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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday June 17, 2006 - 7 Omissions in strategy raise questions Continued from page 6 after the Plan is approved. Like putting a condom on after the sex is done. · Transportation Plan: Anyone trained in environmental urban planning would not dream of drafting an Environmental Plan that does not include transportation. This is exactly what the Town has done. The Town's Transportation Master Plan was drawn before the Environmental Strategic Plan. This is putting the cart before the horse. What possible transport strategy could an environmental plan devise when the transportation sector has already been decided upon. Incredibly, the Environmental Strategic Plan mentions the issue and justifies the blunder by suggesting the two plans are part of the same system. This is akin to saying "so what if the cart is before the horse. They are both connected and are part of the same system." A citizen can only laugh at this contorted reasoning unique to the phylum bureaucraticum. · North Oakville There is no such thing as piece meal strategy. Strategy must be all encompassing. Yet the Town's Environmental Strategic Plan only covers areas south of Dundas Street. The whole of north Oakville is omitted. Why? With so much development planned for the north of Oakville, its omission from this document means the Plan is not for Oakville as the title suggests, but for a portion of Oakville which is already developed. It is like the heart specialist treating heartburn and ignoring the actual heart attack. One wonders if such mammoth flaws are mere omissions of the system or is there a more sinister reason for such lapses? A critical read may suggest the omissions are a deliberate ploy to avoid commitment. Nobody can fault a plan to plant trees in Oakville. Only the quantity, the location and where the resources will come from, could be issues of debate and discussion. The State of Environment may have been omitted lest such a compilation of information highlight areas that really require intervention rather than the 18 listed in the current plan. Perhaps the transportation planners preferred to plan in isolation without having to consider other sectors. Perhaps the north of Oakville will not adhere to the goals and strategy adopted for the south. Unfortunately, the document as it stands exposes its producers to such criticism. A stool can not stand on one leg. An enormous amount of time and effort was put into this Plan. Committing so many resources to an environmental plan is a great credit to the Town. Alas, it is exactly that scale of investment which bears the most criticism since the result does not justify the input. -- Asif Niazi is an international environmental consultant with the United Nations. He holds an MSc in Environmental Management from Oxford University and has advised governments on policy and programming over the last 20 years. He has lived in Oakville since 2000. after before We can transform your existing cabinets with new doors and laminate in your choice of style & colour. Select complimentary hardware & have the kitchen of your dreams. ud By Steve Nease snease@haltonsearch.com KEEPING SENIORS INFORMED Our LivingWell Events are Open to the Public Special Events for June Ballroom Dancing June 21 at 2:30pm Enhancing the Quality of Life of Seniors and Disabled Adults in Halton Region Delmanor Glen Abbey is Oakville's premier retirement residence for active adults. We emphasize independence and individuality in a community environment that promotes an active mind and a sound body. In short, we believe in LivingWell and we'd like you to join us.All the events are free of charge. Just call Margaret Milley at 905-469-3232 to reserve your spot or to book a tour. The Willow Foundation 4th Annual Golf Challenge Thursday, June 22, 2006 Crosswinds Golf & Country Club 6621 Guelph Line, Burlington, Ontario Included in $195.00 per person registration fee: Green Fee, Power Cart, Prizes, BBQ Lunch and Sit-Down Dinner PLUS MUCH MORE! 11:00 am Registration for 1:00 pm Shotgun Start Scramble Format - 19th Hole Reception 6:00 pm Dinner at 7:00 pm TM 1459 Nottinghill Gate just south of Upper Middle, west of Dorval 905.469.3232 For information call Jan Czuba, Manager The Willow Foundation, 203 Georgian Drive, Oakville, ON L6H 7H9 Phone: 905-825-6000 ext. 4049 · Email: jan.czuba@halton.ca P R O U D LY S P O N S O R E D B Y B U R L I N G T O N P O S T