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OAKVILLE'S BEST REAL ESTATE SECTION INSIDE! Beaver THE OAKVILLE 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. 48 No. 34 "USING COMMUNICATION TO BUILD BETTER COMMUNITIES" Tradition continues MORE THE MERRIER: Eddie Williams had some company on his annual St. Patrick's Day walk from Toronto to Oakville on Saturday. Pictured here crossing the Mississauga-Oakville border are Raychyl Whyte from Oakville, Stan MacDonald from Toronto and John Hearn from Burlington. While this is Williams' 31st walk, the tradition dates back to 1922. For complete story see page 8. Fire strikes Running Company again By Krissie Rutherford OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF when he came to work Saturday at 7 a.m. to find a smoke-filled store: "It can't be happening again. It just can't." This time, it was an electrical fire, said Oakville Fire Department spokesperson tunately, we have had another fire.' Michael Harrison. The Fire Department Greg McKinnon, owner, Another is underlined. is still investigating the cause. Just two weeks after recovering from a The Running Company "All the electrical panels just exploded fire that totaled the Thomas Street store, and blew off the wall," said McKinnon. The Running Company was struck by One of those fried panels was sitting on the front steps of another blaze early Saturday morning. The Running Company yesterday as McKinnon, his mother That's two devastating fires in as many months. Claire and the insurance company were gutting the few See Store page 7 Owner and operator Greg McKinnon's first thoughts "We were open two weeks, just rocking along. This is The sign posted on the front window of going to present yet another The Running Company says it all: `Unfor- big challenge." Canada's THE LOCKWOOD REWARDS CARD INCLUDED WITH EVERY PURCHASE www.oakvillebeaver.com AAA midgets, minor peewees in finals SPORTS 321 Cornwall Rd. Old Oakville Market 905.815.8777 A V A & Business BrokerageE ILABL Real Estate John M. Vail B.A., CMA Broker of Record Certified Management Accountant 905-842-8690 JohnVail.com WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2007 72 Pages $1.00 (plus GST) New private tree bylaw taking root Mayor's hand-picked committee files `middle-ground' recommendations By Kim Arnott SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Some of the staunchest opponents of last fall's proposed private tree bylaw are now recommending new municipal rules to protect Oakville's largest trees. An ad-hoc task force, established by Mayor Rob Burton in December, has submitted its report on how the Town can best safeguard trees on private property. It's calling for a Town bylaw that would require residents to seek a $500 permit to remove any tree with a trunk diameter over 76 cm (30 inches). Removal of smaller trees (38-76 cm or 15-30 inches) would require a 30-day notification to the Town, as well as a $200 per tree permit for anything beyond one tree a year. Residents wishing to remove trees with diameters of 15-38 cm (6-15 inches) would be required to notify the Town for up to four trees per year. Removal of more than four trees would require a $100 per tree permit. Permit fees to remove dead, sick or dangerous SABRINA BYRNES / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Mayor Rob Burton Inside Opinion.............................6 Living.............................. 11 Artscene..........................22 Automotive ................... 27 Sports..............................30 Business..........................33 Classified .......................35 SYLC (Support Your Local Carrier) DELIVERY For home delivery & customer service call 905-845-9742 Mon., Tues., & Thurs. 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Wed. & Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. or Saturday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. For new subscriptions, call 905-845-9742 or subscribe online @ www.oakvillebeaver.com See Tree page 4 Choice Get A Great New Vehicle At A Great Price... Then Choose One Of Three Bonus Offers: $ in Mopar Accessories* 1500 1000 $ in Free Gas** up to or choose up to $ in a Bonus Cash Rebate 750 or choose up to OPEN HOUSE Wednesday, March 28 The Choice is Yours! Financing Provided By SEE DEALER FOR DETAILS 175 Wyecroft Rd., Oakville 905.845.6653 Between Kerr & Dorval Student Chef Lunches every Thursday RSVP www.lockwoodchrysler.com www.chefcollege.ca OTELLO'S BANQUET CENTRE, 2nd Floor 2273 ROYAL WINDSOR DRIVE (at Ford Drive) 905-842-4336