The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

4- The Oakville Beaver, Friday April 20, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com TUESDAY, APRIL 24th CELEBRATE MAMMA'S 50th ANNIVERSARY Come into any Mamma's Pizza on Mamma's Day and purchase a large heart shaped, cheese or pepperoni pizza for only $4.99 (+taxes) and $1.00 will be donated to EASTER SEALS. Municipalities get GTA pooling funds By Melanie Hennessey OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Limited to 2 Pizzas per family. Walk-in Only Call: 310 MAMMA (6266) for a list of locations visit www.mammaspizza.com www.oakvillebeaver.com Halton's four municipalities just got a little richer now that regional council has decided to give each a portion of the $6.1 million it's saving on GTA pooling this year. In a narrow 11-9 vote Wednesday, council approved providing each municipality with its proportionate share of the savings for local infrastructure needs by April 30. This equates to $2.6 million for Oakville, $2.1 million for Burlington, $738,100 for Milton and $614,270 for Halton Hills. The motion also says that the municipalities have the option of returning the funds to the Region for Be good to your knees. Zip over to New Balance Toronto. 8505 Runner · NB ZipTM in heel responsive cushioning technology is supported by strategically located shock-absorbing struts · Let one of our Procare foot specialists fit you into this technological marvel 5 Oakville . W E. Q. LE IDD ER M AST UPPROAD E Upper Middle Rd E & 8th Line 905.337.9393 www.newbalanceoakville.ca The largest selection of New Balance apparel, accessories and footwear in multiple widths. its transportation projects, which is how staff originally recommended it be spent. The extra money is a result of the provincial government's recent decision to phase out GTA pooling -- the system that Halton and other local regions contributed to help Toronto pay for its social service costs. Pooling has cost Halton about $41 million each year, or around $180 for the average taxpayer. Regional council discussed whether the funds should be returned to residents before it made its decision, with Burlington Councillor Jack Dennison once again voicing his support for the notion. "I think the $6.1 million should go back to the taxpayer," he emphasized. Failing that, he said he would support the motion because it moves the money closer to the taxpayer. Acting Commissioner of Corporate Services Mark Scinocca told council that giving the money back would equate to a $27 reduction in taxes for the average household based on a $300,000 assessment. Milton Councillor Colin Best noted he conducted a poll in his area and found that 73 per cent of his constituents favoured using the money for a tax cut. But, Oakville Councillor Allan Elgar contended that taxpayers want to see the money sent back to the four municipalities. Fellow Oakville Councillor Keith Bird tied the motion into the Fairness for Halton campaign, which was jointly launched by the local municipalities to ask the Province for changes -- such as to the GTA pooling requirements -- that would in turn give Halton the needed funds to address infrastructure deficits. "This is one small step to implement that program -- a little bit of fairness," he said. Burlington Mayor Cam Jackson said he thinks the four municipalities will make the best decisions on where to invest the money. The fact municipal councils will have the option to return the funds for regional transportation projects was highlighted by Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette. "This allows us flexibility," he noted. "I think this is a good resolution." Bonnette also said he thinks giving the money back through taxes would defeat the purpose of the Fairness for Halton campaign. Halton Hills Councillor Jane Fogal shared similar sentiments, explaining that making tax cuts would tell the Province Halton does have enough money for infrastructure. She and Milton Mayor Gord Krantz voiced their support for the motion crafted during last week's planning and public works committee that asked for the local municipalities to simply be consulted with about the option of receiving pooling funds versus using the money for regional projects. Burlington Councillor John Taylor stressed the needs Halton has in its roads system, likening the situation to how streets are prioritized when snow plowing. "When it comes to snow clearing, you don't plow culde-sacs first," he said. "We need to build the regional infrastructure before the local infrastructure." When the vote was called, Bird, Bonnette, Dennison, Elgar, Jackson, Oakville Mayor Rob Burton and councillors Tom Adams and Alan Johnston, along with Burlington councillors Rick Craven, Carol D'Amelio and Rick Goldring were in favour of the motion to send the pooling savings to each local municipality. Voting against the resolution were Best, Krantz, Taylor, Fogal, Halton Hills Councillor Clark Somerville, Milton Councillor Barry Lee, Oakville Councillor Fred Oliver, Burlington Councillor Peter Thoem and Regional Chair Gary Carr. Oakville Councillor Jeff Knoll was absent. Under the Province's plan, pooling will be reduced by one-sixth of its 2004 levels each year until the program is completely eliminated by 2013. -- Melanie Hennessey can be reached at mhennessey@miltoncanadianchampion.com. 9 8 403 TH TH E LIN E LIN