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10 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday January 31, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Halton Region wants input on strategic plan Halton Region is embarking on its strategic planning process that will ultimately result in a vision for Halton from now until 2010. Over the next four months, regional council will be taking part in several sessions to discuss the priorities and goals that will be contained in the 2007-2010 strategic plan. The document will encompass council's vision for Halton and priorities for this term of office, outlining what can be accomplished in the region over the next few years. The Region also creates annual plans for each of council's standing committees -- health and social services, planning and public works and administration and finance -- that detail specific actions on how council will achieve its strategic plan goals. As part of the process, public input will soon be sought through open houses, meetings and the Region's website, www.halton.ca. KITCHENS BATHROOMS WALL UNITS FREE ESTIMATES CUSTOM DESIGNS CUSTOM FINISHES QUALIFIED DESIGNERS DAVID LEA / OAKVILLE BEAVER SAFETY LESSON PAID DIVIDENDS: Sidney, Paul, and Natasha Samborski stand in front of their fire-damaged home. Sidney is credited with helping her mom and dog flee to safety. Young girl praised for keeping cool head during house fire By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Cabinet Concepts 905-632-0029 Unique EXPERIENCED INSTALLERS Doing It Right Since 1976 4150 South Service Road, Burlington www.uniquecabinetconcepts.com Roadmap to Success Spring 2007 Workshop Series Strategies and Skills for Managing Conflict When: Tuesday, February 13, 2007, 9 a.m. to noon Location: Oakville Town Hall, Committee Room One Cost: $30 Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of the five classic strategies for managing conflict and identify the skills that assist in the execution of these strategies. Oakville Fire Department officials are commending a young Oakville girl for getting her family to safety during a house fire last week. On Jan. 24, Sidney Samborski, 12, was working on her computer when she noticed the smell of smoke coming from a vent. "I went to the living room and I looked at the door and there was black smoke coming out from the top of the door," she said. Remembering the training she had received in school about what to do in a fire Samborski dropped to the ground to avoid the toxic smoke and shouted for her mother, Gloria, to do the same. As thick smoke continued to pour out of the vents Sidney turned her attention to her miniature pincer Max. "I grabbed the blanket and grabbed my dog and wrapped it around his head, because he has a heart problem, so his throat wouldn't get hurt." Not realizing that the basement was Now what do I say? Media and Crisis Training When: Thursday, March 22, 2007, 9 a.m. to noon Location: Oakville Town Hall, Committee Room One Time: 9 a.m. to noon Cost: $30 Get ready for a media crisis before it hits! This session explores the Content, Clarity and Commitment of great crisis communication plans. CORRECTION NOTICE To our valued customers: We apologize for any inconvenience this error may have caused. Product: On page 17 of the January 26th flyer the prices of these items have been reversed. The Motorola SX750R is shown as $49.99 when in fact it is $99.99. The Motorola FV200R is shown as $99.99 when in fact it is $49.99. Attacking the Fundraising Challenge - Lunch & Learn Series When: Feb. 14, Feb. 28, March 14, March 28, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Location: United Way of Oakville Boardroom Cost: $60 for full series or $20 per workshop Are you satisfied with the performance of your current fundraising program? This 4 part lunch and learn series allows participants to focus on various fundraising challenges. 9% Per annum. Interest paid monthly. 1 year term. Business Finance & Credit Corporation Contact us at 416-214-6440 Challenging your Concepts of Change - Lunch & Learn Series When: Feb. 20, March 6, March 20, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Location: United Way of Oakville Boardroom Cost: $60 for full series or $20 per workshop This three part lunch and learn series is designed to help organizations and individuals manage change. Topics include: Understanding Change as a Process, 10 Principles of Change Management and Tools and Techniques for Coping with Change. Offering is being made to Ontario residents who qualify as "Accredited Investors" only. www.bfcc.ca SELLING YOUR HOME? 27 Valuable Tips you should know before you list your home on the market, to get it SOLD FAST and for TOP DOLLAR! FREE Report reveals 27 tips to give you the competitive edge. FREE recorded message To register for a workshop, contact Angele Wilson at (905) 845-5571, ext. 233 or e-mail angele@uwoakville.org. 1-800-377-9643 ID #1023 www.oakvillehomesellersfreeinfo.com engulfed in flames Sidney's mother called her husband at his work. "I kept calling my mom down saying, `Mom calm down, you have to get the door, you have to because I have the dog,' and she eventually went and grabbed the door open," said Sidney. Neighbors brought warm clothes and shoes for Sidney and her mother as they stood in the freezing cold outside. Sidney's father Paul was on the scene within minutes of receiving the call from his wife. "When I got here the front door was just a wall of solid smoke and it didn't move it just sat there. If they hadn't got out..." he said. "It filled so fast. Gloria said she couldn't believe it. It was seconds. It just went from no smoke to couldn't see," said Paul. For Sidney keeping her composure in the middle of such chaos was a matter of necessity. "I knew not to freak out because if I freaked out I wouldn't be here," she said. Damage to the Prince Charles Drive residence's structure alone has been estimated to be $75,000. The cause of the fire appears to have been a malfunctioning heating pad. "The basement is pretty much done. The end of the house is basically charcoal and the rest of it is just heat and smoke damage," said Paul. For now Sidney and her family are staying at a hotel until the insurance comes through. Paul is glad Sidney paid attention to her fire safety lessons. "I'm proud of her. She did well and it's good to know that she remembered what she was supposed to do. She got herself and her mom out," he said. Besides her parents, the Oakville Fire Department are also proud of Sidney's actions. "It's commendable," said Michael Harrison, Public Education Officer with the Oakville Fire Department. "We enjoy hearing that kids are learning this in school and in the community and that she was able to apply what she learned not only in a situation like this but actually to probably help save her mom," he said. Harrison gives credit to St. James Catholic School where Sidney is a student. The school teaches two programs that deal with fire safety, Risk Watch and Learn Not to Burn. "She also learned this from Halton Region through a summer camp she went to last summer here on Kerr Street. The Halton Region's health department has a Risk Watch hazard house. It's a half cut away version of a house and they can demonstrate different safety behaviors in the home," said Harrison. The fire department's Home Awareness Program in which fire safety pamphlets are delivered door to door appears to also have played a role in preparing Sidney. "The dad told me that he and mom had sat down with the family and discussed all the information that came with the pamphlet." While Sidney is just happy everyone got out okay, the fire department may have an additional gift in mind for her. "We're looking to try and give her an award. A Provincial Fire Marshal's Public Safety Council Award for her actions in knowing what to do and possibly saving her mom," said Harrison. 3634303A