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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, August 24, 2012 · 6 Opinion & Letters 467 Speers Rd., Oakville Ont. L6K 3S4 (905) 845-3824 Fax: 337-5566 Classified Advertising: 632-4440 Circulation: 905-631-6095 -- 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington 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 KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager Fighting West Nile The Texas Department of State Health Services could probably take a page or two from Halton's health department's plan on how to battle West Nile virus (WNV). Dallas County is experiencing an outbreak of the virus that has killed 10 and sickened some 200 residents. Now the city has resorted to spraying -- via air, no less -- thousands upon thousands of acres with a mosquito-killing pesticide. Over the years, Halton's health department -- in the capable hands of Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Bob Nosal -- has worked diligently through public education campaigns and by larviciding potential mosquito-breeding sites to combat this pesky virus. When the first reports of WNV activity in Canada arrived in the summer of 2001, Halton's health department was ready. Every summer we are reminded to be vigilant to stop the spread of WNV. Certainly, Halton is not immune from the virus as earlier this month it was revealed that a Milton woman in her 30s and a Burlington woman in her 50s are suspected to have the illness. However, before these cases were announced, health department officials were busy sounding the alarm that mosquitoes in the area had tested positive for West Nile. Mosquitoes can transmit WNV to humans after becoming infected by feeding on the blood of birds carrying the virus. About 80 per cent of people who become infected by WNV do not experience any illness, while about 20 per cent develop West Nile fever. Less than one per cent develop inflammation of the brain or its lining, a type of paralysis. Older people and those with underlying illnesses should be particularly cautious, as they are more likely to develop the illness. Staying free and clear of the virus is really up to us. Therefore, we think it is necessary to once again remind residents of the few simple preventive measures we can take to minimize our exposure to mosquito bites and WNV: · use a mosquito repellent containing DEET (carefully following manufacturer's instructions) · avoid areas with high-mosquito populations · wear light-coloured, tightly-woven, loose-fitting clothing, including long sleeves, pants and a hat, to cover exposed skin (especially in trail areas or where there is dense bush) · make sure all windows and doors in your home have screens that are in good condition · take extra precaution from dusk to dawn when mosquito activity is particularly high · take steps to reduce standing water by covering swimming pools, clearing eaves troughs and changing water in birdbaths or garden fountains once a week It may seem a bit cumbersome to be covering up and applying repellent in the carefree days of summer, but the extra vigilance will pay off -- all you have to do is think of a city like Dallas being doused in insecticide. 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. Letter to the editor Little risk with tanning beds, if used properly 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. Town should finance own facilities Re: Town eyes federal cash to upgrade local facilities, Thursday, Aug. 16, 2012, The Oakville Beaver For as long as I've lived in Oakville, successive town councils have consistently sought handouts from the federal and provincial governments to finance local projects and infrastructure. The latest use of the begging bowl is the application for $1 million reported in your Aug. 16 edition under the above caption. Am I the only person in town who finds it bizarre that one of the most wealthy and (if you believe council spin) "livable places in Canada" can't find from its own resources enough money to maintain its own infrastructure? According to information on the Town's website, its budgeted income from tax and other sources in 2012 is approximately $250 million. Raising the $1 million ourselves would increase that by a negligible 0.4 per cent, and that's all in one year -- spread out evenly, the costs would be pocket change. I am not saying that the Federal Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF) is not desirable; neither am I saying that our facilities should not be fixed up. What I am saying is that as we own and operate these facilities we should be prepared to service the costs of keeping them maintained and repaired, and not expect taxpayers across Canada to pay the tab. I am sure there are far more pressing and urgent needs in less prosperous communities that should rate a higher priority by CIIF. When the Town finalized its 2012 budget, the mayor and the chair of the Budget Committee boasted about not letting our infrastructure decay without mortgaging the future of our town, children or grandchildren. I guess you can make these kinds of statements and get away with it as long as you can get someone else to pay for it. Nicolas Burbidge, Oakville Re: Oakville first in Ontario to ban youths from tanning beds, Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012, The Oakville Beaver. As the association representing the commercial indoor tanning industry in Canada, we are working with all levels of government to develop legally enforceable professional standards, which will protect consumers of all ages, not just teenagers. We believe that the use of any tanning equipment should be overseen by trained and certified professionals who can ensure that users are not put at risk as a result of overexposure or because their skin type is simply not conducive to tanning. Scientific, peer-reviewed research indicates that the proper use of indoor tanning equipment overseen by trained professionals presents little to no risk to users. We would also note that medical professionals often refer their patients to commercial tanning salons to aid in the treatment of a variety of ailments. It is unclear at present whether the actions taken by Oakville council will preclude the use of tanning equipment for medical purposes. We would consider such action to be both unwarranted and short-sighted. Steven Gilroy, executive director, Joint Canadian Tanning Association (JCTA) Editor's Note: Ward 6 Councillor Max Khan is quoted in the featured story stating the bylaw amendment does have an exception for medical tanning beds.