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Mayor says no conflict existed Ratepayers groups and mayor discuss next step in fight against power plants 3 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, July 3, 2009 RETAIL & WHOLESALE LIGHTING Continued from page 1 In a written statement to The Oakville Beaver, Burton noted: "The Town of Oakville and all the area ratepayer groups had a pollution reduction and mitigation agreement with Sithe long before the 2006 campaign. In addition, Sithe had obtained well before 2006 all of their required approvals from Mississauga and the Ministry of the Environment. The contribution was accepted in the spirit of moving on past the adversarial stage that seemed in 2006 to be long over. "Sithe was and is not a developer in Oakville and I remain committed to the highest ethics in campaign finance, that we should not take money from those with decisions at stake before council. Therefore, Sithe was not a conflict," he continued. Still, Burton said he would return the $750 contribution in order to keep the focus on his goal of preventing a power plant from being established near the residential areas of Oakville. "I hope this sets an example of a new and even higher standard in campaign financing, where even an allegation of conflict prompts return of contributions," he said. "I ask any, who want to see a conflict here, to consider that I led council to adopt our bylaw and official plan changes that ban power plants in Oakville, and I (and almost all of council) have signed the petition against all the power plant bids. As well, we have more moves coming in a strategy that I am confident will succeed in preventing power plants near our homes." Some of these potential moves were discussed last Friday as Burton and Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn met privately with representatives from east Oakville's ratepayers groups. "There's a number of things we discussed like should we, or should we not, have a rally in Oakville like we did in Mississauga. There are pros and cons to that and we are going to discuss that as a group," said Doug MacKenzie, leader of the Chartwell-Maple Grove Residents Association. "I ask any, who want to see a conflict here, to consider that I led council to adopt our bylaw and official plan changes that ban power plants in Oakville, and I (and almost all of council) have signed the petition against all the power plant bids. As well, we have more moves coming in a strategy that I am confident will succeed in preventing power plants near our homes." Ask about our FREE Installation LIGHTING QUALIFIES FOR HOME RENOVATION TAX CREDIT Mayor Rob Burton "One of the cons is that in July, Oakville kind of vanishes. How are we going to get a lot of people to show up? To have a rally with nobody there doesn't work very well." MacKenzie said possible legal action would also be explored with a focus on whether the need exists for the new power plant. Trafalgar-Chartwell Residents Association leader Nick Hutchins is hoping a realization that the plant is not necessary will cause the premier to rescind his construction order. "The old industries that used so much of this power are disappearing," said Hutchins. "Even when the economy comes back, things will not be going back the way they were. Energy will be used much more efficiently." MacKenzie, Hutchins and Joshua Creek Residents Association leader Ron Fiorelli praised Burton for returning the campaign donation from Sithe. "I think certainly under the circumstances it is probably the right thing to do," said Fiorelli. "I don't think the amount was significant enough to change the whole direction of a community, but optics are everything and what seemed okay at the time probably isn't appropriate now." Featuring lighting from Trump Home · Troy · Hudson Valley · Stonegate Design · Heidle and much more Oakville's Finest Lighting Store in the Oakville Home Improvement District ELEGANT www.conceptlighting.ca DISTINCTIVE 905.849.LITE (5483) OPEN SUNDAYS 243 Speers Road · Between Kerr & Dorval · Oakville, ON OPEN YOUR CLOSET with the 33rd Annual Burrows Summer Sale! BUY LOCALLY SERVICE LOCALLY SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY Don't miss your chance to grow your summer wardrobe with selected items at half price. Visit Burrows today! Phone: (905) 825-8088 www.volvoofoakville.com 200 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville ON L6J 1H6 SERVICE DEPARTMENT OPEN SATURDAYS