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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, July 9, 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 Keep your cool While anyone who booked summer holidays this week is probably thrilled about the steaming, hot temperatures combined with virtually no precipitation, although some is forecast for today, the extreme weather can also be deadly. On Monday, Halton Region issued a heat alert on the heels of an Environment Canada humidex advisory, which is triggered whenever the combination of high heat, high humidity take the `real feel' higher than 40 degrees Celsius. Even brief periods of exertion or exposure to such stifling high temperatures/humidity can cause serious health problems. According to Halton's health department, older adults (over 65 years), infants and young children, as well as those with chronic heart or lung disease, including asthma are especially at risk. All symptoms of heat-induced illness, such as rapid breathing, weakness or fainting, headache, or confusion must be taken very seriously and medical attention sought immediately. Heat-related illness can be avoided by staying out of the hot sun or heat, and finding relief at such air-conditioned places such as malls and community centres. In Oakville this week, public access to three city pools -- Centennial Pool, Glen Abbey Community Centre Pool and Iroquois Ridge Community Centre Pool -- was extended into the evening. This practice is expected to continue whenever extremely hot spells warrant it. In the meantime, regional health officials strongly recommend against such strenuous outdoor activity as sports practices and jogging during heat wave-like weather. Keeping your body hydrated is key and so drinking lots of water and natural fruit juices, while avoiding alcohol, coffee and cola, is vital. To summarize, until the heat subsides and all the health warning are lifted, try to stay cool. 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 416-3401981.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 Youth praises OPYAC experience I am a high school student who has taken part in the Ontario Parliamentary Youth Advisory Committee (OPYAC) this year, run by Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn. Flynn started OPYAC because he was interested in meeting with high school students in Oakville to talk about issues they face in their schools and community. They are always looking for new student involvement, as most of the members were in Grade 12 this year, and have moved on to university. OPYAC was an amazing experience, because it allowed me to become actively involved in the community and school, as well as talk to students from other schools in Oakville about a number of issues we were all facing. We also had a chance to visit each school to learn about what makes them unique to Halton. OPYAC also gave us some incredible opportunities, like meeting with two youth ambassadors from Rwanda and Tanzania and learning about the different lifestyles, schooling and opportunities in these countries compared to Canada. We met with Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Education, at Blakelock High School to talk about Civics and Careers, and the changes they were making to the curriculum, as well as have her answer our questions. We also met with Sandra Pupatello, Minister of International Trade and Investment. One of my favourite trips was to Queen's Park. It was amazing to be able to see first hand what it was like, and hear the discussions that go on between our MPPs. Overall, OPYAC was able to expand my mindset and allow me to gain greater knowledge on the events that occur at the municipal and provincial level of government, and learn about politics while meeting amazing people and making some great friends. I hope that future students enjoy it as much as I have. ERIN NIEWEGLOWSKI, 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. When will people realize we are the problem? As the heat continues to rise, I watch with interest as Oakville residents go about their typical days -- sitting in an idling SUV at the drivethru, speeding up to a stop light and cranking their home air conditioners even higher. The emergency departments are seeing higher than usual volumes because of heatrelated illnesses. I wonder what it is going to take for people to realize they contributed and continue to make worse this problem of air pollution and climate change. Despite continued warnings from climatologists that hotter and hotter as well as erratic weather is going to be the norm, I don't see many people doing much to make a change. I have only seen two other clothes lines other than my own in all of Oakville. How hot does it have to get before people seriously start taking action? Hopefully people start doing something before the damage is irreversible. HEATHER ELLIOTT, OAKVILLE BY STEVE NEASE neasecartoons@gmail.com Pud