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_A6 - vT Cen4dian Champion, Tuesday, Jpiy 31, 2QQ7 Under the gun The proliferation of gun- related crime is no longer the exclusive problem of Haltons largest neigbouring coînmunity While Toronto braces for what may be its bloodiest year on record for gun-relat- ed deaths, there are indica- tors that firearms are becoming the weapon of choice among more crimi- nais in Halton. lu July alone, guns were used in a ternifying July 16 early-morning Oakville home invasion in which a sawed-off shotgun was brandi.shed, a July 9 con- venience store robbery in Georgetown that saw two clerks forced into a freezer at gunpoint, the july 22 armed robbery of an Oakville man making a night deposit, and three Burlington incidents within 48 hours last weekend (July 20 to 22), including one where a maie victim was pistol whipped. Is the apparent flood of gun crimes in recent weeks merely coincidence, or is Haltons growth and its proximity to Toronto, Hamilton and Peel making it a convenient alternative for criminals armed with gums? Are the same factors that are pushing Toronto toward a record-high year of gun- related fatalities influencing a flood of gun crimes in our region? Halton police have yet to put forward a theory about this phenomenon. We only hope that the recent incidents represent an aberration and flot a sign of things to come. MAYOR MILýR, PRMIER [MCGUINTYANI) ATORNEY TU T 4;ENERAI. YMT 'WIIl. NOW mo ANS WER QUESTIONS ON 114E Readers Write E-mail your letters tb miltoned@hatonsearch oem. Planning of Milton's roadways has left awful lot to be desired DEAR EDITOR: 1 understand Halton Region recently received an award for planning. If that had anything to do with the population boom in Milton, 1 for one am curious what the award criteria was - possibly driver annoy- suce and frustration level? lt's a major challenge to get from southeast Milton to the Steeles Avenue and Martin Street area nowadays. In the morning, traffic is backed up past my house on Trudeau Drive south tu gel onto Derry which is effectively two lanes due to perpetual construction. Thompson Road is now one lane for many hours a day due to construction, Fourth Line was closed 28 months ago, James Snow Parkway is just a short cut for Hawthorne Village north and while so far unham- pered, Fifth Line leads to a one- lane construction area on Steeles. The corner of Main and James Snow was also ripped up, but is now thankfully com- pleted. 1 couldu't help but notice upon leaving Milton to the south on Regional Road 25 that it jumps to four lanes at Dundas Street to the east. Entering Mississauga, the roads jump from two lanes to four, on Derry at the 407, and south on Trafalgar. No wonder Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion keeps getting re- elected - and Miltonians shop outside of Milton. To compound the situation, we have a proliferation of mis- guided advanced left turn stop- lights. Large groups of east- hound Steeles andi Ontario Street drivers have to watt for one or two - or noue - west- hound cars turning south. Ditto at Steeles and Thompson, Stecles and Esquesing Line and several other intersections. But the biggest slap in the face is at Denry and Arnmstrong Boulevard. Theres very ligbî traffic so far on Armstrong, as only a few homes are occupied. The lights go red for Derry on a timer - why? - then 85 per cent of the time theres no vebi- dles turning onto Armstrong. Yet long liues of traffic - in two lanes, including trucks and transit buses - must endure an additioual 15 seconds of Ieft advance green. Why not let the higher vol- ume traffic go instanîly, then if theres still vehicles waiting to make a left they Arill be detect- ed hy the road sensors. Give them a few seconds each of delayed green, to a maximum. 1 serviced stop light con- trollers several years ago. It worked very well then. HANK ORSEL MILTON What's being done to protect town's environment? DEAR EDITOR: I agree with M. Peters letter entitled 'Somehody needs to stand up against greedy admin- istrators. It seems that politicians are more interested in money than the environment. And, hy the way, what if anything are the conservation committees doing to protect the roads along the escarp- ment? So much land has been sold to huilders that animais and birds have no respite from the noise. Now the Region wants to inject another 401 exit right along the escarpmnent. Why isu't James Snow Parkway being conîinued down to the QEW as a truck road? H. SHAVER MILTON Champion's coverage of crash insensitive mEm EDifO' Wb& 1 "awaS M" o n &Cth Champion, I have to say that reporter Sftphange Hounseil mkssed the mark on lier report hast Tiaesday of the acci- dent on 1Mflgar Roadjuly 19. Of coute acculent was horrf- ic. However; it was insensitive and uncalled for to report it in this mari- ner. What do we gain from readmng sucli graphic details? I'm certain Miltonians are mouruing the deceased and recoguize how tragic this accident was. Think of the deceased's friends sud famuly. Do they really need to learn about the details? Perhaps as a reporter Hounsel feels it is lier job' to report accurate- ly. However, she could have done s0 nmore tastefully lm afrsid in this regard Hounsell bas jomned the throngs of reporters that sensationalize at the expense of others. This is the Champion, not the National Inquirer. 1 bsd expected more from a small-town newspaper. JOHN PANNOZZO MILTON Zbe Qaîîaban Campicn Milon scommun iy Nemopaper Since 1860 555 Industrial Dr., Milton, Ont. L9T 5E1 905-878-2341 Editorial Fax: 905-878-4943 Advertismng Fax: 905-876-2364 Classified:905-875-3300 Circulation: 905-878-5947 wvww.miltoncanadiancharnpion.com Publisher Neil Oliver Advertiaing Director Wendy Mr.Nab Managîng Editor Karen Miceli Production Manager Tim Coles Circulation Manager Charlene Hall Office Manager Tari Casas heCaadm GwOmp , pbed ev"e Tuesday and Fniday isa évio of Meirolid MoeaGrocç Lî- Gm obbtw tan oivm Aàoerisng in aepted on tIre,mrncorrthat in te enerir of a typogrirfrcai error.thrat portirr of the adnr- nnrnqn sparo occupred by the errunenon itmr, together wr8 a reasonable alloasance for signatorr wrmil ot be charged for, but thebalance of 15e adiverniseeer oril Se paid for ai the applicable rate. The poblinrer rerons the rnght to categorrze advrteneeno or dedine, CCAB Audited Recognized for excellence by Ontanio Conmunity AocSl Newspapers Association CCA Canadran Community SNeoropapers Associatrorr M116M Suburban Newspapers S I of Amerca The Canadien Champion is a proud media sponsor for: Halton Heathane 0NTAR1I Jingle Bell fond CANADA SAY UNITED WAY OF MILTON TV AUCTION MILTON SANTA CLAUS PARADE YYMCA MilNA TeOakil n l r Fd SGALA Awards M Cara: .R ,p on saR-c bepo