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6- The Oakville Beaver, Friday January 2, 2009 www.oakvillebeaver.com OPINION & LETTERS The Oakville Beaver 467 Speers Rd., Oakville Ont. L6K 3S4 (905) 845-3824 Fax: 337-5567 Classified Advertising: 845-3824, ext. 224 Circulation: 845-9742 Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: NEIL OLIVER Vice ­ President and Group Publisher of Metroland West The Oakville Beaver is a division of Media Group Ltd. DAVID HARVEY General Manager JILL DAVIS Editor in Chief ROD JERRED Managing Editor DANIEL BAIRD Advertising Director RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director SANDY PARE Business Manager MARK DILLS Director of Production MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager CHARLENE HALL Director of Distribution ALEXANDRIA ANCHOR Circ. Manager Why risk it? Being festive doesn't mean you have to be foolish as well. That's the message we would like to leave Oakvillians with as they usher in 2009 -- which will certainly include plenty of celebrating over the weekend. Hey, no problem -- just as long as you don't throw common sense out the window. While some of you are no doubt tired of hearing this message, it warrants repeating that the best way to avoid post-holiday regret -- or worse, tragedy -- is to plan ahead. Think of the cost, both personally and financially, before you drink and drive. You could end up being responsible for the death of a complete stranger or, worse, a friend or a loved one. Even if you aren't involved in an accident, but get caught by one of the many RIDE patrols in action during the holiday season, the financial costs -- legal bills, fines, loss of a licence and subsequent skyrocketing insurance premiums -- are enormous. When you think about all the alternatives available, it's mindboggling to know that some people still choose the one option that puts themselves and others in harm's way. And make no mistake about it, driving while impaired is a conscious choice. So is electing to use the safe route, which can include walking, taking a taxi, calling for a ride, sleeping over at a friend's house or having a designated driver -- who's always the life of the party as far as we're concerned. Driving to a bar or friend's house and `saying' you'll just have one or two drinks is a recipe for disaster. And the inevitable, "I didn't mean to" excuse is exactly that, an excuse -- one that rings woefully hollow. So whatever you plan to do, just keep other people's well-being -- and your own, for that matter -- in mind. Please, don't drink and drive. The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, ON, L6K 3S4, or via e-mail to editor@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR After an evening of dinner and drinks with friends, my wife and I decided it wise to leave our car in the parking area on Water Street (behind the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts) and take a cab to our home in north Oakville ($25 cab ride). The next morning, we came back to pick up our car (around 9 a.m.) only to see a fine for $25 on our windshield (placed there at 3 Overnight parking ticket discourages people from doing the right thing a.m. in the morning). I realize there is likely a goal of keeping local residents from parking in these spaces overnight, but what a horrible way to treat responsible drivers and loyal customers of downtown Oakville eating establishments. Idea: Why doesn't the municipality allow for restaurant overnight parking passes (given out by the restaurants for customers who spend an established amount after 6 p.m.) that permits overnight parking until 9 a.m. the next morning? The cabbies do better, the restaurants support their clientele (who may even have a full bottle of wine), and the downtown area may even get a repeat visit the next morning when people pick up their cars. I can't believe that the police, the Town, and the Chamber of Commerce are basically discouraging people from taking cabs when they've had a drink, or discouraging them from downtown as a place to go for a night out. I thought the whole ordeal was pretty ridiculous. It was basically a $50 surcharge for the pleasure of dining in downtown Oakville. Might as well go to Toronto next time. TOM GUNTER Christmas Day was special Christmas Day is a very special time for many people. It is a time for family, friends, food, and most of all joy. However, sometimes people are lonely, which makes this season a very difficult one. There is a group called the Children of Christmas Past, which gives new, wrapped presents away to help brighten a senior's Christmas Day. There were volunteers who went to many different seniors' centres, retirement communities and nursing homes to deliver these gifts. My deliveries happened in the Brant Centre in Burlington and we had 75 deliveries to make. My mom, brother, grandparents and friends helped to pick up, organize and deliver these gifts. It was the first year we were involved with this group, but it really helped bring the spirit of Christmas back to our family. Being able to bring joy and some happiness to these seniors is an experience that is very difficult to explain. Pud BY STEVE NEASE snease@haltonsearch.com See Meaning page 7 The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981.Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline.