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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday June 22, 2007 - 13 Mayor sets a roundtable for business leaders By Kim Arnott SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Oakville's "leading business thinkers" will soon be invited to join a newly-created Mayor's Economic Roundtable. Mayor Rob Burton says the group "will work to strengthen key industry attractors to our remaining employment lands and attract top employers to Oakville." The mayor added that the roundtable, in conjunction with last week's launch of a Mayor's Composite Leading Indicator of the Economic Health of Oakville, signals a focus on economic development within the town. "This is the other side of the coin," he said. "We've created an index that measures where we are. By working with the roundtable, we will identify gaps and seek improvements to help us get where we want to be." Burton said he doesn't believe the group will duplicate the work already being done by the Oakville Economic Development Alliance (OEDA), a publicprivate partnership to which the town will contribute $546,800 this year. "I see gaps where the mayor's office can do some useful things," he said. Since his election, Burton has established a number of groups to offer him direct advice, bypassing the traditional council advisory committees that already exist. He says the ad-hoc groups are use- ful because they are outcome-oriented, can operate in a less formal manner and serve as a focus for many people seeking to meet with him and offer advice. "It's just more efficient and useful to meet people in groups and promote crossfertilization of ideas and thinking," Burton noted. The president of Oakville's Chamber of Commerce says his group is pleased to see the emphasis on economic development. "We're very, very much in favour of having a business-savvy mayor who wants to focus on these issues in our community," said Stephen Sparling, who added that he will be participating in the roundtable on behalf of the Chamber's 1,100 business members. One area of particular concern to local companies is the impact of transportation bottlenecks through the region, added Sparling, who participated in a recent transportation summit organized by the mayor. European Engineering Combined With Traditional Workmanship "Building on the Brightest Ideas Around Glass" 905.849.0266 Sizzling Summer ·Polar Bear Express 5 Days, Aug 28­Sept 1 $825/Twin ·Atlantic Canada Highlights 14 Days, Sept 21­Oct 4 $2195/Twin ·Cape Cod 7 Days, Sept 23­29 $1275/Twin ·Agawa Canyon 5 Days, Sept 23­27 $769/Twin ·Chicago Getaway 4 Days, Aug 31­Sept 3 $395/Twin ·Branson 7 Days, Sept 9­15 $1145/Twin ·New York Getaway 4 Days, Aug 31­Sept 3 $725/Twin ·Mississippi River Cruise 6 Days, Sept 12­17 $675/Twin ·Las Vegas Coach & Fly 5 Days, Nov 11­15 $899/Twin For more information call: Travel arrangements by: Getaways 905.842.4999 146 Lakeshore Road East Oakville TICO# 4386785 RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL AWNINGS, CANOPIES, PORTABLE SHADE STRUCTURES SAVE $250 UP TO ON IN-STOCK AWNINGS Manufactured with your choice of fade proof Sunbrella fabric, and powered by a reliable Somfy remote controlled motor. Call or visit our showroom at: 4090 Ridgeway Dr. #10, Mississauga 905-569-8566 www.sunguardawnings.com Mon.-Fri. 9:30am to 5pm, Sat 10:00am to 3pm