AVA I L A B L E dentistoakville.com den Business Real Estate Broker BROKERAGE JOHN VAIL JohnVail.com V 905-842-6030 90 www.carstaroakville.com 547 Tr T afalgar Rd. 905.842.8690 HALTON TRANS NSMISSION (905) 559 SPEERS R ROAD, UNIT #3 905-8457579 SNA NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR 2010 ONTARIO'S TOP NEWSPAPER - 2005-2008 Pediatric clinic Health 2212 Wyecroft Rd. 905-847 -2595 842-0725 A member of Metroland Media Group Ltd. Vol. 49 No. 137 "USING COMMUNICATION TO BUILD BETTER COMMUNITIES" THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17 , 2011 32 Pages $1.00 (plus tax) Bowling them over Cost of f living l in Oakville is going up By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Living in Oakville is about to become more expensive -- including Oakville Transit fares. The 2012 Budget Committee voted Tuesday to pass rate and fee hikes, which will net the Town an additional $1.3 million in revenue for 2012. The increases, which will go before council for final approval Monday, would take effect Jan. 1, 2012. "I think these were the appropriate decisions to make in terms of moving forward," said Ward 6 Town and Regional Councillor and Budget Committee Chair Tom Adams. "Most of the recommendations from the committee are instituting decisions that have previously been made with respect to how to charge Councillor Tom Adams various fees on things, whether they be on a cost-recovery basis, or to bring them more in line with the actual cost of providing that service." One proposed hike calls for a 25-cent jump in Oakville Transit cash fares from $3 to $3.25. The budget committee report said the increase is prompted by rising wages (Oakville Transit just reached a new settlement with the Town of Oakville), fuel costs and bus maintenance costs -- all of which are affecting Oakville Transit's cost-recovery balance. The hike would also bring Oakville Transit's cash fares in line with those being proposed by neighbouring communities. See Souvenirs page 12 ERIC RIEHL / OAKVILLE BEAVER IN KINDERGARTEN: Kindergarten students at Joshua Creek Public School know that a bowl is just a bowl if it's empty. So they're filling them. The youngsters recently made and decorated bowls parents will be able to take home for the price of a can of soup for the Salvation Army food bank. Here, Julian Zdzienicki checks out Aydan Chaudhry's bowl. For for more photos, see page 10. Mayor helps h l KSM k kick k off ff Christmas h campaign By Nathan Howes OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF With the holidays approaching, the season of giving got underway in Oakville with the launch of Kerr Street Ministries' (KSM) new festive campaign. KSM launched Christmas Wonders and Beyond Tuesday at the Longo's store on Dundas Street. The original Christmas Wonders concept became an annual initiative in 2000 to help those in need during the holidays. Cash and gift cards, donated at grocery stores and retailers, are distributed to impoverished families and individuals across Oakville. KSM modified its holiday fundraiser this year by placing specially-labelled monetary collection jars at retail outlets and businesses across town. Money raised will go towards KSM's year-round programs. "We're so thrilled we can place these at Longo's and at different outlets in our town. We're asking people to leave their change to make a change. We believe we See KSM page 3 3 Days Only! November 18, 19 & 20 2011 STORE HOURS: Mon. - Fri. 8:00am-9:00pm; Sat. 8:00am-6:00pm; Sun. 9:00am-5:00pm Scratch'n Win s® Mastercard d® or Canadian Tire Retail Card purchase only (excl. taxes). Card must be surrendered to cashier for redemption. *See Canadian Tire stores for details. Valid on cash, debit, Canadian Tire gift card, Canadian Tire `Money' '®, the Canadian Tire Options Game card valid only if Scratched at Canadian Tire Stores on November 18, 19 & 20 2011 only. 10-100 win* of your total purchase in % Canadian Tire `Money'®, or Canadian Tire `Money' on the Card® awards. DUNDAS & TRAFALGAR ROAD 400 Dundas St. East · 257-TIRE STORE HOURS: Mon. - Fri. 8:00am-9:00pm; Sat. 8:00am-6:00pm; Sun. 9:00am-6:00pm 1100 Kerr Street (Kerr & QEW) · 905-844-0202