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w w w . o a kv ill eb ea ve r.c o m O A KV IL LE B EA V ER Fr id ay , N ov em be r 5 , 2 01 0 6 w w w . o a kv ill eb ea ve r.c o m O A KV IL LE B EA V ER Fr id ay , O ct ob er 2 9, 2 01 0 6 467 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 The Oakville Beaver Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. OPINION & LETTERS 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@oakville- beaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. It may be hard to believe, but it was only a year ago that Halton Region was in the grip of panic when the H1N1 virus was circulating around the globe. Residents here at home, across Canada and around the world were fed daily images and stories of the official H1N1 influenza pandemic as declared by the World Health Organization. Some individuals and families inundated local flu shot clinics and emergency rooms, while others sim- ply shrugged and went about their business, worry- ing little about the chance of infection. In fact, only 40 per cent of Canadians had a sea- sonal and H1N1 influenza vaccination last year, while only 32 per cent of Ontarians rolled up their sleeves. But the fact remains that influenza vaccines are the best method of protection against being infected with the virus. Halton health officials are launching annual flu shot clinics across the region this week and encourage all residents who are eligible to visit one of the clinics, or their family doctor, and protect themselves. Influenza can be a killer for the young and the eld- erly, those with compromised immune systems or those with chronic medical conditions. If we protect ourselves with a vaccine, we also minimize the opportunity for it to spread in the community through classrooms, workplaces, shopping malls or hockey arenas. Shots are administered quickly and relatively painlessly and provide protection throughout the flu season. Think about the most vulnerable in your commu- nity and the impact it could have if you carry and spread the virus. A significant influenza illness devel- ops for most who contract the virus, but it can lead to death for others. Check with your healthcare provider, or take note of community-based clinics being offered by the Halton Region Health Department. Make sure your children get a shot and roll up your sleeve for inocu- lation. In the simplest terms, getting the flu shot can prevent serious illness and death. Don't think of it as an inconvenience, or a waste of your time. Influenza is an opportunistic virus that is easily spread through close contact; without a vaccination, you, and most of the people with whom you come into close contact, may become sick. Tis the season, as they tend to say at this time of year. Roll up your sleeve, take your shot and stay healthy. The Oakville Beaver is a division of NEIL OLIVER Vice President and Group Publisher of Metroland West 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 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 condi- tion 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 editorProtect yourself THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: ATHENAAward THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIALMEDIASPONSOR FOR: Recognized for Excellence by Canadian CirculationAudit Board Member Canadian CommunityNewspapers AssociationOntario CommunityNewspapers Association Suburban Newspapers of America I have now witnessed the unadulterated idiocy of the current attitude of those working in the Bronte municipal election office. I would like to ask what happened to their common sense. I went to vote I live just around the cor- ner from the office. I took my social security card, all my credit cards. I dont drive so I dont have a licence. My OHIP card is old so it does- nt have a photo. I have lived in Oakville since 1958. The young man kept saying, You must fill out this form. I can do it for you, if you like. I went ballistic, sorry to say, as the whole busi- ness insulted my intelligence. I walked out without voting. The officiousness of this attitude is not only irritating, but stupid. No one in the office uttered a word. They all stood there, motion- less, reminding me somewhat of George Orwells book 1984, people are not allowed to think for themselves. They have to do what Big Brother tells them, even if it is asinine. I was reared in a different world, thank God. BETTY A. HANSFORD, OAKVILLE Senior left without voting when asked for photo ID Pud BY STEVE NEASE neasecartoons@gmail.com Hydro donation warrants inquiry During my 18 years serving the people of Oakville as mayor and on the Oakville Hydro Commission and then Oakville Hydro Board, political donations were never sanctioned. Further, staff were in no way empowered to make such donations on their own initiative. I believe any donations to politi- cal parties federally, provincially or municipally to be imprudent and in conflict with the interests of the peo- ple of Oakville. The person or per- sons responsible for authorizing partisan political contributions have not discharged their responsibilities in an ethical or appropriate manner. I believe a third party should be appointed to review this matter immediately. I share the concern and outrage of the people of Oakville: answers are needed and as quickly as possible. The people of Oakville have every right to know whether the Board appointed to protect their interests and/or the municipal council they elected authorized this donation and the justification offered for these actions. It is abhorrent that those in a public position of trust should direct town funds to further their own par- tisan interest. Ann Mulvale, Oakville Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton (BBBSH) for the last 11 years has run a very successful gift wrap fundraising campaign at Oakville Place Mall. As the mall has decided to move into a new direction, BBBSH was not invited to host our gift wrap booth this year. We wish to thank Oakville Place, all of our loyal customers and especially all of the hundreds of volunteers who have given their time. Collectively, you have helped us raise close to $100,000 for the BBBSH mentoring programs that serve over 700 children each year. Wrap for Kids Sake closed See Online page 7