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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, February 5, 2010 · 6 OPINION & LETTERS The Oakville Beaver 467 Speers Rd., Oakville Ont. L6K 3S4 (905) 845-3824 Fax: 337-5571 Classified Advertising: 632-4440 Circulation: 845-9742 --Open 9-5 weekdays, 5-7 for calls only Wed. to Friday, Closed weekends 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: Canadian Circulation Audit Board Member THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Suburban Newspapers of America Canadian Community Newspapers Association ATHENA Award NEIL OLIVER Vice ­ President and Group Publisher of Metroland West The Oakville Beaver is a division of Media Group Ltd. DAVID HARVEY Regional 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 SARAH MCSWEENEY Circ. Manager Shared history African Canadian inventor Elijah McCoy was issued more than 57 patents for inventions during his lifetime. His best known invention was a container that fed lubricating oil to bearings through a small bore tube. Engineers who wanted genuine McCoy lubricators used the expression "the real McCoy." McCoy's story is fascinating, yet it's just one example of how black Canadians have made significant contributions to our nation in the sciences, arts and culture. Every February, Canadians are invited to participate in Black History Month festivities and events that recognize the contributions of black Canadians, past and present. A shared history. Throughout this month of cultural celebration, Canadians can gain insight into the experiences of black Canadians and the vital role this community has played throughout our shared history. We encourage you to learn about McCoy and the many other black Canadians who helped shape and forge the country we know today. Some of them include: · Mary Ann Shadd, the first woman publisher in North America, who established the Provincial Freeman, an abolitionist newspaper. · Anderson Ruffin Abbott, the first Canadian-born man of black heritage to become a licenced physician, in 1861. He was born to a prominent family in Toronto. · Nova Scotian William Hall, who in 1859, became the first black Canadian and first Canadian sailor to receive the Victoria Cross for bravery in battle. (Hall's likeness is featured on a stamp released this month by Canada Post Corporation to commemorate Black History Month.) This month is also a time to remember the leading role Canada played in abolishing slavery -- including the vital role played by the Underground Railroad in freeing thousands who fled lives of slavery in the U.S. in the early to mid1800s. Many ex-slaves landed and settled in Oakville. Locally, the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton (CCAH) held a kickoff celebration last night to Black History Month at Oakville's Town Hall. The free event included guest speaker James Valitcha (a 15-year-old anti-bullying advocate), artists, pianist/gospel singer John Campbell, African drummers and a steel pan band. The evening also launched the art exhibit, Beyond the Rhythm, which continues in the town hall's north atrium until Feb. 15. The occasion was also used to help collect cash for relief efforts in Haiti. For more on the CCAH's celebration of Black History Month, visit www.ccah.ca. For an extensive collection of links to the history of Canada's black community -- from Mathieu Da Costa's visit to this land in the 1600s, right up to the establishment of February as Black History Month in Ontario in 1993 -- visit www.blackhistorycanada.ca. 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. Letter to the editor Reconsider hunting ban Re: Region backs off hunting ban, Oakville Beaver, Jan. 22. Whilst I can appreciate the differing points of view on this subject, I believe that Halton should review and reconsider its decision to continue to allow hunting in managed forests, adjoining private homes. I am a resident of Nassagaweya, and my almost 10 acres adjoin and back onto a Halton Agreement forest. This forest is used by dog walkers and purveyors of the countryside, whatever the weather or season on a daily basis. I have retrieved many a straying pup in my gardens, reuniting them with their owners, many of whom were not from this area. Many of the walkers are city or town dwellers. How can the authorities even begin to believe that hunting, 1) whether by bow or gun is an acceptable practice in an environment so frequently populated by leisure seeking adults and children, who are probably unaware of hunting activities and 2) in a forested area enveloped by family homes. Sure, I could tell stories about hunters on my property, during the hours after sunset, whilst I was walking in my gardens and I can even tell a story or two about firearms, which were discharged by hunters within 150 meters of my home, and even a story about the empty beer cans and spent cartridges at the foot of a large beech tree, also well within my property line that is well marked with the appropriate signs. And, yes, I did report those findings. Prior to my family moving here, this home was occupied by a delightful couple, who, for many years, were well known as "grandparents" to underprivileged children. In the large beech tree, referred to earlier, a beautiful tree house had been built for the kids. At night, the hunters used it as a hide. I find that absolutely unacceptable. S.M. BAKER, NASSAGAWEYA Letters to the editor 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. Pro-Life ad applauded by reader I was delighted to see Halton Pro-Life's full page ad in The Oakville Beaver, Jan. 29 issue. The picture showed a woman "with child," with a fully formed baby in her womb. Unfortunately, that child has no rights under Canadian law. There is much talk about "equal rights," but what about the right of the child in the womb to be born? That child has no voice and cannot say whether he or she wants to be born or aborted. Because the law says it is okay to abort a baby does not make it right or just. CLARE DASHNEY, OAKVILLE More letters to the editor can be found at oakvillebeaver.com Pud BY STEVE NEASE neasecartoons@gmail.com