www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday February 27, 2008 - 3 Energy fair to become annual event in town Continued from page 1 makes good sense. Energy conservation will save the community money." Appointed in 2005 as Ontario's Chief Energy Conservation Officer Love works within the Conservation Bureau, part of the Ontario Power Authority. It's about leadership, he said. "My hope is that other communities will follow in Oakville's footsteps." In his public remarks, Burton said he is thrilled to see the developing interest in energy conservation and the environment. Indeed, he likes to think of himself as "the Greenest Mayor in Canada," an unofficial title bestowed upon him last summer, he said, by some Environmental Defence Canada representatives. "Although I'm not sure that I'm really worthy of the title," he said, "I am sure I do not want to lose it." The mayor took the opportunity to plug the Town's commitment to Earth Hour, slated for March 29, 8-9 p.m. While some people have suggested to him that Earth Hour is "little more than a PR stunt," he did not disagree though he did put his own spin on it. "I believe that marketing and promotion are important in spreading conscious- ness and growing awareness. To me, it looks like an opportunity to have fun and spread consciousness at the same time." Further, he announced that Oakville has been challenged by the City of Burlington, which recently joined in the Earth Hour movement. Local businesses and residents in Oakville will be encouraged to find clever ways to reduce power usage during that hour. "I definitely do not want to give up my `greenest mayor' title to Cam Jackson," Burton said. But the Oakville Conserves Energy Fair was more than a public relations gambit. The Town Hall's South Atrium was filled with a dozen or so exhibitors giving away energy conservation tips and paraphernalia. Community groups like Oakvillegreen and Halton Environmental Network (HEN) had information tables, plus personnel from Home Depot touted their EcoOptions campaign and in-store recycling bins for CFL light bulbs. Bullfrog Power had a table, along with Solar Ontario Ltd., and Power Save Solutions. Parked outside the building was a new hybrid Ford Escape for viewing. The SUV was on loan from Ford DEREK WOOLLAM / OAKVILLE BEAVER GREEN LIGHT: Dinese Noguchi speaks with Scott Meissner of the Town of Oakville about the new energy-efficient LED traffic lights at the second annual Oakville Conserves Energy Fair. The event was an opportunity for Oakville residents and businesses to learn more about energy conservation and alternative green energy products. Canada and Oak-land Ford. Inside the Atrium (because it was small enough to maneuver through the doors), was one of two shiny red Oakville Fire Department Smart cars, used by the Fire Prevention crew to make community visits. On view, courtesy of the Town's Traffic Engineering department, was one of Oakville's new LED stoplights, designed for lower-energy costs and less frequent maintenance. In the cafeteria an Eco energy home auditor was giving workshops on residential energy savings. As Love clearly stressed, "the era of cheap electricity is over." "This fair is unique to Oakville," Love noted. "I was here last year as well. I think people, especially people with kids, are looking for what they can do. You come here and find out things to do, practical things, ask questions. It's a real opportunity for ordinary citizens to come and get some answers." Oakville's new Municipal Energy Conservation Officer, Suzanne Austin, said the fair would be an annual event and hopefully expand from year to year. "I would love to see more Oakville companies take an active interest in providing information to the residents, letting everyone know what they are doing in terms of energy conservation. It's a great opportunity." The fair receives financial support from the Ontario Ministry of Energy, she said. More than 150 people attended the energy conservation fair. Most went home with a free compact fluorescent light bulb and a kit from Union Gas for water reduction: a low-flow showerhead, kitchen swivel aerator and bathroom tap aerator, all packed in plastic made from 100 per cent corn, a renewable resource. Retirement's Closer Than You Think. Fortunately So Are We. How you spend your retirement depends on how well you save for it. That's why so many of our customers are turning to their State Farm® representatives for guidance in choosing products like mutual funds, RRSPs and RRIFs. Isn't it time you did, too? RRSP Deadline - February 29th, 2008. 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