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Beaver THE OAKVILLE Voted Ontario's Top Newspaper Four Years in a Row - 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com CELEBRATING 25 YEARS! Between Kerr & Dorval YOUR FRIEND IN THE BUSINESS 175 Wyecroft Rd. Oakville 905.845.6653 www.lockwoodchrysler.com Guess who's coming to Oakville? ARTSCENE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2009 OUT OF INK? REFILL AND SAVE UP TO 60% Upper Oakville Shopping Centre (Upper Middle & 8th Line) 905-842-5600 A member of Metroland Media Group Ltd. Vol. 52 No. 135 "USING COMMUNICATION TO BUILD BETTER COMMUNITIES" 48 Pages $1.00 (plus GST) Young driver's training Trio caught stealing poppy money A trio of Oakville youths is facing charges -- and a good deal of wrath -- after they were caught on video, plotting to pilfer a Royal Canadian Legion poppy donation box. Halton Regional Police report that shortly after midnight on Sunday, Nov. 1, three 16-year-olds went into Tim Hortons at 494 Dundas St. W. After placing their order, one youth grabbed the poppy box when the store employee turned away. He then carried the box to the washroom where he was later joined by his two accomplices. Store staff found the empty box in the public washroom. Police officers reviewed surveillance video from the store, which included audio recordings of the alleged plan to commit the theft. The video was also reviewed by a Halton Regional Police high school liaison officer, who identified the three youths involved. On Wednesday, police arrested and charged two 16-year-old Oakville youths with theft under $5,000. They are to appear in Milton court on Dec. 17. Charges are pending against a third 16-year-old Oakville youth. Town eyes 2.1 per cent tax hike Increase would translate to extra $21.48 per $100,000 of assessment By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER PLAYING IT SAFE: CN Police Constable William Bilj shows Grade 2 student Connor Melber, of Ecole Forest Trail, how to stay safe when crossing railway tracks during a trackside class at the Halton Safety Village, 1151 Bronte Rd., on Tuesday. Classes were held daily this week at the Safety Village as part of Safe Crossing Week. Oakville taxpayers could face a 2.1 per cent tax increase for 2010. The tax hike, which is smaller than last year's 3.88 per cent tax increase, was summed up by the Town of Oakville in its recommended figures for the 2010 capital and operating budgets, released to the budget committee Thursday. For 2010, the Town is looking at an operating budget of $205.5 million and a capital budget totaling $118 million with $124.9 million required from the tax levy. Spending for both budgets actually increased 4.3 per cent, but due to increased assessment growth, the impact on taxpayers is less. This translates into a 2.1 per cent jump in property taxes or $21.48 per $100,000 of assessment. This means a home assessed at $400,000 would pay an extra $86 a year or $1.65 a week. This figure includes the anticipated increases in the Region's tax budget (0.18 per cent) and education rates (0 per cent). "The 2010 budget focuses mainly on maintaining current programs and services, but it does continue to implement those commitments that this council has made including North Park, Queen Elizabeth Park and improving fire and transit services," said Ray Green, chief administrative officer, Town of Oakville. "It does not introduce new programs and that is certainly in light of some of the challenges we do face." See Three page 4 End insurance confusion. For informed decisions that you can feel good about, contact us! We are pleased to offer competitive insurance solutions in person, by email, or fax. 1540 Cornwall Rd., Suite #100, Oakville, ON L6J 7W5 Tel: 905-845-9793 Fax: 905-845-9149 The Magnes Group Inc. has its roots in Syd A. Vince Insurance, Est. 1953 · Home · Auto · Life · Business · THE MAGNES GROUP INC. www.magnesgroup.com