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6 Independent & Free Press, Wednesday, January 4, 2006 Editorial Toronto the Hood ust when did Toronto the Good become Toronto the Hood? In hindsight, the warning signs have been evident for years. Swarmings, robberies, shootings and even executions have all eroded Toronto's image over the past years. But the Boxing Day shooting spree on Toronto's Yonge Street has now turned the city's famous slogan into a cruel joke. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Jane Creba, the 15year-old girl who was killed by a bullet in the head during the firefight. Her death should shock us from our false sense of security. Although gun-related crimes have escalated over the past few years, most residents in Toronto and the GTA have probably felt those incidents occurred in isolated areas and involved unsavoury elements who brought trouble to themselves. But that's not the case. If young punks can stage a gun battle in the heart of downtown Toronto's shopping district in broad daylight, it can happen anywhere and at anytime. Her assailants must be found and dealt with severely, however, the harsh reality is that there is no easy solution to this problem. Yes, we need to get tougher on criminals, especially those who commit violent gun-related offences. In passing sentence, we need to place more weight on the rights of the victims and law-abiding citizens, and less on the rights of those who so brazenly flaunt our laws. But tough-on-crime measures do nothing to prevent tragedies such as the death of Jane Creba from occurring in the first place. Anyone who would participate in a gunfight while surrounded by innocent bystanders cares little about the consequences of their actions. Locking them up and throwing away the key, while a good start, will not prevent this tragedy from repeating itself. We need a long-term, multi-faceted approach involving the police, the courts, politicians, educators, immigration officials, and social agencies to find out why so many young people are abandoning their futures for a violent lifestyle that can only lead to death or imprisonment. J Letters to the editor.... Moving to Georgetown a `good decision' Artisans' annual sale Dear editor, Two years ago my wife and I made the decision to move south from the Thunder Bay area. We were Letters to the editor Letters to the editor must include an address and daytime telephone number. Unsigned letters will not be published. Letters should not exceed 200 words and may be edited. Mail or drop off Independent & Free Press, 280 Guelph St., Unit 29, Georgetown, Ont., L7G 4B1 Fax 905-873-0398 E-mail jmcghie@independentfreepress.com Editorial e-mail addresses John McGhie jmcghie@independentfreepress.com Cynthia Gamble cgamble@independentfreepress.com Lisa Tallyn ltallyn@independentfreepress.com Eamonn Maher emaher@independentfreepress.com Ted Brown tbrown@independentfreepress.com nervous about leaving our close-knit community and hoped to be able to find something similar in the Toronto area. We did some research and decided we liked the size and location of Georgetown. This past summer we moved here and set up our shop in South Georgetown plaza. Moving to a new area and setting up our business was a lot of work and effort, but we were warmly welcomed to the town and we felt good about being here. Disaster struck recently just as we were getting ready to close shop for the day. An overhead water pipe froze and burst, flooding our shop and soaking all our stock. Fortunately, it didn't take the wonderful guys at the fire department long to arrive and get the situation under control. Then we were left with the clean-up and disposal of stock, but it wasn't so bad, we were not alone. In only four short months, our customers have become our friends and many of them arrived to help us clean up the mess. By Saturday morning we had cleaned up but we were without any stock to sell. Customers kept dropping by wanting to help, offering to provide free paint, drywall and ceiling tiles. Now, business is back to normal and we are fully restocked. A very disappointing and unfortunate situation was made easier by the considerate support we received from this community. I am writing on behalf of my family and business to thank the kind and caring people of Georgetown who have so warmly welcomed us. In particular, I would like to thank John Vito and family, Dale Green Josh Furtado, Beth Fleming, Dave, Chelsea and Chris Allen and the Halton Hills fire department. I am so glad we chose Georgetown. This experience has shown us the character of the people living here and we know that moving here was a good decision. Pat and Ivana Commisso and family, Pat's Prime Cuts and Deli was a rousing success Dear editor, I am writing to show my appreciation and to thank all those who braved the rough entrance to the Cedarvale Park and the snow up the hill to the Cottage. They made this year's Christmas sale a success in spite of our apprehension. Thanks too to The Independent Free Press for your support in publicizing our event and helping to make it the success it was. Congratulations to Bob Coupland, Heather Brownridge, Janice Sukhiani and Margaret Seifried. These were the four prize winners of the fund-raising raffle which was drawn on Sunday. Nov. 27. Our thanks to all those who bought tickets but were unlucky this time. Your ticket purchases help fund the activities of the four Guilds of the Credit Valley Artisans. Frank Anthony Sales Committee, Credit Valley Artisans, Georgetown News Editor: Cynthia Gamble Staff Writers: Lisa Tallyn, Eamonn Maher Photography: Ted Brown Retail Advertising Manager: Cindi Campbell Advertising Sales: Jennifer Spencer, Adam Spinney, Aaron Chiasson, Brendan Louth Real Estate: Sue Spizziri Classifieds: Mary Watson, Kristie Pells Accounting: Rose Marie Gauthier Production: Mary Lou Foreman, Kevin Powell, Shelli Harrison, Dolores Black, Debbie MacDougall year in all other countries. Plus G.S.T. Second Class Mail Registration Number 6869. The Independent & Free Press is a member of The Canadian Community Newspaper Association and The Ontario Community Newspaper Association. Ken Nugent, Publisher Steve Foreman, Advertising Director John McGhie, Managing Editor Carol Young, Business Manager Nancy Geissler, Circulation Manager Address: 280 Guelph St., Unit 29, Georgetown, Ont. L7G 4B1, (Georgetown Market Place) Telephone: 905-873-0301 Fax: 905-873-0398 Web site: www.independentfreepress.com The Independent & Free Press is published every Wednesday and Friday at 280 Guelph St., Unit 29, Georgetown Ont., L7G 4B1. 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