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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Wednesday, May 1, 2013 | 6 Editorial Oakville people have heart An Oakville resident writes on this page today, they were proud of our town upon witnessing the recent actions of people at what was believed to have been an accident scene. The pride that swelled this resident's heart actually came out of a crisis of the heart of another resident. It was not an accident at all but it was the worst crisis of Brian Hoffman's life. The Oakville resident suffered a cardiac arrest while cycling home from work on April 2. Hoffman fell to the ground on Upper Middle Road and neither he, nor those who stopped to help, were aware he was then walking so closely with death. The husband and father is alive and recuperating today thanks to the quick actions of strangers. They were not the rst responders -- though of course those everyday heroes had a huge part in getting the 54-year-old Hoffman back on the road to resuming his life -- but strangers who saw someone in trouble, something amiss and stopped to help. We often hear criticism about how people are not engaged anymore with their neighbours, with their community. However, here in Oakville, we can count our blessings as there are many folks who are ready and willing to lend a hand. Not only do we live in a decent community on all levels, but our fellow residents are caring, compassionate individuals... good people. Many stopped to help the stricken man. Hoffman and his family are now searching for, in particular, the person -- they don't even know if it was a man or woman -- who not only stopped, but administered CPR, which is credited rst and foremost for saving Hoffman's life. The family simply, and most complexly, just wants to say thanks. ··· Meanwhile, Oakville resident Sheryl Gill, who, at age 38, suffered a cardiac arrest in 2007, is among those heading up this week's kickoff for the upcoming Becel Heart & Stroke Ride for Heart, slated for June 2 in Toronto. Gill has recovered and has resumed her life, but sports eight wires in her chest as a result of her close escape. Like Gill, we should all do our part to thank those whose lives are dedicated to helping people affected by heart disorders. And like Hoffman, we further should all be thankful that Oakville truly is a livable community. And not just because of our physical surroundings, but because far and away, Oakville residents have good hearts. "Connected to your Community" 467 Speers Road, Oakville ON, L6K 3S4 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Editorial Department: (905) 632-0588 Fax: (905) 337-5566 Classi ed Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 Volume 51 | Number 51 The Oakville Beaver is a division of Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Vice ­President and Group Publisher of Metroland West Regional General Manager Halton Region Editor in Chief Advertising Director NEIL OLIVER DAVID HARVEY JILL DAVIS DANIEL BAIRD Managing Editor ANGELA BLACKBURN RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director Business Manager Director of Production SANDY PARE MARK DILLS Reader proud of residents' reaction Editor's Note: Brian Hoffman of Oakville is searching to thank whoever administered lifesaving CPR to him when he suffered a cardiac arrest while cycling on Upper Middle Road April 2 just after 6 p.m. Re: Oakville couple searching for mysterious Good Samaritan, Oakville Beaver, Friday, April 26, 2013 This is concerning the article about the Oakville couple looking for the Good Samaritan for performed CPR. I was there that evening so I can tell you a female with brown hair performed the CPR. I was about the fourth or fth person on the scene. I didn't witness his fall, but saw two cars stopped with ladies running towards the ditch. One on her cellphone calling 911. I pulled over, not knowing what was going on. As I approached the ditch, I saw that it was a cyclist and I assumed that he had been hit. The lady who performed the CPR was there before me and said she couldn't nd a pulse and CPR needed to be performed. I asked if he had been hit, but the witnesses said they saw him collapse from his bike. We needed to move the man for CPR to be performed and thought it safe to do so since a spinal injury Letters to the Editor MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager Director of Distribution CHARLENE HALL KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager was unlikely. We (maybe four to six people) moved the gentleman up to the sidewalk area. I checked again to try to nd a pulse and the other lady started CPR immediately until the re department arrived. Thank you so Brian Hoffman much for the article as I have been wondering what the outcome was. I checked the obituaries and thankful I didn't see one for him. The people who witnessed him fall immediately stopped their cars and rushed to his aid. One lady ran across four lanes of traf c. That's what got my attention. Why was her car stopped on the other side of traf c and why was she running across Upper Middle? It made me feel proud to live in Oakville and see so many people stop to help this man and now I am so happy to see (thanks to your article) that he is doing well. Majken Church, Oakville Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Canadian Community Newspapers Association Proud Official Media Sponsor For: ATHENA Award 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; ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. 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.