w w w .in si d eH A LT O N .c o m O A K V IL LE B E A V E R F ri d ay , J u ly 2 9, 2 01 1 6 467 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 The Oakville Beaver Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. OPINION & LETTERS The Oakville Beaver is a division of NEIL OLIVER Vice President and Group Publisher of Metroland West 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 DILLSDirector of Production MANUEL GARCIAProduction Manager CHARLENE HALL Director of Distribution SARAH MCSWEENEY Circ. Manager 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 editorDon't get stung 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. THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: ATHENA Award THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: Recognized for Excellence by Canadian Circulation Audit Board Member Canadian Community Newspapers Association Ontario Community Newspapers Association Suburban Newspapers of America Pud BY STEVE NEASE neasecartoons@gmail.com Its that time of year again. Earlier this week, the Halton Region Health Department announced the first positive test results this summer for West Nile virus (WNV) from a batch of mosquitoes collected in Oakville. If past seasons are any indication, more positive test results should follow and they likely wont be lim- ited to the Cornwall and Chartwell roads area where the first batch was found. According to Dr. Monir Taha, Halton Region associ- ate medical officer of health, the months of August and September are peak risk months for WNV. In addition, hot, dry summers like we are experi- encing now are perfect for West Nile virus. Mosquitoes can transmit the virus to humans after f they become infected after feeding on the blood o birds with the virus. Older adults and people with underlying illnesses should be cautious, as they are more likely to develop the illness. So what should residents do to protect them- selves. No one is suggesting we head for cover and lock ourselves indoors for the summer. As this week's much-needed rain gives way to more scorching hot temperatures, don't think you can't venture out to enjoy what summer has to offer. Halton's regional health department provides a few tips for people to protect themselves from mosqui- toes. Cover up. Wear light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts and pants with tightly-woven fabric. Avoid being outdoors from early evening to morning when mosquitoes are most active and likely to bite, as well as at any time in shady, wooded areas. Reduce mosquito breeding sites around your home by getting rid of all water-filled containers and objects. Change the water in bird baths at least once per week. Use an approved insect repellent, such as one containing DEET. The Regions Health Department has maps of loca- tions of mosquito pools and standing water sites that have had larvicide applied on its website, available at www.halton.ca/wnv. People are also asked to report standing water by calling the Region at 905-825-6000 or emailing wnv@ halton.ca. By following these precautions, Halton residents f can still enjoy the summer without feeling the sting o West Nile virus. I read your article on Chanel Delorey and was very frustrated and saddened. How can the system stop pro- viding for these individuals sim- ply because they reach 21? For many people, turning 21 means a whole new world of free- dom and responsibility and excitement as they enter adult- hood. This is not the case for an individual who really only has the maturity and abilities of a small child. Would we turn our back on a five year old just because of their birth date? There must be a compromise that can be reached whereby these individuals can stay at home with their families where they are loved and protected. This is infinitely better than having to turn them out into a world that they can never be part of. It seems that a win-win would be if the politicians could cut through the red tape and bureau- cracy to move some of the fund- ing from these group homes to the day programs. The politicians would win by saving money and gaining the support of the many families in situations similar to the Deloreys. At the same time, the families would win as they would get to keep their loved ones at home without having to quit their jobs or go broke trying to protect their children. Thank you for putting a light on this situation. Lea Anne Watt, Toronto There must be a better way Thanks to the community for the help We would love to send out our gratitude to all of the generous sponsors that made this dream possible for the children. The whole idea of the 3 Kings Tournament began when we were approached about the lack of interest in young boys' basketball, so with very little time, the idea was put into motion and eventually conceptualized and became a reality. However none of these ideas would have become possible without the charitable giv- ing of the following organizations and cor- porations: Links; Firehall; Dj Mebs; Koris Roti Stop;Oakville Beaver; Town of Oakville; YMCA of Oakville; Canada Dry Motts; Mobile Ad Canada; Glen Abbey Recreational Centre; Kwik Kopy Design & Print Centre; and SuperStore Oakville. Although this letter does not suffice, there is no way for us or the children to prove our gratitude. We are very lucky and blessed to come from such a caring com- munity. Thank you all once again. The Three Kings Basketball, Oakville