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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, January 18, 2012 · 6 Opinion & Letters 467 Speers Rd., Oakville Ont. L6K 3S4 (905) 845-3824 Fax: 337-5571 Classified Advertising: 632-4440 Circulation: 845-9742 --Open 9-5 weekdays, 5-7 for calls only Wed. to Friday, Closed weekends Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. The Oakville Beaver THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: Canadian Circulation Audit Board Member THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Suburban Newspapers of America Canadian Community Newspapers Association ATHENA Award Neil Oliver Vice ­ President and Group Publisher of Metroland West The OakvilleBeaver is a division of David Harvey Regional General Manager JILL DAVIS Editor in Chief Daniel Baird Advertising Director ANGELA BLACKBURN Managing Editor Riziero Vertolli Photography Director Sandy Pare Business Manager MARK DILLS Director of Production Manuel garcia Production Manager CHARLENE HALL Director of Distribution Sarah McSweeney Circ. Manager Tragedy goes beyond words Oakville's tragedy last week involving the murder of a mom of three boys and the shooting death of her estranged husband in a police station parking lot is horrendous on many levels. A family mourns the loss of a beloved daughter, sister and mother. They will never be the same. The family is forever changed and trying to make sense of a senseless situation. The heartbreak and heartache for Katherine Newman's father, siblings, extended family and friends -- not to mention her children -- must feel unbearable. The 43-year-old Oakville resident had already cheated death as a breast cancer survivor. How cruel life can be. Now her children, ages 12, 10 and seven, will grow up without a mom at their side to nurture and nudge them along their chosen path, to be there for them. Walter Stayshyn, Katherine's father, is a retired Superior Court Justice. He told The Oakville Beaver that his son-inlaw Kyle Newman had changed over the last year and a half and that he was afraid for his daughter's welfare. The lack of violence, said Stayshyn, had prevented her from getting a restraining order. However, the retired judge, who presided over criminal cases during his years in the court system, admits that "even a restraining order wouldn't have stopped" what happened Thursday morning. Our sorrow is extended to the family of Kyle Newman whose members most likely cannot fathom how a relationship could go so horribly wrong. The answers to their questions and the need to understand died with Newman that January morning. There is no closure here. Our thoughts, too, are extended to Halton police and the emergency services workers who responded to the bloody scenes. Upon arriving at the police station, officers and EMS crews worked frantically trying to save Newman's life. When those officers went to work that day, they did not know how their day would unfold. Too often we forget the type of work these men and women do and the stress they must endure. Once the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has assessed the situation and reported its findings, we will perhaps know a little more about what transpired in the moments leading up to Kyle Newman's death. As a newspaper of record, we capture the town's history through words and photographs. Last Thursday morning was chilling, even for our most seasoned staff. Violence is unacceptable Oakville is saddened to learn of the death of Katherine Newman (Father mourns daughter murdered Thursday, Oakville Beaver, Jan. 13, 2012), who died of multiple stab wounds last week in her Oakville home. This unfortunate death may be counted among the many deaths of women and children killed by violence each year in Ontario. Halton is renowned as a safe region in Canada, yet no region is impervious to violence against women. During the last year, Sexual Assault & Violence Intervention Services of Halton (SAVIS) recorded a total of 2,127 client contacts. These contacts represent Halton women affected by sexual and domestic violence who accessed our crisis line, counselling sessions, group support, and accompaniment services to hospital, court or police reporting. We write to express our sadness and outrage concerning this unacceptable and most recent episode of violence against women. Our sincerest condolences are with Ms. Newman's family and loved ones. Nicole Pietsch, Sexual Assault & Violence Intervention Services of Halton (SAVIS) Letter to the editor Letters to the editor 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, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, ON, L6K 3S4, or via e-mail to editor@ oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. Coyote attacks too close for comfort My husband and I live on Ravine Gate, which is a small condo community on the edge of Fourteen Mile Creek. We have seen coyotes in the past, but this one (nicknamed Sally) has been seen around a lot over the month. This was taken just after Christmas from our family room window about noon. She was around in the morning this past weekend. She -- I'm guessing the same one -- has followed a few of my neighbours home who have been out walking their dogs. We have a small dog and have been very concerned about the presence (of the coyote). She is indeed a beautiful looking animal and I certainly respect her right to be there. And the coyotes are good at keeping the hare and squirrel population in check. However, with the recent attacks, I believe it is time something is done. The powers that be say keep your dogs on a leash. Well the dogs attacked recently were on a leash. They say make noise to scare them off, but this does not work. I am personally afraid to walk on Fourteen Mile Creek Trail let alone take the dog. My husband has nighttime walking duty and has mobility issues. I am worried that he would not be able to fend off an attack. I know my neighbours are feeling the same. Barb Hungate, Oakville 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. COYOTE: Nicknamed Sally, a coyote commonly seen in northwest Oakville.