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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, February 3, 2012 · 6 Opinion & Letters 467 Speers Rd., Oakville Ont. L6K 3S4 (905) 845-3824 Fax: 337-5571 Classified Advertising: 632-4440 Circulation: 845-9742 --Open 9-5 weekdays, 5-7 for calls only Wed. to Friday, Closed weekends Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. The Oakville Beaver THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: Canadian Circulation Audit Board Member THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Suburban Newspapers of America Canadian Community Newspapers Association ATHENA Award Neil Oliver Vice ­ President and Group Publisher of Metroland West The OakvilleBeaver is a division of David Harvey Regional General Manager JILL DAVIS Editor in Chief Daniel Baird Advertising Director ANGELA BLACKBURN Managing Editor Riziero Vertolli Photography Director Sandy Pare Business Manager MARK DILLS Director of Production Manuel garcia Production Manager CHARLENE HALL Director of Distribution Sarah McSweeney Circ. Manager A big debate Halton Regional councillors had a tough call to make Tuesday when they voted on whether or not to continue fluoridation in Halton's water system. After a 10-hour meeting, which featured dozens of delegations -- both for and against the practice -- councillors finally voted 11-9 in favour of fluoridation. The majority of councillors put their faith and trust in medical experts that included Ontario and Halton's medical officers of health and the head of dental oncology at Princess Margaret Hospital. Both sides cited numerous studies that really proved only one thing -- there is a great division among health providers, municipalities and individuals when it comes to the issue of fluoridation. So who's right? Is this substance key in preventing tooth decay or is it an insidious chemical that causes everything from cancer to Alzheimer's disease? While we don't discount how passionate some people are against having fluoride in their water, do they truly believe that the myriad of health professionals who spoke in favour of fluoridation would do so if they honestly thought it was harmful? Do they really believe these medical experts support fluoridation for some far-fetched rationale to profit from the practice? While they raise good points, perhaps moderation is key to the issue. Halton Region spends $268,000 a year or 54 cents per person on fluoridation. "I will make a lot of money by removing fluoridated water. The thought that there's a worldwide conspiracy is ridiculous," said Dr. Robert Wood, head of dental oncology at Princess Margaret Hospital. Halton Hills Councillor Clark Somerville also recently noted that those who are in financial difficulties and don't have dental coverage, and their children, may benefit from fluoridation. Locally, all parties deserve credit for taking an interest and participating. It is a huge issue and perhaps one that is best left for federal or provincial levels of government to study further and determine the best possible course of action. In the meantime, we are comfortable in relying on the advice of the medical experts who spoke Tuesday... and are pleased the majority of councillors heeded that advice. The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. Advertising is accepted on 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 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 decline. Greenhouse is valuable gem I was disappointed to hear of the Town's consideration of closing the Oakville municipal greenhouse next year as a budget cut. To me, it's just one more step Oakville is taking to becoming a cold, impersonal place to live. The greenhouse and conservatory on Cornwall Road is a superbly-run facility that produces hundreds of varieties of plants, both domestic and exotic, for the town's parks and open spaces and is also home to some well-loved turtles and fish. Open to the public and frequently booked for wedding photographs, those who visit are in awe when they step out of the cold and into the beauty of a local tropical paradise. My children have been there on school trips and had a guided tour and have seen flowers and plants they may never get the chance to see elsewhere in their lifetime. Volunteers -- from teenagers to seniors -- gather there to plant and weed under the watchful eye of the long-time greenhouse manager. Cognitively and physically-challenged adults also volunteer their time at the greenhouse. I see them smiling and laughing as they sweep and fill the seed trays with soil. They go home with a feeling of accomplishment because they know they've been able make a contribution to their town. A children's garden sits adjacent to the greenhouse allowing kids the chance to plant and harvest their own vegetables. Each year the greenhouse participates in high school co-op programs for those interested in a horticultural career. The Oakville Greenhouse and Conservatory is a valuable resource, which functions well on many levels and is a fundamental part of this community. I'm proud Oakville is progressive, but I wish it would stop giving up the special things that make it the wonderful town that it is. Julie Dean, Oakville Letter to the editor Letters to the editor 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. Keep our greenhouse open My name is Delia. For the past two years I have been a member of the Junior Gardeners program at the Oakville greenhouses. I am eight years old. I heard that the greenhouses might close and I know some reasons why it should not ever be closed. I think you should not close the greenhouses because if you do, the Junior Gardeners program will stop. At the program, you learn how to plant seeds, and how to tend to them. You grow vegetables and get to eat them. You learn how to identify butterflies, caterpillars and eggs. I even found some monarch eggs and raised four butterflies and then let them go. You learn to love nature and how to take care of our environment. You also meet new friends. My little sister comes to the program, too, and learns how to plant things even though she is only three. I also like visiting the greenhouse and looking at the fountain and the fish and turtles. Please keep the greenhouses open. Delia Jansen, Oakville Editor's Note: The Town of Oakville budget committee is considering potential savings. No decision have yet been made. By Steve Nease neasecartoons@gmail.com Pud