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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, August 14, 2015 | 6 Editorial S A Y H O P , C H E E S E "Connected to your Community" 5046 Mainway, Unit 2, Burlington ON L7L 5Z1 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Classi ed Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 Volume 53 | Number 65 A call to focus on the election issues Less than two weeks have passed since the writ was dropped on Canada's 42nd general election. Already, aspiring politicians and those vying to return to their of ces on Parliament Hill have peppered the town with their colourful lawn signs. Despite this being one of the longest campaigns in modern history, candidates have wasted no time getting their names, faces and messages out to potential supporters. At 78 days, this isn't a quick dash to the polls. It's a marathon run, one that started well before the campaign's of cial kickoff August 2. Attack ads targeting each of the nation's party leaders have littered the airwaves for what seems like months. Voters can expect their frequency to increase as the calendar nears October 19. Media outlets -- print, radio, television and online social sites -- provide community residents, businesses, service providers and politicians the opportunity to share their messages with a broad audience. Campaign yers are also popular during election campaigns. So, too, are door hangers, magnets and other types of promotional materials. Those vying for your vote can't be frowned upon for ooding your letterbox with campaign literature or blowing up the airwaves with their pleas for support. They should be, however, if they use these means to bolster their standing at the expense of another candidate's efforts. While mudslinging is common fodder during any election campaign, it would come as a refreshing change to hear the national party leaders and their representatives at the local level focus on their platforms instead of badmouthing their challengers. Canadians -- including Oakvillians -- are hungry for detailed plans for addressing issues such as jobs, the economy, national security and the environment. They deserve to know where a candidate stands on a particular issue, what plan of action they'll implement to keep this great nation moving forward and how that candidate will represent their interests in Ottawa. Voters have a right to be informed. And it's up to each candidate to provide us with all the facts so we can make an informed decision on Election Day. Instead of focusing on what the other guy won't bring to the table, candidates need to highlight their own skills and talents, their experience and expertise. Prove to us, the electorate, that you have what it takes to make a difference. Make your point and deliver on your promises. And do so without taking small jabs at your opponents. This campaign, please leave the trash talking behind. 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 SANDY PARE MARK DILLS Ashley Haynes encourages her rabbit named Cheese on its run through the obstacle course during a demonstration staged by the 4-H Rabbit Club at Chartwell Waterford Long-term Care Residence in Oakville earlier this season. The furry creatures worked their way though obstacles and raced each other to the cheers of residents. It was one of the many activities hosted for the residents at Chartwell and other residences like it throughout town. | photo by Jayson Mills - special to the Beaver Director of Production MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager Director of Distribution CHARLENE HALL KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager Resident saw a coyote on Rebecca Street I wanted to report a coyote in the 1000 block of Rebecca Street (Sunday) night. I spoke with a number of the neighbours and we've never seen a coyote in this area before. It was around 8 p.m. and the coyote was eating apples from the ground beneath an apple tree. My wife and I were out for a walk to pick up the mail when we spotted it. After it had nished eating, it crossed to the north side of Rebecca and walked towards Lees Lane. Troy Stenback, Oakville Letters to the Editor Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Canadian Community Newspapers Association Motorcycle noise is hogging the airspace I am an Oakville resident, who is subjected to the continual excessive roar of motorbikes past my residence and excessive revving at close by traf c lights, mainly on Friday evenings and Saturday and Sunday afternoons and evenings, as well as long weekend Mondays. I am told by Halton police that the provincial Highway Traf c Act does not effectively address this excess noise. Also, they do not have the resources to look for offending motor bikes with illegal exhausts, silencers, muf ers and silencers and it is considered to be a " minor traf c violation." I was referred to the Town of Oakville motorbike noise bylaw. However, I believe that testing a "stationery" and "idling` motorbike cannot be compared to the "excessive accelerating roar" of motorbikes travelling up to/over 50 km/hr. see Authorities on p.8 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, 5046 Mainway, Unit 2, Burlington ON L7L 5Z1 or via email 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.