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8- The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday February 17, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Council vote on pesticide ban defies democracy I am glad that the council has shown its true colors in not respecting the last official referendum on the banning of pesticides. This referendum, held in the 2003 municipal election, was defeated by a four per cent margin with 52 per cent voting no, 48 per cent yes. Since the banning of all herbicides and pesticides was presented as a high profile issue during that election, the outcome of the referendum indicated that the issue was dead, until such time that the issue would be raised again and another referendum scheduled. This has been the democratic way the voting public has seen for referendums since I can remember. California has been successfully governed by referendums. While many people mock the continual battles in Quebec with the SovereigntyAssociation, it is clear that the Québec Government respected the outcome of the referendums held. Can you imagine the Party Québecois announcing now a vote to separate? This is essentially what this council has done with the citizens of Oakville. And yes, we had an election, but banning pesticides never came up on the radar as the major issue that council would bring to a vote without a future referendum. I am incensed that we are not being given the chance to vote again in a referendum. I do not think that it is right that councillors have the authority to vote on my behalf on this issue. So why did we have a referendum, when it obviously meant nothing in the first place? It is clear that the council has based its decision on a $3,000 public opinion poll probably done in a high-rise condo unit. It is unfortunate that I have been recently diagnosed with MGIDDP, which by the way is not a pesticide. ("Malignant Growing Intolerance to Democracy Defying Politicians.") ROBERT WATT Gardens Off Drugs co-founder thankful for pesticide ban On May 16, 2000 I was accidentally poisoned by 2,4-D. This life-changing moment prompted me to write many Letters to the Editor of the Oakville Beaver, most of which you published. Later that same year, as a result of some of these letters, I had the opportunity to get together with two other Oakville residents who had the same concerns about the dangers of cosmetic pesticides. Our first meetings took place on a bench at Bronte Village Mall. Here we discussed what our plan of action might be. Later those meetings were moved to the kitchen table. This was the beginning of Gardens Off Drugs. Almost immediately more interested people joined us. After three years of working hard with Gardens Off Drugs and spending many an evening on the hard benches in the Oakville Council Chambers, I had to leave Oakville for health reasons. My wonderful friends at Gardens Off Drugs continued on with determination, passion and creativity, with just one goal in mind. Now after six years I am thrilled that my grandchildren and all the other children in Oakville will, starting in 2008, no longer be exposed to the dangers of these toxic chemicals. My heartfelt thanks to all the people who contributed so much energy towards achieving this goal. Thank you Oakville Beaver for giving me a voice in the beginning. Thank you most of all Gardens Off Drugs! KAREN SANDFORD Good neighbours make a good community In these times when people seem to only communicate by e-mail and are too busy to get involved, I want to share with you the events of our storm on Wednesday. We live on Shanley Terrace and the population is half young families and half retirees. It's a cul-de-sac and the neighbours participate in annual events such as the golf tournament, July 1 celebrations, and Christmas open houses, but this morning our younger neighbours really showed their community spirit and generosity. At around 9 a.m., the neighbours who own snowblowers went from one house to the next clearing driveways and pathways. We were very grateful for that! The plow came through this afternoon leaving its usual mass of snow in the driveway and the neighbours came out again and cleared it away. I think that such good deeds should be acknowledged so: Thank you Wendy, Joanne, Jeff, and Jim for being such great people and caring about your neighbours! G. COCHRANE LIVING ROOM EXTRAVAGANZA Complete your Room And SAVE an Additional 10% on Any Complimentary Living Room piece! Red Savings on our entire Living Room collection... Even special orders ! extra 10 % genuine African slate ! Amalfi Coffee Table NOW $ 549 Shame on government At first the story about Brittany Owen-Turner, Oakville Beaver, Wed. Feb. 7 being refused her driving test because the examination centre wasn't sure "she was who she said she was", seemed like a silly joke. I was anticipating, as I read it, that the story was going to have a happy ending, but alas, common sense has been lost in the system yet again. The fact that the "Guarantor" could not be her mother because she was not a "dentist or lawyer" was downright offensive. To say that being a mother is not as important or as impressive as any other "career" is unacceptable. Shame on you Government of Canada. PERI TAYLOR STYLISH &NEW Marily Base Hutch Wall Unit $ 699 $ 599 Oliviero Leather Sofa NOW Vi s i t u s a t w w w. m o b i l i a . c a $1 699 Alonza Swivel Chair Romeo Chair NOW $ 899 NOW $ 499 open every week day until 9pm ! open every week day until 9pm! 905.332.5323 (Brant St. Exit, next to Costco) BURLINGTON 1510 North Service Road LEADING WITH STYLE WOODBRIDGE MISSISSAUGA 905.264.1444 905.625.9106 7979 Weston Road (North of Hwy 7) 1425 Dundas St. East (Corner of Dixie & Dundas) MARKHAM 71 Cochrane Drive 905.305.0355 (Woodbine & Hwy 7) MOBILIA & THOMASVILLE *Details in store. Not subject to prior sales. Prices valid for a limited time only. Picture may not represent item exactly as shown. February 2007