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Pay is a buget line item Continued from page 1 13 · Friday, October 12, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com Currently in Oakville, the highest wage for crossing guards is $12.52 per hour. In Burlington, it's $13.30. And in Milton, it's $15.97. This means, senior Milton crossing guards make $3.45 more than Oakville crossing guards. When asked about the wage difference and if the Town plans to do anything about it Oakville Mayor Rob Burton had little to say. "The Town, through its administration reviews, monitors wage rates to ensure that it is able to retain and attract employees," he said. "The provision of wages and their adjustment is a component of the annual budget recommendation and approval process." Olympico is not the only crossing guard who has noticed the wage discrepancy. Paul Downie also started working as a crossing guard about eight years ago. A retired teacher, Downie was looking for something to do to fill his time, to keep him young, to keep him active. The job has brought him much joy and a feeling of camaraderie with the students that he wasn't expecting. "The kids are dynamite." But about the wages, he isn't as enthusiastic saying, "We should be getting the equivalent of our neighbours." Shifts for crossing guards are usually two to three a day -- morning, noon and dis- "The provision of wages and their adjustment is a component of the annual budget recommendation and approval process." Mayor Rob Burton Kathy's visits with her mom used to be about groceries, laundry & cleaning missal. Olympico and Downie take pride in the fact their job is to get kids across the road safely. Some crossing guards have been known to risk their lives to protect the kids by standing in the way of cars that didn't stop, they say. Olympico had a near-miss experience when a SUV came flying down the road as students were crossing. He quickly moved them to the cement traffic island to get out of the way. Luckily, a police officer was nearby and witnessed what happened. "He came back and said, `Oh, that was a dandy ticket.'" They're there to protect the kids from the makeup appliers, texters, cereal bowl jugglers and just overall distracted drivers that are a constant danger on the roads. The kids are respectful, say the crossing guards, and often times the community is just as welcoming, coming to see how they are doing or offering a coffee. "There must be some money left over for crossing guards," said Olympico. -- with files from David Lea End of Season Penthouse & Verandah Sale Now they are about catching up with each other If helping your parent live independently has become more about the `to-do' list than about time together, there are options that can help combine convenience and care with an active lifestyle. Chartwell retirement residences provide the safety and security your parent needs with the services and activities they want. And that way, your time together can really be spent on the important things in life like catching up with each other. SAVE up to $1,000 per person when you book by October 31, 2012 Treat yourself to a luxurious cruise aboard the World's Best cruise line with exclusive savings. You can choose from 18 late summer, fall or winter sailings and save up to $1,000 per person on a Penthouse or Verandah stateroom when you book by October 31, 2012. PLUS..... Receive exclusive Cruise Holidays amenities. * Fuel supplement has been suspended. Holland America reserves the right to reinstate the fuel supplement for all guests at up to $9 per person per day should the price of light sweet crude oil according to the NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange Index) increase above $70 per barrel. Prices are per person, for cruise only, based on double occupancy and include Government Fees and Taxes. Pricing and availability subject to change without notice. Bonus Amenities are per stateroom for the first and second passengers. CRUISE HOLIDAYS OF OAKVILLE 221 Lakeshore Road East TICO #4537114 180 Oak Park Blvd., Oakville (Below Colossus Restaurant) 905.337.2228 info@cruiseholidaysoakville.com www.cruiseholidaysoakville.com 905-257-0095 · www.chartwellreit.ca Come in and see how it feels