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rOPINION 2 'Wav ton earlv jGevemments are often *criticized fer net listening. SBut semetimes, much te our collective surprise, jpoliticians do back dewn jfrom controversial poli- cies. Such is the case with the jOntario gevemnments sex education curriculum, wbicb was slated te infil- trate public and separate Sschools this September. Recently Dalten McGuinty anneunced the gevernment weuld go back tei the drawtng beard te redesign hew educaters wilI teach children about the birds and the bees. Under the original pro- pesal, cbildren would have been introduced te sex tepics as early as Grade 1. In Grade 3, (age eight), children were te learn about sexual orientation. In Grade 6, topics such as masturbation were en the study slate, and in Grade 7, instruction weuld explore tepics such as anal and oral sex. in pulling the plug on the new curriculum, Education Minister Leona Dombrowsky conceded the govemment didnrt ade- quately consult with par- ents. That might explain the ground-swell of outrage once the proposed curricu- lum was quietly released by the ministry We applaud the govern- ment for backtracking on the proposed sexual edu- cation curriculum - a move that would bave cir- cumvented the responsi- bility of parents te educate their children about the birds and the bees, and force children te grow up way tee early ReadersWrite Email laera te edmxtùonalmcatanhamplofl oan Letters, whàch may be editedi must m dde te wrter s name, addreer and phone nuniber. Know ail the costs involved before acquiring a pet DEAR EDITOR: In response te Gerald Hinatsu's concerns about the cest of veterinary rare compared te huonan healtb rare, 1 cao understand how tempting it is te compare the two. However, moat people are unfortunstely unaware of the high cost of human health rare because most of the bilas are paid by OHIP or health insurance plans. Veterinary health care, like human health care, is becoming more advanced every day As a result, surgery, chemotherapy, dental treat- ments and other procedures are extending the lives and quality of life for our pets, where in the past euthanasia or pain management would have been the only options. Bylaw enforcement officers need to focus on the real parking violations in this t'own DEAR EDITOR: lis net surprising that there are many peo- pIe whe are frustrated witb parking in Milton. Based on what I've seen at Laurier Plaza, on any given day you will find several vehicles parked or stopped in the marked 'No Parking' and 'No Stoppmg' fire routes, even wben there are available open spaces just 10 te 20 feet away- I bave seen the same occur in front of the Metro grocery store. But l've neyer seen the bylaw enforcement officers eut there handing eut tickets, as it seenna they're tee busy ticketing semeene who parked on their own street for longer than three heurs- i think the «parking enfercement people need te get their priorities sorted eut. Ferget about the average person who bas parked longer tban tbree heurs or even evernight in front of their homes, as this really poses ne immediate danger te anyenes life. Get but there and ticket and tow those indi- viduals who feel that its acceptable te stop or park in 'Ne Steppini or 'No Parking, Fire Route' zones because tbeyre only going te be in there for a minute. 1 understand that the Town may not like this idea, as there weuld be a drop in the seem- ingly 'easy' ticket revenue, but it sbouldn't take long fer the word te spread, allowing the usual three-hour ticketing te get back in full swing. MIKE BYRNE MILTON WVhile these advances are wonderful in many ways, they also cost more. However, pet owseers can protect them- selves and their pets by purchasing pet health insurance, which can cever up te 80 per cent of veterinary expenses. Mr. Hinatsu implied that veterinarians Tou- tinely tum away pet owners who can't afford te pay for procedures. Ontario veterinanians do millions of dollars worth of free work for clients in financial need every year, and in other cases will offer payment plans for costly procedures. The Ontario Veterinary Medical Association has also established the Farley Foundation, a charitable organization that subsidizes the cest of veterinary care for low-income seniors and disabled pet owners. As veteninarians, we care deeply about crur patients' well-being. Ensuning your pet lives a long, happy and healthy life may require a sig- nificanit investment of both tume and money 1 urge anyone considering pet ownership te contact their local veterinarian te discuss the coat and commitment involved before bringing a pet into their family DR. JENNIFER DAY, PRESIDENT ONTARIO VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION A o S Newspatenn Association CNA Canadian Coomunity ~j Neerpapen Asociation S u iSuirurban Newstaper I -i of Ameria The Ca nadiatt Champion i'i a proord medeas poonsor for: Halton Healtir ae 1'iONAGO Jingle Bell Fund SANTA CLAUS PARADE UNITED WAYII OF MILTON CANADA DAY L ATHENA Th rlw Mn W Aon"d Tht Milton Cecodce Chmonc e a ecyclobir ProuarI 1111 Il Il il IN 1 EN 1 l' 1 1 1 GALA zbe Qfanabin cb4ampion Milton's Community Newspaper Since 1860 555 Industrial Dr., Milton, Ont. L9T 5EI 905-878-2341 Editorial Fax: 905-878-4943 Advertismg Fax: 905-876-2364 i Classified:905-875-3300 Circulation: 905-878-5947 www.niltoncanadianchampion.com V.«P. Group Publisher Neil Oliver Regional Gênerai Manager David Harvey Gênerai Manager Debbi Koppejan Editor in Chief Juill Davis Managing Editor Karen Muceli Production Manager Mrm Colas Circulation Manager Charlene Hall Office Manager Sandy Pare %u Canadian Champon, pubinlned emey Tuesday and Thursda% as a division of Metrolnd Media Group Ld. 1 Aàvrtsing isacceptedsonthlecondton tlat inlthe event ofa typograpical eracr tirat portion oftre aders rrg space oacupied byrthe enronenun itemr, tonetr Wth a reasnraile allonrance for signratre, will rot ire cirargei for, but the balance ni tire advtearnent wIll ire paiti for at the apicable rate. Tire puirlinher renduves tire rigirt te categontze arluentisneento or deciune. CCAB Audited Recetuzedfore-1eelnce- by