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6 Independent & Free Press, Tuesday,May 11, 2010 OPINION DC: Dumb Charges "If you build it he will come."-- quote from the movie Field of Dreams. Apparently in Acton if you build it, Halton Region will charge you to death. Last week two Acton firms-- Metro Pavement Markings and R&M Construction-- asked the Halton Region's Administration and Finance committee for a rebate of more than $70,000 on development charges they were hit with after both companies decided to build storage facilities. Specifically, Metro would like more than $48,000 returned while R&M is seeking a rebate of nearly $23,000 in development fees it paid to cover water and waste water services. The problem is that neither company needs those services for buildings that will act as storage units for seasonal equipment. They (rightfully) argue they shouldn't have to pay for services they have no intention of using. Even more confounding is the fact that Halton Region can't even provide water and waste water services to the buildings, because of the lack of capacity in Acton's water system to accommodate growth. Yet, the Region committee voted against returning the fees to the companies. That's right, the Region will charge these firms for something the Region cannot even provide. The Region is arguing the DCs will pay for future service improvements in Acton. When those improvements become a reality is anyone's guess. Halton has long been criticized for exorbitant DCs and with the economy struggling to regain its footing, one would expect roadblocks would be the last thing the Region would throw in front of a business looking to expand its operations. The sheer lunacy of expecting a company to pay for a service it does not require-- or more importantly, cannot get-- should not be lost on regional councillors when they consider this recommendation tomorrow (Wednesday). We understand the need for a Regional DC bylaw and for it to be applied fairly, but there are times when it should be trumped by common sense-- this is one of those occasions. 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 The Canadian Raptor Conservancy is pushing the federal government to name a national bird and boost Canada's sense of identity. Which bird would be the best choice? · Red-tailed hawk (24%) · Canada goose (26%) · The loon (39%) · None of the above (11%) Steve Nease Go to www.independentfreepress.com Letters to the editor Please report found animals Dear editor, I am sending this letter to you in sadness. Recently my puppy (roughly seven months old) got away from us and has since gone missing. We have searched high and low and put up roughly 70 posters in town, in addition to paper ads hoping someone would call with some information on her whereabouts. I feel almost certain that someone has picked her up as she is a young, friendly, inquisitive puppy. She most certainly would have run up to the first person she saw. After all my search efforts I am completely heartbroken that I've had no response from anyone and none of the shelters or vet clinics have received any reports of any found dogs. I want to send a very important message to everyone: please report all found pets to your local animal shelter. If you found a lost child on the street, would you take them home ad keep them too? If anyone has seen Foxy please call me. She was last seen April 7, around noon on the corner of Mountainview Rd. N./ John St. headed towards Glen Williams. She is a beagle/pointer mix with red (liver)/brown and white markings. She has a white triangle shape on the back of her head. She is spayed and micro-chipped. If you have any information please call Christina at 416-993-1413. Christina Cayley, Georgetown ing turning lanes at this intersection, the capacity and level of safety could be greatly improved. I am sure there are several other intersections that can be improved in the short term (now) at minimum cost. The addition of turning lanes at intersections, well ahead of any major roadway improvements, will make them safer and reduce congestion. Hopefully Region and Town staff take note to address such improvements, sooner, rather than later. Terry Keenie, Georgetown Roadwork needed Dear editor, We have recently been informed of the Regional Transportation Master Plan which identified major infrastructure improvements over the next 20 years. While long-term planning has its merit, there is an immediate need for low-cost roadway improvements, in particular, at several intersections servicing the Georgetown area. To name a few: Steeles Ave.and Ninth Line South, Winston Churchill and Five Sideroad, Trafalgar Rd. and Five Sideroad. Local folks probably can identify many more. Some local road improvements do get done however, but not always where they are needed. For example, Trafalgar Rd. was re-surfaced from Steeles Ave. to Five Sideroad last year, but the intersection at Trafalgar Rd. and Five Sideroad (next to Pineview School) was not improved. By provid- Reunion planned Dear editor, We are reaching out to any former students of Ross R. McKay P.S. in Hillsburgh, to invite them to the 50th reunion on Saturday, May 15. Visit with former teachers and look at memorabilia at the school open house from 5- 8 p.m. Then connect with old friends at the reunion dance at the Hillsburgh Arena from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. For ($15) tickets, information or if you have memorabilia for the displays, contact Michelle Feres Caravantes at 519-833-0876 or micferes@ sympatico.ca. Michelle Caravantes, Erin 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. Publication is not guaranteed. 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. 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