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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, May 20, 2016 | 6 Motoring to summer It's here, the unof cial start to summer, which kicks off the season of camping, gardening, swimming, gol ng, cottaging, boating and lots, lots more. In our haste to nally burst outdoors into the warmth of the world around us, we should remember to proceed with safety so we, and those around us, return home safely. Already this year, our neighbours to the north, in Milton have seen far too much death through young lives lost in road crashes. A Toronto re ghter lost her life mountain biking at Kelso Conservation Area last week. This week in Oakville, luckily there were no injuries from an engine re in a boat docked at the Oakville Harbour or in a hot tub that lived up to its name last week. As well, supermodel Monika Schnarre (see story on p.3) was at Bronte Harbour recently to help Oakvillebased MADD Canada lm a PSA about the dangers of impaired boating -- which is impaired driving. Halton Regional Police, whose of cers have to deal with fatalities on our local roads, are in the throes of a safety blitz (see story on p.7) against the `Big 4 Killers' -- impaired operation by alcohol or drug, not using or improperly using seatbelts and aggressive and distracted driving. Lately, our pages, and website (insidehalton.com/ oakville-on) carry too many stories of impaired driving and stunt driving -- really, is it necessary to drive 120 km/h in a 60 km/h zone? It's no wonder our Town council is lowering the speed limit in residential areas to 40 km/h. We hope it will send the message home, literally, but, as police across Ontario lament the great numbers of impaired drivers still on the roads -- despite the best campaigns, blitzes and education -- we have our doubts. We sincerely hope we are wrong. And we must all also remember that red means stop. Amber (yellow) lights mean caution. Red lights mean stop. No other option. Anyone who has or will run a red light is seriously endangering their life and others. May 17-23, 2016 marks Canada's Road Safety Week. Police agencies across Canada are asking you to choose safe behaviours when driving, whether you are a driver or a passenger. During the rst ve months of 2016, eight motorists or passengers died and seven others sustained lifealtering injuries on Halton roads. These collisions result in extremely tragic circumstances and serious repercussions. Halton police enforce road safety 24/7. In support of Canada Road Safety Week, Halton police are out on the roads in force this week -- and this long-weekend -- looking for impaired and distracted motorists, along with those who choose to speed or not wear a seatbelt. Motorists found in contravention may be subject to arrest and charges, including licence suspensions, vehicle seizures and costly nes. If you observe a vehicle being operated in a manner which places you, or anyone else in danger, call 911 for an immediate police response. Halton residents are also encouraged to report any criminal activity to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers. com or by texting `Tip201' with your message to 274637 (crimes). Drive, boat, play and even work safely, so you and others will be here to celebrate summer 2016. Editorial N E W I N T O W N "Connected to your Community" A bald eagle was spotted by Oakville resident Ophelia She, Tuesday morning (May 17) at Lakeside Park, just behind the Erchless Estate. "I believe this is still a very rare site on the shores of Lake Ontario," said She. Apparently, the eagle is calling Oakville home as last week, during the evening of May 11, long-time Oakville resident David Dick saw a bald eagle. "It was awesome. It landed in a tree across the river and I snapped a picture. This is the rst time I have seen one in the harbour area and I have lived here more than 25 years," said Dick. Bald eagle sightings are uncommon at this time of the year, but not unusual says Kim Barrett, an ecological services co-ordinator with Conservation Halton. "Bald eagles are more common during the winter in our area. The closest nesting pair is at Cootes Paradise, the Royal Botanical Gardens, in Hamilton." To see reported sightings in the Oakville area, visit http://bit.ly/1rScBYd and type in Oakville, Ontario in the location search box. | photo by Nikki Wesley ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) 5046 Mainway, Unit 2, Burlington ON L7L 5Z1 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Classi ed Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 Volume 54 | Number 41 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 Advertising Director NEIL OLIVER KELLY MONTAGUE DANIEL BAIRD Managing Editor ANGELA BLACKBURN RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director Business Manager LORI ANN GZOVDANOVIC Director of Production MARK DILLS MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager Director of Distribution Letters to the Editor CHARLENE HALL KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager T Oakville Community Breakfast for Fort Mac John Oliver Oakville MP he photos and video footage were shocking, and the personal stories of escape were harrowing. Canadians across the country were horri ed by the devastation that forest res wreaked on Fort McMurray, Alta., earlier this month. Our concern for the residents of Fort McMurray quickly turned into a desire to help them cope with their sudden evacuation and lessen the impact of this crisis on their lives. Governments at all levels have swiftly provided help to the area, including food, shelter, clothing, nancial support, additional re ghters, and medical help. In addition to matching all individual donations throughout May to the Red Cross, the federal government is supporting residents in several ways and responding to all requests from the Alberta government. At a later time, the federal government will share Alberta's response and recovery costs, in accordance with the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements guidelines. The generosity of Canadians has been clearly evident by their donations of supplies, money, shelter and volunteer time. In this same spirit of generosity, I am inviting the Oakville community to a fundraiser Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Canadian Community Newspapers Association on June 4. I am partnering with the Oakville Lions Club to host a Pancake Breakfast in Coronation Park from 8-9:30 am. It's an honour to work with the Lions Club and I thank them for their tremendous contribution to this event. All monies raised at the breakfast will be donated to the Red Cross for Fort McMurray. Please reach out to my of ce at 905-3382008 or by email to john.oliver@parl.gc.ca with questions or to con rm your attendance. In closing, I'm pleased to announce a new feature on my website where you can submit your feedback on current legislation. Visit johnoliver.mp/have-your-say to express your views. Proud Official Media Sponsor For: 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, 5046 Mainway, Unit 2, Burlington ON L7L 5Z1 or via email to ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. 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.