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6 Independent & Free Press, Tuesday,November 1, 2011 OPINION Junior Citizens Across Ontario young individuals are taking control and working hard to make a difference within their communities and around the world. The youth of today are our leaders of tomorrow. There's one in every crowd and they deserve to be recognized for their contributions. We encourage local residents to have a hard look within their own community to see who stands out among the rest. The Ontario Community Newspapers Association (OCNA)-- of which The Independent & Free Press is a member-- is currently accepting nominations for its 2011 Ontario Junior Citizens of the Year Awards. The association encourages residents from across the province to nominate a special individual who invests their spare time into community service, has the courage and drive to overcome the challenges of living with a disability or illness and still dedicates time and effort toward others. A nominee can be a `hero' or someone who acted quickly in a desperate time to help someone else. Most of all these individuals go above and beyond what is expected of someone their age. We all know someone who falls under this category of being a `good kid.' We encourage readers to consider nominating someone between the ages of six and 17 today. They deserve some recognition and encouragement to continue making a difference. Nominations for 2011 Ontario Junior Citizens of the Year Awards will be accepted until Wednesday, Nov. 30. Up to 12 nominees will be selected as the final recipients for the 2011 Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Award and will be recognized at a special ceremony in spring 2011. All local nominees will receive a certificate of recognition and a mention of their efforts in this newspaper. Nomination forms and additional information about this awards program is available at www.ocna.org or by calling the OCNA office at 905-639-8720, ext. 239. 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 Someone's child lucky to be alive Dear editor, On Monday, October 24 about 7:15 p.m. I was driving south on Main Street about to make a left turn onto Maple Avenue in Georgetown. It was dark and a young girl, likely a high school student, in a grey hoodie, dark pants and a knapsack, flew in front of me through the intersection on a bike. As I began my turn, I suddenly saw her. She was going south, too, but on the left side of the road. Drivers don't expect traffic to pass them on the left, especially from the sidewalk. Thankfully, I had been stopped, having to wait for oncoming traffic. If I had not been already stopped, my speed would have been too great and this would have resulted in serious injury or worse. She must have picked up speed biking down the hill and there was no way she would have been able to stop, even if she did see me. Perhaps she was trying to outpace me. I turned my car around, and tried to find her and explain that she was reckless, but lucky. However, I lost track of her when she cut through Meadowlark Parkette. She likely lives in Georgetown South. I don't think she was even wearing a helmet. Is this your daughter? Unfortunately, I have heard and witnessed similar incidents in the area. Does your child ride their bike in the dark? Does your child drive on the left hand side of the road? Does your child drive on the sidewalk AND on the road? (You can't be both a pedestrian and wheeled traffic at the same time). Does your child forget to wear a helmet? Talk to your children...before you find out the truth from a police officer at your door. Janet Hanlin, Georgetown I ask, `Why do they want current residents/taxpayers in Halton Hills to subsidize new residents and businesses?' What is the rush to develop and pave over our farmland? Do they want to make the budget easier for a few years, then leave taxpayers with a major bill as the costs for that development come due? The big reason that gets listed is Target, but according to what I've read, it seems speed of being able to develop the land was their number one priority, not the spread of development fees between Milton and Halton Hills. And if the development fees were the issue, I'm sure Target would be making that very clear (easier to get better deals if everyone knows that was the deciding factor). If development at full cost recovery takes another few years, once Milton's area on the 401 Corridor is built out, (which won't be long at the current pace), or ours is ready to develop, which will be in about 1-2 years) then why not wait and save local taxpayers a few dollars. John Northey, Georgetown WEB POLL RESULTS (Go to www.independentfreepress.com) Will you be getting a flu shot this year? · No (63%) · Yes (25%) · Undecided (12%) Showing patience benefits taxpayers Dear editor, I found it interesting that a few members of council want to cut development fees in light of the recent Target decision to locate a distribution centre in Milton instead of Halton Hills. 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.