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govemment. There were few real surprises in the Monday municipal election but there was some good news. Voter turnout was 32 per cent was better than the 24.8 per cent who went to the polls in 1991. There will be some new faces around the council table this year includâ€" ing Mark Farrow in Ward 6 who fought a tough battle with Kurt Franklin. Also in Ward 6, Anne Fairfield made a successful comeback to local polâ€" itics after a long absence. The former Halton Board of Education trustee, defeated Jim Smith for the regional council seat after Smith, the incumbent local councillor, decided to seek election at the regional level. This was the one race where we were sad to see a loser. Both Smith and Fairfield were among the most capable representatives up for local office. The other interesting races were in Ward 2 where three newcomers were going for the local council seat. The battle was between Linda Hardacre and Ron Planche who, like Anne Fairfield, had been away from the local elecâ€" tion scene for some years after serving as a regional councillor. But the Ward 2 electorate opted for a new face instead. The strongest showing of the night came from Ward 1 cillor Ralph Robinson racked up a huge win. Bronte re own private fiefdom, a fitting result for one of the hardest of council. Perhaps the most intriguing race was that waged in Ward 3 for the regional council seat. It was a classic threeâ€"way confrontation among local political veterans. Both John Graham and Janet Mitchell were trying for political comebacks but couldn‘t stop incumbent Keith Bird who received more votes than his opponents combined. We thought it might have been closer. The race for the mayor‘s job really wasn‘t much of a race. Political neoâ€" phyte Ed Schuermer was crushed by the Ann Mulvale juggernaut. Nn ol _ Local council will now have to deal with major development plans in the coming years including the Uptown Core and the big push north of Highway 5. It will also have to decide on some major capital projects including new arenas and how to service new areas of town. ven accountants say town books a mess South of the QEW, it will have to look at the huge Kaneff development scheme which is likely to be a very contentious project. At the Halton Board of Education, look for an increase in pressdre groups that will want some action from their trustees on just how the Board spends tax dollars. Also look for trustees seeking more administration accountability for the quality of education. Over the next three years, these newlyâ€"elected representatives of the peoâ€" ple of Oakville, will be trying hard to reflect public opinion and giving freely of themselves for public service. A local politician‘s life is often a thankless one but one which is vital to the well being of the town and region. We congratulate all those who offered their services for elected office. As for the 68 per cent who didn‘t vote? Let‘s not hear about your problems for another three years. Re: Oakville Town Finances Outside accountants DeLoitte Touche audited Oakville‘s 1993 books: Their report appears in 71 sheets called Financial Report 1993. Parents should decide what kids watch on TV Dear Sir: I‘m sure that virtually every cartoon character has had the scary thought of "who‘s next?" going through their vacant litâ€" tle head lately. After years of "Popeye", "Road Runners", "Ninja Turtles", etc., I can‘t help wondering...what trigâ€" gered this? Could parents be getting lazy? It seems to me that the Results of Kerr St. project debatable Let me comment first on the letter published on Nov. 2nd by Doug and Jeannette Jamieson. It is strange that, in their estimation, I should be considâ€" ered a misoneist and thus, a part of the problem. I must admit, in all faimmess, that I failed to state that Kerr Street was, indeed, in need of some amelioraâ€" tion, not though to the extent of $3.5â€"million of taxpayers‘ money; especially, when the tangible benefits are minimal or nonâ€"existent. Dear Sir: I seem to have ruffled some feathers regarding my article of Oct. 26th, denouncing the unwarrantâ€" ed waste of public funds for the "improvements" to Kerr Street. The Jamiesons have high praise for the tireless efforts of our councillors, some of whom are, indeed, laudable. But having said that, their letter further states that at election time, we should conâ€" sider those with experience and proven record; in other words, don‘t give anyone else a chance, and I wonder how this concept fits in with their stateâ€" ment that I resist change. As residents of Oakville In eight pages of fine print Notes, the auditors he votes have been counted and now those elected to Oakville and Halton Regional Council, both Halton school boards and the Oakville Hydro Commission will have three years to put their stamp on local Few surprises ving of the night came from Ward 1 where local counâ€" n racked up a huge win. Bronte remains Robinson‘s a fitting result for one of the hardest working members energy it took to write those letters and get signatures on a petition could have been spent walking over to the television set and hitting the "off" button. Maybe, it is easier to have the program yanked altogether, than have to take the responsiâ€" bility on ourselves to monitor what our children are watchâ€" ing. I am really getting tired of hearing parents blaming the say the ‘93 statements do not balance. Note 8 says the Balance Sheet omits $119,822 interest accrued to Dec. 31st, 1993. That means another Balance Sheet number is also wrong, and in Note 8, the auditors say the interest mistake means municipal fund balances should be reduced. for 14 years, does not make the Jamiesons an authority, neither does my residence here of 41 years. A word of comment regarding the letter by Jill Snidal. The "square" I will repeat is unattractive and a waste of valuable space that is seldom used. I cannot help, but perceive that no comments were made regarding my assertion that this project was carried out without due consideration of home owners to the west, in spite of, their petition. Finally, in both letters much was said about the overwhelming support by the merchants on Kerr Street. This view has not been substantiated by a surprising percentage whom I visited; furthermore, most merchants in the area said they were not involved in the planning process. Two only of about 20 are in full agreement with the project; the others vary from moderate to harsh criticism. Take a stroll along Kerr Street. Find out for yourselves and get a true assessment from the merâ€" chants themselves. As a parent, I feel it is our job to distinguish right from wrong for our children, and if the "Power Rangers" have more control than "The Parents", the problem is scarier than ever. media, blaming teachers, blaming movies. Have parents really lost this much conâ€" trol??? Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of the 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 and reject advertising. in the event of typographical error, advertising goods or services at t! ie wrong price, goods or services may not be soid. Advertising is merely an offer to sell and may be withdrawn at any time. The Oakville Beaver welcomes your comments. All letters must be signed and include the writer‘s address and phone number. Letters should be typed, doubleâ€"spaced and addressed to: Letters to the Editor, The Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, Ont. L6K 3$4 Douglas A. Nash Kari Richards 467 Speers Road, Oakville, Ont. L6K 354 CAKVILE BREAVER, Classified Advertising: 845â€"2809 Circulation: 845â€"9742 or 845â€"9743 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Oakville‘s passing statements that do not balâ€" ance seemed so bizarre I asked Town financial staff for comment. They admitted it. At least, one said, we knew how big the error was. Note 11 (b) says the statements made no allowance for any of the $4â€"million in outstanding legal claims against the Town. Note 12 says the Town held $500,000 in inventory. Staff confirm it did not â€" the figure refers to expensive supplies. The Balance Sheet says taxes owing to the Town on Dec. 31st, 1993 were $15,258,000 â€" but the breakdown that should be there is missing. In a report to Queen‘s Park for the same date (page 68), the Town gives a breakdown of taxes owing to it, but for a lower total. On page 57, our auditors say flatly the numbers given to Queen‘s Park were not audited. There‘s worse... The Balance Sheet lists "Net Long Term Liabilities" at $10,756,000. Note 6 says the Town left out another $787,000 of debt because it hopes local boards, utilities, and some ratepayers will pay that part. It does not matter someone else may pay part. Oakville borrowed the money; Oakville is on the hook. So, the Balance Sheet is wrong by another $787,000. Our real long term debt at ‘93 year end was $11,543,000. Keeping those debt numbers in mind, consider the chart at the beginning of Financial Report 1993 comparing ©93 results with prior years. Line 12 says ‘93 Net Long Term Debt was $10,415,000 â€" even lower than the fudged Balance Sheet number. Line 12‘s number is used to give a ©93 per capita debt of $89, compared to ©92 per capita debt of $100. Dividing the 116,740 population into the auditor‘s corrected debt of $11,543,000, we find the true ©93 per capital debt is $98.87. The per capiâ€" ta improvement over ‘©92 was the price of a cup of coffee. These errors hide Oakville‘s true financial posiâ€" tion. Outside auditors often bury data in the Notes when client top management fight to keep embarâ€" rassing numbers off the main statements most peoâ€" ple read. So thank DeLoitte Touche for telling us somehow. I cannot blame the frank and helpful staff I met. One councillor was visibly angered by the errors â€" he assumed, as many voters did, the statements were plainly accurate. We can forgive honest mistakes. But it seems honesty, accuracy, and integrity better be added to the new job descriptions of whoever resisted our auditors. Such errors can ruin Town decisions. Even decent councillors will blunder if they get stateâ€" ments as misleading as these. When voters get two fudged numbers for Town debt and the real, higher one is hidden, how can we tell how Oakville is doing? Council should have been in an uproar over comments in the auditors‘ Notes. It wasn‘t. So votâ€" ers must insist on higher performance standards, top to bottom, at ‘Town Hall. A simple test of every candidate is whether he or she can be trusted to get us plainly accurate financial statements. Ian Oliver Publisher Robert Glasbey Advertising Director Norman Alexander Editor Geoff Hill Circulation Director Teri Casas Office Manager Tim Coles Production Manager J. Warren Caldwell Dear Sir: In The Oakville Beaver of Sunday, Oct. 30th, there is an announcement that Lynn Hutton, of Hutton‘s Total Grooming Centre and Spa, has been named "Businessâ€" personâ€"ofâ€"theâ€" year". In the opinion of at least one of your readers, this award has gone to a perfectly delightful lady, and I am sure that it is richly deserved. Both Ms Hutton and her staff are consisâ€" tently cordial, pleasant, and helpful with their clients. I have been a cusâ€" tomer for some time, and I have also sent friends for her advice. My sentiâ€" ments are always echoed in the opinâ€" ions of my friends. The business comâ€" munity of Oakville has recognized a fine business person. Hutton good choice for top businessperson Dear Sir: Where is the "exceptional quality of life in Oakville" that Mayor Mulvale speaks about? In the Morrison Road and Chartwell Road area, quality is rapidly deteriorating. In the sixteen years we have resided here, we have suffered from lack of water pressure in summer, and we now have fire hydrants covered over in the area. The addition of six firefightâ€" ers for north Oakville is fine, but the increase of water availâ€" ability in our area is badly needed. Our court was planted by the Town sixteen years ago. It was not an award winner at that time, but sixteen years later, it is a disgrace. I was promised this was top of the agenda for 1993, but because of budget cuts, the promise was revoked. Mayor Mulvale referred me to the Parks Department, where we were invited to plant it ourselves in cooperation with our neighbors (no tax reduction). The rail yard adjacent to Cornwall Road has recently expanded. What quality of life to be slammed out of bed Sunday morning at 7:30 a.m. by rail cars banging together. The tracks are wide open to children and animals, and the promised berm at Morrison Road bears no resemblance to the berm on the south side of Cornwall Road. East end concerns ignored Now our good neighbors â€" The Ford Company â€" are planâ€" ning to further beautify the area by erecting one hundred metre stacks (two I believe) allowing pollutants to travel further afield. Last, but definitely not least, is Garfield Containers. Mayor Mulvale told me their relocation to this area "fell through the cracks". In spite of sixty infractions on Invicta, this company is now set up on Maple Grove. The drivers park their trucks in front of no stopping signs on Cornwall Road and Ford Drive extension and go into the plazas causing traffic to merge around them and making exiting from the plazas hazardous. As though the dirt and noise caused by these trucks is not enough, driving time behind them has drastically increased. Even on a Sunday, they pour out of Maple Grove two and three at a time. I sincerely urge the councillors of Ward 3, in addition to worrying about "the provision of full municipal services to our newer communities", they concern themselves with services to the older Oakville and the residents living here. LETTER OF T The Oakville Beaver, published every Sunday, Wednesday and Friday, at 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, is one of the Metroland Printing, Publishing Distributing Ltd. goup of suburban newspapers which includes: Ajaxâ€"Pickering News Advertiser, Barrie Advance, Brampton Guardian, Burlington Post, Collingwood Connection, Etobicoke Guardian, Georgetown Independent! Acton Free Press, Kingston This Week, Lindsay This Week, Markham Economist and Sun, Stouffville/Uxbridge Tribune, Milton Canadian Champion, Mississauga News, Newmarketâ€"Aurora Eraâ€"Banner, North York Mirror, Oakville Beaver, Orillia Today, Oshawa/Whitby This Week, Peterborough This Week, Richmond HilVThomhilWaughan Liberal, Scarborough Mirror. j All material published in the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Any flxoducfion in whole or in part of this material is strictly forbidden without the consent of the publisher. Janet Bollinger Lorraine E. Davis November 16, 1994