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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday February 24, 2007 - 13 Guelph man faces drug, theft charges Discovery of a hydro by-pass led to the arrest of a Guelph resident in connection to an Oakville marijuana grow operation Tuesday. It was on that day that Halton Regional Police were contacted by Oakville Hydro staff. During routine maintenance, a hydro employee had discovered what appeared to be a by-pass of a hydro meter. Members of the Halton police Drug and Morality Bureau began an immediate investigation into the residence. At 6:25 p.m., an occupant of the residence was arrested in the area of Fourth Line and Speers Road. With help from Oakville Hydro, the Oakville Fire Department and Halton EMS, a search warrant was executed at 1020 Pinegrove Rd., Oakville at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday. Police allege they seized 257 marihuana plants in various stages of growth, with a potential street value of $257,000. Also seized was approximately $10,000 worth of grow related equipment. Charged with production of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and theft of electricity is Van Kim Chu, 45 of Silver Creek Parkway, Guelph. Turner calls pre-election Town Halls With a federal election expected this spring, Halton MP Garth Turner is hosting another set of Town Hall Meetings so voters can talk about what are expected to be the two hot campaign topics "the environment and the economy." These meetings will bring to 24 the number of open, public Town Hall meetings held by Turner since becoming MP in January 2006. Turner says he's also looking forward to another opportunity to detail why he made a recent decision to join the federal Liberal caucus after sitting for four months as an independent MP. "I certainly know that was a controversial decision," Turner admits,"and if I'd had my way, we would be voting in a by-election right now, since I offered my resignation to the prime minister when I joined the Liberal ranks. However, he did not take my offer up, presumably, in part, because we are so close to a general election." Turner has been an advocate for tough environmental legislation since being elected, and laments the fact the Stephen Harper government has not introduced any climate change strategy in more than a year. The Halton MP is also fighting for income-splitting to be extended to all families with children, and recently took that battle to a national conference on the subject he hosted on Parliament Hill. In 2006, Turner was picked as the Top Performing MP of all parties in the House of Commons by Ottawa-based Politics Watch, and has been garnering headlines with his policy campaigns, Internet communications and decision to move to the Liberal Party.. The Oakville Town Hall meeting is Monday, March 5 at 7 p.m., Oakville Town Hall, Trafalgar Road just north of the QEW. The Burlington meeting is Tuesday, March 6 at 7 p.m., at Tansley Woods Library, Upper Middle Road near Walker's Line. The Milton Town Hall meeting is Wednesday, March 7 at 7 p.m. at Hugh Foster Hall, beside Milton Town Hall on Brown Street, downtown Milton. For more information call 905693-0166.