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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Wednesday, June 18, 2014 | 6 The power of people Last Thursday's Ontario election results in the two provincial ridings encompassing Oakville's population are proof of the power of the vote. In the Oakville riding, popular local and provincial politician Kevin Flynn was returned to his seat as Oakville MPP for the fourth time -- a rst for the Liberal party in Oakville, according to Flynn. In the Halton riding, a long-time run by the Progressive Conservative party was stopped by the same wave that swept the Kathleen Wynne-led Liberals to a majority government. In the Halton riding -- made up of residents of Oakville, Burlington and Milton -- a two-decade long run by Conservative Ted Chudleigh came to a close as a result of a 5,700-vote defeat at the hands of Liberal Indira Naidoo-Harris. Elsewhere in the Region of Halton, speci cally our neighbouring Burlington riding, Eleanor McMahon led the Liberals to a convincing 3,500-vote margin of victory against incumbent Jane McKenna -- thus ending a 71year reign by the Tories. Clearly, voters in Halton -- and many other parts of Ontario -- were intent on sending the message that despite the baggage of multi-billion-dollar spending scandals, the Wynne-led Liberals were a more palatable choice to Tim Hudak's promise of a million jobs that would rst require the subtraction of 100,000 jobs. Both local ridings experienced increases in voter turnout compared to the 2011 election with Halton jumping to 52.1 per cent from the earlier 46 and Oakville to 57.2 per cent from the previous 52.7. While several polls of Ontario's voters had predicted another Liberal minority, no one saw last week's majority coming. As it turned out, the dramatic shift in voter allegiance in the Halton riding and the steadfast support for Flynn and Wynne was a barometer of the trend to come for the Conservatives and Liberals. It was also living proof that not even the longest party stronghold is impervious to change. For anyone doubting whether their lone vote could make a difference, last Thursday's result was a living example of democracy's true power. ··· Last week, the Town of Oakville's 13th annual Community Spirit Awards were given to nine of the many local people who volunteer their time and talent to make Oakville an even better place to call home. This year's recipients across eight categories were saluted at the Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre (QEPCCC) by more than 160 people who attended the ceremony. Many more owe them a vote of thanks. Each received a custom, intricately-crafted diorama created by award-winning artist/illustrator Soyeon Kim. And each individual has left a lasting impression on our community. Of 24 nominees, nine were recipients of this year's awards, handed out in categories that included access, arts, environmental, group volunteer, heritage and history, individual volunteer, senior and youth. "It's the spirit of Oakville that makes us special and you are that spirit," said Mayor Rob Burton. We owe each of the Community Spirit award-winners congratulations -- and our thanks. You are an inspiration to us all. Editorial C O M M U N I T Y B U I L "Connected to your Community" D E R S 447 Speers Road, Oakville ON, L6K 3S4 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Editorial Department: (905) 632-0588 Classi ed Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 Volume 52 | Number 72 The Oakville Beaver is a division of Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Vice ­President and Group Publisher of Metroland West Regional General Manager Halton Region Editor in Chief Advertising Director NEIL OLIVER DAVID HARVEY JILL DAVIS DANIEL BAIRD Managing Editor ANGELA BLACKBURN The Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton (CCAH) held its 37th annual gala awards dinner and dance recently at Otello's Banquet and Convention Centre. Award winners were, from left, in front: Damone Allison (Icilda Bailey Youth Award), Dantoni Mortimore (Culture), Katherine Dottin-Adams (Education) and Anthony Mortimer, accepting on behalf of Albert John (Steelpan Education Award). In back, from left, Veronica Tyrrell, CCAH president, and award presenters, Eric Roberts, Andrew Tyrrell, Mark Dienstmann, and Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. | photo by James Hoggett - special to the Beaver RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director Business Manager Director of Production SANDY PARE MARK DILLS MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager Director of Distribution You can always go downtown... John Sawyer Oakville Chamber of Commerce president My View CHARLENE HALL KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager A few years ago the Oakville Chamber of Commerce hosted Scott Kress, a wonderful speaker who talked about his climb to the summit of Mount Everest. Scott's key message was about how your very survival on Everest depended on the ability to understand what is within your control and what's beyond your control. If you really want to survive, you shouldn't waste precious time, energy and resources on things you cannot in uence; rather, focus on that over which you have some control. We can apply this to the discussion around the current state of downtown Oakville. There are many factors affecting what is, and what is not, happening downtown. The health of the overall economy, emerg- ing trends in retailing, even the severe weather this past winter, have all affected our downtown. In Scott's words, these are issues over which we have little, if any, in uence; so let's be aware of them, adapt and move on. The Chamber has established a task force to review the issues facing our downtown. We have been asking our members, residents' associations and peers in other communities to share their thoughts and experiences to identify those factors we can control; and, more speci cally those on which we should focus. Here are four items we think should be reviewed. · Parking. Based on the comments we receive and personal experience, parking enforcement is a key part of the issue. The approach to parking has been punitive and unfriendly. We really need ambassadors not enforcers downtown. There needs to be a greater focus on visitor attraction strategies. Our unique downtown is a destination that see Chamber on p.11 Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Canadian Community Newspapers Association Proud Official Media Sponsor For: 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, 5040 Mainway, Burlington ON L7L 7G5 or via e-mail to; ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. 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. 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