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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 theOakville Beaver is protected by copyright. NEIL OLIVERVice President and Group ROD JERREDManaging EditorMARK DILLSDirector of Production Unauthorized 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 editorConcrete problemsWildlifeOntarios aging and decrepit infrastructure roads, sewers, parks and water treatment facilities, to cite just a managementfew examples might be the single most important issue facing towns and cities across the province, and by exten-sion, their residents.policies lackingAnd yet, historically, its been difficult to keep the spot-light of public attention on the story. But make no mis-In regards to the accident on the take. The infrastructure crisis is irrefutable, and reaching Bronte Creek Bridge of the QEW on the crisis stage.Tuesday, June 7, I understand that it The Metroland special report, Concrete Problems, pub-was caused by wildlife namely lished this week (if you missed it, see it at www.oakvillebea-Canada Geese, trying to cross the ver.com) was an attempt to shine prolonged sunlight on highway. the subject, which should by all rights be a critical election Everyone is extremely lucky issue, certainly more important than chain gangs and there was no loss of life. green-energy boondoggles.However, this accident possibly The report paints a disturbing and critical picture of was preventable and could have been where we are, and what needs to happen to get on top of avoided if the Town of Oakville had the problem. But does the political and ethical will exist to proper measures in place.deal with the crisis?Oakvilles wildlife management Like all complex problems, this one has no simple solu-policies and its wildlife/human con-tion. But a few things are clear. Towns and cities have the flict measures are woefully lacking. responsibility to deliver and maintain services and infra-There are things that can be done structure. But they dont have the tax base or other to discourage and prevent this kind resources to fulfil that responsibility. The provincial and of occurrence. federal governments need to get more involved in a pro-Our Town Council seems to be longed and systemic way, as opposed to episodically, which unwilling to consult and listen to has been the case to date. The Province is close to unveil-The Oakville Beaverwelcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerationsing a 10-year infrastructure plan.advice from organizations and indi-Letters toand grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Details havent been announced, but reports are it will viduals with experience in dealing Letters should be addressed to The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, ON, L6K 3S4, or via the editore-mail to editor@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaverreserves the right to refuse to publish a letter.be pretty much the same in terms of infrastructure invest-with these matters. ment as what is in place now.It will take more than passing a Hello? Thats called the status quo, and its not work-bylaw to prohibit the feeding of wild-Troops deserve our thanksing. Ottawa is aware of the challenges, and is considering life and then never enforcing it.extending some infrastructure programming. But Ottawa As the combat mission in Afghanistan tran-Words are not enough to convey how grate-It will take more than oiling the has a national deficit problem. Keep in mind a good part sitions into other military activities, The Royal ful we are for their commitment and dedica-eggs in a goose nest or transferring of the reason we are in this situation is because previous Canadian Legion would like to extend a heart-tion. a few hundred geese to another loca-federal governments, specifically during the period we felt thanks to those service men and women, As a national endeavour, I am encouraging tion annually. were all applauding Paul Martin for eliminating the and their families, who have served with dis-local branches to hold appreciation events for Nothing is being done in regards national deficit, downloaded responsibilities to the tinction and sacrificed on behalf of Canadians veterans of the Afghanistan mission this com-to the burgeoning coyote popula-Province, which simply dumped them on towns and cities, during these past several years. ing August, in order to remember those who tions. Nothing is being done in which are less able to pay for the downloaded services.Their contribution to the well-being and have fallen, thank those who have returned and regards to the ever-increasing mute In short, the feds got their house in order by increasing care of another countrys populace is a tremen-to celebrate how proud you and your families swan (a non-native invasive species) the disorder in provincial houses, which pushed the mess dous reflection of Canadas efforts toward main-have made us to be Canadian.population that is destroying our to towns and cities.taining global peace and we are proud of the Patricia Varga, Dominion Presidentwetlands, as well as endangering Come to think of it, perhaps this problem is not that way you have represented us.The Royal Canadian Legionindigenous waterfowl and fish spe-complex after all. Its about quality of life, public safety, cies. These are but a few examples. collective responsibility and public stewardship.Does Oakville have a comprehen-Public/private partnerships are part of the answer. Pud BY STEVE NEASEneasecartoons@gmail.comsive plan to eliminate or at least Places like Halton need to stay true to what matters most, drastically reduce the chances of and senior governments need to step up to the plate when wildlife/human conflicts? I think it comes to decisions like building new prisons and buying new military aircraft while in Ontario, and Canada for that not.matter, the house we live in is crumbling.The Town is very lucky that a lawsuit does not evolve from this accident because of its ignorance 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 and seemingly uncaring attitude in on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space regards to wildlife/human conflicts.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. J.R. (Jim) Etherington, OakvilleThe publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline.www.insideHALTON.com OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, June 24, 2011 6