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A6 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday July 14, 1999 T h e O a k v il l e B e a v e r OPINION Ian Oliver Publisher Neil Oliver Associate Publisher Norman Alexander Editor Kelly Montague, Advertising Director Martin Doherty Circulation Director Teri Casas Office Manager Mark Dills Production Manager Riziero Vertoili Director of Photography Metroiand Printing. Publishing & Ostributng Lid., includes: Ajax/Pickering News Advertiser. Afcton HerakYCourier, Bame Advance. Barry's Bay This Week. Bolton Enterprise. Brampton GuanJan, Burtngton Post. Boring!on Shopping News. City Parent. CoingwoocVVYasaga Connection. East 'fork Mrror, Erin Advocate'Country Routes. Etobcoke Guardan, Ramborougfi Post, Georgetown independent/Acton Free Press. Hiroria Business Tmes, Kingston This Week. Lindsay This Week. Markham Ecnomst & Sun. Midiand/Penetanguishine Mirror. Milton Canadian Champion, Milton Shopping News. Mssssauga Business Tmes. Mssesauga News. Napanee Gude, Newmarket/Aurora Era-Banner. Northumberland News. North York Mrror. Qakvie Beaver, Qakvie Shopping News. Oldtimers Hockey News. Crifa Today. OshawaAMiitty Oarington Port Peny This Week. Owen Soond Tribune. Peterborough This Week. Picton County Guide. Richmond HiH/Thomhil/Vaughan Liberal. Scarborough Mirror. StouffvAe/Uxbndge Trtxre. Forever MDuig. City of Mark Guardan RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE BY: Ontario Community Nowspapors Association 467 Speers Rd., Oakville O nt L6K3S4 (905) 845-3824 Fax: 337-5567 Classified Advertising: 845-2809 Circulation: 845-9742 Community Nowspapors ol America THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: m Y vmca..... TV AUCTION (SEVILLE -------- _ _ _ CENTRE ------------- JiNtjlE BeII Fund 1 1 6 United Way of Oakville E d i t o r i a l s Good luck We wish Frank O'Dea all the luck in the world as chair of the newly formed Canadian Landmine Foundation -- he's going to need it. Without the support of the United States, the USSR, and China -- three of the largest exporters of military weapons -- his fledgling group is fight­ ing an uphill battle. Yet, O'Dea is confident his group can succeed. Although, he is armed with $1 million in federal seed money, O'Dea doesn't see money as the answer to the problem. Instead, he is looking towards the youth of today - and the Internet -- for help. He firmly believes that a global awareness campaign by students using the Internet is the most effective tool towards eliminating the destruc­ tion of landmines in impoverished countries. Why not? The Internet has been used as a global marketplace, informa­ tion source and meeting place. Why shouldn't it be used to spread a little peace around the world? Student trustee provides fresh opinion We have to admit that we were initially skeptical about the provincial government's plans to have non-voting student trustees sit on the public and Catholic school boards alongside elected officials. Without a vote, we wondered just how useful the student trustees would be and whether they would be simply window dressing. We felt the board would handpick student representatives who would appear qualified, but afraid to rock the boat. While we're still not totally convinced about the plan, the comments from one of the two student trustees, who will sit on the Halton District School Board next fall, give us reason for hope. If Mike McVety retains his candor and isn't overwhelmed by the board administration and trustees, the Milton teenager could provide a fresh look at how students view board policies. And if the board isn't afraid to listen, they just might learn something. L e tte rs to th e E d ito r The Oakville Beaver welcomes your comments. All letters must be typed, signed and include the writer's address and phone number. Send to: Letters to the Editor, The Oakville Beaver 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, Ont. L6K 3S4 Readers w ere not amused William Thomas column was crude Re: Ah, the glory that is France...not! by William Thomas, July 2nd, 1999, Oakville Beaver I would like to reply to Mr. Thomas. My husband was stationed in Marville, France, with NATO and for several years, we had the privilege of living on the local economy and travelling extensively through the countryside. We loved France; we did not want to leave. We learned a quality of life that changed us forever. You have only to travel through the cemeteries and visit the war memorials to see for yourself the penalty France paid for suffering through two world wars fought on their soil. The French do not take kindly to foreign visitors who make jokes at their expense and who do not know what it is like to live under a hostile occupa­ tion. Mr. Thomas' "rule of thumb" concerning the physical characteristics and personal hygiene of the French people is crude, insulting and, in my experi­ ence, completely untrue. His passing comment about Ms. Copps is gross. Mr. Thomas is entitled to his opinion but surely he does not have to resort to such immoderate lan­ guage. Mr. Thomas makes a point of telling us how he learned to hate France in his backpacking days in the '70s -- I have a feeling that he did not exactly charm the French either. Mary Stuart Column did not belong in newspaper In one fell swoop, William Thomas (All the World's a Circus column, "Ah, the glory that is France...not!" in the Friday, July 2nd, 1999, issue of The Oakville Beaver) branded the people of France as political conspirators, cowards, physically deformed, dirty, stupid, and generally nasty and vicious. I am personally appalled by this piece of journal­ ism, and disappointed that your paper published it. If the targets of this derogatory, spiteful opinion were visible minorities, Jewish, gay or women, there would likely be charges of hate propaganda. Why would the community newspaper of the Oakville region tolerate, let alone condone, such big­ otry? The article has no apparent relationship to cur­ rent events or objective reporting. W hatever antecedents prompted the writing of this article -- indeed, this tirade -- are not apparent. I have faith that the people and representatives of Oakville do not share this ugly perception of the citi­ zens of France. Margaret Yokes View of France not shared by reader I am writing in response to the article by William Thomas on the country of France and the French people. (Oakville Beaver, Fri., July 2nd, 1999) It's one thing to disagree with the political deci­ sions of a country and another to discuss the physical attributes of their people. He generalized saying they had big noses and pointy heads. He bound their personalities together and said they were the coldest and disloyal people on the planet. That sounds like bigotry. I can't believe the Beaver printed that. He implied they did nothing in World War II. My dad's cousin Henri Hugo was a French pilot during the war. He fought for his country and he fought hard. He was a recipient of: 1. Grand Officier de la D'Honneur 2. Grand Croix de l'Order National du Merite 3. Croix de Guerre 4. Distinguish Flying Cross Great Britain 5. Distinguish Flying Cross U.S.A. I do know this that the French people appreciated and love the Canadians that fought in the war and died. They celebrate them to this day. If France is such a disgusting country, why is it the number one sought out country to visit in the world? With this type of attitude, it's not surprising William Thomas didn't make friends over there. I don't believe France goes through life miser­ ably. It's those who hate that do. Jane Malczenski Mayor responds Parking by-laws m ust be enforced The Waterfront Festival and Oakville Jazz Festival have been great successes. Many thanks to the volunteers, the sponsors, and the organizing committees for both of these events. Following each event, I have received phone calls from a few people (three as I dictate this let­ ter) who have admitted to park­ ing illegally south of Lakeshore Road, but protest their tickets. In my capacity as the Mayor, I have the opportunity to speak at these events and I do commend the people of O akville, their guests and friends from out-of- town to participate in the enter­ tainment and activities being pro­ vided. In doing so, I in no way suggest that people should disre­ gard the parking by-laws. When the resident and their guests or visitors to O akville park outside of the perm itted areas for parking, they inadver­ tently put at risk those attending the event and residents who may require the assistance of emer­ gency crews for fire or medical emergencies. Oakville is blessed with ideal locations to hold events, such as the Jazz F estival, M idnight Madness, Waterfront Festival. However, in order to ensure residents and visitors are safe, the Town must enforce the provi­ sions of its parking by-law. Ann Mulvale Mayor Town of Oakville m Pud by Steve Nease ITS OUR TURN ID BRING ORANGES GoR UAICnMG/ Letter of the Week Chartwell truck ban upsets TVafalgar Road resident I think I just got shafted! As a resident and owner of property on Trafalgar Road and a member of the Trafalgar-Chqrtwell Residents Association, I can't help feeling that I have been handed the short end of the stick. "Heavy Trucks Banned from Chartwell Road," July 9th. Whilst I am delighted that the Chartwell Road resi­ dents have won such an absolute victory, I wonder how Trafalgar Road got left out in the cold. I agree totally with both Ward 2 councillor Kathy Graham that we should, "go back to the drawing board" and Ward 1 coun­ cillor Kevin Flynn, that the Ford Drive issue be revisited. Anyone using Trafalgar Road access to downtown -- and believe me, there are hundreds and hundreds of them -- will be very aware of the already overwhelming vol­ ume of traffic, particularly during the morning and evening rush hours and at school closing time. However, I have no intention of launching into a litany of com­ plaints, as this is neither the time nor the correct forum. However, I would like to say that though opinionated, I am rarely moved to put those opinions down on paper. At the time of writing this letter, I am incensed at the lack of objectivity and foresight displayed by all involved, more so at myself for naively believing that this issue would be resolved on the basis of common sense and good planning. Rest assured I will not display the same naivete in the future. S. Macdonald Kerr Street needs rec facilities Residents in the Kerr Street area of Oakville are the under­ privileged where recreational facilities are concerned. There are no Splash Pads, Parks & Recreation programs or outdoor Swimming Pools available in the entire area. Even the YMCA is eventually relocating. There are many middle to low income people that could use these facilities that seem to be only available to residents in the more affluent areas of Oakville. If the Kerr Street residents do not have the use of a vehicle or the funds for public transporta­ tion, they must do without. I feel this is very unfair. Why is it that the area a person resides in determines the recreational facilities available? Sara Eichenlaub Visitor enjoyed festival On Sun., June 26th, my husband and I attended your Waterfront Festival -- Outstanding!! As captain of the informa­ tion unit of the Niagara Grape & Wine Festival. I had a vested interest in how things are done in Oakville. Kudos to your transportation services N not only were the buses prompt and timely, the drivers were courteous and help- ful. I found the "Information/Lost & Found/ Volunteer Sign In" depot easily identifiable, security competent and not over­ whelming. The horse-drawn carriage and Town Crier at Heritage Park were charming (Lakeside Park?), as was Just Jazzing and the Oakville Wind Orchestra. We especially enjoyed "Rebel Talk" -- a play by Michael Brown. The venue was most interesting and the seating arrangements very creative. The play was factual, fast paced and interesting, and the players engaging. Well Done Oakville -- we'll be back next year. Darlene Erskine, St Catharines OPINION Editorials Good luck Student trustee provides fresh opinion William Thomas column was crude Column did not belong in newspaper View of France not shared by reader Mayor responds by Steve Nease ITS OUR TURN ID BRING ORANGES Letter of the Week Chartwell truck ban upsets TVafalgar Road resident Kerr Street needs rec facilities Visitor enjoyed festival