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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, March 3, 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 Keep the spirit Well, wasn't that a party! With the Vancouver Olympics now nothing but a memory, we're sure the Monday morning quarterbacks will be pontificating on how these were either (a) the best winter Games ever; (b) the worst ever or (c) neither a nor b. What can't be disputed is that, after a very sombre and shaky start, the B.C. Games were a rousing success when it came to getting Canadians coast-to-coast to shake the dust off their pom-poms and cheer everything mapleflavoured. Perhaps not since the first Canada-Soviet Union hockey summit in 1972, has this country's citizenry united in such a wave of unabashed patriotism. Even the most cynical cynic can't dispute the fact these Games captured most of the nation's attention for the past month and that cheering on our athletes was a matter of national pride. And boy, did our athletes give us reason to cheer! To hell with Own the Podium, they owned our admiration during the February fortnight. From the enthusiasm of Jon Montgomery, our gold medal winner in skeleton, to the never-say-die attitude of speed skating bronze medallist Clara Hughes, to the grace under pressure displayed by bronze-medal winning figure skater Joannie Rochette, Canadian athletes had us glued to the television in numbers unsurpassed in Canadian TV viewing right up to the last competition for gold in men's hockey. More importantly, they inspired us to pump out our chests and display our patriotism in a decidedly un-Canadian way. Frankly, it was refreshing to see so many Canadians adopt a more American-style attitude. We have plenty to be proud of in this nation, but often we don't like to self-promote. We may be a nation that says please and thank you, but we also seldom adopt a national mindset -- that is, a pulling together of the entire country for a common purpose. These Olympics allowed us that opportunity and Canadians seized the chance with both hands. We can only hope that spirit of co-operation and sense of common purpose can be maintained now that Parliament has resumed. 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 Where was Flynn's voice? In the Oakville Beaver, Friday Feb. 26, the editorial regarding the rally against the proposed Oakville power plant states: As Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn rightly points out, your voice is needed. Flynn was elected to be our voice at Queen's Park yet, when we needed him before the power plant decision was made, he had no voice. He was mute. He said nothing. He would not get involved; in fact, he refused to get involved with the issue. What kind of representation is that? How dare he say our voice is needed now. The voice of Oakville residents should be heard loudly in October 2011. We must say clearly that better representation is needed for the people of Oakville. MARGARET TUPPER, OAKVILLE Flynn should stay 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 email to editor@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. Single-patient rooms needed Seems to me that we would be fortunate to pay only a few hundred extra dollars in taxes -- but, yes, it would be much fairer if the rest of Halton also contributed. Single-patient rooms totalling 80 per cent does seem extravagant, until you think about the health scares of the past few years, the effect on bodily functions caused by surgery and disease, people taking longer to heal because their sleep is constantly interrupted, and the fact that visitors bring with them fresh germs, as well as the loss of privacy and dignity. Presumably, the rooms will be the area each patient has now, not huge private rooms and not at a premium cost. Personal toilets are a necessity. To be frank, specimens have to be confirmed, counted and measured, and are left in visible and close proximity until a nurse can perform the task. Patients take longer on the toilet. Having to unhook an IV and wheel it down the hall with you to find another toilet because yours is occupied just doesn't seem fair. I have just been discharged from St. Joseph's Hospital in Hamilton following surgery. That experience, compared with several stays in the present OTMH, makes me realize how lucky we are. I certainly am willing to pay extra taxes for a new, enlarged, modern facility. Hopefully, it will manage to maintain the current supportive atmosphere, giving confidence to patients, and their families, that they are being looked after properly. Luxuries may not be necessary, but how I hope that the walls will be painted in cheerful colours. SANDRA DONCASTER, OAKVILLE As I read Tim McCurry's letter (Byelection might kill power plant, Oakville Beaver, Feb. 12) suggesting that Oakville MPP Flynn should resign and cause a byelection in the hopes that Premier Dalton McGuinty would shutter the plant, two thoughts quickly came to mind. First, such a dream would be based on our Ontario government following some sanity (albeit, political sanity). Unfortunately, everything to do with the government's practices related to the gas power plant has been illogical. Flynn already moved out of the powerful Environment portfolio so he would not place himself in an ineffective conflict of interest. I see no reason for Flynn to further sacrifice his service in this environment. Second, an old saying comes to mind: "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer." Following this sage advice, it would be better to have Mr. Flynn remain in the camp and influence what he can. JOE EVERS, OAKVILLE