" OPINION Dear Sir: j The Halton Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving held a Much Music Video Dance from Halton high school students, on Saturday, May 21st, to raise money for R.L.D.E. We had excellent prizes, roller blades and a helmet, passes to Canada‘s Wonderland, and Jays tickets three rows behind home plate, and much, much, more. Of the 1,200 tickets we had printed, and we sold 65. But that‘s what happened and tonight at Town Hall, we may actually see some kind of decision made after a group of residents agreed to a kind of compromise detailed in the May 22nd issue of the Oakville Beaver. We trust all sides in the issue will get down to business and agree that a crossing is needed and the only thing to do now is hammer out some details. Town Council at the time effectively dodged the issue, citing a list of reasons why they shouldn‘t deal with the issue then. Of course, that‘s exactly when they should have made the bridge decision, before growth came to the area and forced the current elected group to face the music. The dance was well advertised, and a lot of people knew about it. We asked some of those that did attend why the turn out was so poor. They said it partially because of the long weekend, but most because no one wanted to come to a dance that was being run by the cops. We did have officers present, as at any function where large numbers of people are expected. When John F. Kennedy was elected President of the United States, the hope was that this would usher in a new era of vision for that country. Kennedy‘s election also paralleled what was possible in the 1960s. Everything was possible, everything could be achieved. Change in the system could take place. The Kennedy‘s brought a young family to the White House and informalized the presidency that reflected the values at the time. There was hope, there was anticipaâ€" tion of greater things to come. John Kennedy‘s administration was not that impressive when compared to other Presidents but he was destined to be a legend, a fate that was sealed with his assasâ€" sination in Dallas Texas 31 years ago. Ken;ledy’s get t:)ugh stance with the Russians over placing missiles in Cuba was a major turning point in relations between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. Ask just about any Canadian of teen years or more in 1963 where they were when news of Kennedy‘s assassination took place, and they won‘t hesitate a secâ€" ond, so indelibly marked in their minds was that tragic and historic event. _ Just as Kemiedy’s administration was seen to be a light in the dark political tunâ€" nel, his death began years of political turmoil in the U.S., most of it revolving around the Viet Nam war. Kennedy‘s assassination was the first time anyone had seen a head of state killed on television and the scenes of that day and his funeral with his wife Jacqueline and children John Jr. and Caroline, at her side, were and still are, gutâ€"wrenching. On the 30th anniversary of Kennedy‘s death, there was much coverage of the event including the dredging up, once again, of the conspiracy theory. The Kennedy name, never long out of the news, was news again. But for her part, Jacqueline fennedy rose above it all. She never gave a formal interview to the press after her usband‘s death and tried to raise her children during the most trying of circumâ€" stances. In short, she was a class act. For the millions of people who grew up during the early 1960s, Jackie Kennedy‘s death is more personal than to others. She was a touchstone to their past, their youth and their generation. For them and those who have followed the Kennedy saga over the years, life has come full circle. It‘s up to all of us to stop impaired driving The police officers stayed until 11:40 p.m., and at 11:45 p.m., the roller blades and helmet were stolen! At that point, we truly thought that nothing could get worse... boy were we wrong!! A woman drove from Burlington to pick up her daughter, and she was DRUNK! She pulled in behind another mother, who though she was a cop in an unmarked car Dear Sir: It was a warm evening last Friday, and so my wife and I decided to go for a walk in the Bronte Harboutr PUD Cyclists should respect traffic rules and not terrorize pedestrians he death of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis last week marked the end of a story that captivated North America, if not the world, more than three decades ago. ne of the hottest topics going 20 years ago in Oakville, was a report on a ‘new‘ bridge to cross Bronte Creek. Then, as now, residents in the area were in conflict over where a bridge should cross and even if one was needed at Closing the circle The daughter took the keys from her mother, and we called the police. I asked the other mother to stay in case the police wanted to take a statement from her, and she would not! We tried everything to convince her to stay, but after watching what was going on for more than 20 minutes, she left quickly when she thought the police might come over to talk to responding to a problem because she was driving so fast, but she realized something was wrong when she saw the woman drive over a cement median, and then back up again. When the woman got out of her car, she was staggerâ€" ing. area. First, we strolled along the sidewalk to the north of Lakeshore and felt very vulnerable as cyclists brushed past us, requested us to Mc B us. She said she did not drink, and did not want to get involved. I sinâ€" cerely hope that one of her children or someone she loves is not killed by a drunk driver, especially if it could have been prevented by someone who knew the person was impaired but did not want to get involved! The police do everything they can, but unless people take a stand and get involved, 2,500 Canadians will continue to DIE each year and hunâ€" dreds of thousands will be seriously injured. What can you do if you see someone who is about to drive after they have been drinking? If possiâ€" ble, remove the distributor cap, or let the air out of the tires, if that‘s SPEAK YOUR MIND 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. All callers are allowed 45 secâ€" onds to express their opinion and must provide their name, address and phone number for verification. A cross section of the responsâ€" es will be published in next Wednesday‘s Oakville Beaver. move over or told as to make way for them. Looking across to the south side of Lakeshore, we noticed a policeman THE OAKVILLE BEAVER 467 Speers Road, Oakville, Ont. L6K 354 845â€"3824 Fax: 845â€"3085 Classified Advertising: 845â€"2809 Circulation: 845â€"9742 or 845â€"9743 Ian Oliver Publisher Robert Glasbey Advertising Director Norman Alexander Editor Geoff Hill Circulation Director Teri Casas Office Manager Tim Coles Production Manager The Oakville Beaver, published every Sunday, and Friday, at 467 Speer Oakvl'le.isomloeMetmlandP%m.Pubkï¬ng tributing Agoup sub newspapers which includes: ALax-Pid(em? News Advertiser, Barrie Advance, Brar Guardian, Burlington Post, , Etobicoke Guardian, Georg Independent/ Acton Free Press, ton This Week, Lindsay This Week, Mar Economist and Sun, Stouffville/Uxbridge Tribune, Miton Canadian Champion, Missis News, Newmarketâ€"Aurora Eraâ€"Banner, North York Mirror, Oakville Beaver, Ofrillia " Oshawa/Whithy This Week, Peterborough This Week, Richmond HiVThomhil/Va Liberal, Scarborough Mirror. All material published in the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Any reproduct whole or in part of this materia! is strictly forbidden without the consent of the publisher. Adveflisi'lgisaocapledmhaoond'nionml,inmmd-mmicdm,flmpoï¬monhamomflmapwewuwby.heemmiqn.bgemmhlwmbhdmfude,ï¬lmba.qwgsdionwhebamdhmflqmï¬lbepn the applicable mle.mmmmmï¬mlbmegoduandlflflvuhdm. in the event of typographical error, advertising goods or services at the wrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Advertising is merely an offer to sell and may be withdrawn at any 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., Oakville, Ont. L6K 3S4 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER not possible, get the license plate number and a description of the car and call the police immediately. Your call can be anonymous, but to save a life make the call! Just remember... it could be your son, daughter, mother, father, brother, sister, or friend, that meets that perâ€" son on the road and is killed when it could have been prevented if only you had gotten involved; that‘s quite a conscience to have to live with! Remember, impaired driving is a CRIME. Would you look the other way if someone was being raped or beaten? I hope not! This can happen to you, drunk drivers do not discriminate. The Halton courts see 2 to 3 impaired driving charges EVERY DAY!! Statistics show that we have a 50% chance in our lifetime of being a victim of an impaired driver, and 100% chance of knowing someone who has. We can no longer be a community that sits back and lets someone else worry about this â€" wake up, take a stand, set an example BEFORE it‘s too late for YOU! If you would like more information on what you can do to stop impaired driving, call the Halton Chapter of MADD at (905) 844â€"0096. on a bicycle with an adult and child who were cycling on the sidewalk. I thought good, this must be the comâ€" munity policeman at work advising by Steve Nease Lori O‘Boyle the adult that as a driver he could lose points for being on the sidewalk and the child was getting a lesson on the traffic laws and how one should respect them. We carried on walking leaving the threesome together, and three quarters of an hour later came back to the same spot just in time to see the adult and child waving goodâ€" bye to the policeman â€" and off they went along the sidewalk; so much for pedestrian safety! My question to cyclists is why terâ€" rorize pedestrians the same way you feel at risk on the roads! My question to the police is why not show some respect to the rights of pedestrians and the laws you are paid to enforce. Today‘s cyclists are tomorrow‘s motorists â€" so shouldn‘t they learn respect for the traffic rules now, and in turn, they will learn respect for the police who are earning their keep. R.E. Edwards Academic accountability is here Dear Sir: I am writing in reference to an article in the May 18th Beaver entitled "Students average in writing skills". The article referred to results of Grade 12 Halton English students who participated in a provincial review. The article did not inform readers that they are now able to obtain indiâ€" vidual school results. Previously, results of testing for individual schools were kept secret from the public per Board policy. Trustee Linda Lane indicated at the May 12th Board meeting that she had a copy of an order from the Privacy Commissioner directing the Carleton Board to release individual school test results. On the basis of this precedent, Trustee Lane asked that individual school results be made available upon request. Trustee Lane sought and obtained assurance that this information would not be denied to parents who were interested in how the students at their schools performed. This is a significant accountability breakâ€" through. Program shortfalls can be identified, remedied, and administraâ€" tion can be held accountable. Parents and business can determine where they can assist their schools. School boards should be publicizing school performance results without being asked. Halton results were disappointing when you consider that students could complete assigned writing tasks with teacher and peer assistance over three to five classroom sessions. What was the degree of student ownership? The results of the assigned tasks at all levels fell far short of provincial expectations. _For years, the Board has told us through various publications that Halton is the best in the province. Director Williams has stated that Halton is the provincial leader in staff development. Indeed, we‘ve spent millions so our teachers and support staff can take time off from their scheduled teaching duties to attend seminars and conferences, so they can adapt their programs and methods. After years of conditioning to expect the best, I was disappointed to hear Administration talk in terms of meeting, exceeding, or falling below provincial averages (none of which met provincial targets for assigned tasks), instead of talking in term of leading the province. The Board‘s plan of action appears comprehensive, and I am happy that they are going to replicate the provincial test in 1995. T e;pect to see the 1995 school results as well, once they are available Public accountability for student performance has finally arrived! : Ajgorâ€"Plck rï¬ser Barrie Advance, Brai Guardian, Bunmmn Post, coln%wofléfl%onrm obicoke Guardian, Independent/ * mAcgan gree Press, o msMn Um:l:ny This Week, Mai Economist a in, Stouftvilie/Uxbridge Tribune, on Cana Champion, News, Newmarketâ€"Aurora Eraâ€"Banner, North York Mirror, Oakville Beaver, Ofrillia T Oshawa/Whithy This Week, Peterborough This Week, Richmond HilThombil/Vau Liberal, Scarborough Mirror. All material published in the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. M vmoleorlnmnolmtsmaterlallssmcflyiomlddenvdmmecomentow\epmusher Source: Alternatives magazine e Both women and the environment have been undervalued in the maleâ€"dominated view of the world. e Resources have been measured O by their profit potential only. o e The result has been exploitaâ€" e tion and depletion of our resources A sustainable world depends on more cooperation, nurturing and respect for the environment â€"â€" an attitude exemplified by many women‘s lives, says ecoâ€"feminism. The struggle to preserve our fragile environment has much in common with women‘s fight for equality, ecoâ€"feminists believe. What is ecoâ€"feminism? Jane Eyre Caring for Our Plan May 25,