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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, January 25, 2012 · 6 Opinion & Letters 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 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 OakvilleBeaver is a division of David Harvey Regional General Manager JILL DAVIS Editor in Chief Daniel Baird Advertising Director ANGELA BLACKBURN Managing Editor 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 Newspaper records events The Oakville Beaver is a paper of record. It captures the events of the day through words and photographs. We are note-takers of history within our community and it is a job that we don't take lightly. The editorial staff make judgment calls on a regular basis. Is the headline meaningful? Does the story reflect both sides? Is it even-handed? Does the photograph paint the entire picture? Is it too graphic? Will our readers be offended? Last week, our photographers were on the scene of the coyote shooting in north Oakville. Halton Regional Police had issued a release stating an eight-year-old girl had been bitten by one of these wild dogs. This incident followed a spate of attacks and coyote sightings. We knew if we printed this particular photograph or posted it to our website that there would be some upset readers. However, the picture told the story. This is what happened in our own backyard. One person was "appalled" that we had chosen to run such a graphic picture. Strangely, we did not receive the same condemnation when we published a photograph of the sad scene of the recent shooting at the police station. As a newspaper, we chose not to print a far more visually-disturbing image than the one we did run. One of the daily newspapers made the decision to use the photograph and took some heat for doing so. No, we don't intentionally use graphic material to promote our newspapers. We will print the truth, though, and engage the community in discussion. The Beaver's sister newspaper, the Burlington Post, not too long ago published a picture of two workers on strike. The photograph was snapped on a hot summer's day and the men were wearing skimpy bathing suits. Readers reacted. It was not the size of one of the striker's bathing suit, but rather the fact that he had a bit of a tummy that caused a stir. It was his weight that offended the sensibilities of some readers. That photograph won a North American award. We know we won't always make the right call, and we know you will tell us when we don't. Thank you for that community engagement and keep those comments and letters coming. Respect of life is demanded Re: Coyote shot after alleged attack/ Police were called to help, Oakville Beaver, Friday, Jan. 20, 2012. While my heart goes out to the little girl and her family, I can't figure out why The Oakville Beaver published photos of a coyote being dragged through the snow by its tail after being shot to death. The event of the coyote's death, if it is be viewed as necessary, should also be viewed as unfortunate and sad. That coyote was once a sentient, beautiful and valuable part of nature, after all. And so I can't help but view those photos as tasteless. Have some more respect. M. Jordan, Oakville Letter to the editor Objecting to photo content Thanks for the support I have worked in this community for more than 20 years and I continue to be overwhelmed at the generosity shown by individuals, families, schools, churches and corporations to the women and children who call Halton Women's Place "home." On behalf of all those women and children -- I thank you. Through the Holiday Hamper program you helped to fill the wish lists of more than 100 families. YOU gave these women and their children a reason to look forward to waking up on Christmas morning. Not only did this community fill Christmas hampers, but many of you organized campaigns for our shelters -- pajamas, slippers, pillows, gift cards and food drives. Each and every donation was so appreciated. Making the decision to start a new life free of violence is often a difficult one. We continue to be inspired by the strength that each woman shows as she comes into our shelters, or makes that first call for help. Many times, these women will face great obstacles -- lower income, lack of affordable housing, custody issues and the loss of family traditions. Your support tells each woman that you believe in them. We look forward to working with you as we continue to raise awareness about woman abuse and our programs and services. Together, we can make great strides towards ending violence against women. "Thank you for all of your help, especially with my daughters... it has been over seven long years in the courts -- I have not given up hope though. Thank you for your love and encouragement not only for me and my daughters but also for the thousands of women and children you have helped over the years," wrote A Grateful Client. "Because a life without violence is the only life to live." Diane Beaulieu, Executive director, Halton Women's Place 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. Did you need to put a picture of the dead coyote being dragged from his tail by a police officer? Didn't you feel that many of us, animal lovers, would be upset by it? He was alive, roaming around for food as any wild creature would do in his territory that us humans, took away from them to build more houses. A minute later, he was shot and dead. Thank you for ruining my breakfast. Nora Cameron, Oakville Shameless 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. I could accuse you of shameless selfpromotion in your choice of a Sixteen Mile Creek dwelling creature to feature on the front page of your Jan. 19 edition. However, I will simply accept my good fortune to not be reading the `Oakville Alligator' and learning the editor had a similar option in planning the front page. Rory McAlpine, Oakville