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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, June 1, 2012 · 6 Opinion & Letters 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 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 OakvilleBeaver is a division of David Harvey Regional General Manager JILL DAVIS Editor in Chief Daniel Baird Advertising Director ANGELA BLACKBURN Managing Editor Riziero Vertolli Photography Director Sandy Pare Business Manager MARK DILLS Director of Production Manuel garcia Production Manager CHARLENE HALL Director of Distribution KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager They are planting seeds of common sense. They are educators as well as smart community representatives who believe in teaching children how to eat properly by growing vegetables and showing them how to cook. U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama has made it her cause to fight childhood obesity after listening to doctors who have seen Type 2 diabetes skyrocket in America. It is an equally-disturbing trend here in Canada. Fortunately, we have our own creative and dedicated residents who have decided to tackle head on this health crisis that Halton Region's Medical Officer of Health Dr. Bob Nosal has assured the public is on the local radar. Last Sunday morning, Oakville restaurateur Julia Hanna opened her Kids Culinary Community Garden in north Oakville (see page 7 of today's edition) with the help of youths who are participating in this unique program. Starlane Home Corporation and Longo's are among the local sponsors. It is described as an `earth-to-table' project where children plan, grow, harvest and cook from their garden. The kids meet every two weeks over the summer months to monitor the progress of their plants that include, among others, tomatoes, beans, carrots and eggplant. There is a special raised herb garden that affords youths in wheelchairs the opportunity to maintain their own garden. It is such a simple idea with tremendous rewards. Hanna's mission is to educate children on the benefits of healthy eating habits through hands-on learning. It is a concept that could and should be applied in all neighbourhoods. Last week, students from Burlington's John W. Boich Elementary School were busy planting a vegetable garden at their school. Halton Food for Thought and Whole Foods donated the money to help build the mini gardens. Staff at the school donated the plants. Learning the importance of gardening is an education that cannot be measured in As, Bs and Cs. These are lessons that last a lifetime. There is also the new Burlington Community Garden (behind Central Arena) that officially opened this month. Thanks to BurlingtonGreen and support from the province and city, there is a 30-plot garden for community use. It is hoped that this endeavor will inspire others to start gardens. It is these stories of dedicated groups and individuals that make Halton a great place to call home. If you are among the people who are showing children the importance of growing vegetables and eating them, we salute you. Learning to eat healthy is a sensible remedy to a serious problem. 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. Sowing seeds Letter to the editor Pesticide ban is good Re: Halton MP seeks amendment to pesticide ban, The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday, May 23, 2012. I read with great sadness that Halton MPP Ted Chudleigh is proposing to change the provincial pesticide ban. The ban was not entered into lightly. A great many knowledgeable, caring people worked tirelessly because they cared deeply about their children, their health and the environment in general. We cannot afford to take a step backwards. The spraying of pesticides, and it makes no difference whether it is a licenced professional or not (the end result is the same), is irresponsible. I think the majority of citizens of Ontario are proud, and should be proud, to know that we were one of the first provinces to become pesticide-free. Good for us. What a wonderful example for our children. Karen Sandford, Oakville 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@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. Dorval signal damage to be fixed I am writing in reply to the recent letter from Mr. Jomo Russell regarding the traffic signals at 1150, 1160, and 1180 Dorval Dr. The traffic signals at this location are controlled by an automated detection system in the pavement, which means the lights only usually change if they sense a waiting vehicle. The system was damaged during repaving of the driveway late last year and, as a result, the traffic signals continue to change even when no vehicles are present. Detection system repairs and the associated paving work cannot be completed during winter, however, with the warmer weather we have scheduled the repairs and work should be complete in the next few weeks. Ensuring our traffic signals are working properly and efficiently is important to keep our community moving. While we monitor our road network to ensure roads are running properly, things can happen and we appreciate receiving comments like Mr. Russell's so we can take appropriate action. To make it easier for residents and businesses to let us know their concerns, people can contact us by dialing 311. Tim Dennis, Director, Transportation Services, Halton Region By Steve Nease neasecartoons@gmail.com Resident has questions Re: Work needs explanation, The Oakville Beaver, Thursday, May 24, 2012. Guess what David? We have the same scenario many times in my ward. Last year at Donovan Bailey Park, concrete pads were poured for bench seats, which were duly delivered to site in cardboard boxes. This was last year. Seats have now disappeared, pads were cut up and removed and interlocking brick laid down. The Police Marine unit has three boats in winter storage and a summer dock at a private marina. The Town has two marinas and could easily accommodate said boats. There are many more observations, but my councillors no longer respond to my e-mail communications. Colin Davey, Oakville Pud