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in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, Ja nu ar y 3, 20 19 | 6 ABOUT US This newspaper, published every Thursday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised family of newspapers is comprised f of more than 80 community publications across Ontario. This newspaper is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants are urged to bring their concerns to the attention of the news- paper and, if not satisfied, write The National NewsMedia Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2H2. Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca editor@oakvillebeaver.com facebook.com/OakvilleBeavfacebook.com/OakvilleBeavf @OakvilleBeaver WHO WE ARE VP, Regional Publisher Kelly Montague Regional Managing Editor Catherine O'Hara Managing Editor Karen Miceli Director of Distribution Charlene Hall Circulation Manager Kim Mossman Director of Production Mark Dills Regional Production Manager Manny Garcia Regional General Manager Steve Foreman Halton Media General Manager Vicki Dillane Regional Director of Media Holly Chriss CONTACT US Oakville Beaver 901 Guelph Line Burlington, ON L7R 3N8 Phone: 289-293-0617 Classifieds: 1-800-263-6480 Digital/Flyer/Retail: 289-293-0624 Letters to the editor All letters must be fewer than 200 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. We for verification purposes. We f reserve the right to edit, con- dense or reject letters. Delivery For all delivery inquiries, please e-mail kmossman@metroland.com or call 905-631-6095. OPINION TO LEARN HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR OWN CONTENT VISIT INSIDEHALTON.COM SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT INSIDEHALTON.COM If we had a pair of wishes that could be granted in 2019, they would be to put an end to two deadly but pre- ventable problems facing our communities - gun vio- lence and equally-devastating traffic fatalities. If bullets left the kind of carnage we see on our roads, public outcry in Halton and this province would likely be deafening. Gun violence in parts of this sprawling province is being described in many circles as rampant. But firearms have not killed and maimed nearly as many innocent bystanders as motor vehicle collisions did in our province this past year. The truth of the matter is the mounting motor vehicle casualty and death toll is as much a crisis as the firearm violence also claiming our sons, daughters, mothers and fathers. What is occurring on roads in Ontario is certainly as, if not more, indiscriminate in its devastation than any gun play. There are far more cars on our roads on a daily basis than there are guns. Car ownership is much more prevalent than gun ownership, even when considering illegal weapons in this province. And there are millions of licensed drivers in Ontario with much more easy access to a motor vehicle than a gun. Yet, relatively few people seem passionate about curb- ing traffic deaths in the same way they take aim at tack- ling the gun problem. As the body count continues to increase, perhaps the biggest danger is a province growing numb to the seem- ingly everyday occurrences that are leaving parents without children and children without parents. What should anger us - as much as the slow response or inaction by those with real power to force a change in behaviour - is the knowledge that many of these deaths are preventable. Police have noted that on our roads safety is a two- way street shared by drivers and pedestrians. Ironically, like the gun lobby is fond of saying after every mass shooting - guns don't kill people, people kill people. It's clear this is true of the deaths on our roads. Let's not leave it to legislators and police to solve these problems. Law enforcement can't police the choic- es we make or enforce good judgment among the imma- ture, irresponsible, distracted or reckless. In 2019 we all must remember we are our brother's keeper. OUR 2 WISHES IN 2019 EDITORIAL As a former profession- al hockey player, I know that many factors contrib- ute to your overall health and well-being, including eating well, living smoke- free and getting enoughfree and getting enoughf physical activity. If you are setting new health goals this year, connect with Halton Region for programs and resources that support the well-be- ing of residents at all ages and stages. Get active in 2019 Physical activity can help prevent certain chronic diseases and im- prove mental well-being but finding the time to fit activities into a busy sched- ule can be challenging. Vis- it halton.ca for tips and re- sources, including physical activity guidelines for resi- dents of all ages. If you pre- fer to speak directly with a public health nurse, con- nect with a member of our HaltonParents team on so- cial media @HaltonPar- ents, by email at haltonpar- ents@halton.ca or by call- ing 311. Make healthy eating part of your daily routine Making small changes to the meals you eat every day can be important step toward achieving your health goals. If you're looking to make healthier choices about the foods you prepare, halton.ca of- fers quick, convenient ac-fers quick, convenient ac-f cess to some great re- sources, such as Canada's food guides - a great placefood guides - a great placef to start learning about healthy eating. Resources and support to help you quit smoking If one of your goals this year is to stop smoking, Halton's Stop Smoking Clinic offers smoking ces- sation resources and per- sonalized support from a health care professional to help you develop a plan to quit. To find more informa- tion and healthy living re- sources, visit halton.ca. Halton Region supports the health and well-being of all residents through our programs and services; by making healthier choices you too are making a differ- ence and keeping Halton a great place to live, work, raise a family and retire. Wishing you and your fam- ily a safe and healthy 2019. Gary Carr is regional chair of Halton Region. His column appears the first week of each month. To contact him, email gary.carr@halton.ca. SUPPORTS TO HELP YOU MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES AND LIVE WELL CONTACT HALTON REGION FOR OPTIONS, WRITES GARY CARR GARY CARR Column