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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, May 24, 2013 | 6 Editorial Social media creates bonds At the best of times, social media is written off as nothing more than a fad, a time-waster, a realm lled with cute cat photos and jokes of dubious taste. At worst, it can be a dangerous forum that provides a haven for bullies or predators. Most of the time, it falls somewhere in between: harmless, but insular. Over the past three weeks, as people rst searched for, and then mourned, the loss of young husband and father Tim Bosma, we witnessed the powerful potential of online networking as it brushed up against the real world in an impactful way. Within hours of leaving his Ancaster home on May 6 in his truck with two suspects who had contacted him to arrange a test drive through an online classi ed site, Bosma was determined missing; as police issued a press release asking for coverage through traditional media, a very organized and thorough campaign overtook Facebook and Twitter. A downloadable poster featuring Bosma's likeness and a photo of his truck, along with contact numbers for the Hamilton Police Service and Crime Stoppers, was repeatedly posted and spread to thousands of Facebook users, who continually re-posted it to their own timelines. These online yers were soon adorning the windows and notice boards in area establishments. According to Hamilton police, who have made two arrests and continue to search for another suspect in connection with the case, more than 700 tips have been called in by members of the community. In an investigation in which speed is of the essence, the logistics of spanning municipalities stretching from Brantford to Kleinburg and hitting several points in between, we imagine, can be a logistical nightmare. In the Bosma case, however, the momentum never wavered -- everyone was on the same page, with a singular focus. At every turn, 140-character posts outpaced anything traditional media could provide. Following the arrest of the rst accused and then the shocking discovery of Bosma's remains last week, the focus of the online campaign became twofold: the search for additional suspects continued, and the community banded together to mourn and to support a family in what is surely the most dif cult time of their lives. Again, social media rose to the occasion, providing not only solid information, but creating a space to send wishes to Tim's widow, Sharlene, and their young daughter. A memorial in Brantford and an opportunity for the public to sign a book of condolences at Ancaster's old town hall last Friday were well attended, underscoring the strength of the connection to the family. The tragedy that knocked on the door of the Bosma house this month came to us all -- but so did the realization that we have the power to strengthen our bonds to one another. "Connected to your Community" 467 Speers Road, Oakville ON, L6K 3S4 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Editorial Department: (905) 632-0588 Fax: (905) 337-5566 Classi ed Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 Volume 51 | Number 62 The Oakville Beaver is a division of Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Vice ­President and Group Publisher of Metroland West Regional General Manager Halton Region Editor in Chief Advertising Director NEIL OLIVER DAVID HARVEY JILL DAVIS DANIEL BAIRD Managing Editor ANGELA BLACKBURN RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director Business Manager Director of Production SANDY PARE MARK DILLS MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager Although I have lived in our lovely town of Oakville for more than 50 years, I have never had the privilege of taking the Oakville Transit until recently. What prompted this adventure were my three young granddaughters and their friend who also had not experienced a special trip around town by bus. What could be more fun than a ride to downtown Oakville where Nana could just sit back and relax. So off we went with stroller, snacks, drinks and diaper bag. I felt as if I had taken these little girls around the world they had such fun. The three older girls sat at the back looking like princesses on their thrones while I held the baby beside me. Bus offered much more than a ride Letters to the Editor Director of Distribution CHARLENE HALL KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager The transit drivers could not have been more courteous and helpful as we got on and then off to transfer at the GO station. We experienced the same caring demeanour as we arrived downtown. However as I was counting heads and belongings on the sidewalk one important article seemed to be missing... my purse. I had left it on the bus. But right on cue the next bus arrived at the stop and the driver quickly called to bus No.17 who found the purse and returned it to me while we waited at the stop. My deepest gratitude to the transit drivers of bus No. 28 and bus No. 17... you just made our day the most memorable one we could have wished for. Julie Dawson, Oakville Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Canadian Community Newspapers Association Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Re: Not everyone agrees with survey, Oakville Beaver, Wednesday, May 15, 2013 I agree with this wholeheartedly and I know it's no use to contact the school. The park that's almost across from Holy Trinity High School on Munn's Avenue is also bad as all the garbage has now blown into Littering is a problem across town the small ravine beside the creek. Where was the cleanup for this? It would be a great project for the high school kids who do the littering, to come and do the clean up here along the ravine and creek. Mike Csotar, Oakville 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.