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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, October 10, 2014 | 6 Democracy at work Two weeks ago, we questioned where the issues were in this municipal election. It's great to see the discussion that has ensued in a variety of forms -- all-candidates' meetings, letters to the editor, press releases from candidates, door knocking in neighbourhoods, discussions amongst residents, etc. Democracy is alive and well in Oakville. That is not new. Oakville residents have a long tradition of being involved in local politics. That isn't always the case in communities across this province or country. We should be proud of that. There are issues... and plenty of them. Taxes, funding the municipal share of the new hospital, transit, local economy and jobs. All these matters and more took the spotlight at the mayoral debate last week. A debate amongst would-be Halton Catholic School Board trustees last week examined issues such as lobbying for augmented teacher compensation and commitment to a local Catholic education system. This week, we've seen a quartet of all-candidates' meetings take place in town. People have concerns in Ward 1, be it the future of the Wyecroft Road bridge crossing to Burlington, a railway underpass on Burloak Road, the state of the harbour, the squabbling, fencing and frustration surrounding parking in Bronte Village Mall, the state of business throughout the Bronte BIA and more. In Ward 5, some residents feel frustrated that their voices are not being heard, and airplane traf c overhead and traf c on the ground are also local concerns. Ward 3 residents have questions on many issues besides taxes. These folks, beleaguered by the lengthy and arduous `gas plant' asco, now look to the needy state of business in the downtown and the future of the downtown core. And there is always the tree canopy, the future of the soon-to-be former Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital property, and the still-empty former Oakville Trafalgar High School site nearby. Oakville Place, just to the north, has recently announced a $30 million retro t is on the way. The Halton District School Board all-candidates' debate was slated for last night, no doubt with many questions to be tabled: budgets, transportation, class size, dual-track schools and more. And though there have been no all-candidates' debates in Ward 2 (south-central Oakville), Ward 4 (Glen Abbey) or Ward 6 (Iroquois Ridge) there is still lots of time until the Oct. 27 municipal elections for discussion. As Glen Abbey represents the largest voting block in Oakville, and with the future of the Merton Lands still on the table, growth occurring in the north end and lots more of interest, it would be great to see an all-candidates' meeting in that area so people could get more involved. The meetings and discussions that have taken place are great. People in Oakville are involved in their home community. They want to be involved. That can never be measured and no matter what each stands for or what opinion they may hold, it's the will to be involved that is most precious. When you have a community with residents who want to be involved, they should have every opportunity to have their voice heard, either as a candidate or a voter. And for every person who takes the time to get involved, either as a candidate, voter or otherwise, our community, and each of us, owe them a vote of thanks. Editorial "Connected to your Community" Letters to the Editor 447 Speers Road, Oakville ON, L6K 3S4 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Editorial Department: (905) 632-0588 Classi ed Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 Volume 52 | Number 116 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 Local sailing enthusiasts spotted this furry friend tuckered out some distance from shore last week while out on Lake Ontario. While their new friend was keen to get into their vessel, the residents nally convinced the raccoon to hitch a ride on the life preserver. He obliged and stayed put for a 30-minute ride to shore. | submitted photo ANGELA BLACKBURN RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director Business Manager Director of Production Oakville sailors pick up surprise passenger While sailing about one kilometre away from the Oakville Harbour last week, my friend Jon Sprawson and I spotted something in the lake. As curious sailors would, we turned to get a closer look, thinking it was the usual garbage bag, balloon or log. To our surprise, it was a live raccoon, exhausted and trying to stay a oat. We threw in the life ring hoping it would climb on, but it was more interested in getting onto our boat. SANDY PARE MARK DILLS After a few attempts, we managed to use the boat hook and guide him on the life ring. Relieved, I'm sure, he hung on for a 30-minute ride back to shore, looking like he was nodding off every now and then. A gentleman on shore helped us lead him onto the rocks while curious bystanders took photos. A lucky day for the raccoon. We do apologize if he now makes his way into your garage. Helen McGillivray, Oakville MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager Director of Distribution CHARLENE HALL KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member Surely, there's a better location for election signs? It seems disrespectful to line the boulevard in front of the George's Square Cenotaph on Trafalgar Road with campaign signs. Can't the candidates pick a better spot? George Chisholm, president Oakville Historical Society Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Canadian Community Newspapers Association Voter prefers to make up his own mind on ballot Regarding the mayor telling us, the voting public, that we should vote for the incumbents: this is not how the political system works. Thanks, but no thanks. I can think for myself: that is what democracy is all about. A blanket endorsement of incumbents does not impress me. Perhaps the mayor is endorsing incumbents because they serve him, not Editor's Note: The letter Endless parade of unsightly signs must stop, Oct. 3, 2014, Oakville Beaver inadvertently cut off the sender's name. the people rst? Whomever the people of Oakville elect as mayor on Oct. 27, he or she must be ready to work with the council elected by the people. I was undecided at the Ward 5 local level before the endorsement, now I am looking at non-incumbent options. Colin Ratcliffe, Oakville The letter was submitted by Pamela Spicer of Oakville. The Beaver regrets the error and any inconvenience it may have caused. Proud Official Media Sponsor For: 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, 5040 Mainway, Burlington ON L7L 7G5 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.