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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday January 31, 2007 - 3 Fred Oliver only councillor to vote against tree Continued from page 1 shortfall and fund the alternate route. The arrangement was approved at a meeting of Halton Regional council, following assurances from Oakville Mayor Rob Burton that it would be approved by Oakville council. When the item finally came up for town consideration on Monday night, the packed council chambers appeared to be fairly evenly divided between those supporting the proposal to contribute $25,000 from the Town's 2006 surplus to the cause, and those opposing the idea. The meeting featured everything from an art presentation to a petition, and from allegations of conflict of interest to Oakville history lessons. It also featured the Town's first use of newly-installed digital clocks to limit delegations to a ten-minute speaking time. The art presentation came early in the meeting, when local artist Rob MacDougall presented a special oak leaf print to Joyce Burnell, the 86year-old retired teacher who spearheaded the drive to save the tree. The prints will be sold this year, as part of a fundraiser for the Ian Anderson house, in commemoration of Oakville's 150th birthday. When it was her turn to address council, Burnell reminded councillors of the town's sesquicentennial celebrations and the proposed plan to plant 150 new oak trees to recognize the event. "This is not the year to cut down the grand-daddy of them all," said Burnell. "We have an ethical obligation to pass on this wonderful gift to the next generation of Oakvillians." She added that the $25,000 amounts to about 15 cents per Oakville resident ­ "not a great deal to preserve our heritage." Others supporting the initiative to save the tree reiterated the value of the tree as a symbol for the town, as well as the small amount of money involved. "There's more to a community than dollars and cents," said Terry Smith, who described the financial contribution as "immaterial." "It's pennies for residents," he added. "It's a minor distraction in the budget." Jim Young, who co-chaired the community fundraising committee added, "Let's not confuse what we're doing here tonight." "The tree itself is not in need of a dime. The substantial amount of money we've raised will be used to build a public highway ­ which everyone will use freely, and probably quite frequently," he said. However, councillors also heard from a number of residents who expressed concern about both the expenditure and the political process. Retired local nurse Linda Da Costa presented councillors with a 408name petition in opposition to the town pitching in the $25,000 to save the tree. "We feel there are many better effort and lobbied to convince others to support the cause. Swirzon suggested that councillors had an obligation to approach the issue with an unbiased perspective, and suggested those who couldn't should declare a non-pecuniary conflict of interest and refrain from voting on the matter. No councillor chose to make that declaration, and the proposal to spend the $25,000 was quickly supported. However, Ward 3 Councillor Mary Chapin also said she was "most displeased" about having the Town publicly committed to doing something prior to an official meeting. "I have concerns about the process through which we've come on this issue," she said, noting that, in the future, she hopes for a "full, inclusive discussion" of all issues, with all councillors. Ward 4 Councillor Allan Elgar blamed the public dissension around the issue on "a lot of misinformation," while Ward 3 Councillor Keith Bird added, "This whole thing has become quite embarrassing." However, Ward 1 Councillor Ralph Robinson noted, "I believe that every move that was done on this issue was done in good faith." Come In From The Cold DEREK WOOLLAM / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER IN GRATITUDE: Joyce Burnell was presented with a special oak leaf print by local artist Rob MacDougall in honour of her efforts to spearhead the successful save-the-tree campaign. ways to spend our "I'm against saving the tree objectives. money," said Da Unfortunately, they with my money because I Costa. "Principles failed. But their were violated, no don't think it's a good failure should not matter what the cost investment of my money." be our responsibiliper person will be. ty," he said. This is allowing a Save-the-tree opponent "I'm against savtiny special interest Peter Swirzon ing the tree with group to direct Town my money because policy." I don't think it's a Her concerns were echoed by Peter good investment of my money," Swirzon, who described the issue as Swirzon added, suggesting that the "a sentimental effort to save one tree." appearance of a conflict of interest "The save-the-tree committee was existed for some councillors who given a fair opportunity to meet their donated money to the fundraising Watch for our Pre-Season Vermont Castings BBQ Sale Coming Soon! "MASONRY & FIREPLACE DESIGN SPECIALISTS" w w w. c o b b l e s t o n e m e m b e r s . c o m ACROSS FROM RONA LANSING 905.337.2066 406 SPEERS RD., OAKVILLE When diets & exercise have failed, we can help If you'd like a slimmer look, Dr. Otto Weiglein can help. He's an internationally trained plastic surgeon with over 15 years of experience, whose body contouring techniques have helped hundreds of women remove unwanted fat from their stomachs, hips and thighs. You'll be glad to know that Dr. Weiglein cares. 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