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: 337-5571COntario CommunityCanadian Communitylassified 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 Production Unauthorized 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 editorSummer at homeLet's keep Notice the quieter than usual neighbourhood? Or the breezy morning and evening commute?moving aheadMany may be basking in the sunshine and warm tempera-You would never bury hazardous tures of July somewhere else, but there is a certain pleasure materials like leftover paint, oil filters, that can be had by summering at home.used tires or old electronics in your own The lapping of waves on the lakefront, the beauty of nature backyard. in local parks, a wee bit of fishing in the local creeks, a stroll They should not go into our local through the downtown, an ice cream treat the peaceful-landfills either where they risk con-ness of your own backyard.taminating the future drinking water of While it's often said Oakville is on the quieter side of the our children and grandchildren.tracks as far as excitement goes, there is actually plenty to do Fortunately, in Ontario we have in town as well as a little extra thrown in for summer fun increasingly successful diversion pro- for those who are at home or may be visiting tourists.grams that spend every single dollar After Bronte Heritage Park and the surrounding village they receive to ensure these everyday played host to thousands for a traditional Canada Day celebra-items are reused or recycled and what-tion and fireworks extravaganza on July 1, the downtown is ever is left over is kept out of our land-kicking into gear for this weekend's annual edition of fills.Midnight Madness.Here are the numbers that matter This more than 30-year-old tradition will take place on more than one million pounds of Friday, July 15.cell phones, computers and DVD play-Not only is it Oakville's largest retail event of the year, but ers have been collected and kept out of it's expected to draw more than 50,000 people. landfill; more than seven million litres But its more than a chance to shop 'til you drop, it is also of paint have been recycled, and 25 mil-community spirit, live entertainment and family fun.lion tires have been made into new There is much for the entire family to enjoy including live products, helping create new jobs and free music from eight different groups. Visit with some of the recover valuable materials. community organizations involved there are more than 30 Being environmentally responsible participating community groups. There are also games and is also good for the economy. We have prizes for children and a free shuttle bus service every 15 created almost 8,000 jobs in communi-minutes from the Oakville GO Station to downtown Oakville ties like Brampton, Barrie and in my from 5:30 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. There is also free parking after 6 The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, own riding at Liberty Tire. These are p.m. at municipal lots and meters, but remember, Lakeshore Letterslength, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must containgood-paying, stable green jobs. But due Road and the surrounding side streets will be closed after 5 the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed toto theThe Editorto Tim Hudak's reckless plan, every , Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, ON, L6K 3S4,or via e-mail top.m. editor@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter.single one of these jobs is now in jeop-After it's over, catch your breath and take a swim or two editorardy. His plan will kill jobs in our before the Downtown Oakville Jazz Festival turns downtown emerging diversion industries.Oakville into a taste of Bourbon Street from Aug. 3 to 7.What's taking bridge so long? We're at our best when we're mov-This event, on six stages, is considered one of the premier I am writing in regards to the ongoingof make work project seeing how the Goldening forward together. That's no more jazz events in the GTA and is in its 19th year.work taking place at Dundas and Neyagawa.Gate bridge in San Francisco was completed,obvious than in Oakville, Milton, Don't forget to take a dip at local pools, indoor or outdoors The bridge repairs have been ongoingstart to finish, in two years?Burlington and Halton, where residents or your own, try a skate park or splash pad or perhaps take a now for more than five years.Not only are we subjected to this traffichave recycled more than 900 tonnes of sail, maybe on a tall ship as the Empire Sandy returns in I drive past this bridge every day on mysnarl daily, but having closed off access atold televisions, computers, printers and August.daily commute and rarely see more than twoLions Valley Park Road to the beautiful parkother electronics in the last year alone.There are also trails and hiking, not to mention camping people working. underneath this bridge for five years is The Hudak PCs don't share this at Bronte Creek Provincial Park and if you go, as long as you're See When page 10It leads one to wonder, is this some kindvision. Ironically, they showed up at there, try a ghost walk through Spruce Lane farmhouse.parks in Oakville and Burlington Youths have their pick of summer camps, from the Town Monday to highlight their plan for the of Oakville or YMCA of Oakville, or any number of sports, arts, We're supposed to be conserving waterenvironment. A plan where dumping dance or adventure businesses and programs. I am writing as a concerned citizen of (6015) going up and down the street to water paint down the drain, throwing old tires It may be exciting to hit the open road and head out on the Oakville about a problem I have noticed the hanging plants. They let the water run into ditches and letting e-waste con-highway for adventure, or go to the cottage, but being at home since last summer.out so much that you can take a shower taminate our drinking water would be can be just as much fun and lots more relaxing.We have been asked to conserve water on under it. It runs for a good 10 minutes after the norm.our lawns and gardens, but yet the Town of they are gone and just waters the sidewalk, The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite There are potentially hazardous 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the Oakville does not do its part.and they will come around even after a heavy event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together chemicals in every electronic device I work on Kerr Street and on Thursday rainfall. This really makes no sense to me.with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or See We page 10 See Waste page 10 and Monday I have noticed a water truck decline.www.insideHALTON.com OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, July 13, 2011 6