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OPINION Give Mother Nature a hand this weekend Sure, it may not matter in our lifetime, but you can be certain that without active response our children-- and their children's children-- will one day suffer the bite of the litter bug. Earth Day is approaching, and year after year it seems that it's an occasion that just floats by with little recognition. It's troubling that environmental issues are constantly pushed to the back burner. Most people just don't get that in the big scheme of things, without a sustainable future for our environment nothing much else matters. So why not take action and make a difference this year? Instead of tossing your candy wrapper out the window, pick up a garbage bag of them. Scoop up that Tim Hortons cup on the side of the road, or collect the trail of McDonald's garbage. If we all pitch in, it doesn't take much time to preserve and protect the future of our precious Mother Nature. In fact, it only takes 20 minutes out of your busy schedule to make a huge difference in Halton Hills. The Second Annual Halton Hills 20 Minute Makeover and Sixth Annual Community Clean Up Day are both set to take place this weekend. Businesses, institutions, organizations and individuals are heading out into their neighbourhoods to clean up litter from Halton Hills. The Town of Halton Hills is working with volunteers to clean up everywhere from business and industrial zones to recreational and rural areas. In a joint effort, these volunteers are set to provide a face-lift to our community that we will all enjoy. Set time aside this weekend-- or any weekend-- to do your part in beautifying Halton Hills. After all, the most important environmental work happens at a local level. Think locally to give globally. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Resident questions need for private school Dear editor, A decision will be made soon about the proposed Keswick Sutherland Private School and Equestrian Center on the Eighth Line near Ballinafad. This issue is not about the virtues of private vs. public school education. This decision is not about whether you think Georgetown needs a private school or not. It is about whether this is an appropriate use of land in this specific location, and whether the economic goals of a private enterprise are more important than the rights of local rural residents. I have five questions: Are the majority of the clients of this proposed school the rural residents of this area? If not, then this proposal does not meet the Halton Hills Official Plan. Is there a road safety issue for the local residents and for those attending the school? If yes, then this proposal does not meet our Official Plan. If safety is at stake, who is going to pay for upgrades to roads? Will the applicant pay for road improvements? Will the Town (and all its taxpayers) pay? The applicant believes that dropping the speed limit is the answer. Who pays for increased police presence to enforce these significantly reduced speed limits? Can we guarantee that enforcement of speed limits will take place? Not likely. Is the Region willing to guarantee that a decision to allow this proposal, if granted, will not negatively affect the quantity and the quality of the current residents' water? If we don't stick to our Official Plan, then why do we have one? Lois Fraser, Georgetown Police were slow to respond to call Kudos to Hospital Dear editor, I am writing in regards to the recent article on how Halton Hills youth have a negative perception of police officers. Recently my boyfriend's car was stolen while he was working at a very busy business. The thieves had the audacity to steal his car in plain sight during daylight hours. His car is not only a car, it is his livelihood as well as a very important hobby of his. Once noticing his car was stolen, he called the police right away. He also notified me and I went to help wait for the police. Four hours later, after repeatedly calling the police department, an officer arrived and took a statement. My boyfriend's car was found 14 hours later and at least 45 miles away. The thieves had stripped the car of all its valuable and sentimental accoutrements. When questioning the officer about the response time my boyfriend was told it was due to a "shift change". Having seen this first-hand it makes me wonder what is a priority when it comes to crime in Halton Hills. The huge delay in time is very questionable and nerve-wracking to say the very least. Danielle Jensen, Acton Dear editor, I just wanted to write a note to thank Dr. Faragosse and the nursing staff at the Georgetown Hospital over the weekend of March 10-12. I arrived there with a severe infection in my finger that came on rapidly. The staff were great and very comforting to my daughter who was quite upset with the events that happened. These professionals deserve a lot of credit for the service they provide. Thanks again. Doug Crowe, Georgetown Top-heavy bureaucy needs to downsize Dear editor, In response to your very appropriate article in Wednesday's Independent & Free Press (The $100,000 club just keeps getting bigger, April 12), I feel as our increase in municipal taxes take place, the number of employees of our town goes up! Why not downsize, as some employers have to do? Make do with less, and get more bang for your buck. At the rate we are going we'll have a top-heavy bureaucracy, living off the fat salaries and taxpayers who say enough is enough. Make do with what you have, like we have to do. A taxpayer. Sheila Ward, Georgetown