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OPINION & LETTERSTHE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR:The Oakville BeaverTHE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR:Canadian Circulation467 Speers Rd.,Audit Board Member Oakville Ont. L6K 3S4 Recognized for Excellence by(905) 845-3824 Fax: 337-5571ClassiOntario CommunityCanadian Communityfied Advertising: 632-4440 Newspapers AssociationNewspapers AssociationCirculation: 845-9742 Open 9-5 weekdays,ATHENASuburban NewspapersAward5-7 for calls only Wed. to Friday, Closed weekendsof AmericaEditorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. NEIL OLIVERVice President and Group ROD JERREDManaging EditorMARK DILLSDirector of ProductionUnauthorized use is prohibited.Publisher of Metroland WestDANIEL BAIRDAdvertising DirectorMANUEL GARCIAProduction ManagerThe Oakville Beaver is a division ofDAVID HARVEYRegional General ManagerRIZIERO VERTOLLIPhotography DirectorCHARLENE HALLDirector of DistributionJILL DAVISEditor in ChiefSANDY PAREBusiness ManagerSARAH MCSWEENEYCirc. ManagerLetter to the editorTime to help outLegally right If the world were perfect, there would be no need for food banks.morally wrong?Unfortunately, the world isn't perfect and food Controversy about Oakville banks are essential to many of those struggling Councils cancellation of meetings so to make ends meet. Without them, many people, some councillors have more time to would not be able to put food on the table for participate in Liberal candidate Max themselves and their families.Khans election effort is curious, but Oakville is blessed with numerous food relief highlights a much more important programs including three major food banks run question. Should a mayor or councillor of by the Salvation Army, Kerr Street Ministries any municipality actively engage in and Fareshare food bank.party politics? Historically, Canadians Fareshare food bank is currently in the first have enjoyed the highest degree of week of its two-week Easter Food Drive, which is representative government at a munic-running until the end of the month.ipal level (counter to party politics). It needs your help.With a block of elected Town offi-Traditionally a lesser drive than its cials openly and aggressively support-Thanksgiving relative, its this drive that will ing a specific party and its candidate, stock shelves through the long summer and are they importing an American style until the Thanksgiving drive rolls around again. of local politics? Is that what we want? Donations of non-perishable foods (every-Municipal government is up-close and thing from cereal, canned goods, chunky stew, personal. Only at this level can we say the person I voted for is my neighbour soups, rice and more) can be dropped off in and shares a common bond of com-Fareshare bins at all local grocery stores, at all munity interest.Oakville fire stations or from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. When a person is a candidate they Monday to Saturday, at Fareshare at 1240 Speers represent themselves and the people Rd., Unit 6.who share their ideas. Once elected they Cash donations help fill shortfalls in food items The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, represent us all. Is there not an implied and also provide perishable items and supermar-Letterslength, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must containduty of integrity by every municipal ket vouchers for milk or turkeys at Thanksgiving, the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed toelected official, if directed by a moral to the Christmas, and Easter the latter for the first The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, ON, L6K 3S4, or via e-mail to compass, to forgo some personal desires editor@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaverreserves the right to refuse to publish a letter.time this year.editorout of respect for their station in life and In a community as well-to-do as Oakville, a food the office they represent?bank should be an anomaly, but demand for the It has already been stated that food bank's services is steady, maybe even grow-Canada needs MMP systemmany great leaders of our country or ing.Canadas House of Commons should century Canadian democratic values, the province have been born from munici-In 2009 Fareshare had 377 visits a month, reflect our pluralistic political makeup. The federally-appointed Law Commission of pal office and I expect many of us agree which fell to 357 in 2010. It had plateaued earlier First-Past-the-Post, single-member con-Canada recommended the adoption of a with any councillor who chooses to this year, but in March jumped to 382 visits.stituency electoral system, virtually Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) system serve us in a new, broader role. Fareshare is totally non-profit. It is run solely unchanged for 200 years, falls far short of for federal elections. Surprisingly, the Law The mayor defends the actions of on the donations of the community and the efforts this objective. Commission of Canada was shut down in himself and the councillors by refer-of volunteers. They need your help.The distribution of seats in Parliament 2007, by having its funding eliminated; their ring to past elected officials who This Easter season, please find time to help does not reflect the political views of a major-report continues to gather dust on a shelf.actively participated in party politics. I stock the food bank's shelves with your dona-ity of Canadians. The current system also Many may think that only high-priority totally agree with him and use his tions.encourages tactical voting techniques, like issues, such as the economy, should be philosophical principle of two wrongs You'll be helping out your neighbours.'compromising,' which contravenes the debated in this election. make a right to teach my kids how to For more information or to donate, visit principles of democracy.Yet, just like in a family, a country cannot live their life.Fareshare at 1240 Speers Rd., Unit 6 or call 905-It appears the Liberals and the prosper without a house in order. It is up to Life likes to test us by having us 847-3988.Conservatives are guaranteed to alternate in the voters, to recognize this state of affairs decide between self interest and the The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located forming the government, while the separat-and to demand change. interests of our family, our friends, our at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. Advertising ist Bloc Qucois will continue to be over-Canada should not be the last in the co-workers or our community. What is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion represented.world to finally achieve parliamentary grade should we give our Town offi-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 In 2004, after concluding that the current reform.cials on their recent test?will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize electoral system no longer responds to 21st Nicholas Varias, OakvilleJohn Breakey, Oakvilleadvertisements or decline.www.insideHALTON.com OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, April 20, 2011 6