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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday February 22, 2008 - 7 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Best to create healthy communities Crime Prevention Starts in the Neighbourhood www.oakvilleneighbourhoodwatch.ca Continued from page 6 tenance of 16 fields will end up there. In addition, people will be driving from all over town to one place, much longer than if they drove or biked or walked to neighbourhood facilities. 6. Public Health officials are asking for more physical activity. If we had the same amount of fields, but in addition were at walkable distances, the activity would be greater. In addition people could easily fly kites or play ball. 7. Despite the visibility of the sports teams, there is a clear trend from Halifax to Vancouver that people are moving away from scheduled and programmed activities to unscheduled ones. In Oakville, in the last two household surveys related to parks and recreation, the residents when asked if they wanted more parkland as open space or as sports fields, more than 80 per cent responded as open fields. Once again the silent majority is not been considered, and "the squeaky wheels are getting the oil." 8. Homes are worth more when they are close to nice parks and to sport facilities. If instead of clustering all in one place they were located all over the community, everyone's homes would be of greater value. 9. The current design for North Park goes against all principles of Smart Growth. It is not enough to say that we want to become `the most livable town in Canada." We need to be consistent between what we think, say and do. 10. As an Oakville taxpayer, I am convinced that it is the wrong way to invest our resources, both the current residents' taxes as well as the future ones' development charges. There is still time to do it right. Our mayor and Town council seem to be moving in a more sustainable way; do not take a gigantic step back. Our soccer club and other sport groups are contributing much in the development of our kids and youths; they do not need the Town to build "sport factories," as they can form even better citizens if we focus our facility development in creating healthy communities where we'll have happier residents. GIL PENALOSA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WALK & BIKE FOR LIFE WINTER SALE ON NOW! 36" Continental Fireplaces Starting at $1795.00 (Installed) 50 Styles of Barstools $99 - $249 European Engineering Combined With Traditional Workmanship Made In Canada $1698 Sectional Sofas 10 Styles to choose from "Building on the Brightest Ideas Around Glass" Not exactly as shown. See store for details. 905.849.0266 "MASONRY & FIREPLACE DESIGN SPECIALISTS" w w w. c o b b l e s t o n e m b e r s . c a 406 SPEERS RD., OAKVILLE ACROSS FROM RONA LANSING 905-337-2066 $1189 Solid Wood Table & Six Chairs Choice of Chair Style and Choice of Finish Allegro Allegro $ central vacuum central vacuum systems systems Starting From 249 Made In Canada HOMES UP TO 3,000 SQ. FT. OFFERING A FULL RANGE OF TOP QUALITY ACCESSORIES Buy Factory Direct with Substantial Savings Proudly Made In Oakville For Over 10 Years $2398 Solid Birch Bedroom Suite Included: Queen Bed, 2 night tables & dresser. Choice of Stain 1338 SPEERS ROAD, OAKVILLE 905.825.3995 www.allegrovacuums.com 1029 Speers Rd., Oakville 905.842.3739 Speers Rd. & 4th Line (Main Location) WWW.JOSHUACREEKFURNITURE.COM