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w w w . o a kv ill eb ea ve r.c o m O A KV IL LE B EA V ER W e dn es da y, O ct ob er 1 3, 2 01 0 4 Perth County Tourism 1.888.366.0160 Tourism Goderich 1.800.280.7637 TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW www.otx.ca Liona Boyd THE MEETING HOUSE 2700 BRISTOL CIRCLE OAKVILLE, ONTARIO GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS $49.50 VIP PACKAGE TICKETS $88.00 PLUS TAXES & SERVICE CHARGES OAKVILLE CENTRE for the PERFORMING ARTS www.oc4pa.ca/boxo ce LIVE IN CONCERT LOUCIN GUITAR CO. PRESENTS WITH SPECIAL GUEST SRDJAN GIVOJE Two Voices & Two Guitars FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5 - 2010 8:00PM SHOWTIME supporting Halton Family Services - building strong community Call 905-815-2021 or Toll-Free 1-888-489-7784 By Kim Arnott SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER The classic political battle between the value of experience and the merit of a new per- spective is playing out in the race for Oakvilles Ward 5 town and regional seat. Veteran councillor Jeff Knoll, who has just completed his third term representing the north-central ward on Oakville and Halton councils, is facing off against Halton District School Board trustee Bruce Jones. After serving two terms on the school board, Jones said its time for a new person in both the trustee and councillor seats. I think its healthy from time to time to change players, said Jones. I realize that theres a time to let new perspectives and fresh ideas come and take my job, and thats exactly what I bring to this challenge a different perspective, with some experience. Im pretty proud of what Ive done at the school board and I think I have a lot to offer, he added. But Knoll, who was first elected to the Ward 5 seat in 2000, believes his experience will be invaluable in the coming years, as the area undergoes the ongoing development of the lands north of Dundas Street. Theres a lot of change that will come to Ward 5 in the next four to 10 years, he said, adding that he will ensure the vision for north Oakville development is maintained and the community develops as planned. Theres a lot to be said for institutional memory. However, Knoll isnt just running on his experience. I think Ive done a lot in my years on town council, but I still have lots of energy and lots of ideas. I love this job. I absolutely love being able to make a difference, he said. Both candidates agree that the main mes- sage theyve been hearing on doorsteps is a concern about taxes and town finances. Knoll says he believes the current level of taxation is reasonable for the services Oakville provides citizens, but thinks politicians need to be watching expenditures to make sure taxes dont climb. I just dont believe the public can bear anymore than they are bearing right now, he said. He suggests a focus on economic develop- ment, and bringing new companies to Oakville, will not only grow the towns tax base, but provide residents with good local jobs that allow them an alternative to the expensive, time-consuming and polluting need to commute for work. Jones believes taxpayers are not just con- cerned about how much they pay, but how the money is being spent. Im not hearing, I absolutely want the lowest taxes, he said. Im hearing, I really want good value for my money. As a trustee for the Halton District School Board since 2003, and chair of the school board in 2009 and 2010, Jones said he has experience overseeing a combined operational and capital budget of nearly $750 million dollars. During his time at the school board, Jones says he brought $12 million in renovations to three school buildings in Ward 5, but believes the money was a prudent investment in the social fabric of the community and the usabil- ity of the buildings. Ill spend money if its the right thing to do, but Im not going to waste money if were not going to get value for it, he said. I com- mit to vote in a very prudent way and a very considered way. Jones, 60 and retired, said hell also com- mit his full-time effort to making sure impor- tant, but often low profile issues like noise abatement and maintaining green space are well managed. Its the nuts and bolts stuff. Its doing the work, he said. Knoll, founder and CEO of Encore Cinemas, has several issues hed like to focus on if elected for a fourth term of office. He believes the community needs to diver- sify its housing stock to ensure it offers appeal- ing and affordable places for people to live at all ages and stages of their lives. Ensuring there is affordable housing for young people at the beginning of their careers, as well as appropriate housing for seniors who no longer want large single-family homes, will help keep families together and improve everyones quality of life, says Knoll. You dont grow community unless you can stay here long term. Another of Knolls priorities is to ensure that the impact of future development in the ward is managed in a proactive way and that facilities and infrastructure are in place when they are needed. Ward 5 encompasses the area north of the QEW, between Sixteen Mile Creek and Trafalgar Road. Jones challenges Knoll for Ward 5 Regional seat Ninth in a series Jeff Knoll Bruce Jones