www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, June 4, 2010 · 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: 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 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 Enjoy the sun with caution Letter to the editor As we head into the summer, thoughts of gardening, outdoor recreation and other funin-the-sun activities become forefront in our mind. The Canada Safety Council recently launched its National Summer Safety Week awareness campaign to remind us of the dangers associated with harmful ultra-violet (UV) rays. Statistics provided by the council indicate that nearly one in five Canadians is likely to develop skin cancer sometime during their lives. Melanoma is the type most likely to be fatal. It is also one of the most common cancers among young people in Canada aged 15 to 29. There are a few simple tips you can follow to protect yourself and your family, including: · Scheduling outdoor physical activities when UV rays are at their weakest, before 11 a.m. and after 4 p.m; · Always keep children under the age of one out of the sun; · Remember that skin doesn't have to be hot to burn, so don't be fooled by cloudy or overcast weather; · Remember too that water, snow, sand and concrete can reflect and increase the sun's burning rays; · Cover children's heads, necks and ears with a broad-brimmed hat when outdoors; · Protect arms and legs with tightly-woven, loose-fitting, cotton clothing; · Children should wear a T-shirt over their bathing suit, and long shorts instead of short shorts; · Wear UVA/UVB protective sunglasses -- children can wear them too; · Apply sunscreen generously before all outdoor physical activities. Remember to apply at least 20 minutes before sun exposure. Re-apply often, as perspiration will reduce the effectiveness. OPA's response to Nanticoke is flawed Re: Nanticoke pitches as better site for power plant, Oakville Beaver, June 2. In the article regarding Nanticoke as better site for the power plant, the spokesperson for the OPA Kirstin Jenkins says the Nanticoke site is not a cost-effective solution. Her reasoning is the construction of a new gas line and additional transmission lines. Perhaps Jenkins has never driven by the proposed Oakville site, but as a neighbor of the site (a mere 450 metres from it) I can assure her that there are absolutely no transmission lines near the site. I can also assume there would be major upgrades required to the existing gas network as it is intended for residential and light industrial use, not to supply a gas fired power plant. I can only wonder how much is the cost to build a whole new transmission corridor and upgrades to the gas line to make Oakville a more cost-effective solution over Nanticoke. This refers to cost only, but what about space required? Nanticoke has already a transmission corridor feeding the GTA. In Oakville there is simply no space for it, unless they use the QEW lanes, the CP rail tracks and the residents' backyards. No matter which way you see it, the power plant at 1500 Royal Windsor Dr. in Oakville simply does not make sense. JAIME AGUADE, 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. Noise reason for wind turbine setbacks As the arguments against the proposed Oakville power plant gather steam, the scare stories are somewhat out of kilter and mislead the public. Mayor Rob Burton apparently struggles to understand how a 900-megawatt (MW) power plant can be okay for the area, when a "small" (I am not sure what he means) wind turbine is not. A recent report on wind farms by Ontario's Chief Medical Officer points out that wind turbine rotor arms at maximum speed can develop a 107 decibel (dB) noise. This is the reason for separation from residences by a minimum of 550 metres. At this distance the noise level is about 40dB, which has no impact on health or other ailments. Both Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn and Mayor Burton should do a little more research as there is no relationship between rules governing wind turbines and power plants. IVOR DAVIES, OAKVILLE BY STEVE NEASE neasecartoons@gmail.com Pud 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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