Letter to the editor 7 · Friday, June 4, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com Harvesting the work of others Spring is truly a wonderful time as the bulbs, bushes and trees planted in previous years burst forth with colourful new life that delights us all. It's like the decisions of previous municipal council that are bringing forth fruit now. For example, when council in the early 1990s decided, despite challenging economic times, to purchase the land for the North Park. They saw and thankfully seized an opportunity to buy land while the prices where depressed; that took courage and was not appreciated by some who wrote scathing letters to the editor. Then, in the settlement between the Town, community groups and developers around lands north of Dundas, provision was made for additional and early contributions to allow the construction of the four-pad arena that is rising up on that land and soon to be open. The long-term vision of previous councils enabled the present council to harvest the seed so wisely planted years ago. I am grateful for that vision and celebrate the way it continues to be built upon for the good of the people of our Town. Perhaps I missed it, but I do not recall our present mayor giving any recognition to previous council, celebrating the dividend its wisdom achieved for Oakville. COLIN RATCLIFFE, OAKVILLE Upscale Designer Decor at a Price You Can Live With What is the value of a citizen? Re: Nanticoke pitches as better site for power plant, Oakville Beaver, June 2. As I continue to follow the saga related to the Oakville power generation plant, I am continually alarmed by the Ontario Power Authority's (OPA) single-minded mandate -- deliver energy to Ontario at the lowest possible costs. The article again had OPA redirect any criticism of the proposed TransCanada location through numbers. I read that a Nanticoke location would result in approximately $350 million of additional capital. The Nanticoke plant has a 3-km buffer zone. If we estimate that there are approximately 11,000 homes surrounding the proposed Ford Oakville location, OPA has done the math. It believes that the 33,000 Oakville residents are not worth the $10,000 each. OPA believes that those Ontario citizens can be put at risk in favour of the almighty dollar. This mere investment does not take into account the millions of dollars that would be put at risk if there was an incident at the plant. How many dollars, resources and productivity would be lost with the closure of the VIA, GO and QEW commuting corridor? OPA - your bias is evident. Where is your health and safety mandate? JOE EVERS, OAKVILLE PREMIUM OUTDOOR FURNITURE SOFAS, SECTIONALS, DINING SETS, BISTRO SETS Exclusive Distributor Sofa & Chaise $ Drug addict story lacked detail Re: Don't start and you don't have to quit says former drug addict, Oakville Beaver, May 20, Thank you for publishing the article about Paul Christie's tales of drug-fuelled crime sprees. It should serve as a prime example to this community that the media would still rather publish stories fit for the Ronald Reagan era than dig deeper and explore the root causes and solutions to drug problems and drug policy in this country. I do not wish or intend to trash a man who has obviously already dealt with enough of it in his life. However, I must call into question about how this article never touches on why Paul Christie turned to drugs in the first place? Or about how Christie never once takes responsibility for his own actions? Nope Instead we are given a paragraph by paragraph list (20 years worth) of stories that tug at your heartstrings, but lack plenty of detail. All of a sudden though, he finds God and is now touring our public school's spreading myths (that the World Health Organization has debunked) that it was the gateway of drugs -- not himself -- that led him down a path of crime. The only part of this article that is worth the paper it is printed on is the second last sentence. Yes, parents have to "keep the lines of communications open with your kids." It is one of the most important conversations you should have with your children. But unlike Christie It should not be a conversation that cites myths as a deterrent. As cliché as it is, honesty is the best policy. I can only hope this "anti-drug crusader" wasn't paid with our tax dollars for his visit. I also hope I am not alone in my disappointment that an award winning community newspaper such as the Beaver would print such a soap-box story. Have you forgotten the responsibility to your readers? VON JEPPESEN, OAKVILLE 949 TV Cabinets from $599 Bar Stools from $ 99 Solid BIRCH Bedroom Suite $ 2898 Made In Canada Includes: Queen bed, 2 night tables + Dresser) 1029 Speers Rd.,Oakville 905.842.3739 (showroom at Speers and 4th line) Speers Rd. & 4th Line (Main Location) WWW.JOSHUACREEKFURNITURE.COM