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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, March 7, 2014 | 10 Proposed policy aims to be fair to local event organizers by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff The Town wants a formal policy on how it supports local events. A growing number of events, and a corresponding increase in demand on municipal resources, is driving Oakville's pursuit of such a policy. However, before any changes are made to how the Town has been supporting local activities, there will be public consultation and a financial analysis. And, this year's major community events will be supported until a policy is put in place. For this year, that means funding, to the tune of $50,000 for a new family event at Coronation Park in place of the former Waterfront Festival, as well as up to $15,000 toward the Downtown Jazz Festival and $15,000 for Canada Day celebrations in Bronte, will be forthcoming. Financial backing from the Town will also be set aside for the Kerr Business Improvement Association to assist in one of its events. Meanwhile, a 55-page draft strategy recently went before the Town's Administrative Services Enjoy Your March Break From IUOE Local 793 Committee (ASC), outlining research that examines the Town's event-hosting capacity in comparison to the policies of other municipalities and the Town's current practices. During committee discussion, numerous councillors, including Ward 2 Councillor Pam Damoff, pushed for more consultation with affected groups before staff returns with an updated strategy, as well as financial analysis of the plan. Council subsequently approved that approach. The Town annually waives approximately $19,000 in fees and doles out some $13,000 in grants to close roads for certain events, reported staff. It's difficult to quantify the donated time and work the Town puts into the 350 events that take place in the community each year because it hasn't been tracked, stated the report. It is being recommended there be an approach detailed as to what nature and extent the Town should assist event organizers. The draft strategy lists 16 recommendations that include replacing the current fee waiver policy option with a sliding scale process that provides some financial assistance to groups based on factors supportive of the Town's strategic goals and objectives. Staff has been working on developing a draft evaluation matrix to judge how the financial support should be doled out to groups based on seven criteria -- a method that is designed to be "fair and equitable" to groups, a Town staffer told councillors. Winning $1M ticket sold here Someone in Oakville may be walking around with $1 million in their pocket. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) Corporation announced Thursday that Wednesday night's LOTTO 6/49 Super Draw produced three winning tickets in Ontario. The winning tickets, worth $1 million each, were sold in Brampton, Oshawa and Oakville. Anyone who now regrets not buying a ticket Wednesday will have another chance for Saturday's LOTTO 6/49 Super Draw. Officials said there will be five guaranteed $1 million prize draws, in addition to the main jackpot, worth $5 million. "What better way to reward our players than by offering extra $1 million prizes?" asked Wendy Montgomery, OLG vice-president of Lottery Marketing and Sales. Since LOTTO 6/49 was launched in June 1982, Ontario players have won more than $10 billion in prizes, including 1,275 jackpot wins. As of Feb. 10, there have been 3,203 lotto draws. For more information, visit www.olg.ca and click Lotteries. 2245 Speers Rd., Oakville Please Drive Safely & Watch for Playing Children TAX SEASON IS HERE Let the Oakville Beaver Reader's Choice Winners experts look after your taxes this year · Tax Returns · Tax Planning · Financial Consultation We'll make you smile! 2387 Trafalgar Road Oakville, ON L6H 6K7 905-257-6453 www.uptownortho.com Enter shopping plaza from Trafalgar Road or Postridge Drive. Forover16 years,UptownOthodonticshasbeensatisfyingpatientsandbuildingbeautifulsmiles.We provide complimentary consultations, no interest financing options, personalized treatment from Dr. Chekay and the latest orthodontic technology. Come by and visit, there's no referrals needed. We'd love to make you smile! 1200 Speers Road, Unit 32,Oakville, ON L6L 2X4 T 905.845.1408 · F 905.845.5931 Toll-Free 1.866.324.6877 ricky@rickywong.ca