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Save 10% to 40% RHOLUDAY SAVINGS CARD *On selected regular priced merchandise. Some restrictions apply. Details inâ€"store. gular p Ippl . greased chimney, you could Today to Sunday, November 13th Santa sding down a and faster than Ratepayers‘ group speaks out on election issues By IAN CROSKELL Special to the Beaver In its role as a voice for our local ratepayer groups in Oakville, FORG (Federation of Oakville Residents Groups Inc.) is in regular contact with the affairs of the Town, the Region of Halton, and the Board of Education. As such, FORG is as aware as any individual of those issues and have, or will, affect all Oakville voters. Perhaps for this reason, several memâ€" bers of FORG or related resident groups are now seeking to represent the card, Goods Satisfactory or Money Refunded Our classrooms are filled with nature beauty the Flaythings thatare } unique to a Waldorf environment. / Come, with your children, and experience the enchantment! ‘3 5 DAY PROGRAMS‘ ‘PARENT TOT SESSIONS Now accepting registrationst _ w 4 open * AUTUWWMN * “0P;NTugfi:>E_/ the LAKESHORE WALDORF KINDERGARTEN on Saturday, Nov.1 2 from 10 am to 1 pm RENI 101 5CSSI0NS T: s 5.00 admission fee includes d w acceptingregistrationst * _ 4 *door prizes (?) musical ente at St. Judes Chruch â€" 160 William St. in old Oakuilleâ€" 3385533 The parents teachers of inuite you to 2 big events..... the public as elected officers on Nov. 14th next. This year, we wish every success to Jim Richards, Neil Reid, Brian Bell, Kurt Franklin, and Arlene Reinsborough. We now provide a summary of issues voters should consider when voting for the next three years and beyond. These include: the need for longer range financial planning and fiscal prudence; a more balanced mix of taxpayers by increasing commerâ€" cial growth; emphasizing the accountâ€" / Alternative, delightful, wholesome gifts ... many handmade ... for everyone on your shopping listt *# ‘RAFFLES‘ *‘DOOR PRIZES‘ "TEA ROOM‘ * ‘LIVE CLASSICAL MUSIC‘ ‘REAL WALDORF DOLLS TOYS‘ «_ on Tuesday, Nov.15 1. from 7 to 9:30 pm 0O admission fee includes dessert, door prizes (?) musical entertainment _ \VALDoRF â€"MSTLEETCE y : ability of all local government employees; the preservation of our Heritage; greater accountability to the public and improved twoâ€"way comâ€" munication with the school boards; proper representation for Oakville at the Regional Government; and strong leadership and vision in establishing clearâ€"cut responsibilities through disâ€" entanglement of all government serâ€" vices. This is a tough agenda. It can be achieved more readily if the taxpaying The ratio of supervisors to employâ€" ees is top heavy. (At the Town, it is one for every six employees.) Similarly, the ratio of direct teaching staff to nonâ€"teaching staff is also out of balance â€" the latter accounting for excessive demands on the taxpayer for salaries which have little impact on classroom results. Currently, no more than 50% of the Board‘s almost $300â€" million annual budget is directly focused on the classroom and on qualâ€" ity results from students. 4. Our Oakville Heritage also deserves greater emphasis and comâ€" mitment to preservation by all our elected officials. Our old Town charm is truly distinct from elsewhere in Halton and offers a considerable attraction to new residents. 5. A more balanced representation of Oakville Councillors at the Region is essential, as is the need for an electâ€" ed Regional Chairman. In the view of FORG, it would be preferable that the Chairman not be permitted to cast a deciding vote â€" thus, preventmv another fiasco similar to the MVA vote which has cost Oakville taxpayâ€" ers so dearly. 6. In view of the public mood of antipathy towards School Board Trustees, perhaps the time has come to expect much stronger representation from Trustees. Their role, amongst others, is to direct the Board Administration in its activities. Too often, they have been ineffective in this vital role on behalf of the citizens who elect them. With nearly 60% of our property tax dollars spent on eduâ€" cation, ratepayers should insist on much stronger independent represenâ€" tation and stewardship. Candidates for election should offer evidence of a broader experience of management than has, perhaps, previously been seen. They should have the ability and courage to recognize potential conâ€" flicts of interest in their personal and public roles and to declare them accordingly. FORG encourages voters to give serious consideration to these matters and to also question why the Teachers Federation might wish to see installed as Trustees its own selected candidates. 3. At all three levels of local govâ€" ernment, FORG continues to seek full accountability of all elected officials and employees. We seek an underâ€" standing by those persons that may act as custodians of the public purse in the provision of only essential services. This suggests permitting nonâ€"governâ€" ment bodies to provide services if they can do so on a costâ€"effective basis. Government can no longer expect to provide us services in anything less than the most efficient manner, and it must demand as much of the employâ€" ees. Lean reporting lines are essential. While the Region‘s performance in this regard is showing improvement, the real concern in the opinion of FORG, the Taxpayers‘ Coalition, and others is with the Board of Education. Despite a commitment in late 1993 to open dialogue with the public, we have yet to see any real desire by the Board to actively listen, or to respond, to public input for tangible material change. Rather, the School Administration and some Trustees have exhibited a suspicious closedâ€" minded attitude to any form of public dialogue and have been unwilling to disclose information adequately or expeditiously. This has stymied the opportunity for outsiders to contribute intelligently to current debate. 2. FORG continues to seek the opportunity for greater, effective pubâ€" lic input to the budget process. Our Mayor, Council, and senior Town employees have made sound progress in this regard and are to be congratuâ€" lated on their open receptivity to sugâ€" gestions from the public. Only the Regional Government appears to have established a disciâ€" pline to seek options (including priâ€" vate sector initiatives) to prevent tax increases, and to hold debt financing at relatively conservative levels. The Town, and more particularly, the Board of Education â€" must take heed and duplicate such practices to maxiâ€" mize the value of every dollar now spent. A thorough review of all existâ€" ing services is warranted. Some no longer serve a real need and should be eliminated to permit a recycling of dollars to more urgent services of an essential nature only. 1. Fiscal Prudence will challenge even those Councillors and Trustees considered far thinking and flexible in their views. Many contentious matters will require kid glove handling over the next three years, and new ways of providing essential services must be found. Elected officials will be unable to resort to tax increases alone, nor can they merely postpone decisions. Innovation will be required to deal with the impact of MVA tax increases in 1996, the end of the Social Contract the same year, as well as, recognition of continued infrastructure decay. Competing for tax dollars will be the grandiose capital expenditure proposâ€" als for new "essential" facilities and services, nearly all of which will require resort to Debenture Financing. public demands such results from its elected representatives. lan Croskell is president of FORG. November 9, 1994