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6 ·The IFP· Halton Hills ·Tuesday, May 29, 2012 OPINION Good causes With the great (and unusually warm) weather we've experienced the past couple weeks, thoughts are quickly turning to the numerous fundraising events that occupy many of the weekends from mid-May to August. Two such events are planned for this weekend-- the seventh annual Georgetown Relay for Life in support of the Canadian Cancer Society and the fourth annual Acton/Georgetown Walk for ALS. Both events raise funds to help fight debilitating diseases and both rely on the generosity and sense of community spirit Halton Hills has become known for. Details on the Relay for Life event can be found on our website (www.theifp.ca/ news/relay-for-life-set-for-friday/). To summarize, the event, this year held at the Croatian Centre at 9118 Winston Churchill Blvd. in Norval, sees participants spend 12 hours from 7 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday taking part in numerous events. The most poignant is the Luminary Ceremony at 10 p.m. in which candles are lit in support, and in memory, of those who have fought-- and both won and lost-- battles against this insidious disease. The annual ALS Walk is no less moving. Held this year at the Dominion Gardens Park (Maple Avenue and Guelph Street), the Walk has raised more than $520,000 in the past three years towards helping those living with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), a paralyzing neuromuscular disease, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Details on the Walk can be found on page 3 of today's newspaper. While we pray for the day when fundraising events like these are no longer needed, we take comfort in the fact that this community has always shown a big heart and supported these fundraisers. We expect this weekend to be no different. 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 Anonymous letters will not be published.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 Acton Food Drive a rousing success Dear editor, Acton Foodshare would like to thank the community of Acton for its generous donations of food and money during the recent annual Scout/Guide/Calvinist Cadets Food Drive. We received approximately 5,000 pounds of food and $500 on the day. This past year we gave out approximately 41,000 pounds of food . Special thanks go to the scouting, guiding, Bethel Cadets and Gems, parents and leaders for their energy and enthusiasm and the food bank volunteers for their preparation in advance of the food drive and on the day of the food drive. The collection, sorting and moving of the donated food went very quickly with all the willing hands. Thanks also to all the volunteers, companies, students and groups who assisted before, during and after the food drive. We also appreciate the coverage we received from The Acton New Tanner and The Independent & Free Press. The shelves are presently quite full and we will be better able to assist those who use the food bank. Arlene Humphreys, Acton Foodshare Roads are safer Dear editor, I noted in your May 15 editorial (Drive safely) that it is stated that "Driving is a right..." . I think you will find that provincial law has always considered that use of public roads is a right, but that driving a motor vehicle (car, truck, motorcycle, etc.) on them is a privilege granted to those who qualify by passing various tests and obtaining a licence. And that licence-- and the privilege to drive-- can be revoked after conviction for various violations. Could I also point out, as a motorcyclist concerned with riding safely, there have been great advances in the level of road safety in this country. Recently available national statistics show that from 2005-09 the fatality rate for all Canadian road users (drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians) has declined by 30 per cent. I would note that the motorcyclist fatality rate decline over those five years has been 38 per cent. Certainly we should always emphasize the need for greater road safety on our increasingly crowded roads. It is good also, I think, to realize that major improvements in safety can, and are, being achieved. Allan Johnson, Georgetown `Friends' say thanks Dear editor, Georgetown has once again demonstrated its depth of spirit and compassion with the outpouring of support at the car wash fundraiser for the Turner family recently. We are deeply grateful to all who participated-- whether you washed cars, barbecued hot dogs, held signs, or drove through for a spray and buff. Your contribution was huge and for that, we thank you. An extra special `Thanks' goes out to Carman Widdess who came up with the idea, and all the folks at Georgetown Chrysler who generously hosted and spearheaded the operation. Without you, this simply wouldn't have been possible. On behalf of the Friends of Cathy Turner and the Turner family, thank you all for your generosity and for reminding us how truly caring people can be. Marnie Hughes and Deb Corrado, Friends of Cathy Turner WEB POLL RESULTS (Go to www.theifp.ca) The Town is celebrating Bike to Work Day Monday. Would you ever consider riding a bicycle to work? · No. It's not feasible (76%) · Yes. I'd love to (24%) 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.