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6 -Theanadien Champion, Tuesday, April 27, 1999 SCOMMENT The price is vigilance Most of us have probably been thinking about the terrible events in Colorado last week with a mixture of revulsion and introspection -- wondering if a similar tragedy could happen here, or how likely it is. 0f course the answer is that it could, although, judging from the reaction of authorities elsewhere in today's paper, it would appear less likely. The difference between what took place in Colorado and most of the crimes of violence that we hear about every day is the degree of fore- thought that went into the high school murders, and the potency of the weapons employed by the perpetrators. So they were simply more calculating killers with access to relative- ly sophisticated armament. If, as police suggest, programs aimed at nipping youth crime in the bud are more prevalent in Halton than most jurisdictions, that is all to the good. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. But we cannot complacently dismiss what happened south of the border by telling ourselves gun laws are more strict heme, or violence is less of a concern because we as people are less prone to it. That is not the case. We are no less disposed to wrath than anyone else. If such a crime is less likely here it is thanks to whatever prograrns artd safeguards we have put in place to curb the likelihood of it. Just as the price of liberty is vigilance, so too is the price of law and order. /W4 WrýZEE7ýý O UR READERS WRITE Unv«tyW~' Cu This is a great region so let's challenge what's wrong and work hard for what's right, says Day *THE CA4NADIAN CHAMIPION Box 248, 191 Main St. E., Tite Canadian Champion, published every Tueoday and Friday Milton, Ont. L9T 4N9 at 191 Main St. E., Milton, Ont., L9T 4N9 (Ban 248), t onn nf Thn Metroland Printing, Publiahing & Dittribnting Ltd. grnnp nf snb- arba n rznmpanleo which Incindes: Ajan / Pickering Newt (905) 878-2341 Advertiser, Ailistan Hnrald/Caurier; Barrie Advnnce; Brampton Guardian; Barlinglon Pont; City Parent; Cnilingwnnd / Waoaga Editorial Fax: 878-4943 Cnnneclion: East York Mirror; Etobicoke Gnardian; Georgetown independent! Aclan Free Press; Kingston This Week; Lindsay This Advertising Fax: 876-2364 Week; Markham Ecanormist & Son; Midland / Penetnngnishenn Classified: 875-3300 Mirrar; Miotîssanga News; Newmarkel / Aarora Era Baniner; Northumberland News; Northt York Mirror; Oakvilie Beaver; Orlillia Ian Oliver Publisher Tnday; Oshawa / Whitby / Claringtan / Part Perry Titis'Week; Peterborough This Week; Richmond Hili I Tiarnitili / Vaughan Neil Oliver Associate Pnblisher Liberal; Scarborougit Mirrar; Uobridge / Sloalffille Tribune; BiII Begin General Manager Today'o Seniors. ItobKely Edtor Adverlting as accepled an the condition ltha, in lthe osent of a Rob Kelly Ed tlypngraptica errar, titat portion of the advertlslng space acta- Karen Cross Circulation Manager pied by the erraneont item, lagether witit a reasanabie aiinwance TeiCasas Office Manager for signature, mIli not be citarged for, but the balance of lthe Teri ndvertitement wlii be paid for aI lte applicable rate, The pabisiter Tim Coles Prodaction Manager reserves the nighl la categonize advertisements or decline. Dear Editor: I want to thank ail thosé who showed an interest in the candidate selection process at the recent Liberai nomination meeting for Halton riding and camne 0ouE to vol- unteer tl eir time or simply to listen to the speeches and at their bal- lot. I value thse time you took and I'm grateftnl for your intereot and per- sonal support. Duriog thse non up to and during the nomination meeting, I became aware of two distinct phenomena in the region of Halton: north-aouth interest and cultural change. Io the region of Halton, our cul- tural and ethnic diversity is chang- ing at about the rate of 1,500 per- sons annually. We will evolve into a community in which a wider range of ideaa and solutions are available. We, both new and settled Halton residents, are challenged to build social cohesion and ensure that aIl our citizens have equal opportuni- tien and enjoy the same privileges. We have to talk, liaten and teach each other about what is important to each of us in our maturing Halton - be it values, heritage, beliefs, trust, respect or acceptance - and learn to comprouse. IE's up to each of us to create an envirooment in which mutual mIne- gration and assimilation can occur without hardening along cultural, ethnic or reigious fimes. We need to be sensitive to this changing dynamic and evolve with it. Frequently I was asked, why do we have to be in a riding that is merged with Oakville and Burlington? Why do we have to, share the same riding with people from Milton and Halton His? We have nothing in common. Our problemo are mot their prob- lemos. Although some may perceive this to be true, regardless, we must anticipate the future and work for it. As I crossed and re-crossed thse Region, I visited farnas built in the 1 860s and the most urban-aettled areas in north Oakville and Burlington. Halton region is a microcosm of Ontario - be it maturai resources, our heritage, rural areas, changing urban landocape, our commerce and industry to our ever-growing and diverse populations. Let us draw on thia richness, and with your help, with the care and commitment of our local and regional govemments, we cao con- tinue to meet the challenges and tests of growth. We have a great region, great municipalities and a great future, but omly if we challenge what is wrong, work for what is right for Halton and thse rest of Ontario. John Day Milton Pud by Steve Nease ONTARIO'Sý DRIVE CLEAN