The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Letters to the editor... 7 Independent & Free Press, Thursday, February 11, 2010 Holiday hamper program a success Dear editor, On behalf of Links2Care, I would like to extend our sincere appreciation to everyone who helped to make our recent Holiday Hamper program a success. There are many lower income families in our community that struggle each day to make ends meet and the Holiday Hamper program helps relieve some of their financial pressures during the holiday season. This past year, 172 families, with a total of 354 children, received hampers of new clothing and toys. We are pleased to be able to offer this needed program, and we certainly could not provide these hampers without the generous and caring people in this community who sponsor individual families and provide monetary and gift donations. The families that receive help through this program are very grateful and appreciative and are often quite overwhelmed when they see the hampers. Thank you so much for making the holiday season a little brighter for these lower income families in our community-- your support and generosity is very much appreciated. Cathy Gerrow, Community Support Co-ordinator Links2Care The Regional Municipality of Halton www.halton.ca HALTON HILLS Family Day Residential Waste Collection Notice Please Note Collection Day Changes FEBRUARY Monday 15 Family Day Tuesday 16 Wednesday 17 Thursday 18 Friday 19 Saturday 20 Collection Moves Collection Moves Politicians line up at Olympic trough Dear editor, Re: The Olympics and proroguing Parliament. My wife and I purchased plane tickets, rented a car and accommodations ready for the winter Games. However, we came up empty trying to get tickets through the VANOC website. That's when the bitterness set in. Mr. Harper spent $890,000 of taxpayers' money to reserve thousands of Olympic tickets just for Parliamentarians to buy but they're jumping the queue, while I follow proper procedures. Upon approaching my MP, Mr. David Sweet, he did not think this was unfair and when I asked to buy his tickets he said they were nontransferable. Secondly, if you check the official VANOC site they are, in fact, allowing people to re-sell tickets at double and triple the face value. Is this not "scalping" tickets? So, no wonder parliament has been prorogued, to allow our MPs to attend the Olympics with illegitimate tickets. Or are Mr. Sweet et al "scalping" their tickets? The rich and powerful win. We must cancel our trip and give up an experience of a lifetime. Ed Mizzi, Waterdown Due to the Family Day holiday, household waste collection services the week of February 15 will take place the day after your regular collection day. Please place your waste at the curb by 7 a.m. on your scheduled holiday collection day. Please check your 2010 Waste Management Guide and Collection Calendar for your collection area details, or visit www.halton.ca/waste to use our "Search by Address" tool. Halton Waste Management Site (HWMS) The HWMS will be closed Monday, February 15, 2010. Regular Operating Hours: Open Monday to Saturday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 5400 Regional Road 25, Milton Fees at the Halton Waste Management Site For general waste and use of the Container Station, the user fees are: kÏ 3NÏRMÏÏIEÏlÏJM?B kÏ ÏRMÏÏIEÏlÏJM?B kÏ -TCPÏÏIEÏlÏ ÏACLRQIEÏQR?PRGLEÏDPMKÏÏIE For a full list of HWMS fees, visit www.halton.ca/waste or contact Halton Region by dialing 311 or 905-825-6000 or 1-866-4HALTON (1-866-442-5866) or TTY 905-827-9833. Students thanked for their honesty Dear editor, I am writing to thank the students of Georgetown District High School who found my credit card. Recently, my credit card had fallen out of my car as I dropped my daughter off at the school and I wasn't even aware I had lost it until I received a phone call from the school secretary who indicated a couple students had found it in the parking lot and turned it in to a teacher. These same students could have easily gone on a shopping spree before I even knew what happened. Instead, they chose to do the right thing. True integrity is doing what is right, even when no one is watching. That one act they probably thought was nothing saved me a lot of stress and paperwork. So, not only did you ease my mind, your actions confirmed what I continue to believe-- that the youth today are from irresponsible. We just need to understand that every opportunity given to our youth is an investment in our future and, chances are, when these small tests come to task, the right decisions prevail. Thank you. You know who you are, and if it wasn't you I'm sure it would have been. Debby Mullen, Ballinafad What's Your Green Idea? Regional Chair's Environmental Awards Are you a student in Halton Region with big plans to help the environment? Share your Green Idea with the judging panel of The Regional Chair's Environmental Awards, sponsored by Bell and TD Friends of the Environment Gary Carr $MSLB?RGML ÏU?PBÏUGLLCPQÏDMPÏRFCÏ7MSRFÏU?PBQÏUGJJÏPCACGTCÏÏDMPÏRFCGPÏ Regional Chair QAFMMJÏUFGJCÏ1AFMJ?PQFGNÏU?PBÏUGLLCPQÏUGJJÏPCACGTCÏÏRMU?PBQÏRFCGPÏ post secondary studies. Award winners will be recognized at the Regional Chair's Breakfast on the Environment, held at the Burlington Convention Centre on April 20, 2010. This event will be attended by local students, the business community and will feature Craig Kielburger, founder and chair of Free the Children as the keynote speaker. Complete award entry details, including application forms, can be found at www.halton.ca. Halton Regional Meeting Schedule February 15 Offices Closed February 24 Meetings can be viewed at www.halton.ca Living near a ravine has its risks Dear editor, It is with sad regret that we read about the family that lost their innocent dog to a coyote recently. However, it brings to mind if one decides to live near a ravine to be close to nature, can you honestly be surprised that something of this nature would happen? Georgetown has been encroaching on the wilderness for years and continues to do so. This would be the result. Displaced wildlife is trying to adapt and I'm sorry to say, but we are part of the problem. Wildlife will take what they require in order to survive. It is sad what has happened to the Bucks, but it could have been easily avoided. Be aware of your surroundings and take in account the possibilities. Living on the ravine includes wildlife. Some of them are dangerous, while others are fuzzy "Disney characters". Sarah MacLean, Georgetown 9:30 a.m. Planning & Public Works Committee 1:30 p.m. Admin & Finance Committee February 23 9:30 a.m. Health & Social Service Committee 1151 Bronte Road, Oakville, OntaPGMÏÏ*+Ï*ÏkÏ"G?JÏÏMPÏÏÌÌÏkÏ2MJJÏ$PCCÏÌÌÌÏ 227ÏÌÌÏkÏUUU F?JRML A? 120210 Please let us know as soon as possible if you will have an accessibility or accommodation need at a Halton Region hosted event or meeting.