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6- The Canadian Champion, Friday, April 4, 2003 <~COMMÏENT THE CNAiLv CIfMPION Box 248, 191 Main StE, Milton, Ont. L9T 4N9 (905) 878-2341 Editorial Fas: 905-878-4943 Advertising Fax: 905-876-2364 Classified: 905-875-3300 Circulation: 905-878-5947 Ian Oliver Publisher Neil Oliver Assoujape Pîeblsher Jili Davis Edxror-in.Chief Karen Smith Edîxor Wendy MeNab Aduertising Manrager Steve Crozier Cirulation Manager leri Casas Office Manager Tim Cotes Prodiution Manage-r The Canadian Champion, poblishede eey luesday and Friday at 191 Main St. E., Milton, Ont, M 4N9 (Box 248), is une of The Metroland Pninting, Publisfxng & Disinbuting Md gnoup of subunhan companies which inclodes. Aa/Pickerng Nîews Advertisen, Alliston Hxalr/Couier Barrin Aloance. Banys Bay This Week, Boier Enlenpisn, Brampton Gutardian, Bonlington Post, Bonfinglon Shopping News, City Parent. City of IYork Gorian, Collingwood[Wasaga Conrlection, East York Mirror,, Fox Avocate/Couritry Routes, Etobicoke Guardiar, Flamborough Posl, Foiever Young, Georgetown Independent/hcfon Free Press, Halton Business Times, Hononia Business Times, Kingston This Week, Lindsay Ths Week, Markham Economist & Son, Mdand/Penetorguîshene Mrror, Mîfor Shopping News, Missssaoga Busness Times, Misissoogo News, Nopne Guide. Nassogaweya News, Newmaîlietioorora Era Bononi, Nothumberland News, Norih York Mrror, hakvifle Beaver. hakvilfe 'Shopping News, hidtimers Hockey News, Orila TodayhOshawaiWhifhy/ClriîogtoniPort Perry Ths Week, Petxrbooogh This Week, Pcion County Guide. Rchmond HiIf/ThonhillNaog han Liserai, Scarhorough Mîron hoftolleîhesriifge Trbune. AdoeOtising is accepted on the corditiao l t.he fOxnof o typo- graphîcai error, that portion of fthe advetisirg spoce occopied hy the erro- neoos item, fogether wîf h a reasonohie ailomonce for sgnature, wîli rot Se charged for, bt the baorce of the dertisxment wiii 0e pojd for ai the appli- cable lofe. The pobsher reseroes the righf to rofegorize detisemerîo or dxc une. Thre Mîxtox Caxadîan Champion s a Recyciahie Pmoduct Controlling SARS is up to ail of us* SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) is more than a scary acronym - it's a serious and potentially fatal illness. Fortunately, the Ontario MiniStry of Health and Halton Region Health Department have taken swift action to hopefully curtail the spread of this contagious disease. Whiùle panic isn't warranted, it's important that the public follow the guidelmnes set down by medical officiais. One of the best things you can do to protect yourself is to wash your hands frequently. If you develop the symptoms of SARS - a fever over 38 degreeS Celsius, cough, shortness of breath of difficulty breathing - medical attention should be sought immediately. Keep yourself informed by watching the news on television and read- mng newspapers. More information on SARS can be found on the Halton Region's Web site at www.region.on.ca. People can also caîl the Region at (905) 825-6060, ext. 7825. SARS is a deadly disease, but it can be beaten if we isolate the illness and stop it from spreading. And for that we need to have an informed public. uffm a 2nq làe\" ý 0 OUR- READERS WRJTE Article suggesting that nobody attended homeless shelter meeting was misleading: meeting attende Dear Editor: 1 was surprieed to read in a recent article in TIhe Champion that nobody atlended the meeting about the planned emergency shelter for Oakville. Although my memory bac cuf- fered a littie since 1 reached middle age, 1 have a distinct recollection of attending the meeting, asking a question about the proposed corn- pletion date and even chatting bniefly with your reporter. 1 was the only person there who was neither Halton Region staff, Salvation Anny staff or a memnberj of the media.1 1 attended ae a representative of two local citizens' organizations concemed about homelesonesa and the availability of affordable hous- ing, the Milton Affordable Housing Coalition and the Halton Town Hall Group. lB was surprising to me that no other Miltonians attended because altbougb this flrst shelter is planned for Oakville, tbe guidelines devel- oped for site selection and operation wilI apply to any shelter built in Milton in tIhe future. Given tbe current reluctance 'to1 fund affordable housing, particular- Please -e-mail ait of onuBbc arst of dtecrret oindhion Ranai Cesen cial govemment, the need for emer- gency helters will continue to grow. If there's no change of govem- ment or change of heart by the Tories, te eventua] building of an emergency shelter, here in Milton, is inevitable. Your editorial, telling us not to e in denial about homelessness in Milton, was very timely. Congratulations on your aware- ness and responsibility to our com- munity, attendance-taking aide. Wendy Schau We can ail h elp preserve Milton's smail-to wn.feel During my travelsasa a roving reporter, theres one comment 1 hear from almost every Miltonian 1 speak witb. "I hope Milton doesnt lose its small town feel." Its nos just the '-was-bomandraised-here' crowd 1 hear this from. Its the young entrepre- neurs who enjoy raising a family here. Itos the police officers who say they like the way they can greet residents by name. And cure, its the seniors wbo have cpent a large chunk of their lives here. Its people wbo know flrst hand that a small town of caring people is sometbing to treaoure - something neyer to take for granted. Its people like CIem Scholtz, who descrihes Milton as a .town of angels." Seven years ago, Mr. Scholtz'a five-year-old daugbter needed a bone marrow i transplant. Milton demonstrated its support astounditsgly by turning out for what hecame the1 biggest single farnily bone marrow clinie in North America. Thats the Milton people love. Unfortunately, people usually make the afore- mentîoned comment with a douhtful, almoot sor- rowful tone of voice, as if tbeyve already decid- ed they might as well accept Bbc inevitable. Its important to realize that residents arent say- ing they hope Milton will stay a cmall town. Developmnent is inevitable - one glance at Thompcon Road and Main Street confirîns that. What people are saying is they hope Milton will keep its "small town feel." And thats where you come in. In my mi, retaining a csmxll town feel' is something that dependo on how residents react in tbe midst of growtb. Are residents in historical downtown homes going to cut tbemselves off from those in newer areas? Are those ini new areas going to ignore the stories of tbe "good old fundraiser will he held for Milton recident Sarah Burt who was recently diagnosed with cancer. It will take place outside at 393 Main St. E. fromIn to 4 p.m. and will give residentc a chance to make donations toward Ms liurt's medical cooto ao well A roundas have home flan. A round Wouldn't it he great if. juot ah Milton did in t w 1996 for Mr. Scholtz's daugbter, the town pulled to n together and everyone ahowed up to lend issp - port? Wouldn't it he great to prove that seven years later, Milton is still the camne town despite days' told hy long-time residents? Will there he a Bbc population growth? melding of new and old, or a split? It's up to Keeping Milton a small Bown migbt he impos- Mîltonians. Community spirit and goodwill are sible, but retaining its omaîl town feel isn't. two qualities that characterize a small town. Who Milton will change. But the heart of Milton - says they have to vapouraze as coon as new resi- what makes it unique and set apart fromn other dents come? towns - doesn't have to. Wby not tumn talk into action next weekend. As Stephanie Thiessen cati be reaclîed au most of you probably know, on April 12, a sthiessen@miltoncanadianchampion.com. i a lff - - - --- -%7 -.mwrg a týr - - -