www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, June 18, 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 Costly legacy With the cost of hosting the G8 and G20 summits reaching the $1 billion-plus mark, we can't help but wonder how Prime Minister Stephen Harper will be able to lecture Canadians on his party's wise spending practices when the next federal election rolls around? Rightfully, the government is under attack on the cost of this world leader gabfest from all Opposition parties, not to mention Joe Public, who would likely laugh at the sheer stupidity involved if it wasn't for the fact he/she was paying for it. From building fake lakes in Toronto to appease visiting media, to spending thousands on public works projects in Northern Ontario towns where dignitaries won't even visit, these summits -- and their astronomical pricetags -- are more likely to make Canada an international laughingstock than impress outsiders. Compounding the problem is that these three days of meetings -- and let's be honest, these summits are more about show than substance -- will play havoc with the lives of millions in Canada's busiest city. Traffic chaos is already being predicted by Toronto Police, entertainment venues have promised to shut down, businesses by the dozens will be affected as well as hospitals and other services. Hundreds of thousands of people will be inconvenienced all for the sake of what? Will global leaders solve the world hunger problem? Will climate change cease to be a concern after the June 25-27 meetings? Will we have global peace, an end to the economic crisis, stability in the worldwide financial markets? Every one of the participating countries is preaching financial restraint and austerity and yet to host these meetings we are witnessing the epitome of reckless, out of control wasteful spending. Sadly, when the leaders leave town that will be the legacy of these talks. 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 Answers wanted on Bronte spill Re: Town wants answers on Bronte Creek pipeline spill, Oakville Beaver, Wednesday, June 16. I was pleased to see that Oakville Town Council has finally requested answers to questions arising from the March 11 Trans-Northern Pipelines Incorporated's (TNPI) pipeline leak and spill into Bronte Creek. The list of questions I submitted to Councillor Ralph Robinson on June 3 and asked that he convey to council and staff also included the following: · What is the age of the pipeline? · What caused the pipeline rupture and leakage? · What measures will be taken by TNPI and/or Suncor to prevent a reoccurrence? Back in March, five days passed before TNPI was notified and it became apparent that it was their pipeline. To their credit, they reacted See Spill page 8 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. For safety's sake motorists must obey crosswalks I am imploring drivers across Oakville to please wake up and help ensure pedestrians of all ages can cross our streets safely. If we don't want to live in a city that has stop signs and traffic lights every 20 feet, we have to slow down and stop at the crosswalks when people are trying to cross. Are we all in such a hurry that we would risk putting a child or senior's life ahead of getting to our destination a minute or two later? Recently, I was at the crosswalk on Robinson Street with my two-year-old son who proudly pushed the button and waited for the first car to stop. When the driver kept going I glanced through her window to see her holding a cellphone or iPod in her hand. Her eyes were on her hand, not my son or myself. I said out loud, "I guess she didn't have time to stop." Okay, I thought, this next car will stop and we can cross. But no, the second car kept going and simply waved his hand at us as I grabbed my son's shoulder to keep him beside me. I yelled through the open window to the driver (who had his Bluetooth headset on): "You're supposed to stop. It's not okay with me. How dare you put my son's life in danger." I'm doing my part to teach my son how to stay safe. Please wake up and stay focused on the road. There will be many more children on the road once school is out and even one crosswalk accident is one too many in my books. LEE ST. JAMES Pud BY STEVE NEASE neasecartoons@gmail.com