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OPINION & LETTERSTHE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR:The Oakville BeaverTHE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR:Canadian Circulation467 Speers Rd.,Audit Board Member Oakville Ont. L6K 3S4 Recognized for Excellence by(905) 845-3824 Fax: 337-5571ClassiOntario CommunityCanadian Communityfied Advertising: 632-4440 Newspapers AssociationNewspapers AssociationCirculation: 845-9742 Open 9-5 weekdays,ATHENASuburban NewspapersAward5-7 for calls only Wed. to Friday, Closed weekendsof AmericaEditorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. NEIL OLIVERVice President and Group ROD JERREDManaging EditorMARK DILLSDirector of ProductionUnauthorized use is prohibited.Publisher of Metroland WestDANIEL BAIRDAdvertising DirectorMANUEL GARCIAProduction ManagerThe Oakville Beaver is a division ofDAVID HARVEYRegional General ManagerRIZIERO VERTOLLIPhotography DirectorCHARLENE HALLDirector of DistributionJILL DAVISEditor in ChiefSANDY PAREBusiness ManagerSARAH MCSWEENEYCirc. ManagerLetter to the editorLamenting Bill 8Fond memories ofIt's a shame Premier Dalton McGuinty prorogued ice cream trucksthe Ontario legislature a day early without passing the third and final reading of Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn's In reference to the recent com-plaints about the ice cream truck'sprivate member's bill, which would have banned con-music/noise, I would like to ask them,struction of natural gas power plants within 1,500 were you ever a kid?metres of homes, schools or health facilities. I will be 51 soon and every time IEarlier this week, Oakville's Citizens For Clean Air hear that familiar tune, I am instantly(C4CA) urged the government to pass the bill, known transformed into a kid again, as itas Bill 8.brings back many great childhoodFlynn's private member's bill had already passed memories.two readings in the legislature.I sure hope that people like you doAccording to C4CA board chair Frank Clegg the not cause the end of the ice creambill had wide support from all three parties.trucks and their lovely tune.But instead of passing Flynn's Bill, the Liberal One day, I hope to be able to sharethat tune and an ice cream with mygovernment simply let it die.grandchildren. What happened?I will tell them of all my fondAccording to Flynn, Bill 8 and its 1,500-metre buf-memories of running down the streetfer zone served its original purpose in drawing atten-with friends and cousins to get the icetion to the issue, but he now says the government can cream man's attention to stop.do better.So many great stories were sharedFlynn says Ontario needs a comprehensive plan in the hot summer sun, while lickingand rules around the sitings of natural gas power up that soft, swirled ice cream beforeplants.the sun dripped it away.He says the government is already working on that Come on people, do you not havetask.better things to whine about? If that isthe least of your worries, then youSorry, we're not buying his explanation.have got it made.We don't see why the government couldn't pass I suggest that the next time youBill 8 and accept a 1,500-metre buffer zone to protect TheOakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations hear that truck, think of someoneLetters toresidents while it works on stronger legislation.and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author.who is much worse off, suffering withLetters should be addressed to The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, ON, L6K 3S4,or viaAt least we would have something.e-mail toeditor@oakvillebeaver.com. TheBeaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter.the editorcancer, or the parents hoping thatWe can't help but wonder whether the government their little one will live to see tomor-had ulterior motives.row, and your ice cream truck woesLiteracy council grateful for supportEarlier this year, media reports speculated the will quickly disappear. Ontario government was going to avoid an expensive Thank you, Oakville. With your help,On behalf of each one of them, thank youIf that still doesn't help you, thenOakville Literacy Council volunteers raisedto our truly amazing volunteers, used bookpayout to TransCanada for pulling the plug on the try investing in some ear plugs. more than $22,000 at our used book sale lastdonors big and small (too many to name), and$1.2 billion Oakville power plant by giving the com- E. Pallotta, Oakvilleweek.the sponsors who support us.pany the inside track on a similar plant in The funds support our adult students asWithout the support of the community itCambridge.they bravely journey down their individualserves, the Oakville Literacy Council cannotUnbearable noiseTransCanada just happens to own some property paths to success. keep doing its good work.on Witmer Road.I couldn't agree more with the iceFor one, that might mean working towardPlease continue to help local efforts toHowever, that property is only a few hundred cream truck being an irritant. gaining entry to Sheridan College; for another,improve literacy.metres from several housing subdivisions.One can hear the ice cream truckit might mean improving writing skills to getKaren Majerly, Director, CommunicationsNeedless to say, Flynn's Bill 8 would have thrown a a job, or a better one.and Administration, Oakville Literacy Councilfrom blocks away as it winds its waymonkey wrench into that scenario.slowly around the neighbourhood. While the provincial government may be working Having no way to stop the truckPud BY STEVE NEASEneasecartoons@gmail.comon tougher legislation to protect Ontario residents from playing the relentless mindfrom having a massive power plant built in their back-numbing tune for extended periodsyards in the future, the sad truth is there is nothing what does one resort to stuffingto stop that from happening now.cotton in our ears.At least Bill 8 was something.I equate the ice cream truck noiseto nails on a chalk board. The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 The thought of having to listen toGould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. Advertising is accepted the noise for another summer ison the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not unbearable. be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. G. Shermet, OakvilleThe publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline.www.insideHALTON.com OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, June 3, 2011 6