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Wednesday November 29, 2000 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER A7 CO M M ENT All candidates winners in federal election After a bitterly fought five week campaign, filled with personal invec tive, negative styled ads and an astonishing disregard for civility, the battle scarred Liberals go back to Ottawa with a massive validation of what and who they are. Here in Oakville, we were lucky to have such an array of good candi dates. In all the hoopla of a cam paign, we forget how difficult it is just to get involved, so directly, in the political process. It is no easy feat to put your name forward, vie for the nomination, knock on doors, meet with workers, go head to head with candidates in front of heckling crowds for three nights in a row (and to the man who stuck his finger up his nose in answer to a heckler: thank you for teaching my son lessons about political discourse and proper behaviour. Actually, 1 think he found the whole thing enormously enter taining). But it can be unnerving to the can didate. As much as politics is a rush, a short campaign like this one can be unsettling in its intensity. This is a campaign where people of every party must take a couple of steps backwards and tell themselves: no matter how it all ends, we all have to live together. Especially true in a community like Oakville. DIANE HART This is easier, far easier, to say than do. Short campaigns can be nasty and this one was certainly that. It wasn't any easier in Oakville. It was tough work. How many of us would want to stand up there in drafty school gyms to face the often abrasive taunts, heckles and anger of crowds at free-for-all all-candidates meetings for three nights in a row as well as at the doors? More than that, as I know, in a small community like Oakville it isn't simply a matter of putting your hat in the ring on your own. There are lots of family members, friends, co-workers and other supporters going to bat for you. When you take on a public position, your family too comes under scrutiny. For anyone taking a public posi tion on issues where emotions run high, it is always risky. But I suppose it all comes with the job. And there are the good times dur- ing any election: the adrenalin rush of election night, the throngs of sup porters, the nail-biting final tally. Politics is, in the end, great fun. But it takes guts to get up there. And we had in Bonnie Brown, Dan Ferrone, David deBelle, Willy Lambert and Rick Byers courageous candidates willing to put all of their reputations on the line. This may be one of those cam paigns when people look back with regret at some of the tactics used in the five weeks. But I think we should look to Jean Chretien and what he said: we should simply turn the page. If we look at some of the interesting points of the election: the rejection of sov ereignty in Quebec, a good thing for the country as a whole and a person al victory for Chretien ; the consis tent spotlight on widespread support for public health care; the domi nance of vote-rich Ontario for a bal anced, moderate government and of course the constant surprise of a re invigorated Joe Clark. In fact, Joe Clark courageously took on Calgary Centre in the heart of Alberta and, as he said, did the impossible: he won. Five weeks ago, he began as the butt of jokes. Today, he is more relaxed, stronger, and his supporters more confident in him and their party's ability to grow over the next few years. Bonnie Brown got a resounding victory. But, as her boss said in his midnight election speech, in a democracy, there are no losers. Countdown to New Years! Medically supervised weight loss & counselling services. We consume too many carbohydrates, let us show you how moderation is the key to a healthy weight loss and maintenance, without replacing carbs with unhealthy fats. MEDICAL Medically Supervised Weight Loss Si Counselling Services 581 Argus RcL Suite 202, Oakville clinic 338-7227 W AREHOUSE SALE Two of Town's top bureaucrats resign Two senior members of the Town of Oakville's adminis tration resigned this week, bringing the total number of top vacancies within the municipality to three since midOctober. According to Town Manager Joann Chechalk, Deputy Town Manager Michael Wood and Town Clerk Judith Muncaster tendered their resignations effective Tuesday. In October, Fire Chief Wayne Gould offered his resigna tion effective the end of this month. He will become Halton Region's new Emergency Planning Co-ordinator. Wood, a long-time employee with the Town, was Deputy Town Manager responsible for Administrative Services. He will pursue other municipal opportunities, said Chechalk. Muncaster, who became Town Clerk after Wood's pro motion, plans to concentrate full-time on completing her Masters Degree at the University of Toronto. 1®. DANSK NOVEMBER 29 TO DECEMBER 9 Choose from many patterns o f Dansk dinnerware, linens, cookware, flatware, ptacemats, tableware, silver, candles & accessories, holiday decorations, gift ideas and much more! * Triocharged after Burlington teens robbed -- D A TE S & TIM E S ----10am-8pm Three Oakville residents - including a 17-year old young offender - have been charged in connection with the robbery of two teenagers in Burlington late Friday night. According to Halton Regional Police, two 16-year old males were walking south on Maple Avenue from Mapleview Mall when a pair of bigger, older males approached them. One of the males punched one of the 16-year olds in the face while the second aggressor indi cated he had a weapon and demanded the youths surren der their clothing and jewelry. The two victims complied then the suspects fled the area on foot. One of the victims was left standing where he had been robbed in just a t-shirt and boxer shorts. The victims returned home and called police, who obtained a description of the thieves and gave this infor mation to all officers. Around 12:20 a.m. on Saturday, an officer stopped a car containing five occupants that was leaving a local bar. After a follow-up investigation, all five were arrested for robbery, although two were later released unconditionally. Sean Lodge, 21, of Odessa Crescent in Oakville is charged with robbery, possession of stolen property and weapon dangerous. Romaine Peters, 19, of Lancaster Drive in Oakville is charged with robbery, possession of stolen property and breach of probation. A 17-year old from Oakville, who cannot be named under the Young Offenders Act, is charged with posses sion of stolen property and two counts of breach of pro bation. Wed., Nov. 29 Thurs., Nov. 30 Fri., Dec Sat., Dec. Sun.. Dec. Mon., Dec. Toe*., Dec . S Wed.. Dec:. 6 Thurs., Dec. :. 7 Fri., Dec. 8 Sat., Dec. 9 10am-5pm 10am-8pm 10am-8pm 8pm 10am-8pm 10am-5pm 60 HORNER AVENUE, ETOBICOKE (416) 259-1127 Eastbound Q.E.W.: Take Kipling Exit Westbound Q.E.W.: Take Islington South Exit GERRIE ELECTRIC One week left to order your Snoc Number signs in tim e for Christmas T ENNISCLARE INTERIORS R A D I T O N O F E L E G A N C E GERRIE ELECTRIC 1 LIGHTING SHOWROOM from only O A K V IL L E 8 4 5 -2 4 6 1 IN G L C H A J T T S T . HO U R S; M on.-E rf. 8 a.m .-5 p.m ., Sat.. 9 a .m .-5 p .m . S u n . C lo se d Sale 'now Tapestry Santas. 22" standing Santa; 18" sitting Santa; or 14" rocking chair Santa. Reg. price, $70-125. Each Sale, $ 5 g 9 5 _ $ g g 9 5 T h e perfect gift th a t's alw ays w e lc o m e Wing chair. Starting grade: Reg. price, from $939. Sale, from $699. As shown: Reg. price, $989. Sale S 7 3 9 Accessories The Oabille School of Dancing^ 1 est. 1960 260 Robinson Street, Oakville L6J TEL.: (905) 844-7035 Principal: Amanda Paterson Anderson A.R.A.D. (T. Dip) A.I.S.T.D. / it, / REGISTER NOW for second term classes Celebrate the holiday season by joining us in our collaboration with the Oakville Symphony Orchestra in Oakville's own "The -Nutcrackerperformed by the Oakville Ballet Company and students of the Oakville School of Dancing at Oakville Centre For the Performing Arts. f T"LS. C5^> Various throws available for gift giving. D o u b le s o f a b e d . Only available in fabric shown. Toss pillows not exactly as shown. Limited quantities. Reg. price, $999. Sale, * 7 4 0 l:or information caff the box office at 815-2021 ENNISCLARE INTERIORS 1075 NORTH SERVICE RD. WEST, OAKVILLE. Tel: (905) 825-2450 STORE HOURS: Mon., Tues., Wed. & Sat. 10:00 am to 5:30 pm Thurs. & Fri. 10:00 am to 9:00 pm. Sun. Noon to 5pm S a le p ric e s a re in e ffe ct until D e c e m b e r 2 3 , 2 0 0 0 90 DAYS NO INTEREST OR 6 OR 12 MONTH EQUAL PAYMENT PLAN W ITH NO INTEREST. O .A . C . D e t a ils in s t o r e · Classical Ballet (Beginner to Professional Levels) · Pointe · Repertoire-Variations · Jazz-Modem · Adult Classes Intensive Professional Training Program