OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, March 20, 2009 · 6 OPINION & LETTERS The Oakville Beaver 467 Speers Rd., Oakville Ont. L6K 3S4 (905) 845-3824 Fax: 337-5571Classified Advertising: 845-3824, ext. 224 Circulation: 845-9742 Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: NEIL OLIVER Vice President and Group Publisher of Metroland West The Oakville Beaver is a division of Media Group Ltd. DAVID HARVEY General Manager JILL DAVIS Editor in Chief ROD JERRED Managing Editor DANIEL BAIRD Advertising Director RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director SANDY PARE Business Manager MARK DILLS Director of Production MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager CHARLENE HALL Director of Distribution SARAH MCSWEENEY Circ. Manager Why wait for tax freeze? While the intent of Halton regional chair Gary Carr's recent public call for councillors to support a property tax freeze for 2010 is admirable, it's meaningless for those who are already struggling financially. We question why Halton Region would wait until next year to offer some form -- no matter how small -- of taxpayer relief. Instead, this tax freeze should have occurred last December when regional council approved a tax increase of 2.2 per cent for 2009, plus a water rate hike of 6.7 per cent. Despite the fact that a tax freeze next year may only amount to about $20 annual savings for an average Halton household, Carr believes it's the right thing to do when so many are facing hardships. The impact would have been felt sooner and may have been more significant to residents -- especially those on fixed incomes -- if it was already in effect for 2009. Plus, there's actually a condition to Carr's request for a property tax freeze. Policing -- which is one of the most vital and more costly items on Halton's annual budget -- will not be impacted by the tax freeze. Knowing that the police budget is not to be touched, it may prove difficult for regional council to find sufficient savings in the rest of the 2010 budget to effect a tax freeze. Also, the separately billed water cost --not a part of your property tax bill -- would not be affected by Carr's proposal for a tax freeze next year. Either way, it doesn't really matter because the freeze will be arriving a year too late for many who need tax relief now. Whether Carr's call for a tax freeze in 2010 passes or fails at the region's April 1 meeting won't matter because of the gesture's late timing. It will also be the second time in less than six months that council has failed to provide constituents with a timely example of leadership given the woeful direction of our economy. Last November's attempt by Halton Hills Councillor Jane Fogal to delay council raises slated for Jan. 1, 2009, was defeated when 11 of 21 publicly-elected members of council placed themselves ahead of the greater good. Perhaps this latest effort is Carr's attempt to correct what he perceives as last year's mistake -- since he was one of the eight who rallied behind Fogal's motion to postpone council's 2009 raise. 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. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Like many Oakvillians, our family has been affected by the downturn of Canada's economy. To offset expenses, last week I began a part-time job as a grocery store cashier. Every job looks simple... until you're doing it. The sign on my register announced that I was a trainee. The customers were all very encouraging and patient, but one in particular stood out. Stranger's random act of kindness put a smile on recipient's heart It was my second day on the job. I had a long line-up of customers. A gentleman (unknown to me) went through my register purchasing an array of groceries and a bouquet of flowers. The transaction completed, I went on to serve the next customer, while the gentleman bagged his purchase. Then, just as he was ready to leave, the gentleman presented me with the bouquet of flowers, wishing me good luck with my new job. I can hear it now, "Aaah, that's the sweetest thing I ever heard!" That's been the response of everyone that I've told about this story. This random act of kindness not only put a smile on my face, but also a smile on my heart. I never even got to say a proper thank you as I was in the middle of the next order. So, Mr. Good Samaritan, next time you're in, if I'm working, please come by and identify yourself. This single generous unexpected act, reinforced my belief in the goodness of mankind! Chivalry and kindness are alive and well in Oakville. IRENE HARMGARDT Pud BY STEVE NEASE snease@haltonsearch.com This week's poll This week's question is: Should the Halton Catholic and public school boards reconsider their decision to start classes before Labour Day? · Yes · No To vote, visit oakvillebeaver.com. 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. Encourage employees to work from home If the government wants to spend $30 million on extra parking spaces at Oakville GO and think this will solve our commuting problems, they're sadly mistaken and short-sighted indeed. Finding funds to lobby employers (yes, why not the other way See Alternatives page 8