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4- The Oakville Beaver, Friday January 12, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Region ready to get tough on TO pooling By Melanie Hennessey SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER A Halton Region committee is pushing for a freeze on how much Halton pays Toronto to cover its social services costs. Better known as GTA pooling, the system was introduced by the Province in 1998 to support the city's social assistance and social housing requirements -- something expected to cost the average Halton taxpayer about $180 this year. During the health and social services committee's budget deliberations Tuesday, Halton Hills Councillor Clark Somerville put forward a motion that calls for Halton to cap its upcoming contribution for GTA pooling at the 2006 level -- estimated to be $41 million. "Let's draw a line in the sand," he said. "It (the pooling system) is broke -- we've got to get it fixed." At this point, the 2006 pooling figure isn't finalized and it's unknown how much Halton will be asked to pay for 2007. Somerville said with a provincial election coming this year, it's a good time for council to make an issue of pooling. Several committee members like Milton Councillor Colin Best voiced support for the resolution. "This is a loud message to the Province," he remarked. Regional Chair Gary Carr said he wants to press the local provincial election candidates on pooling. "I think we need to get very aggressive with the Province," Carr said. "It (pooling money) is a huge amount of our budget." Oakville Councillor Fred Oliver added, "I think it's that time of year that we should put a freeze on it." But, Burlington Councillor Carol D'Amelio expressed some doubts, noting she wouldn't want her constituents to say they're not paying taxes above the 2006 level. "Two wrongs don't make a right," she said. "I believe in following the rules and setting an example." Acting CAO Jane MacCaskill said Halton has been working with other GTA municipalities on an exit strategy. But for the time being, she said, it is a "requirement and obligation that we pay." Other local municipalities, like York and Peel, have already frozen their GTA pooling payments. Halton's pooling costs have steadily risen since 2003, going from about $34 million to the current estimated $41 million. Since pooling started in 1998, the Region has contributed almost $325 million to Toronto's social services. Somerville's motion, along with a report from staff regarding the legality of freezing pooling payments, will go before the budget review committee Jan. 22 and regional council Jan. 24 . -- Melanie Hennessey can be reached at mhennessey@miltoncanadianchampion.com. Purse snatcher drove a Lincoln Halton Police are investigating a purse snatching at 1500 Upper Middle Rd. Wednesday. At 7:50 p.m. a woman was returning to her vehicle after shopping in the plaza, and as she buckled her young daughter in, police say a suspect grabbed her purse and drove away. The victim's purse was hanging around her arm and she was dragged alongside the suspect's vehicle for a short time, said police. She sustained no significant injuries and did not need medical aid. The male suspect was driving a mid-1990s model Lincoln Mark 8, which was parked in the shopping plaza. He fled in what police call "an aggressive manner." Police converged on the plaza, but the suspect was gone. The suspect is described as male, in his mid-20s, average build, short, dark hair, dark skin, possibly a pierced left ear. His vehicle is described as a two-door beige/tan Lincoln Mark 8 with tinted windows. Halton Police are appealing to the public for any information regarding this investigation and the identity of the suspect or suspect vehicle. Anyone with information is asked to contact Halton Police at 905-825-4747, ext 2210 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222TIPS. Crime Stoppers tips are anonymous. Finding the perfect fit is a resolution you can keep. FINANCIAL SEMINAR. 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