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6 ·The IFP· Halton Hills ·Thursday, May 17, 2012 OPINION Have your say It is very easy to complain about what is not right with our community. Too much traffic, too much (or not enough) development, not enough (or too much) industrial space, too few social programs, the cost of programs, not enough facilities...the list is endless. However, it is far more difficult, it seems, to get residents engaged in a process to share their views and visions of where this community should head in the coming years. To that end an interactive Sustainability Forum for residents to share their hopes and dreams for what Halton Hills should look and feel like over the next 50 years will be held Wednesday, May 30 from 3-8 p.m. at the Mold-Masters SportsPlex. The deadline to register is tomorrow-- Friday May 18. RSVP: Damian Szybalski damians@haltonhills.ca 905-873-2601 ext. 2289. While we loathe the word "sustainability" (the latest grossly overused bureaucratic descripitive that does nothing to encourage public engagement), input from this forum will go towards forming an innovative Community Sustainability Strategy. This Strategy will provide a `blueprint' for the community in years to come. Among the purposes of this forum is to "highlight the Town's sustainability journey; to refine long-term sustainability; identify things that support sustainability and talk sustainability." What this forum really provides is a chance for each resident to have a voice on the kind of Halton Hills they wish to see in coming years and for future generations. It allows the citizenry to help plan the town's future. It is an opportunity residents-- especially our younger ones-- shouldn't ignore. We urge all residents to share your views and shape your town. Oh yes, and make it sustainable. 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 Anonymous letters will not be published.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 Mayor defends opposition to 4-3 Dear editor, Re: James Bonney's May 15 letter Resident backs highway option. I stand behind mine, and council's, decision to fight the 4-3 highway. I would also like to point out that this fight is not just a Halton Hills issue. Fighting this superhighway has been supported by Milton council and also Halton Region council. The MTO is looking for a 170 metre-wide swath through Halton Hills that is for four lanes. That is the width of two football fields that will bisect the rural area of Halton Hills. It will be much wider at the interchange. The fact remains that the latest design information on 4-3 from the GTA West Corridor planning team proposes four lanes for general purpose traffic. This also provides flexibility to include additional general purpose lanes, dedicated truck lanes, high occupancy vehicles lanes and a separate two-lane dedicated transit way. Don't be fooled, this is designed to be a 400 series highway. In other words, if these extra lanes go it will be wider than what the present 401 is at Milton. I can't see this highway when if/it is built to be only four lanes. Council does not support this super highway as there are no benefits to Halton Hills. It flies in the face of our Regional and Town Official Plans. With respect to Mr. Bonney's comments that he hopes that minister won't hold a grudge and Halton Hills is not a "welcoming" community. That is the least of my worries. I have never backed down from any level of government that was making a decision that will negatively affect our town. Halton Hills went the extra mile through our participation in the Halton-Peel Boundary Area Transportation Study to define a north-south freeway corridor through the eastern section of Halton Hills. We have given our pound of flesh to trying to solve traffic issues within the GTA. Yes, there are some landowners who may benefit financially by selling their land, but there more than 700 properties of smaller homes whose hopes and dreams may be crushed as they will be forced to sell their homes. I am sure residents won't want to see extra traffic coming into town when there are collisions on this new highway and traffic is rerouted through town. I would also like to thank the more than 9,000 citizens who filled out postcards in a short period of time voicing their opposition to the 4-3 highway. Council makes a decision for the whole community not just a few. Keeping it real. Mayor Rick Bonnette Neighbours thanked Dear editor, I just wanted to say what a great and caring community we live in. Recently, after cutting my lawn, my two Jack Russell terriers, Bart and Boomer, escaped out of my back gate. After driving around my neighbourhood looking for them with no success, a lady pulled into my driveway with Bart in the back seat of her car. I thanked her and continued to look for the other dog. While driving, I realized that this sweet lady was also helping me look. After a while, having no luck, I returned home to find that my friendly neighbour had also found Boomer and drove him home as well. I want to to extend my heart-felt thank you to to my caring neighbours for bringing my dogs home safely. People such as you make Halton Hills a great place to live. Craig Wells, Halton Hills WEB POLL RESULTS (Go to www.theifp.ca) The Liberal government recently announced 37 changes to the OHIP fee schedule. The Province says this is a wage freeze while the doctors claim it is a pay cut. Who do you agree with? · The Province (53%) · The doctors (47%) 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. 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