well as other election info. The future of Ontario is decided today-- be a part of it. Vote today