OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, October 9, 2009 · 6 OPINION & LETTERS The Oakville Beaver 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 IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: NEIL OLIVER Vice President and Group Publisher of Metroland West The Oakville Beaver is a division of Media Group Ltd. 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 Giving thanks This weekend, when we spend a moment or two counting our blessings, we mustn't forget those for whom there is so much less to be thankful. As we shelter ourselves from the rain and cold and gather around the dining room table with those most dear to us, it's important not to forget thousands of Halton residents who go hungry each year. Single or married, young or old, unemployed or among the working poor, more and more these too easily marginalized members of our community find it impossible to include a nutritional diet in their monthly budget. Through a practically effortless act, we can prevent people from going hungry this Thanksgiving weekend -- and throughout the rest of the year. If you're planning to grocery shop for the holiday Monday, why not pick up a few extra cans of non-perishable food -- canned and dried food are in highest demand at local food banks. Most grocery stores make donating food items easier by offering a collection container close to the store exit. If you've already shopped, pulling a few items of non-perishable goods from the pantry and taking them to your local fire hall, grocery store or even directly to the closest food bank, can help ensure the economy's tightening grip on the hungry is loosened. Most food banks also accept monetary donations, which can be converted into even more food thanks to the collective buying power created by multiple donors. For those who struggle to keep themselves from needing a food bank's assistance, and therefore can't afford to donate money or food, your area food bank would probably welcome your assistance in helping sort everything that arrives during the biggest seasonal food drives. And, since you probably won't meet those you've helped, we thank you for giving and for making our community better for everyone. In Oakville, there are three food banks. All are holding a Thanksgiving food drive. Fareshare food bank, whose bins are in local grocery stores, are located at 1240 Speers Rd., Unit 6, call 905847-3988. Kerr Street Ministries also operates a food bank at its Kerr Market. To donate, stop by 484 Kerr St. or call 905- 845-7485. The Salvation Army is also holding a food drive collection on Saturday, Oct. 17 and welcomes donations at other times at its office at 1225 Rebecca Street or call 905-827-5324, ext. 22. 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 Not everyone opposed to new clinic Re: Kerr Street methadone clinic upsets residents, Sept. 23, 2009, Oakville Beaver. In a recent letter to the editor, Chris Kowalchuk, writing as the president of the West River Residents' Association (WRRA) stated the clinic "is in the wrong location..." and this is supported, apparently, by several other residents' associations. However, as a member of WRRA, the president does not speak for me. In fact, the WRRA has not polled its members nor asked for any feedback and as such it may not represent the members in this case. Furthermore, the president has not given any actual facts as evidence of a problem, just sweeping statements such as "Kerr Street, being a `...dumping ground for social services...'. Is the dentist's office, the beer store or the walk-in medical clinic nearby a "dumping ground"? He is not well informed, as the methadone clinic is a doctor's office like any other, where patients arrive by appointment only. For factual information Google "Methadone clinics Ontario" -- Ontario Addiction Treatment Centres (oatc.ca), for example, has 25 clinics across Ontario. Just one of these in Guelph is at 84 Carden St. right downtown and close to 40 Carden St., which is a very popular restaurant. As Ward 2 Councillor Cathy Duddeck is quoted as saying, "They (the Kerr community) have never been a NIMBY community." Maybe not, but WRRA and the other residents' associations have acknowledged the need, but only somewhere else. ALAN AND MARY STUART 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 email to editor@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. Congratulations on new baby Re: Home delivery surprised parents, Sept. 25, 2009, Oakville Beaver My sincerest congratulations to the Hajdus on the safe arrival of their beautiful daughter Jordan Reese. While their experience must have been frightening as they had not planned a home birth, your story indirectly highlights how safe a home birth can be in the hands of trained professionals. Midwives routinely deliver babies at home and a recent study shows home births are as safe, if not safer, than hospital ones (visit http://www.aom.on.ca/Communications/Media _Relations/HomeBirthSafe.aspx). Not only are they just as safe (if not safer) than hospital births, they cost far less to our overburdened health care system and provide a warm, natural welcome to newborns. SUE WAKEFIELD BY STEVE NEASE snease@haltonsearch.com Pud