i A6 - The Canadian Champion, Wedniesday, August 20, 2008 OP1qIION1 lime for revuew Canada's recent success at the Summer Otympics witl hopefully alteviate some of the concern over our country's initial absence at the podium. While we wouidn't cati Canada's effort so far in China disappointing, this ctearty hasn't been our country's shining moment. The fact that Canada didnut have one podium finish a week into the Games raises considerabte doubt about the way our Otympic team prepares to take on the wortd. Many betieve Ottawa doesnrt spend nearly enough to develop our amateur athietes to achieve their fuit potential. Others woutd argue the pursuit of the Olympic dream shoutdn't be pub- ticly funded, but instead financially supported by a combination of corporate Canada and the athletes themsetves. While we futly support the ideat that sees the world gather each quad- rennial to celebrate athtetic exceltence, we wonder if it's time to review Canada's Olympic mandate - espe- ciatly if public money con- tinues to fund amateur ath-. Iete pursuit of the Olytnpic dream. in tight of recent reports that too many of our young peopte are becoming tess active and sîruggling wiîh obesity, supporting ama- teur athletes woutd seem to serve a higher social purpose. Our greatest fear is that wiîhouî more podium fin- ishes, support for our Olympians wilt wane. Il EDNA'S A BIG lVA D<EVERDEI FAN.. Readers Write E-mafl your letters to eitonal@nutnain chapron.om Milton Transit needs improving DEAR EDITOR: I moved to Milton a day before the new transit system was introduced in 2004. For the fîrst two yemrs 1 used il sporadicatly to take a quîck nide downtown or to tbe malt, as the 30-minute waîî has neyer been something easy 10 plan arouisd wben you have cbildren in 10w. For the tasi two-and-a-half years 1 have depended exclu- siseely on public transit to com- toute t0 and from work each day Like most of the other regu- lar users, 1 have had comptaints about tise wait limes mnd con- nection choices ts GO trains durisg nush bour. There are six trains leavîng Milton every issmisg but the buses only mnei tbree of theis, and thse samne tbing Isappens in the after- tîoon. But sînce the introduction of the new buses the service has declined drasticmtly The new buses break down constantly We can neyer count on the buses because, jusî like it hap- pened August il witb the scheduted 7:06 bus (Route 2: Holly and Launier stop), il mmy neyer come. As a clarification, Route 2 got as affected by the prevîous weeks' problems as any other route, contrary 10 what was published in the papier. We bear everywbere that we shoutd leave our cars in the garage and adopt public transit to, hetp reduce the carbon emis- sions. This cant be chîeved in Milton sotely because our public transit isnt relimble. For somne, the problem is even worse dute te, the fmct that they don't bave a car 10 drive 10 the station if the bus doesn't show up. We have been dealîng with the whote 'chtcken and egg' excuse from the people in charge. They would like to have a bigger nidership before they can implement upgrades 10 transit. At the same time riders would ike t10 have consistent, reliabte and improved transit before they can jump on the bandwagon for good. There's a saying, "1f you build it, they witl come." The Town shoutd take that 10 heart and improve the transit systema 50 we can finmtly be able to depend on iî wîtbout fear of being sîranded at the bus stop for 40 to 60 minutes wiing for the bus. 1 don't need the Town gîving us free transit 10 apotogize for not having buses when we need them. We need the buses 10 mun on lime, consisîenîly and at a hetrer frequency at rush-bour. That would be the key to improving nidershîp. FLAVIA TARZWELL HOLLY AVENUE Let's flot be so quick to judge China's deception DEAR EDITOR: This tetter is in regard 10 the Chinese deception at the openîng ceremonies of the Olympics. Let's nol bc so morally condescending and judgmental of China for the vanîîy of replacîng a child performer on the grounds of beauîy durnsg the openitsg ceremonies. As despicable as the deception was, especiatty wbeîs tînsideriisg the self-esteem effect on the replaced chîld, the West isn't without sins and shouldn't be so eager 10 îhrow stones. After mît, the West creaîed mnd st.ill holds bemuîy pageants. There appears 10 be a need 10 find the slîghtesî error in order 10 degrade the success of the organ- îzing of the Summer Cames. Is there a gold meda for jeatousy? BILL FLORES OAKVILLE Thanks to all fo r wonderful care of sonl DEAR EDITOR: On]july 31 my son had his tiraI and 1aI taste of peanut butter. Within minutes bis face was discotoured and one of bis eyes was almost swollen shut. 1 imue- diateiy cailed Telehealth, which put me through toi a wonderful nurse who asked me a sertes of questions about my litîle ones condition. Tise 1a question she asked me witi forever ring in my ear - "If you look at him, do you fear for bis life?" My answer broughî an ambulance 10 my door witbin min- utes. Afler assessting bito, we were whiaked off 10, Milton District Hospital, where counîleas staff gave my hatle one the moat amaz- ing care and quite possibty saved bis life. is my firazzted stalle, 1 sadly failed to relain any nsmes. 1f any of you are reading this and remember tise ltlle boy named Chase, tisen this letter is for you. Tise day after il ail sunk us. A simple thank you doesn't sema enougts. l'm prouder than ever flot. onty t0 byve in Canada, but to tive in Milton. .CASEY ANDERSON ZIMMERMAN CRESCENT !jEb c~anabian QEbampion Miltons Cmmunty Newspaper Sice 1860 555 tndustnial Dr., Milton, Ont. L9T 5E1 905-878-2341 Editorial Fax: 905-878-4943 Advertising Fax: 905-876-2364 Classified:905-875-3300 Circulation: 905-878-5947 www.miltoncanadianchampion.com V.P. - Group Publisher Neil Oliver General Manager David Harvey Editor in Chief Jili Davis Managing Editor Karen Micehi Advertising Director Debbî Kopp'ejan Production Manager 'hm Coles Circulation Manager Charlene Hal Office Manager Sandy Pare The Canadian Champion, published every Wednesday and Friday, ia division of Metroland Media Group Ltd. - President ian Oliver Adves ins is accepd on the conditio tirait in the evn fa typographical er,,s. thai psrtio of the adver teseqa pace seîîpied by the esoese item,, tsqelhe, aa,5i a sasseabis alloasce fosignature. sul est hi charesd fo, bt tite balance of te advertieent wil1 be paid for ai the applicable rate The puitier resisis the tiqit s tateggsste adverssment sr desise. CCAB Audtted Reetognaaeec for exaellesnce by Ontario Cssmeseity o Na espaprt Assciain Te Ca sadae Capin i a * 13oui eia5qos fr Halto * atha UNITED War 0 0F MILTON -- anV AUtiO MILTON SANTA CLAUS PARADE YYMÇA Shorecase î 40e Awsadi