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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 editorAsk questionsWe must protectFor some, the lead-up to a provincial election set forshark populationOct. 6 is better than the weeks before Christmas.As a child, Christmas came with the Santas watching I recently read an article in theyou threat to ensure obedience.Oakville Beaver about the TownAs a voter at election time, there are no threats, onlyCouncils unanimous vote to draft apromises to ensure support.bylaw banning the possession, saleLet the season of giving begin.and distribution of shark productsActually, it has already started.in Oakville. Premier Dalton McGuinty and the Liberals celebratedI was smiling when I read it as Itwo years of public employee wage freezes (unless you workthought of Oakville rallying to savefor eHealth) by opening the vault.that old oak tree on Bronte Road, orCheck out the 13.5-per-cent wage increase over fourfighting and petitioning against ayears the OPP got. This came on the heels of a three-per-gas-fired power plant being built incent hike for OPSEU members.Oakville, or the articles published inBoth are obvious attempts to buy support for thetheBeaver about how to live peace-October election.fully with coyotes around. I love toThe Liberals also pushed through a plan to loosen liquorlive in Oakville because we are for-laws, citing overwhelming public support.ward-thinking and with our littleThis plan was announced by Attorney General Chrisvoice, we stand up to big problems.Bentley, who should be more concerned about the state of Now I read the article defendingour crumbling courthouses.the health stores that sell sharkWhile the Opposition points to this as a lame attempt tocartilage products. Even if the sharkdivert attention from the Liberals shortcoming over thecartilage and shark liver oil is takenpast term, opponents also believe votes can be bought withfrom dead sharks fished for anotherinane vows.purpose, sharks are endangered andThe Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerationsLetters toand grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. It wasnt long ago Progressive Conservative Leader Timthis needs to stop.Letters should be addressed toThe Editor, Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, ON, L6K 3S4, or via Hudak mused about the days when he could buy a beer inShould they be banned frome-mail to editor@oakvillebeaver.com. TheBeaverreserves the right to refuse to publish a letter.the editorOntario for $1 a bottle.selling a product that neighbouringNeither party gives voters much credit when electioncommunities still sell? Will theyThanks from Slave Lakefodder is the price of beer and expanding where you canlose money? Is it fair? Yes.I am one of hundreds of residents dis-drink alcohol.We all know sharks (a top preda-placed as a result of the Slave Lake, Alberta To think these are among Ontarios most pressing issuestor in the ocean) are facing extinc-wildfire on May 15.is laughable.tion. With over one-third of openThe generosity of spirit of Canadians, There are issues that extend beyond the party-crowdocean sharks threatened withwhether through kind words of encourage-vote, though.mextinction, including favourites weent or donations, has been overwhelming The PCs are also promising an extra $6.1 billion inand so appreciated. I would like to com-love to hate, we cannot afford to sitHayley Berseth, left, and her sister Courtney,health care funding.mend the Quilters Guilds from across the back and ignore this problem. made some of the more than 150 quilts thecountry that took on the task of making Is there a better way to attract votes? Everybody wantsI've heard people question whatOakville Quilters Guild sent to Slave Lake. and donating homemade quilts to all of us better health care.one person can do, but you write anwho lost our homes. I was blessed to receive the quilts my grandmother made me soAnd the NDP came out early pledging to eliminate thearticle, and then people stand up asone from Deb Andersen of the Oakville many years ago but this new one will be soHST from electricity and home heating bills.well. Then the municipality standsQuilters Guild. While I have never met this treasured. Thank you to all Canadian quil-Even Mr. Hudak agrees with that, adding the pledge totogether and drafts a bylaw. Soonfine lady, I can certainly see the love and ters from a Slave Lake friend.his partys platform.neighbouring communities followcare she took in making my quilt. I lost all Donna Melvin, Slave Lake, AlbertaBut those kinds of investment wont come without asuit. Eventually the Province can-cost and, so far, specifics are lacking. Theres only one waynot ignore the cries of the peopleto find out vote them in.Pud BY STEVE NEASEneasecartoons@gmail.comand acts. That is how change hap-Unfortunately, plans are often altered or cancelled out-pens. It doesn't always happen fromright under a mandate and theres nothing voters can dothe top down. Let's be forward-until the next round of vote bidding begins.thinking and get the ball rolling inSo its important to look past the seasonal wish lists andthe right direction. We, our littletell candidates what you want now.town of Oakville, needs to fightIts never too early to start asking.global extinction of sharks any wayThe Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite we can, even if it means that we206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the may have to look elsewhere for aevent 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 remedy for our creaky joints.be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline.Nicola Morris, Oakvillewww.insideHALTON.com OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, July 15, 2011 6