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Page 6 — Halton Hills This Week, Wednesday, October 21, 1992 EDITORIAL From the obvious to the ridiculous. It came as no surprise this weekend when Halton Peel MP Garth Turner announced that he would vote yes in the upcoming referen- dum. Throughout the campaign to’ sell the Charlottetown accord -- after all it has been a massive sales job -- Turner said that he would remain neutral and only be a source of information. While his initial efforts were fine examples of neutrality, there was always an underlying tone of support for the pact that resulted as much from Turner liking the accord as it does from the fact that- he is a member of the Progressive Conservative party. It was no real revelation when Turner called a photo opportunity to pound a "Yes" sign into his front lawn. Meanwhile, Halton Hills Council -- always eager to be political- ly correct -- spent several minutes at the beginning of Monday night's meetihg discussing a resolution that Council go on record as supporting the Charlottetown accord. Gerald Rennies motion also suggested that council "encourage" all citizens to support the referendum question. Council often shows its support of other communities, service clubs or special interest groups by supporting resolutions for everything from proclaiming October "Short-fat people's recogni- tion month" to supporting resolutions from other communities attacking provincial government policy changes. But to ask council to come out in support of the Yes campaign and then suggest that council "encourage" people to vote one way or another flys in the face of common-sense. We hope that Rennies temporary lapse of reason does not reflect on how he conducts himself at council meetings in general. Over the last few weeks, we have been bombarded from all sides about how the referendum will change the country. Everyone has their own reasons for voting in favor or against the Charlottetown accord -- no politician should try to influence or fees anyone to vote a certain way. Despite th obvious -- ridiculous -- moves by politicians of all stripes over the last month, it is impor- tant that everyone make their own decision. Read the Accord one more time before you head to your local polling station on Monday and then vote whatever way you believe is the best for Canada. Halton police share concerns Ed. Note: The following came to Halton Hills This Week as a media release from the Halton Regional Police Association. With the current crisis in Toronto it seemed appropriate to run the release unedited and as it was deliy- e The members of the Halton Regional Police Association share many of the concerns which have been most recently publicized by the actions of the Metropolitan Toronto Police. e These concerns are most accu- rately categorized as health and safety issues, which affect both members of the public and police officers. The issues include: 1.The willingness of the govern- ment to rely upon limited, non-rep- resentative input in re formulation of policy and legislati 2.The pee ient's s : refusal to recognize the need for improved firearms and ammunition to ensure the police in Ontario can adequate- ly protect both citizens and them- selves. 3.The imposition of requirements to report to third-party government for unknown reasons and unknown 4.The operation of the Special Investigations Unit. Association initially expressed its views in an open letter to the citizens of Ontario, which was published in newspapers throughout the province in August of this year. Today, our membership have resolved to express their continuing concern by wearing blue ribbons in a visible place. These ribbons are to symbolize support in principle for our fellow officers in Metropolitan Toronto and our own increasing frustration over recent government initiatives. re WEEN Halton Hills Thi Pads Oakvile by Q.E. Web Printing. Iph St., Georgetown, Ont. L7G 4B1, eens services may {Satie Ken Bellamy PHON! MANAG! HALTON HILLS THIS WEE WEEK'S IN 1S INDEPENDENTLY OWNED & OPERATED. 4 FAX: REAL ESTATE MANAGER: dled Toth CIRCULATION MANAGER: 873-3918 That was then... It is not recorded when this picture of the Provincial Paper Mill was shot but the paper atlne in Georgetown enjoyed a long history, starting in 1905 when John R. Barber opened a paper coating mill. The industry went through various changes and eventually came to a close in March 1991 when Photo courtesy of the Esquesing Historical Society Provincial Papers shut down. Family Violence New services available in North Halton By Jacie B. Palmer During the past few months we've seen some new services being provided to North Halton women. Two of these services are individual counselling and group support programs being offered by Halton Family Services of Oakville. Mandy Shewfelt, a social worker who holds a masters degree, brings to her new position a wealth of knowledge and experience. In previous positions she has dealt with adult incest survivors, run abused children’s therapy groups and worked with adolescent girls who were depressed and suici- dal. Most of her work has been with victims of abuse. The first group therapy program has begun and will last from three to five months. Abuse transcends all cultural and economic back- grounds so this kind of support is useful to any abused woman. Often victims are isolated and feel they are the only ones who’ve had their particular experience. Getting involved with a support network can build friendships as well as to help them to deal with their particular problems. Realizing there are other women who have survived their own spe- cial hell gives others the courage to move forward and to also see that there is a positive life after vio- lence. It’s important to remember that victims’ experiences may necessar- ily consist of physical or sexual abuse. Emotional and economic abuse are every bit as dangerous to a family’s well-being. If you are a victim of any form of violence against you, you owe it to yourself to seek appropriate help. Don’t say - I don’t have the time, I’m too busy. You deserve the time and the help! Mandy uses a group assessment approach because she knows that when women are involved and part of the plan the therapy will be suc- cessful. Because she gets to know e women individually she is able to quickly develop a trust with them and ay foster trust within the grou] This kind of support enables the HELP US HELP OURSELVES woman to easily bond and feel safe and comfortable with each other. Mandy views the group support as a process which enables the women to change their life patterns. By taking a look at herself, a vic- tim is able to understand herself better and decide where it is she wishes to be in the short and long term future. Planning even for a month or two down the road can be over- whelming for a victim who is trying to get through one day at a time. Women who have been abused are used to listening to others and trusting and believing others’ state- ments. Group therapy can help women to learn to listen to their own inner voice and to have confidence in their opinions and beliefs. Building self-esteem is an important part of this support group. In the group you will find other women who share many of your experiences and thoughts. You will realize that you’re not alone! Some issues which may be dealt with in a support group include: having a safety plan, recognizin; the cycle of violence within rela- tionships, dealing with - anger, pain and sadness, understanding the attachment that continues after the abusive relationship has ended, and dealing with guilt. While abused women attending the group may not be at the same stage of life or recovery. Most of them will have to deal with each of the issues before the healing is complete. Shortly there will be a program starting for children who have wit- nessed or experienced violence. If your children are suffering from the after-effects of violence perhaps that program would be suitable for them. The services offered to abused women and children, both the indi- vidual counselling and group thera- py programs are free. To contact Halton Family Services, call 845-3811 in Oakville or 873-2200 in Georgetown. Feel free to contact Jacie in confidence by directing letters to her attention at Halton Hills This Week. All correspondence will remain confidential. Jacie can be reached in person through the Distress Centre at 877-1211. Leave a message and Jacie will get back to you. If you are in cri- sis, call the Distress Centre or 911. Letters Welcomed Halton Hills This Week wel- comes your letters. Letters must be signed and include your full name and address. Names will be with- ea on see tees falton Hills This Week reserves an right to edit, revise, or reject any letters on the basis of factual errors, punctuation, spelling errors. or as a result of space limitations. Send your letter to: Halton Hills This Week 232 Guelph St., Unit 9 Georgetown, ON L7G 4B1