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

6 Independent & Free Press, Tuesday,November 15, 2011 OPINION The party's over It has been one month since Occupy Toronto protesters set up their encampment in Toronto's St. James Park and city officials are now indicating it is time for the "occupation" to end. We agree. Certainly the right of assembly and freedom of speech are among our most cherished rights, but even those rights have limitations. The question is whether reasonable limits have been reached following a month-long `protest' that has turned a city park into a tent city. Certainly the neighbours in the area of the park, who now go out of their way simply to avoid the campers, would agree. The local shop owners, who have seen their businesses negatively impacted by the influx of protesters, would like to see an end to this. So far, through this month-long sit-in, it is difficult to fathom what the protesters, who, in their own words from their website, are `fed up with the current political and economic systems in this nation and all over the world', seek to accomplish. `We have come together to find solutions to the difficulties we are facing in society today. We have not yet put out a unified message but be sure it will come.' Swell. They have joined in other protests. Their campsite has been the scene of fights and thefts. Their plan to extend their occupation to Queen's Park failed miserably. Their Bay Street march fizzled. The protesters have railed against big business, but freely use the tools (i.e. computers, cell phones, tents, etc.) that business has created. They "want banks to serve us, not the other way around" but offer no realistic plan to alter the world banking system. They denounce politicians, but we doubt few have ever put their name forward on an election ballot to change the system from within. Regardless of whether they are unemployed, lazy rabble-rousers or dedicated idealists looking to change the world one thing is clear: It is time for this movement to move on. 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 Poppy Fund is to be admired Dear editor, In response to the advertisement advertising The Royal Canadian Legion Georgetown Poppy Fund, in the November 8 issue of The Independent & Free Press, I believe that this is admirable and very beneficial to the military families. I say this because those small donations that you make by buying a poppy adds up. For instance, last year the Georgetown Poppy Fund raised $39,147.82. The money that you give goes to those people who served in the two World Wars, the Korean War and all the peacekeeping operations. The money also helps them get proper medical supplies and pays for the scholarships of needy students who would love to join the army but can't. This also helps the family of any ex-soldier who has been injured and can't provide for their family. All of your generous donations help. I give my thanks and gratitude to Georgetown Poppy Fund chair Marion Carney. I also admire all the people who give-- even the smallest donations they can-- just to support our troops. I know people who have family members in the army, navy, etc. and these donations have greatly helped them. Just think of it as a way to give back a little to the people who have sacrificed their lives for your freedom. Katerina Meimaris, Grade 9, Toronto District Christian High School Veterans thanked Dear editor, I was so pleased to see the list of all the veterans in our area as it has been for many years (Nov. 8 Remembrance Day special section). I wore my poppy with thanks and pride to recognize what our local men and women-- all military and allies-- did for us. My dad was listed C.F. Davies, B515645 Lorne Scot Regiment, WWII. Interestingly, it has him listed as a Cpl. He volunteered 1939-45 but while serving his country he received a rank of CSM (Confirmed Sgt. Major)-- on the battlefield a rank no one but the Queen could ever take away from him. I am a very proud daughter and learned from a very young age what our veterans did for us, to keep us safe and free. We have the greatest country in the world because of them. My family was lucky we got our dad back. While we don't have our dad now, I can feel very deeply for the families who didn't get that opportunity. I say God bless the men and women in our military-- the past, present and future-- and keep them safe. Bev Currie, Georgetown WEB POLL RESULTS (Go to www.independentfreepress.com) The Toronto Maple Leafs are off to a good start this season but will it last? Which of the following best suits your view? · They're better, but still won't make the playoffs (39%) · They're for real and headed to the playoffs (33%) · It's an illusion that will be shattered by Christmas (28%) Construction work hampers `rush hour' Dear editor, I just got home from being on Mountainview Road South for a half hour during this construction phase! This construction should be during hours that don't affect traffic. It would be nice if it was done before `rush hour'. Never thought I would say that in Georgetown. I'm sure there are many other residents who are just as frustrated and want to get home after a day's work. Adam Lesniewski, 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.