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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, January 9, 2013 · 6 Opinion & Letters The Oakville Beaver 467 Speers Rd., Oakville Ont. L6K 3S4 905-845-3824 Fax: 337-5566 Classified Advertising: 632-4440 Circulation: 905-631-6095 -- 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. 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, Halton Region 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 KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager PM stops by You often see him in the news or on the front page as the man heading the federal government under scrutiny or criticism for overspending, underspending or not cooperating with the media. Prime Minister Stephen Harper's visit to Oakville Friday was none of the above -- even though it drew a protest from the Idle No More effort. As the PM said, it was happy news. The federal government will continue to invest in Ford, specifically, and the auto sector, generally, in a bid to keep jobs and business in Canada and to move the sector to the next levels in terms of production, efficiency and research. Though criticized by some, the funding is viewed positively by both automakers and autoworkers. Harper also proved himself to be unlike the image often bemoaned in the national media and sometimes in the local media. The PM's visit Friday was much more than a pitstop at Ford. And his private lunch at Ritorno was not just about the menu. While it may seem simple to some, a visit or chance meeting with the Prime Minister will last a lifetime for others. While it wasn't a sit-down, one-on-one chat with The Oakville Beaver, and it came with some security strings attached, Harper did make some time for the local newspaper and agreeably posed for photographs. The Prime Minister dined with the area's MPs -- making time for them, too -- not on Parliament Hill, but in their home communities, which sends a vote of confidence to their supporters. Also likely to fondly recall the memory of time invested are the local diners who were either shocked or disbelieving the PM just happened to be in the restaurant at the same time they were placing their order. It was an important day for restaurateur Julia Hanna who pulled out all the stops to ensure Canada's Prime Minister enjoyed his lunch. It was a nice boost for the hardworking new chair of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce. In addition, it was not all about Harper's decision to dine at her business; it was about his participation in the Nonna Wall, a symbolic ode of appreciation and thanks to moms and grandmothers. The PM took the time to hang a framed photograph of his mother, Margaret. Harper's visit also shone a spotlight on Hanna's eat healthily program -- the Kids Culinary Community. Program graduate Little Brother Dylan thought it was "cool" that he was able to shake the hand of the PM. The lunch may have wrapped up all too quickly, but it created a lifetime of memories, especially for 13-year-old Dylan. 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. Letter to the editor Thanks to those who are nice and clear their ice I would like to say a big thank you to all of our neighbours who took a few minutes to shovel the sidewalk in front of their houses after the last snowfall. Thanks for realizing that by the time the Town of Oakville's sidewalk plow and sanding machine get there, dangerously slippery compacted snow and ice could have accumulated. Those of us who have kids walking to school, or who need to get to the bus stop or exercise our dogs, really appreciate your consideration. A. Hewitt, Oakville 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. Editor's Note: This letter was sent to the ALS Society of Canada and a copy filed with The Oakville Beaver. My name is Megan Shikaze and I am 13 years old. Last May, I asked my friends to donate money to the ALS Society for my birthday instead of giving me gifts. I was able to raise $275. I wanted to do this because in midDecember 2011 my grandmother, (Nancy Ho) died of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, which is also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease). I remember the last night I saw her, right before she died. It was the last night my cousins from Calgary were visiting. She was having trouble communicating what was wrong. We tried to figure out what she wanted by asking her to squeeze our hands. Do you need a pillow? Squeeze Megan's hand if `yes' and Cameron's (my cousin) if `no.' By then they had called the nurse and the ambulance was on its way. It turns out, she was having trouble breathing. I had felt so stupid we had not Helping ALS Society in memory of grandmother The next day when I returned home from school, we were told she had passed away overnight. At first, I didn't believe she had passed away. My cousins had gone home earlier that day. I was very sad she was gone, but glad we had all spent time with her the day before. Both her son and daughter were there with her husband and all five of her grandchildren, too. Now she is in a better place even though I wish she was still here with us today. Throughout the next week, things were pretty crazy. People were calling to comfort my mom and she was trying to plan my grandmother's funeral. No matter how many people called and paid their respects, it seemed like none of my friends understood how I felt. I missed an afternoon at school to spend time with my grandfather. I learned so much from what happened that week. I learned we take many things for See Hoping page 7 in her memory: From left, sisters SUBMITTED PHOTO Kaitlyn, 11, Sarah, 9 and Megan Shikaze, 13, with a photo of their grandmother, Nancy Ho. asked her that question and I was mad it had not even crossed my mind.