OakvilleBeaver Opinions and Letters

The sun's up and the smiles are returning to their faces

Sat, 10 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

My wife and I needed a respite from soul-sapping reality. We'd just endured the longest winter in recorded history and, to boot, our lives of late were nothing, if not out of control. We'd been nutty busy with work and life and we'd been feeling disconnected from each other and disenchanted with our existence. My wife and I needed a holiday.

Focused to improve health care for all

Sat, 10 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

I'd like to tell you about our government's vision for health care and some of the issues we're targeting to improve the quality of medical services in Ontario.

Keeping pets cool in the heat of the season

Sat, 10 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

Spring is finally here with warmer temperatures inviting us to enjoy the outdoors.

Are beds safer than bathtubs?

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

I would like someone to explain to me how the Bank Bed Challenge is any safer than the United Way of Oakville Bathtub race (cancelled because it was deemed too dangerous)?

No need to speed

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

For some reason, even the most mild-mannered among us can lose all common sense behind the wheel of a car. And even just one moment of speeding on the road can be deadly.

United Way hurting the people it is supposed to help

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

Re: April 30, Oakville Beaver, United Way agencies hurt by cutbacks

Making the quantum leap

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

For centuries humans have pondered the question of why we exist, and what our purpose is on this Earth.

Board decision upsets Joshua Creek parents

Wed, 07 May 2008 14:46:23 EST

Editor's note: The following letter was submitted to the Halton District School Board and a copy was filed with The Oakville Beaver for publication:
The community of Joshua Creek appreciated the opportunity that was provided to delegate the Trustees and the concerns expressed by Trustees for our community's needs.

Picture delivered powerful message

Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

As an amateur photographer and a father of two boys, both of whom are healthy and embarking on what I hope will be quite the variety of pre-vocation job opportunities, I feel compelled to write to congratulate your photographer, Chantal Ayotte, on capturing the pain and poignancy of Rob Ellis' message on the front page of The Oakville Beaver, April 30.

Narrowing the gap

Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

Oakville enjoys a vibrant arts and cultural community consisting of many talented musicians, artists, dancers, actors and writers.

Property taxes should not pay for new Oakville hospital

Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

Re: Local share of new hospital could go on tax bill, Oakville Beaver, Saturday, May 3.

Ladies and gentlemen: the fax, er, facts as he sees them

Sat, 03 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

Do I have to spell it out for you? I do? Okay, I am one of the world's worst spellers. When it comes to orthography, I'm the protagonist in a famous novel by Dostoevsky. I'm The Idiot.

Julia has a knack for serving smiles

Sat, 03 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

I can't remember the first time that I actually met her, but what I do know is that she made an impression, most likely a vivid impression.

Seatbelts save lives

Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

It's hard for us to understand why some drivers and passengers still refuse to use their seatbelts -- especially when it is so obvious they save lives.

Time for Oakville to ban disposable plastic bags

Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

I believe Oakville should ban the use of disposable plastic shopping bags.

Blakelock students visit Boston

Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

Who said Blakelock students could never go to Harvard?

Volunteering with kids at the Y is a win-win job

Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

The following letter was written by St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School Student and YMCA of Oakville volunteer, Andrew Nyhuis, who helped out at the Y from October 2007 to January 2008.

Kate Taylor brings it to the table at library

Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

Following the success of the Chef Michael Stadtlander lecture last month, Oakville Public Library is excited to continue the partnership with Oakville Galleries and offer another innovative speaker as part of the spring lecture series. Columnist and author, Kate Taylor will lead the discussion 'Table Top Intimacies' as she reads excerpts from her award-winning first novel Madame Proust and the Kosher Kitchen.

Railway safety

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

As children, we are bombarded with messages intended to help keep us safe.

Politicians should refrain from campaigning in guest columns

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

Recently, both Terrence Young and Bonnie Brown have appeared as guest columnists in The Oakville Beaver.

Author is ailing and it is time to play The Blame Game

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

Andy is ailing. If you're looking for something or someone to blame - and isn't it human nature to point bony fingers - you could blame the insidious influenza that's making its way around town. Or, if you're like Andy, you could blame your wife.

Who is minding the store asks MP

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

During the first 116 years of Canada's history, the federal government accumulated debts of 143 billion dollars. Then, in 1983 Conservative Prime Minister Brian Mulroney took office.

Separating the fact from fiction about dogs

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

Urban legends are made with a combination of the believable mixed in with the questionable.

Meth mouth is far from glamourous

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

The term "Meth mouth" refers to the permanent destruction of teeth that have been exposed to the drug methamphetamine also known as Meth, Speed, Ice, Chalk, Crank, Fire, Glass, and Crystal.

Put the shoe on the other foot

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

Re: Andrew McFarland's letter French immersion demand should not force kids out of school, Oakville Beaver, April 23

A healthy move

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

We applaud the Ontario government's recent action to take steps toward eliminating all food and beverages in schools that contain trans fats.

In praise of dual-track schools

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

I read Andrew McFarland's letter, French immersion demand should not force kids out of school, Oakville Beaver, April 23 with interest.

Pasta Night just one item on Abbey Park's plate

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

Circular tables set with red, white and green tablecloths, flickering candlelight, cheerful daffodils, fantastic entertainment and music, solicitous wait staff in classic black attire, and a superb pasta dinner --this was the sophisticated scene April 3 at Abbey Park High School's annual Pasta Night fundraiser dinner for the Canadian Cancer Society, which raised almost $2,600.

Guest column misleading

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

Re: Terence Young's guest column, Oakville Beaver, April 19:

Good-bye to pesticides

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

The Ontario government's decision to introduce a province-wide ban on the sale and cosmetic use of pesticides is a welcome announcement.