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6 - Th. Canadian Champion, Tuesday, Navember 7119n99 * COMMENT -AMis1043 Fund is coming along___ but more help needed ,1 The Champion's Christmas Bureau Fund is picking up steam as the holidays draw dloser. Over the past week donations have more than tnipled to $5,820- making this year's goal of $25,000 now seem within reach. ~. uAD.~L * However, contributions are stili down about $3,000 fromn this time MM4 WEdI~ rLtNITEf last year and a lot more help is needed if the community is to match the generosity of 1998.0F i ~ f Now in its fourth week, the Salvation Army fundraiser helps ensure ail local families have a nice Christmas, complete with dinner and toys for the children.4 .K The Champion realizes that numerous charities have their hands out- asking for support -- particularly during the holiday season -- and that it's already a financially-strapping time of year. But we're hoping we can enjoy the samne result as last year, if not a a better one.y Please send donations payable to the Chnstmas Bureau Fund, Box. 248, Milton, Ont., L9T 4N9, or drop themn off at our office, 191 Main - St. E. SO UR READERS WRITE tatical comet,11thu£hý0u Both genders should be on police board .Dear ditor: +THE CAZVADIIJN CHAMPION Box 248, 191 Main St. E., Tihe Canaien Champion, puhisirer every Tuesday andi Friday at 191 Milto, On. L9 4N9 Main St. E.. Milten, Ont., 19T 4N9 (Box 248), ls one oi The Metroland Milton Ont. 9T 4N9 Printing, Pubiishing & Distributing Liri. grnup ot suburhan companies reiicit ~~ Incuites: AjaxfPickering News Adveriser, Alliston iterald/tourier, Barrie (9ô5~ 87 -2 4 Autonce, Barrirs Bay Thtis Week, Boita, Enterprise. Brampton Guardia, Burfington Post, Burlileton Shopping News, City Parent, City oi Yorke Guardian, Colingwnnd/Wasaga Cnnnectlnn, Eant Yenrk Mirror. tri, Editorial Fax: 878-4943 Adocateltneniry Routes, Etohiceke Guardian. Fiambernngit Post, Forevar Young, Georgetowen IndependentlActon Free Press, iluronia Business Advertising Fax: 876-2364 1 Times. Kingston This Wenk, Lindsay Titis Week, Markriate Econmist & Su, Mittand/Penetangisehne Mirror, Mitnn Shopping News, Mississauga Classified: 875-3300 Business Timas, Mississauga Newes, Napanen Guide, Nassagaeyn News, Newmarkt/Aerora tra-Baneer, Northtumberiand Newes, Northr Verk Mirrer. Ian Oliver Pubisher Onirvitie Beaver, Onkoitie Shopping Naes, Gidtimers Hockey News, Oriiiia Today, OshawalWhitby/Ciaringon/Pnrt PertTi Titis Week, Owen Soundi Nel Oliver Associate Publisher Tribune. Peterbtorough Titis Weelr, Picton County Guide, Richmrondt Bill Begin Generai Manager ililTitnrnhiiiNaogitan Literai, Scarborougit Mirror, Siouiviiie/Uohridge Tribune. Karen Smith Ediior Attvertising ls acceptait on te codition titat, rn thte avent ni a type- grapiticai errer, thon portion ni titi advartislng sprs occeplert hy thte erro- Steve Crouler Circulation Manager v1enus item, togetiter with a reasenaitie ationace.for signature, wiîî eut te Tedi Cu"a Office Manager citarged for, but tht balance oi te aiteertisement wiii te pailt for et tae appicabtle rate. The puttishor reserves lte rigit te categerize artvnrtise- Tin Coien Production Manager menîs or itectine. Re: 'Police board criticism should be re-thought' (editorial) and 'Multicultural leader calîs ail- maIe Halton police board old boys club' (article) (November 30). It's most unfortunate and some- what ironic Usat Use press has cho- sen to focus on Elizabeth Carmichael's reference to the Halton Police Services Board beîng, or being perceived as being, an 'old boys club', rather Usan on the excellent worrk of the North Halton Cultural Awareness Council (NHCAC). Given the reporting, it appears Elizabeth Carmichael's crime was pointing out Use obvious at a police services board meeting -- that seven men around a board table looks like an 'old boys club'. Perceptions are important. This isn'tjust any board. This is a public body responsible for setting polic- ing priorities and policy for the entire region. Women comprise approximately hall of the region's population. Halton is becoming increasingly diverse. Ms Carmichael didn't diminish the ekilis and commitment the seven men on the board bring trt the table. Her point -- what seven men bring is, at times, very different from what seven women or even what one or two women might bring. Men and women fromn iffering cultures add yet another important dimension. Sometimes, the perspectives, insights, vision, approactaes, priori- ties and expertences of women are very different from men's -- not better, just different and not always, but sometimes. The same can be said for those who bring differing cultural back- grounds. It' s the combination of gender and cultural differences that enrich the pool of ideas and thus the pool of possibilities to be con- sidered when making the kinds of decisions a police board must make. Both men and women should have a place aithUe board table, as should members of diffening cul- tures. Up until two years ago, they did. They don't now. Wby were some board members so indignant and so defensive? The recent editorial asserta Ms Carmichael's criticism of the board is "misplaced" and "unfair" because the board has no voice in deciding its members. In fact, regional council decides who four of Use seven board mem- bers will be. There are three regional council- lors on the police services board who have a vote. One of them, Councillor Keith Bird, chaired Use committee, which decided the board's community appointee. Wendy Roberta, Former chair of the Haitlon Police Services Board Pud by Steve Nease