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6 Independent & Free Press, Tuesday,March 2, 2010 OPINION Eh-OK Canada! Well, wasn't that a party! With the Vancouver Olympics now nothing but a memory, we're sure the Monday morning quarterbacks will be pontificating on how these were either (a) the best winter Games ever; (b) the worst ever (c) neither a nor b. What can't be disputed is that, after a very sombre and shaky start, the B.C. Games were a rousing success when it came to getting Canadians coast-to-coast to shake the dust off their pompoms and cheer everything maple-flavoured. Perhaps not since the first Canada-Soviet Union hockey summit in 1972, has this country's citizenry united in a wave of unabashed patriotism. Even the most cynical cynic can't dispute the fact these Games captured most of the nation's attention for the past month and that cheering on our athletes was a matter of national pride. And boy, did our athletes give us reason to cheer! To hell with Own the Podium, they owned our admiration during the February fortnight. From the enthusiasm of Jon Montgomery, our gold medal winner in skeleton, to the never-saydie attitude of speed skating bronze medalist Clara Hughes to the grace under pressure displayed by bronze-medal winning figure skater Joannie Rochette, Canadian athletes had us glued to the television in numbers unsurpassed in Canadian TV viewing. But more importantly they inspired us to pump out our chests and display our patriotism in a decidedly non-Canadian way. Frankly, it was refreshing to see so many Canadians adopt a more American-style attitude. We have plenty to be proud about in this nation but often we don't like to self-promote. We may be a nation that says "please" and "thank you" but we also seldom adopt a national mindset-- that is, a pulling together of the entire country for a common purpose. These Olympics allowed us that opportunity and Canadians seized the chance with both hands. We can only hope that spirit of co-operation and common sense of purpose can be maintained now that Parliament has resumed. 905-873-0301 Publisher: Ken Nugent General manager: Steve Foreman (sforeman@independentfreepress.com) Retail advertising manager: Cindi Campbell (ccampbell@independentfreepress.com) Managing editor: John McGhie (jmcghie@independentfreepress.com) Distribution manager: Nancy Geissler (ngeissler@independentfreepress.com) Classifieds Kristie Pells (classified@independentfreepress.com) Accounting Rose Marie Gauthier Editorial Cynthia Gamble: News editor (cgamble@independentfreepress.com) Ted Brown: Photography (tbrown@independentfreepress.com) Lisa Tallyn: Staff writer (ltallyn@independentfreepress.com) Eamonn Maher: Staff writer/sports (emaher@independentfreepress.com) WEB POLL RESULTS Halton Police report there was an 8 per cent drop in the number of criminal occurrences last year. Do you believe Halton is actually becoming safer? · No (72%) · Yes (28%) Steve Nease Go to www.independentfreepress.com Letters to the editor Dear editor, Recently I was in the Tim Hortons drive thru in Georgetown South. When I pulled up to the window to pay for my coffee the employee told me the driver of the car in front of me had paid for my order. I was a little confused so the employee explained that I was the seventh person in line that was paying for the next person's order. She said it started with one person paying for the car behind. This started a chain reaction. Being the seventh person in this chain I had to carry it on. I called later to see how many people kept the chain going and the employee I spoke with told me she wasn't sure but that this usually happens once a week and the most she has heard of was 30 people carrying on the chain. Wow! I was having a bad day and when I pulled up to the window and was told of this chain of people, I smiled and my bad day was instantly transformed. I would like to thank each of the seven people ahead of me, but a huge thank you to the first person in the line who started this. Your kind act was contagious and it made my day. I challenge everyone to do an act Kindness: Pass it on of kindness for a complete stranger today. I love Georgetown and the people who I am fortunate to call neighbours. Kim Martin-McAnuff, Georgetown looking after many other related tasks. We can not do it without you. Marian Viant, Georgetown Bread Basket, Director media co-ordinator Letters to the editor policy Letters must include an address and daytime telephone number. Anonymous letters will not be published. Letters should not exceed 150 words and may be edited for content and/or length. E-mail: jmcghie@independentfreepress.com Mail or drop off: Independent & Free Press, 280 Guelph St., Unit 29, Georgetown, ON., L7G 4B1. The Independent & Free Press The Independent & Free Press is published Tuesday and 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. Dear editor, It is time again, to thank the people of Georgetown and community. Never before have we had so much food and cash donated. It all started soon after school was in and the food came rolling in from the food drives held at many schools. During Thanksgiving the churches joined in and the shoppers filled the bins in the grocery stores. Then came the big Scout/Guide food drive on November 7, and we collected a record 50,400 lbs. and $1,168, plus some gift cards. The donations continued through November and December from many sources. The poor economy has hurt many people and we are serving many more families due to job losses. With this wonderful outpouring we will be able to look after the vulnerable in our community. We are also truly thankful to all of our wonderful volunteers who collected the food, sorted it and helped clients in their shopping, as well as a hit Food bank thanks Hampers Dear editor, 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 program helps relieve some of their financial pressures. 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 people in this community who sponsor individual families and provide monetary and gift donations. The families that receive help are very grateful and appreciative. Thank you for making the holiday season a little brighter for these lower income families-- your support and generosity is much appreciated! Cathy Gerrow, Community Support Co-ordinator. Links2Care