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w w w . o a kv ill eb ea ve r.c o m O A KV IL LE B EA V ER Fr id ay , Ja nu ar y 7, 2 01 1 6 467 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 The Oakville Beaver Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. OPINION & LETTERS 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@oakville- beaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. For most of us, retirement comes at an age when we are prepared and ready to turn the page on our chosen profession. Not so for Oakvilles shining young soccer star 24-year-old Kara Lang. On Wednesday, the long-time Canadian womens soccer team midfielder-forward announced her retirement from the game she loves to a roomful of friends, family, teammates and media. Fittingly, she chose to make her announcement at the Oakville Soccer Club the club where she began her stellar soccer career. Lang made her debut with the Canadian senior womens team at age 15, becoming the youngest-ever player to suit up for Canadas senior team. Two days after her debut, she scored twice against Wales at the Algrave Cup, setting a world womens football record as the youngest-ever player to score a full internation- al goal (age 15, 132 days). With the Canadian senior team, Lang competed in two FIFA Womens World Cups (2003 and 2007), the Olympics (2008), Pan-American Games (2007) and four CONCACAF championships (2002, 2004, 2008 and 2010). She also played in two FIFA U-20 Womens World Cups (2002 and 2004) and two CONCACAF Womens Under-20 Championships (2004 and 2006). She finished her career with 92 appearances for Canada, scoring 34 goals 21 of those coming in her first two seasons with the senior team. Although her heart was probably willing to contin- ue, Lang was forced to admit that her long career had taken a toll on her body, especially her knees. Lang, who has suffered two major knee injuries in three years was advised by the Canadian team doctor that if she continued to play soccer at a highly com- petitive level, she would likely require a knee replace- ment at age 35 and suffer arthritis for the remainder of her life. Wisely, Lang chose to hang up her cleats. She did so with the familiar grace and aplomb she has displayed as an ambassador for the town through- out her career. A shoo-in for the Oakville Sports Hall of Fame and a potential candidate for the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame, we wish Lang all the best in her future endeav- ours. In whatever career path Lang takes next, we are sure the dedication and passion that brought her suc- cess on the soccer pitch, will serve her well in the coming years. The Oakville Beaver is a division of NEIL OLIVER Vice President and Group Publisher of Metroland West DAVID HARVEY Regional General Manager JILL DAVIS Editor in Chief ROD JERRED Managing Editor DANIEL BAIRD Advertising Director 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 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 editorAlways a winner THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: ATHENAAward THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIALMEDIASPONSOR FOR: Recognized for Excellence by Canadian CirculationAudit Board Member Canadian CommunityNewspapers AssociationOntario CommunityNewspapers Association Suburban Newspapers of America Pud BY STEVE NEASE neasecartoons@gmail.com Affordable housing alternative Adequate shelter is one of lifes essentials. The continuous rise in house prices, due to growing demand and the escalation of costs associated with land, infrastructure and construc- tion has exacerbated the crisis of affordable housing in Ontario. Not surprisingly, the Ontario gov- ernment has recently introduced Bill 140, Strong Communities through Affordable Housing Act. As part of a long-term affordable housing strategy, this legislation will mandate munici- palities to establish policies that authorize the use of a second residen- tial unit in a detached house, semi- detached house, or rowhouse. As indicated by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, secondary units are one of the most cost effective ways of providing affordable housing. Today, as governments at all levels struggle to reduce their budgetary deficits, it makes sense to rely more on the private sector for creating afford- able housing. A house can be designed with the flexibility of creating an inde- pendent secondary suite if needed, without adding to its cost. This feature is part of the FlexHousing concept, also promoted by CMHC. Second or secondary suites are also called accessory or auxiliary apart- ments, granny flats, in-law or guest suites. They can provide suitable accommodation for many individuals, such as students, pensioners and peo- ple with disabilities, presently in short supply. By reducing the need for pub- licly-financed affordable housing, they contribute to economic and environ- mental sustainability, with less use of energy and natural resources. Secondary units facilitate home ownership, by providing first-time home buyers with the option of renting out part of their home. They get flexi- bility in time and space, by using the house as needed without compromis- ing privacy. For example, many young In praise of air quality by-law The citizens of Oakville have worked very hard over the past two years to make their wishes known about the deteriorating air quality in our Town. We have rallied at Queens Park, held info sessions, which were packed to capacity, raised money through numerous events, erected signs, engaged the Town Council, and re-elected those who share our view and were prepared to take real action. Never in the history of Oakville has a topic so galvanized people to speak with one voice. Members of Council can have little doubt what the electorate is asking them to do. In any democracy, compromise is essen- tial; the Towns Health Protection Air Quality bylaw fairly balances the need for business to compete, while protecting the air we all must breathe. This bylaw must be passed. DOUG WADE, OAKVILLE See Secondary page 7