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6- The Oakville Beaver, Friday July 14, 2006 www.oakvillebeaver.com OPINION & LETTERS The Oakville Beaver 467 Speers Rd., Oakville Ont. L6K 3S4 (905) 845-3824 Fax: 337-5567 Classified 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: IAN OLIVER Publisher WEBSITE Oakvillebeaver.com NEIL OLIVER Associate Publisher JILL DAVIS Editor in Chief ROD JERRED Managing Editor KELLY MONTAGUE Advertising Director DANIEL BAIRD Advertising Manager TERI CASAS Business Manager MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director CHARLENE HALL Director of Distribution ALEXANDRIA CALHOUN Circ. Manager Metroland Printing, Publishing & Distributing Ltd., includes: Ajax/Pickering News Advertiser, Alliston Herald/Courier, Arthur Enterprise News, Barrie Advance, Brampton Guardian, Burlington Post, Burlington Shopping News, Caledon Enterprise, City Parent, Collingwood/Wasaga Connection, East York Mirror, Erin Advocate/Country Routes, Etobicoke Guardian, Flamborough Review, Georgetown Independent/Acton Free Press, Harriston Review, Huronia Business Times, Lindsay This Week, Markham Economist & Sun, Midland/Penetanguishine Mirror, Milton Canadian Champion, Milton Shopping News, Mississauga Business Times, Mississauga News, Napanee Guide, Newmarket/Aurora Era-Banner, Northumberland News, North York Mirror, Oakville Beaver, Oakville Shopping News, Oldtimers Hockey News, Orillia Today, Oshawa/Whitby/Clarington Port Perry This Week, Owen Sound Tribune, Palmerston Observer, Peterborough This Week, Picton County Guide, Richmond Hill/Thornhill/Vaughan Liberal, Scarborough Mirror, Stouffville/Uxbridge Tribune, Forever Young, City of York Guardian In the deep end Where is the common sense? Where are the morals and values? We can only shake our heads and wonder aloud as to what makes a parent continue to support a controversial swim coach who has, and we say this politely, a checkered past. Burlington resident Cecil Russell continues to make headlines thanks to his involvement with the Dolphins Swim Club, based in both Oakville and Barrie. Just in case you are not familiar with this individual he has, in the past, been arrested for trafficking steroids and ecstasy and has testified he helped burn and dispose of a dismembered body. However, no one has questioned his ability and qualifications to teach swimming and, obviously, for some parents the lure of the podium is of utmost importance. Russell would probably not be able to land a job as a teacher in our education system or at any other organization that runs background checks on people seeking an educator's or coach's position. While Russell was banned from coaching in Canada in 1997 for his involvement in a steroid-trafficking ring, a Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sports (CCES) hearing held last fall reinstated him. So in Russell's mind, why not coach? This man's colourful and complex story has been widely reported in national dailies, our local papers and, most recently, a front-page feature in the Toronto Star. Every politician it seems is wading in on the situation. Halton MP Garth Turner has publicly said he is pleased that the federal government has decided to review CCES' reinstatement decision. He believes as an MP he should be looking out for the welfare of "everyone I represent." Sports Minister Michael Chong said he respects the CCES' decision and that all Canadians are entitled to due process. However, he also noted that the issue is now in the hands of the government's lawyers for review. When Russell was reached for comment by The Oakville Beaver all he would say was, "I'll leave it in the hands of my lawyer." Quite frankly, the real decision in this sordid mess rests solely in the hands of the parents who have to decide if it's okay for this man to coach their kids. 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 Dear Thieves: This letter is to express our disappointment and sadness that you had the nerve to steal and to make matter worse ­ from a charity. Sometime during the evening of July 5 ­ you came by our office and stole our two beautiful planters, so that you can enjoy them on your property. We are a non-profit organization and we cannot replace these planters this year due to the lack of funds. We were very lucky to have these filled Thieves should be ashamed for stealing from a charity by the ladies of the Halton Civitan Group in Oakville and they were absolutely beautiful, bringing us joy each morning we entered into our offices. Unfortunately this is not the first time we have been victims of theft. Last year after building a beautiful garden in the rear of our property (with the funding of a very generous family), so that the people we support can sit outside during their breaks and lunches ­ some thieves came in on a weekend and stole a large water fountain. We now have to lock up the garden and anything that can be removed. It is so sad to see that there are such people on this earth that would actually steal from a charity. It is bad enough that you have to take something that doesn't belong to you, but to actually help yourself to something that we now cannot afford to replace... We hope you are pleased with yourselves for doing such a horrible thing. J. WEIR COMMUNITY LIVING OAKVILLE BY STEVE NEASE snease@haltonsearch.com Co-op programs work On the heels of Debbie Travis's presence in our town I am writing to remind parents of highschool students of the Halton Board of Education's co-op programs. This year my son participated in a co-op program arranged through Oakville Trafalgar Highschool. Wayne's Wood a custom cabinetry company in Oakville created an opportunity for my son and gave him the chance to work with quality craftsmen. It was a great learning experience. On behalf of the many parents whose children have benefited this term from a co- op placement, I would like to thank the many companies, small and large who provided a high school student in our community, a co- op experience. Co-op mentors are unsung heroes who take students in Grade 11 and up and help them find their talents and skills in the workplace. I encourage other companies in Oakville to consider offering a local high school student a coop experience. Whatever your son or daughter decide for their careers, co-op is a fantastic way to help them understand the many diverse opportunities that are out there. A coffee mug or gift certificate is the normal way of thanking `teachers'. For those who offer a co-op placement we should be thanking them with a `shop co-op' attitude. They are helping build a knowledgeable, skilled and passionate workforce for the future. JANET HASLETT- THEALL Pud