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6 Independent & Free Press, Tuesday,August 2, 2011 OPINION Odds and ends News that the Mountainview Rd. S. and Delrex Blvd. intersection will be widened later this year to allow for left-hand turn lanes on Mountainview is welcome news for motorists who use this route. More than 19,000 vehicles per day go through this intersection and traffic specialist Gerry Forbes says there are three collisions there a year (a number higher than expected based on volume, according to Forbes). Three collisions a year doesn't strike us as an outlandish number, but any steps to improve traffic flow through this busy area is a step forward. ··· Truth be told, we never have cared much for NDP leader Jack Layton's policies or those of his party. That said, one can only admire the man for the way he has dealt with his personal health crisis. A frail-looking Layton told Canadians last week that he is facing a new cancer battle to go along with the prostate cancer fight he has been waging for more than a year. Give credit where credit is due, though. It was Layton's doing that saw the NDP reach the hallowed ground of becoming the official Opposition in this past election. The man is tireless and a bulldog when it comes to standing up for what he believes in. Only a fool would bet against him in his latest fight. ··· Regional Councillor Clark Somerville raises a good point in an email concerning the proposed east-west highway (GTA West Corridor Option 4-3). The Acton councillor states, along with Transportation Minister Kathleen Wynne, NDP leader Andrea Horvath, Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak and area Tory MPPs Ted Arnott and Ted Chudleigh should also be sent letters by residents voicing their concerns about the plan to cut through Halton Hills farmland. Residents deserve to know where each party stands on this issue prior to this fall's election. 905-873-0301 Publisher: Ken Nugent General manager: Steve Foreman (sforeman@theifp.ca) Retail advertising manager: Cindi Campbell (ccampbell@theifp.ca) Managing editor: John McGhie (jmcghie@theifp.ca) Distribution manager: Nancy Geissler (ngeissler@theifp.ca) Classifieds Kristie Pells (classified@theifp.ca) Accounting Rose Marie Gauthier Editorial Cynthia Gamble: News editor (cgamble@theifp.ca) Ted Brown: Photography (tbrown@theifp.ca) Lisa Tallyn: Staff writer (ltallyn@theifp.ca) Eamonn Maher: Staff writer/sports (emaher@theifp.ca) Letters policy Letters must include an address and daytime phone 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. Email: jmcghie@theifp.ca Steve Nease Mail or drop off: Independent & Free Press, 280 Guelph St., Unit 29, Georgetown, ON., L7G 4B1. Letters to the editor Plenty of ways to help food bank Dear editor, The Georgetown Bread Basket is your local food bank. The GBB is comprised entirely of volunteers which depends greatly on the generosity of our neighbours. The summer is particularly difficult for our clients and lately, a number of people have asked us what they can do to help, since they have come to realize that the needs of the community are greater than they had previously thought. Here are a few ideas: You could, like the Lions Club of Georgetown, have fun while planning an activity such as their free breakfast.This event generated much needed funds and food. You could purchase fresh food boxes like the Kinsmen and the Kiwanis Clubs do every year or provide milk as does Saputo. Recently, several local businesses, namely, Young's Pharmacy, Bulk Barn and CAW Local 584 of Ford Parts, Brampton, provided articles to support our Mother's Day venture. Product and funds were donated to aid in preparation of 50 mom's bags that were given out prior to Mother's Day. You're not part of a large group or you don't have the time to organize an event? You could simply bring your donation or donate at the local grocery stores, where a box is set out for that purpose. You could also ask for donations instead of gifts as many have done recently or donate the vegetables from one row of your garden. On behalf of the board of directors, I would like to thank the local organizations and businesses for their present and future support. I hope their contributions give you ideas of what you could do to help. Maryse Mallet-Sinnis Media co-ordinator Georgetown Bread Basket More than $9,000 was raised through the generous support of our main sponsor Traffix (the Transportation People), Milton Lions (Play Along), Birkdale Place, Halton District School Board, Toronto Auto Auctions and other supporters and community businesses. The issue of adult literacy remains a challenge for many in the community. Thanks to the great work of our dedicated volunteers we once again enjoyed an evening of fun, dinner, spelling and the great war of words which is always an exciting and fun event in the community. Sharon Foster, Adult Learning Centre WEB POLL RESULTS (Go to www.independentfreepress.com) When Halton Region announces restrictions on water use do you adhere to them (i.e. watering lawns on even/odd days)? · Always (68%) · Never (18%) · Sometimes (14%) Bee a big success Dear editor, The Adult Learning Centre (Literacy North Halton) once again enjoyed great success with our Grate Groan up Spelling Bee fundraiser. Thanks must go to Queen Bee Theresa MacDonald and her Bee Committee and silent auction chair Denise Dilbey, for producing this great fun event for the eighth year running. Help appreciated Dear editor, My wife had a flat tire in the parking lot of Yong's Restaurant recently and just as I was about to tackle the problem, a young man (named Andrew Hudson, I believe), stopped and asked if he could help. He took over the whole job of replacing the tire with the spare and I would like to thank him for his help. The passing years have made me welcome such assistance when offered. J. M. Graham-Smith, Georgetown 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.