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www.oakvillebeaver.com Beaver N O RT H A M E R I C A' S M O S T AWA R D E D C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R A member of Metroland Media Group Ltd. Vol. 46 No. 32 THE OAKVILLE Tomatoes a stage treat Mississauga Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Clinic Juvederm Enhancements 25% OFF Expires April 6/07 Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. 905-273-3045 In Today's ARTSCENE FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2007 www.oakville.ca 48 Pages $1.00 (plus GST) "USING COMMUNICATION TO BUILD BETTER COMMUNITIES" St Paddy's walker welcomes company By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Pretty as a Princess Canada census stats confirm growth concerns Oakville's population has grown by 14.4 per cent in last five years By Melanie Hennessey SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Here he comes again. Eddie Williams, 55, is getting ready for his traditional St. Patrick's Day journey in which he will walk the 40 kilometres from Toronto City Hall to downtown Oakville. Williams, who will be making the trip for the 31st time on Saturday, is upholding a tradition that began in 1922. "A bunch of Irish guys, called the Morning Glory Club, wanted some green beer, but because Toronto was dry due to prohibition they decided to walk to downtown Oakville where they used to smuggle beer off the pier and into the Halton Hotel," said Williams. This act became ritual with the group making the journey to Oakville every year on St. Patrick's Day but as time passed fewer and fewer people participated and the tradition was in danger of dying. For 20 years Barney Heard kept the historic walk alive, but as Heard grew older and no one showed interest in taking over, the tradition was again in peril. The problem came to a climax during Heard's walk in 1976 when, in the middle of a bad snowstorm, Heard fell, breaking his glasses, and was not able to finish the walk that year. In a later interview Heard voiced doubt that the tradition would survive much longer. It was after reading that story The Region is using new census figures that confirm Halton's population is growing by leaps and bounds as a springboard to once again push its Fairness for Halton campaign with the Province. Statistics Canada released information gathered during its 2006 Census Tuesday that reveals Milton's population jumped by 71.4 per cent over the last five years, making it the fastest growing community in Canada. It also says that Oakville grew by 14.4 per cent, Halton Hills by 14.7 per cent and Burlington by nine per cent, resulting in a Halton-wide population increase of 17.1 per cent. For Regional Chairman Gary Carr, the statistics and the fact Milton topped the country's growth list reinforce the importance of the campaign for fairness -- the Halton-wide effort that aims to tell the Province the region can't accommodate the thousands of residents called for in the Places to Grow plan without some hefty funding. "They (the Census Inside Artscene....................................28 Sports........................................34 Real Estate................................38 Classified .................................41 Full Delivery: Kenneth Lee, Telus Mobility, Food Basics, Real Canadian Superstore, MDG Computers, Dominion, Sobeys, Zellers Partial Delivery: Ashley Furniture, Bad Boy Furniture, Sport Mart, Linens-N-Things, Canadian Tire, Stone Link, Millennium 3000, Wine and Cheese Show, Price Chopper, Longpo's, Appley M&M Meats, M&M Meats, No Frills, Pharma Plus, Fortinos, Sears, Hooper's Pharmacy, Lazy Boy, The Barn, Toys R Us, Best Buy, Future Shop, The Source, Bulk Barn, Michael's, 2001 Audio, CBC Radio, Shoppers Drug Mart ving Mo to Traf algar Rd. Summ er 2 00 7 LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF ROYAL TREAT: Naomi Kerneer was one of the many little princesses to put on her best tiara and royal gown to attend the Princess Party at the Oakville Library Central Branch on Tuesday afternoon. 646 4th Line at Speers Rd. 905-845-4211 sales@oakvilledodge.com careers@oakvilledodge.com See Williams page 5 See Municipal page 3 Oakville's largest selection of Natural Limestone and Hardwood · Custom Quality Workmanship 35 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN TILE INSTALLATION LARGEST SELECTION OF WOOD FLOORING OVER 500 SAMPLES ON DISPLAY GRANITE COUNTERTOPS BUY DIRECT FROM THE IMPORTER LARGE SELECTION OF NATURAL LIMESTONE & PORCELAIN TILE Monday to Friday 7:30am-6:00pm · Saturday 7:30am-5:00pm · Closed Sunday 243 SPEERS ROAD, OAKVILLE · 905.338.1288