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6 - The Canaciai Champion, Friday, 8eptemrber 5, 2003 SCOMMENT THE CAN~AwA4N CHAM'PION Box 248. 191 Main St. E., The Canadien Champion, published every Tuesday and Friay ai 191 Miltn, Ot L9 4N9 Main St. E., Milton, Ont.. L9T 4N9 (Box 248), is 0ne of Tht Metroland Milto, On. L9T4N9 rinting, Fubishing & Distributîng Ltd. group of suborban compaties whictt ncludes: Ajax/Pickering Newns Adtertiser, Alliston Herald/Courie, Barrie 8 7 8 -2 3 4 1 Adoance, Boitto Enterprise, Brampton Goandian, Burlington Foot, Buflntton (905 8 7 8 - 3 4 1 hopping News, City Parent, City of York Guardian, CollingstottlWasata Connection, East Yonk Mirnot, Erin AîtuocattlCountry Routes, Etobicoke Editorial Fax: 905-878-4943 Goanîtran, Flamiroroogh Rearew, Forevet Young, Georgetown lndeptndentActon Fret Press, Halton Business Times, etoronia Business Advertising Fax: 905-876-2364 Times, Lindsuy This Week, Markham Economiot & Son, Midland/Penetarg- ulonene Mirror, Miton Shtopping News, Missîssauga Business Timesý Classified: 905-875-3300 Miosissauga Ntws, Napatlee Guide, Nassagaweya News, NewmarkethAurora Era-Banner, Northtumberland Nens, North Yonre Mirror, Qaltoîlle Beaver, Circulation: 905-878-5947 Qakuille Shopping News, Oldtimers Hockey NOews, Orillia Today, Oshawalfahitbylçlarington/Ftrt Ferry This Week, Peterhorough This Week, Ian Oliver Publisher Ficton Coutty Guide, Richmond i4iIIThornhilttaoghan Lîberal, gcarborooth Mirron, Sfoottoille/dexbndge Tribune. Neil Oliver Assouiaee Publisher Aduentising os accepteel on tht condition that, jr tht tuent of a typo- graphical error, that portion ut the aduertisirg space occupied by tht erno- Jili Davis Editor-int-Cltief resus item, togethen with a reasosable allowance ton signature, ai sot be Karen Smaith Ediror chargea ton, but tht balance ut tht aduedtistmtnt wiii se paid for at tht appli- cable fate. Tht poblisser reserots the right ns cetegorife aaoertisements or Wendy McNab Ads'ertising Manager dectîne. Teri C'asas Offlu-e Manager Tim Coles Proaduction Manager Te Miien canadian Chnamnpien is a Baeyclable Pendant ,i Race is finally on tt's a relief to finally have a date called for the provincial election, especialty after montbs of U.S.-style mudslinging between Ontario's three major parties. We only hope the ugliness of a summer filled with Conservative, Liberal and New Democrat leaders hurling accusa- tions of incompetence and challenges to their opponents'ability to lead can be put on the back humer for the next four weeks. What most Ontarians want now is for candidates to demonstrate they have actually formnulated a plan to pull Ibis province out of tbe demoralizing quag- mire created by SARS, West Nule virus, the biggest power blackout in 40 years and, of course, tainted meat. (And that's just Ibis year.) I eacb provincial riding the electorate deserves to bear ils candidates set out bis or ber solutions to sucb vital componients of a strong Society as education, healtb care and transportation. Many an election campaign trail bas been littered wiIb empty campaign prom- ises. Ontarians deserve more tban that. We deserve someone wbo's willing to stand up and admit wbere tbey tbink tbey can make improvemnents, wbere tbey can't, and bow mucb il's going to cost the banik accounits of everyone wbo casts a ballot 27 days from now. We sbouldn't have to settle for the less- er of tbree evils. We need someone who is genuinely prepared to lead, to explore new options for resolving tbe mess tbat is Hydro One; new ways of delivering the most basic resources to Ontario sebools and an improved way of ensuring excel- lent healit care in a timely fashion. We're sick and tired of bearing one candidate barp on the shortcomings of anoIber. We don't want to know why we sbouldn't make Emnie Eves, Dalton McGuinty or Howard Hampton the next leader of this province. We want to know wby each believes he can make a meas- urable difference. Is that an unrealistic request? Since when did badmouthing and belit- tling an opponient become an attractive trait for our leaders? In schools we brand sucb bebaviour as bullying. Is this what we want out next Premier to be? OUR READERS WRITEr Famlly touched by recent tragedy offers message of concern and support to Milton-area teenagers.- (The following letier was written by a concernedfamily in the ssake of a recent teagedy, the ciecum- stances of which have been with- held to spare those dlosent to the incident any unnecessaey grief.) Dear Editor: This letter is to ail the teenagers we've had in our home and the ones we havcn't met. We sec you, we bear you and we admire Ibe bond you have for each other. You're a tigbt group. Recently we'vc seen first-hand how tight you can be. Unfortunatety il had to be under tragic cireum- stances. We'll neyer forget the way you aIl came together and bung in Ibere for each other. Most importantly, there are a few things we don't want you to forget. When limes are tough and you feel pain and despair, help each oIbcr, love eacb oIber and talk to one another. And we mean really talk. One friend, one family member or one listening car can make sucb a big difference. Don't give up! To ail the teenagers who showed Up when our son really needed you the most, we tbank you. Please continue to be strong. TogeIber we know you wiIl ail get tbrough Ibis. Dear Alena, you were sucb a wel- come sight in our home. We wilI neyer forget tIhe many memories we have of you, or your smiîe. Gosh that smile really could ligbt up a room. Our hearts and prayers go out to your famity and friends at Ibis very dark time. You will be greatly missed. Bob, Bonnie MacGlbbon and family Milton E-mail ail your letters to the editor to miltoned@Phaltonsearch.com. Baffle against West Nule is everyone 's responsibiliy The days are getting shorter since the sun is set- ting carlier, and muggy, bumid air is slowly being pusbed out by crisp, fali air. Summer is nearing a close, folks, and for many Ibat means new beginnings, perbaps new chai- lenges. But Ibere is one Ibing we ail must contin- ue doing - and Ibat is protecting ourselves agamnst the sîill-real dIbrat of West Nule virus. West Nile certainîy bas become a buzz word Ibis sumrmer - no pun intended - as healIb offi- ciaIs in Halton and across Ontario have wamned everybody about getting the potentially-fatal moaquito-bomne virus. It started in March with the Region creating a West Nile baffle plan 10 fighî the virus. It bas included poisoning Storm water catch basins and standing pools of water. the monitoring of the virus in mosquitoes, birds and humans and pet- hipel the most important, public education. This part of the program, aI thse very Ieast, is vital, and is what brings me back to the need to still proteet ourselves from West Nile. 'Me possibility of the virus transmitting to humans is at greateot threat in summer, bealth officiais have wamed us. Wbere you live you might not sec many mos- quitoes now, but the pesky biters that remain stand the chance of carrying the virus and unleashing it on anyone. The Region's health department is imploring everyone to take precautions, like staying away fmom populated mosquito areas, wearing repel- lent wiIb DEET, wearing ligbt cloIbing, covering your armns and legs 10 avoid getting bitten and removing standing water fromi your property. Even a beer cap - yes, a beer cap - filled with water can be an effective breeding grouind for mosquitoes. perspective lIn Halton last year human cases peaked in the first two weeks of September. Don't say you haven't been wamned. But these kinds of protective measures brings up tbe notion of public reeponsibility. It's imper- ative.for health officiaIs to waln us about health dangers. SBut iî's flot their job to coddle us, to dress us un ligbt-coloured clothing or to slap on our bodies repellent containing DEET. That is our responsibility. And we Iearned about self-accountability dur- ing the SARS crisis Ibis past spring. We were toîd repeatedîy if you feel sick, sîay away from hospi- taIs as a means to hclp limit SARS exposure. We knew the risks, as health officiaIs told us, but it was up to us to heed the warning calls. We have known about the dangers of sun expo- sure for yearg. Don't venture outsidc without Sun- screen, we've heen told. When the air quality is poor and you suifer res- piratory ailments, stay inside, we've been told. We, uttimately, are the guardians of our bealIb and our bodies. If public officiais can be beld accounitable to safeguard our bealIb, so should we. Hey, enjoy Ibe remaining 18 days of summer.