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If they were talking about 17 and 16- year-olds now being more likely to get the treatment of adult court, the average voter might be more receptive. The Conservatives run the risk of sounding like reactionaries rather than lawmakers who are dealing with a seri- ous problem in a serious manner. Those are the criminals to whom our government shodld be paying more attention â€" the ones who are by all mea- sures adults and should be treated that way. But 14-year-olds? That’s a far cry from the 17-year-old who is old enough to drive, have a job and so on. Yes, old enough to know right from wrong, but not really mature enough to understand the lifelong consequences of a criminal act. [ETTERS POLICY For instance, in 2006, one in 10 youth crimes in Canada occurred on school property, something you don’t get to read about because the law would typi- cally prevent us from identifying the school, because we might identify the parties involved. Still, this new law may go too far. Remember what it's like to be 14? If your birthday is in the first half of the year, you can turn 14 while you are still in grade school. It was the latter that made it even more dificult for newspapers to report on crimes committed by young people for fear we might identify the alleged perpetrator or victims. than 400 words and must include a daytime telephone number. name and addmss. The Sun-“Mbune reserves the right to publish or not publish and to edit for clarity and space. Letters to the Editor. The Sun-Tribune 6290 Main St We, on LM I67 Some people will likely says it’s about time. They never liked the Young Offend- ers Act or the Youth Criminal Justice Act that replaced it. The Sun-Tribune welcomes your letters All submissions must be law And if they committed a murder, either in the first or second degree, judg- es would have the option of sentencing them to life in prison. They would no longer be afforded a protection that has been part of Canadi- an society for nearly 30 years â€" prohibâ€" iting their names from being published by the media. That is the sentiment Prime ter Stephen Harper and his Conserva- tive colleagues are appealing to with the announcement they will introduce leg- islation that would treat those convicted of serious and violent crimes who are as young as 14, more like adults. They would no longer be eligible for house anest but, rather, would serve their time in our prisons. Is a big problem facing our country too many l4-year-olds committing seri- ous and violent crimes and getting away with it? |mosonOyrmg.com Are 14-year-olds public enemies? Sun-Wm I 'I’umday, Sept. 25, 2008 Editorial dandrrulsafvrmgrom EDITORIAL Editor lim Mason [‘mmon @yrmg. mm Re: Letter to the editor by Marilyn Agnew, Two men didn’t speak for all, council, Sept. 18. I would suggest Marilyn Agnew attend a few more council meetings before she passes judg- More people should speak up at council Our community is the envy of the entire prov- ince. On Sunday, Sept. 14, our wonderful com- munity continued the Marathon of Hope. To all involved, in every capacity, a heartfelt thank you. SANDY SCHELL KENNEDY CHA IRPERSON To our local schools, we appreciate you sharing an incredible part of Canadian history with our children. Neighbours new and old came together. Music, laughter, sweat, tears, snow cones, apples, Vachon cakes and lots _of water were all part of the day. The Stouffville Terry Fox Run was anoth- er huge success. About $85,000 was raised for cancer research. More than 100 residents volun- teered to make our event one of the best in the province. Stoufiville didn’t give up. They didn't quit. In spite of the threat of fallout from a hurricane, nothing got in the way of the wonderful residents of Stoufiville coming together Sept 14 for a common goal. They came by the hundreds to celebrate the lives of loved ones and that of a young man they had never met. Stouffville run envy of province Classified Manager Bonnie Rondeau hmndmuOyrmg. mm Anvmmsmc Retail Manager Dianne Mahoney OBAMA ? I MEAN IN STOUFFVILLE ”' c: 50. WHO DO YOU LIKE IN THE ELECTIONS? 'Si'ilw'i'i'li'ibune 6290 Main St StDUlMIIC, GM. MA 167 mwmregionmm PUBLISHER Ian Proudfoot SAW SOME SIGNS! STOUFFVILLE TERRY FOX RUN Letters to the Editor Pnonucnon Team leader Sherry Day sdayfifyrmg. mm According to the town report, stall and council will decide where the park will be located. This council needs to be watched. Musselman’s Lake has been ignored for too long. This has to change. Naturalizing the shoreline alorig the Gléhdale Beach property would alleviate the town’s concern 0ve_r_ the liability_o_f having a waterfront park. The intent (if the suggestions was nbt to natural- ize the whole lake. If truth be known, we need-more lpeople like Mark Carroll and my husband to speak up and be heard andnnbt be led alonglike sheep to a slaughter. The sound system in the council chambers. most of the time, does not pick up people speak- ing and, many times, council attendees have asked that the person addressing council speak louder or even the council themselves to speak up. ment on my husband, Bob James. He was speaking loudly and clearly so all could hear his comments regarding the park at Musselman's Lake. If she was more interested and informed, she would know this has been a very long, drawn out and frustrating subject since June 2007. D What do you think of these issues or others? t-mail letters to the editor to jmason@yrmg.com HAVE YOUR SAY, WHITCHUHBH-STOUFFVILLE A1911"! WE HAVE AN ELECTION ’?\. Burma m Cum Debora Kelly ~43». SUI) 541%?“ ADVERTISING 905-640-26] 2 Imified: 1-800-743â€"3353 Fax: 905-640-8778 EDITORIAL 905-640~2612 [331(1905-640-8778 DISTRIBUTION 905-640â€"261 2 MARY ANN JAMES M USSEI.MAN ’S LAKE Busmnss MANAGBI Dlmcmn, Anvmmsmc YORK REGION PRINTING Robert lazurko a. DISTRIBUTION ‘ GENERAL MANAGER Nicole Fletcher Bob Dean A York Region Media Group community newspaper The Sun-Tribune. published every Thursday and Saturday. is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. Metroiand is comprised of 100 community publications across Ontario. The York Region Newspaper Group includes The Uberal. sewing Richmond Hill and Thomhill, Vaughan Citizen, The Era-Banner (Newmarket/Aurora). Markham Economist Sun, Georgina Advocate, York Region Business Times, North of the City. yorlrregioncom and York Region Printing. ° But before jumping at the first club, congregation or team that offers you a spot, do your homework. Every situation is not the right fit for everyone. Make your deeision wisely. ness so many visitors and new residents lap up. I felt it for the first time more than 25 years ago, the same year this town was officially proclaimed friendliest in Ontario in a university study. We sincerely hope you get involved in this place we call home. It’s not perfect. It doesn't offer all of the facilities and opportunities of our neighbours to the south and west. And, hopefully, newspaper stories, columns and advertisements. Jim Mason is editor of The Sun Tribune. You’ve seen, and maybe met; some going door-to-door. You’ve read lawn signs, brqchures and flyers. Many groups, from concert produc- ers and hockey clubs, to service organi- zations and church congregations, have brainstormed over how to attract you. Information fairs have been held to introduce the newcomers, and even some oldtimers, to the organizations of Stouffville. Some groups have commissioned marketing studies that include a look- see at the newcomer. Most Stoufi‘ville organizations have been drooling at the thought of you moving in. They see their memberships growing with the fresh blood from all of those new homes going up on all cor- ners of the community. Stores, schools and parks have been built on former farmland for you. (You’ll pay for it all, tqp, gventually.) Are you new here or something? If you are, you’re in demand. And not just by telemarketers and contractors wanting to sell you a pres- sure-treated back yard or a finished basement for your new two-storey. To bomow an old Billy Squiré song, EverybodyWants You. And have fun (nit there If there’s an edge here, it’s the friendli- with Iim Mason New in town? Have we got an assignmen t for you 'Suhfi-Tribune Off The Top