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Pa ge 6 T hu rs da y, N ov em be r 5 , 2 01 5 - T he IF P - H al to n H ill s - w w w .th ei fp .c a Violence against women must end Letters to the editor 905-873-0301 Publisher: Dana Robbins General manager: Steve Foreman (sforeman@theifp.ca, 905-234-1011) Retail advertising manager: Cindi Campbell (ccampbell@theifp.ca, 905-234-1012) Managing editor: Chris Vernon (cvernon@metroland.com, 905-234-1020) Distribution manager: Nancy Geissler (ngeissler@theifp.ca, 905-234-1019) Classifieds/Real Estate Kristie Pells (realestate@theifp.ca, 905-234-1016) Advertising Sales Jenny Hawkins (jhawkins@theifp.ca, 905-234-1014) Jennifer Spencer (jspencer@theifp.ca, 905-234-1013) Rachael Scutt (rscutt@theifp.ca, 905-234-1015) Kelli Kosonic (kkosonic@theifp.ca, 905-234-1018) Classified Call Centre 1-800-263-6480, Fax 1-866-299-1499 classifieds@metroland.com Accounting: 1-866-773-6575 Editorial Cynthia Gamble: News editor (cgamble@theifp.ca, 905-234-1021) Eamonn Maher: Staff writer/photographer (emaher@theifp.ca, 905-234-1023) Kathryn Boyle: Staff writer/photographer (kboyle@theifp.ca, 905-234 -1022) Composing Shelli Harrison (sharrison@theifp.ca 905-234-1017) 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. About 67 per cent of the population knows someone who has experienced physical or sex- ual abuse. Right here, in our own community, it's an issue. Halton Women's Place provides shelter and crisis services for physically, emotionally, finan- cially and sexually abused women and their children. November is Women Abuse Prevention Month and to highlight the issue Halton Women's Place has launched the Shine the Light on Woman Abuse campaign. During November, Halton Women's Place will be participating in the Wrapped in Courage Purple Scarves Campaign selling winter purple scarves for $10 and new purple infinity scarves for $15. To purchase your purple scarf, call Kaitlin Gordon, development co-ordinator at 905-332-1200, ext. 244 or by email at kgordon@ haltonwomensplace.com. Sexual abuse and violence against women must stop. Women abuse is not a women's issue, it's a human rights issue, and it affects us all. Society as a whole pays a great price for abuse and violence against women and it tears at the heart of our social fabric. It's effects can last for generations on a family, and society. What should I do if I think someone is being abused? • If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. • Never talk to anyone about abuse in front of their suspected abuser. • Unless she specifically asks for it, never give her materials about domestic abuse or leave information through voice messages or emails that might be discovered by her abuser. However, abuse thrives in secrecy, so speak up if you can do so safely. • If she wants to talk, listen. If she doesn't, tell her she does not deserve to be hurt and that you are concerned for her safety. For more information, visit http://haltonwo- mensplace.com/ OPINION The North Halton Kitten Rescue re- cently held its Fall Book, CD and DVD Sale at the Georgetown Market Place Mall to raise much-needed funds in support of the kittens we rescue with- in our community. Once again we are grateful for such wonderful support from all of those who very kindly donated books, CDs and DVDs to us. We also thank our volunteers who so willingly gave their time, especially Gerda Potzel, the hard-working orga- nizer. It's been said so many times in the past how community-minded, giving and generous our residents are and this is just one of those times thanks to all is given. Elizabeth Bolton, Volunteer with North Halton Kitten Rescue The kittens appreciate your support The following letter was sent to Premier Kathleen Wynne and filed with The IFP for publication. Last November Ontarians had hope when my private members motion for "An Action Plan on Lyme Disease" passed unanimously in the legislature. Many Lyme patients and their loved ones filled the galleries at Queen's Park to support and welcome this long awaited legisla- tion. Well a year has passed, and many of those same concerned people are left wondering what the government has done to date. I too echo these concerns. I was advised I would receive a briefing; I have yet to receive one. I was informed that a committee would be set up to look at best practices however I have received neither updates nor an invitation to any meetings. Over the past year my colleagues and I, alongside many other MPPs have intro- duced thousands of signed petitions into the legislature. It is clear that many On- tarians have been affected by this terrible The Independent & Free Press is published Thursday and is one of several Metroland Media Group Ltd. community newspapers. Editorial and advertising content of The Independent & Free Press is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. The Independent & Free Press is a member of the Ontario Press Coun- cil, 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 Where is the progress on Lyme Disease? disease; one we know can be prevented. So many people have been affected by this horrible disease, and so many more will be if we don't put this plan into action immediately. Premier, I am asking you and the Minister of Health to act immediately, provide my office with an update, and the restore the hope of the Lyme com- munity by not wasting another day get- ting this much needed plan into place. I expect that you and the Ministry of Health will advise my office of the prog- ress you have made and when we expect this plan to be in action. MPP Michael Mantha Letters must include the author's name, address and daytime phone number. Anonymous let- ters will not be published. Letters should not exceed 150 words and may be edited for content and/or length. Publication is not guaranteed. Email: cgamble@theifp.ca Mail or drop off: Independent & Free Press, 280 Guelph St., Unit 77, George- town, ON., L7G 4B1. Letters policy