The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

By KATHY YANCHUS Oakville Beaver Staff PUD "hen people ask Ward 4 " Halton Board of Education ‘ â€"trustee Penny Siebert when she‘s hitting the campaign trail, she replies that she did so three years ago when she was elected a trustee. "There is nothing I can do in the next month that will change their minds," said Siebert, who feels she has demonstrated her skills through both her committment to the community and her impact at the board. A 47â€"yearâ€"old mother of three with extensive background in the financial field, a parentâ€"teacher organization and in executive positions in coop nursery schools, Siebert said she is seeking reâ€" election in order to continue unfinâ€" ished work. Siebert is hoping past record will provide impetus for second term "The first area is the whole issue of community involvement," said Siebert, which she feels is a "really positive force." The other area Siebert wants to continue to have an impact in, is planned financial restraint. "I believe that steady, realistic presâ€" sure is more effective than last minute cost cutting," said Siebert. ‘"Trustees must set a budget target and demand that staff identify cost savings that are least harmful to our students." The result of trustees‘ trying to tow the tax line, said Siebert, has been reductions and downsizing "that has meant that the 30% drop in provincial grants has not had nearly as great an impact on property taxes as one would have expected." As viceâ€"chairman and then chairâ€" man of the finance committee, Siebert, along with (Board Viceâ€"Chair) Don Cassidy, developed a process of more frequent finance committee meetings. ""We set up a process for more pubâ€" lic input before we make decisions and we also required admin to put forward a threeâ€"year budget forecast. "And then this year what I asked trustees to do, was to begin as soon as we finished last year‘s process in June, identifying areas where we wanted admin to look at the possibiity of savâ€" ings for next year‘s budget. As a result, Siebert said numerous proposals are being studied. "So I think I have had an impact in terms of helping to keep the overall requireâ€" ments that taxes be kept down, plus having an imapct in terms of setting a process in place that would allow us to do long range budget setting." Siebert is also interested in the area of testing to determine the quality of education in the schools, and in repreâ€" senting the interâ€" ests of Ward 4 in terms of the development of the relatively new community. B ecause Siebert‘s ward has just two schools, her terâ€" ritory encomâ€" _ Penny Siebert passes nine other schools in tne neighâ€" boring vicnity to which her students are bused. "While the board can‘t decide when schools get built, because that‘s a provincial decison, my job as a trustees is to make sure our kids are getting a good education in the schools that they are bused to." Siebert has sat on 17 board comâ€" mittees over the three years and believes it‘s her flexibility of time that allows her to do so and to make changes. "I‘m available during the day...cerâ€" tainly I‘ve noticed the trustees who have had an impact at the board, both those I agree with and those that I don‘t, are people who are selfâ€" employed, or work part time, have flexible hours. I‘m able to because of my lifestyle to get into the schools and to meet with staff and to meet with parents during the day as well as being available at night. I‘ve worked hard to keep the community informed..." Riggs Road issue provided push into municipal election By HOWARD MOZEL Oakville Beaver Staff hen Cameron McDougall first got involved in the fight to keep the Riggs Road rightâ€"ofâ€"way parkland he had no idea the battle would be so enjoyable. Buoyed by that experiâ€" ence the Vance Drive resident has decided to run for the regional seat in Ward 1. "I realized I really liked doing this, going out and doing things for the community," said McDougall, who says he spent every waking moment on Riggs Road for two and a half years. "I decided it was time to take this step." McDougall â€" a 30â€"yearâ€"old marâ€" ried chartered financial analyst â€" believes it‘s important to have the right people on Council to make the right decisions. Explaining that he possesses the "financial and busiâ€" ness smarts to do the job," he relishâ€" es the thought of tackling the tough issues expected in the next threeâ€" year term. Even the fact that he‘s bypassing local Council in favor of the Region doesn‘t faze him. "My background is such that I have the capacity to analyze situaâ€" tions and make the right decisions," says McDougall, who has broken his campaign down into five areas of concern. The first is full accountability of by Steve Nease McDougall will also push for the development of a business plan to augment the Town‘s 10â€"Year Capital Forecast in order to deterâ€" mine exactly wher> she money is going to come from. Finding new sources of revenue is a side of the financial equation that is lacking, he says. McDougall would also like to see a better balance between busiâ€" ness and residential growth. By attracting new businesses, he explained, more jobs closer to home can hopefully be created. McDougall is also concerned with the preservation of heritage, which is especially important in the Bronte area. The people there, particularly longâ€"time residents of the ward, are worried about rapid change. The Outer Harbor project, for example, must be planned properly, says McDougall. The candidate‘s final point is lower taxation through smarter spending. Governments all over the world â€" especially those facing masâ€" sive deficits â€" are realizing the hanâ€" dling of their money matters cannot be business as usual. "Do more with what you have," said McDougall, who has canvassed for the United Way. "I don‘t believe in taking an axe but getting the best bang for the buck." Oasis Clubho Oakville 9e Wishes everyone who helpes make our September 19, 1994 garage sale a massive success. Their generosity is greatly appreâ€" ciated. Town of Oakville (Parks and Recreation), Oakville Reuse Centre, Barb Stanner (Tupperware), Special Occasions (Burlington), Creative Touch Ceramics (Hamilton, C.C. James Art Supplies (Retired), Dock‘s fish and chips, and all kthe wonderful anonymous donors and buyers. Special thanks to Cusson Leasing Consultants for donating a complete auto detail cleaning package for our raffle: winner Mike Tadman, and also thanks to Our Glass, for the donation of etched mirâ€" rors for our Silent Auction: winner Marilyn Kohler. For more information about Oasis. call 845â€"5158. The Sooter‘s ad which appeared on Wednesday, Oct. 19th/94 in the Oakville Beaver was incorrect. The Film Developing Special For $6.99 Roll of 24 preâ€"paid (one set) expires Oct. 21st/94. 125 Cross Ave. Trafalgar Village 844â€"4474 Sooter‘s CANADIAN MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION L‘ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE POUR LA SANTE MENTALE Cam McDougall