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Unfortunately, anyone who has a gun in his possession preâ€" sents a death or injury threat, unintentional though it may be. In a domestic dispute, an otherâ€" wise normal person, in a moment of frenzy can resort to that gun to resolve his problem. Also, the gun can be stolen by a wouldâ€"be criminal, orâ€" accidentally fired causing bodily harm or death, as has happened here in Oakville. Dear Sir: I refer to your editorial of April 15th, ‘Gun Crazy‘. just about all it can these days, to undermine our social safety nets. And while ome groups affected by cuts can have their users lobby Queen‘s Park, the province‘s children‘s aid societies have traditionally had little clout with provincial covernments. L’s amazing to see Ontario‘s people party, otherwise known as the NDP, doing The NDP‘s response was quick. After Halton CAS director Ron Coupland made a plea to meet with Community and Social Services Minister Tony Silipo to discuss the issue, the minister refused to meet with him. More children are being abused, more children need CAS care and at the same time, more cuts are made. Meanwhile the social workers in the front lines face huge caseloads and burnout while more children wait to be helped. There has to be a better way but in the case of Mr. Silipo, it seems he‘s currently the source of more problems, not solutions. Taxpayers, the CAS workers and the children deserve better. Open Gangway was written withâ€" out access to the Secret 1945 Naval Court of Enquiry evidence which was covered up by successive govâ€" ernments for over 30 years. Popular historian Pierre Berton and MP Doug Lewis, then a conservative backâ€"bencher, tried to obtain this research material for me, but was considered too politically sensitive to be disclosed. _ But whether Premier Bob Rae wants to acknowledge it or not, tough economic times and other factors are driving up the number of children who fall under the umbrella of the Halton Children‘s Aid Society and other similar agencies. Many thousands of WWII veterâ€" ans and other seniors still rememâ€" ber wartime Halifax and the terrible Vâ€"Day Navy riots of May 7th and 8th, 1945, which shattered every store window the length of the city‘s main street and caused milâ€" lions of dollars damace. However, I eventually obtained the 400 plus pages of evidence Dear Sir: Open Gangway, my book about those dramatic events was pubâ€" lished in 1981 and has now reached an amazing 7th printing, testifying to the continuing interest in this old story. Anyone remember Vâ€"Day Navy riots‘ he decision Monday of federal New Democratic Party leader Audrey McLaughlin to step down ends a brief but successful national political career. / McLaughlin had only represented the Yukon in the House of Commons for two years when she was named party leader in 1989. She fought two federal elections and raised her party‘s profile on a national basis, something former NDP leader had failed to do. The NDP took more than 40 seats in her first goâ€"round against the Progressive Conservatives. M i a oR P o ue But McLaughlin, like Kim Campbell, fell victim to the disaffection of Canadians with the status quo. And in Ontario, the bad taste left in their mouths by the party‘s provincial wing, sealed the fate of both women. Eus And although Campbell‘s annihilating defeat at the hands of the Liberals was more dramatlc McLaughlin could take httle solace in the fact that her party was reduced to nine seats versus the two seats for the Tories. With the final ballots counted, McLaughlin knew it was time to go. Her departure at this critical time in Canada‘s history is to be lamented. She brought a strong alternative voice to the increasing merging policies of the Liberals and the Conservatives. It was unfortunate that these views were not solidified or better articulated before a doubting population. In seeking charige in the October federal election, Canadians voted for a return to the ‘feel good days of the old Trudeau regime. Unfortunately for Canadians, the old boys who didn‘t get it right then, aren‘t doing much better now. McLaughlin‘s departure will also return the Commons to a boys club again with only Deputy Prime Minister Sheila Copps there to represent the aspirations of budâ€" ding female politicians. To our minds, McLaughlin was the better role model. Reéardless of pofifical bias, McLaughlin was a strong leader who battled hard to the end. But in the face of more frustration, she decided to move on. No matter who takes her place, that NDP leader will have to reâ€"invent the party and its ideology in a Canada that is likely to look a lot different after the next federal election...or even sooner. That‘s a divisive process that could ultimately render moot the party‘s future. That is to say, there won‘t be one. Dear Sir: The increase of crime in our society is undoubtedâ€" ly becoming more and more an unacceptable situaâ€" tion. What makes it even more intolerable is the fact that those who are in a position to make changes to our lax system of justice are not doing anything, in defiance of a public outcry; forever clinging to that absurd notion that severe punishment is not a deterâ€" rent. Furthermore, an indisputable cause of soaring crime is the questionable background of some immiâ€" Those in charge of ‘system‘ are failing Government must control sale and use of guns Your laissezâ€"faireâ€"faire attiâ€" Say goodbye Audrey About priorities tude, as expressed in the last paraâ€" graphâ€"that "in the end, if someone wants to commit a crime with a gun, they will find a way to get one and there is nothing our govâ€" ernment can do to stop this from happening"â€"is a sopâ€"out. Should we have said the same thing, and done nothing about AIDS, drugs, cigarette smoking, etc.? If our governments had undertaken that same fatalistic stance, and had not implemented educational and support programs in an effort to stamp out, or at lest lessen these problems, many peoâ€" It is probable that there are readâ€" ers of the Oakville Beaver who were either spectators or particiâ€" pants in the infamous riots. Many, under the Freedom of Information Act and am using this official source to write a sequel entitled Warden Of The Northâ€"On Trial. My first book was admittedly a litâ€" tle hard on the Royal Canadian Navy, but I am trying now to show more of the sailors‘ side of the affair. grants allowed into out country. As crime increases, assuming that no radical steps are taken to stop this decay, one does not need a crystal ball to see what the future holds. In despair, lawâ€"abiding citizens will increasingly be forced, as a measure of safety, to barricade themâ€" selves as prisoners behind steel bars in their homes. The crooks, of course, will be free to roam the streets. All callers are allowed 45 secâ€" onds to express their opinion and must provide their name, address and phone number for verification. Got a gripe? Give us a call. Readers are invited to express their opinion on a topic of their choice by calling 845â€"5585, box 5250. A cross section of the responses will be published in next Wednesday‘s Oakville Beaver. ple who are alive today, would not be. Under no circumstances should guns be allowed to be kept in resâ€" idences. People such as gun club members and hunters should have to keep their guns locked up under supervision in some central depository, and registered in and out as and when they are required. Keep in mind that most guns used in violent crimes started their lives as legal weapons. The government and the general pubâ€" lic combined, have to work across Canada, have already sent me fascinating accounts of what they witnessed, so I am inviting readers who have personal reminisâ€" cences and/or snapshots to contact me to have their way. I would need their permission to quote and to disclose their names if they have no objection, but would promise anonymity if they wish it. Stanley R. Redman 696 King Street, Unit 70 Midland, Ont. L4R 5B6 467 Speers Road, Oakville, Ont. L6K 3S4 845â€"3824 Fax: 845â€"3085 Classified Advertising: 845â€"2809 Circulation: 845â€"9742 or 845â€"9743 Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typogi typographical error, that portion of the advertising space the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize and reject advertising. in the event of typoguphcal error, advamsmg o Ian Oliver Publisher Robert Glasbey Advertising Director Norman Alexander Editor Geoff Hill Circulation Director Teri Casas Office Manager Tim Coles Production Manager eccupied by the erronsous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will CC TT 207 O Oakville, is one of the Metroland Printing, Publishing Distributing Ltd. group 0 newspapers which Inciudes Ajax-Pid(ennmvemser Barrie Advance, Guardian, Burlington Post, Colingwood Etobicoke Guardian, Independent/ Acton Free Press, Kingston This Week, Lindsay This Week, Economist and Sun, Stouffvilie/Uxbridge Tribune, Milton Canadian Champion, Mi News, Newmarketâ€"Aurora Eraâ€"Banner, North York Mirror, Oakville Beaver, ‘Oril Oshawa/Whithy This Week, Peterborough This Week, Richmond Hi/Thomhil Liberal, Scarborough Mirror. All material published in the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Any re whole or in part of this material is strictly forbidden without the consent of the publish qoodsovservmsmaymtbawld Advertising is merely an offer to sell and may be withdrawn at The Oakville Beaver welcomes your comments. All letters must be signed and include the writer‘s address and phone number. Letters should be typed, doubleâ€"spaced and addressed to: Letters to the Editor, The Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakvllle, Ont. L6K 3S4 Douglas A. Nash THE OAKVILLE BEAVER C q ts MZ e 5. together to combat the criminal element in our society, and this should start by making handguns illegal, thus eliminating the main supply source. This achieved, vioâ€" lent crime would suffer a severe setback and perhaps we could all breathe a little easier. Obviously guns will still be smuggled in from the States and a person wanting to commit a crime with a gun will try to get one, but let us make it as tough as we can for that Wannabe. You say our government can do nothing to «ry to stem the tide of gun crimes, but that "if the U.S. brings in tougher laws on gun ownership, it could help stop the leak of guns to Canada." So, in other words, let the good old U.S. of A. bring in tougher laws, and we‘ll hang on to their coat tails and hope for the best. I repeat, this is a copâ€"out! We have to start taking charge of our livesâ€"if radical measures need to be taken to achieve this goal, then so be it. Doing nothing, as your editorial suggests, only leaves us open to more of the vioâ€" lence and abuse to which we are now being subjected. I find this cheap shot of publicity very dangerous. Children looking at this picture would think that this would be a neat thing to do, not realizing that trains cannot stop quickly or swerve out of the way. Railway property is private property and if any of our police offiâ€" cers were to see Mr. Walker or Ms. Hoener staging this stunt, they would have been charged with trespassing on private property. It is obvious that adults have to be taught about railway safety. I just hope that nobody tries this very dangerous stunt. REMEMBER...ANY TIME IS TRAIN TIME. Two adults "playing" on live railway tracks. I write to voice my concern about the dangers of being on railway property. As a police officer for the CN Police Service, I have attended hundreds of schools talking to children about the dangers of playing on railway tracks and yards, not to mention the number of railway fatalities I have investiâ€" cated. Dear Sir: : I couldn‘t believe my eyes when I looked at the front page of the Oakville Beaver, Sun. April 17th. ‘Stunt‘ on railway tracks did nothing to promote safety Ann Rogers I found the tone of the comments from Barry Coe, who assume has a paid position at Amity, both pompous and offen sive. There are many good charities staffed completely with vol unteers who donate their time and effort for nothing to run suc worthwhile ventures as the I.O.D.E. and the Maycourt stores To suggest that the Amity has spawned imitators such as thes stores leaves very bad impression with me and a lot of m friends who reacted to this unfortunate article in the same man ner as I did. As far as the Salvation Army goes, I doubt that there is more helpful and needed organization than this. The Salvatio Army was founded here in 1882 and according to Barry Coe the Amity has been around since 1933. It is amusing that Mr, Coe could think that the Salvation Army imitated the Amity. I there is one organization who truly and generously help the needy, it is without a doubt the Salvation Army. I find it interesting that with 354 paid staff and a budget o $5.5â€"million the Amity still finds it necessary to ask for gov ernment funding topay for the training of the disabled. I was! under the impression from Amity‘s advertising, that the mone to pay for the training of the disabled came from the sale o donated goods. As far as other organizations distributing flyers or soliciting items for charity, who does Barry Coe think he is? I am all for finding out what my donations are to be used for, but I certainly, can think of better places to call than Amity if I am not sure o the organization contacting me! i I can understand Barry Coe feeling enthusiastic about the new store, but Barry, let‘s keep things in perspective. Amity in perspective Dear Sirs: Re: Article on March 30 pg. 15/Amity I was rather surprised and shocked at the tone of the articl about the Amity opening in Oakville in your paper. W.J. Trapler C.N. Police Service The Oakville Beaver, published every Sunday, Wednesday and Friday, at 467 S The Oakville Beaver, published every Sunday, WedmsdgL;derlda , at 467 S Oakville, is one of the Metroland Printing, Publishing ing Ltd. group 0 ing newspapers which includes: Ajaxâ€"Pickering News Advertiser, Barrie Advance, Guardian, Burlington Post, Colingwood , Etobicoke Guardian, Oshawa/Whithy This Week, Peterborough This Week, Richmond Hi/Thomhil Liberal, Scarborough Mirror. All material published in the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Any re whole or in part of this material is strictly forbidden without the consent of the publish Source: Earth Day Canada Every April 22, some 200 million people around the world celebrate Earth Day. 1. You can join the many organized activities in your area, including treeâ€" planting and environmental cleanâ€"up programs. Watch for announcements in your local media, or call the nationa event hotline: 1â€"900â€"561â€"3300 (call costs 50¢ for the first minute). 2. Make your own personal statement for the environment during Earth Week e Don‘t use paper towels or tissues. e Don‘t use any product labelled corrosive, dangerous or poison Don‘t buy anything sold in _ |. nonâ€"recyclable packaging. . @ Make your Own . Earth Day fl Every April 22. Qfl % . Ad S. Howard. Caring for Our PI by Catherine Fa April