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

4- The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday September 20, 2006 www.oakvillebeaver.com How much does vandalism cost? By Kim Arnott SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Join us for our 2006 Campaign kick-off event featuring the 43rd ANNUAL BATHTUB RACE! SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24th 12 noon - Downtown Oakville Other attractions include: - Local band Len's Haulage - Face painting - Clowns - Raffle - Agency fair ... and much more! Sponsored by Town councillors are worried about the impact of vandalism on public property, private homes and the town's pocketbook. As a result of concerns expressed by several councillors, town staff will be preparing reports to address both the impact and the financial cost of vandalism in the town's public areas. Ward 6 councillor Janice Wright is particularly concerned with problems faced by residents living near public walkways that connect residential neighbourhoods with shopping plazas and schools. Although the walkways are intended to improve public access and make neighbourhoods more pedestrian-friendly, residents often find they become a source of frightening and unwanted problems, said Wright, who spoke of houses being pelted with eggs and residents feeling threatened. "I think there's a need across the town to address this issue," said Wright. "I think it's a basic right for people to feel secure in their homes." As part of a study of the value of the walkways, Wright has asked town staff to work with Halton Regional Police to offer residents living next to the paths advice on how to make their properties more secure. Town staff has also been asked to report back on how much it has cost over the last three years to deal with theft, vandalism and destruction of town equipment and property. Ward 1 councillor Mike Lansdown, who initiated the request for the report, believes the total cost to taxpayers will be much higher than people expect. He has asked town staff to add up the various costs associated with incidents of vandalism, including cleaning up graffiti, replacing damaged playground equipment, replanting trees and shrubs and collecting illegally dumped garbage. "What I want to focus on is the cost to the taxpayer ­ the public cost," said Lansdown. "I suspect it will be substantial." Deliberately-set fires in local playgrounds have drawn public attention to the problem. One fire, which destroyed a playground structure at Pine Glen Park in May 2005, caused more than $100,000 of damage. The town will also spend about $220,000 a year on a new graffiti eradication program approved by town council earlier this summer. The policy, which established a public hotline for reporting of graffiti (905-338-4392), emphasizes quick removal of graffiti. The town's stated aim is to clean up racist or obscene graffiti immediately, and remove all graffiti within 72 hours of discovery. No specific timeline was given for staff to return with the requested reports. PRESENTS THE SECOND ANNUAL 466 Speers Rd, Suite 200 Oakville ON L6K 3W9 t: (905) 845-5571 www.uwoakville.org AN INTERACTIVE LEARNING SYMPOSIUM & EXPO FOR RETIREES AND SOON-TO-BE RETIREES SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2006 THE LIVING ARTS CENTRE, MISSISSAUGA RBC Theatre, 4141 Living Arts Drive Join for a one-of-a-kind introduction to retirement! Preparing for and enjoying retirement takes great planning. Spend the day with experts from health, housing, finance and travel fields and gain the knowledge you need to make the most of your retirement. FEATURING Keynote Speaker DR. ELAINE DEMBE "The Passion Doctor" Dr. Elaine Dembe is one of Canada's outstanding authorities on longevity, stress management and motivation. A celebrated chiropractor, sought-after speaker, media personality marathon runner, and author of the best selling books Passionate Longevity - 10 Secrets to Growing Younger and Use the Good Dishes: Finding Joy in Every Day Life, Dr. Dembe has helped thousands of people including the likes of Paula Abdul, Phil Collins, Celine Dion and the Toronto Blue Jays. AGENDA · DOORS OPEN AT 9:00AM 9:30-9:45am ......................WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION 9:45-10:30am.....................DR. ELAINE DEMBE "THE PASSION DOCTOR" will speak on Passionate Longevity and will inspire and re-energize you to live and work with passion, productivity and contentment no matter your age. "Growing older doesn't bother me... I put the emphasis on growing." 10:30-10:45am...................Break 10:45-12:15pm...................HOUSING Doug Gray, former lawyer and author of 9 best selling books on real estate will present tips to follow and pitfalls to avoid about downsizing to a condo, buying recreational property, buying investment real estate, buying out of country, tax strategies, and much more. Gord White, CEO of ORCA (Ontario Retirement Communities Association) will discuss basic questions that are asked everyday by seniors and their families as it relates to housing later in life. This session will map for navigating the twists and turns that make up the care continuum. Q&A with both speakers at end of session. 12:15-1:30pm.....................Break 1:30-2:15pm .......................FINANCE & ESTATE PLANNING Doug Gray, former lawyer and author of 11 best selling books on will and estate planning and small business will present tips to follow and pitfalls to avoid about will and estate planning, living wills, powers of attorney, charitable giving, starting a business when 50+, tax strategies, and much more. 2:15-2:30pm .......................Break 2:30-3:30pm .......................TRAVEL Susan Hallett and Edward Melnychuk will discuss "Tripping" for Boomers, including learning vacations, genealogical touring, once in a lifetime experiences, cruising & boating and more. Includes Q&A. 3:30-4:30pm .......................HEALTH & WELLNESS Garry Lapenskie, Instructor in the School of Kinesiology in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Western University will present: "You Are Too Young To Retire Your Body" This presentation will focus on some of the age-related changes in our bodies. Acceptance of what cannot be changed and strategies for making changes will be the topics explored. Includes Q&A. 4:30-5pm .............................RECEPTION IN FOYER Enjoy refreshments while you meet the presenters and sponsors personally. TICKETS ARE ONLY $15. and admission fee provides attendance to all the above seminars, program, on-site demonstrations and loot bag. Seating is limited so book today! Sponsored by Tickets available at the Living Arts Centre Box Office 905-306-6000 or 1-888-805-8888 and online at www.livingartscentre.ca For information on available sponsorship/exhibitor opportunities, please call 905-337-5591