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The Oakville Beaver, W e d n e sd a y M a rc h 20, 2002 - A 5 Accusations fly over emergency meeting (C ontinued from pa ge A1 VER STR AETE TRAVEL Invites i/m / to a slide a n d video presentation "I'm not sure if that makes me the ringleader." he said. This issue began with the final debate of the Town-proposed Official Plan Amendment (OPA) 198. a plan to guide growth north of Dundas Street, on March 5. Council voted 7-5 to refer OPA 198 back to Town staff with a view to doing more environmental study before giving the green light to any growth north o f Dundas. On the heels of the lengthy OPA 198 public process, the council decision quickly drove several developers to appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) for a final decision. On March 11, Flynn and the six other councillors who voted to refer OPA 198 called an emergency meeting of council. The five councillors, who had cast opposing votes, said the emer gency meeting wasn't officially confirmed to them until after it had been posted on the Oakvillegreen Web site. At the emergency meeting, it was proposed that a special council committee -- the Growth Management & Environmental Protection Committee -- be struck and charged with the authority to hire and fire consultants, who could defend the Town at the OMB. The committee's membership was also put forward -- the same seven councillors who had called the emergency meeting and the same seven who had referred OPA 198 back to staff. Ultimately the committee was approved, but its make-up --one councillor from each ward -- will be set at Planning and Development Council on March 25. The commit tee will report to, and receive its authority, through council. Except for Mayor Ann Mulvale, the five councillors who voted against referring OPA 198 were predominantly the north Oakville councillors in whose wards 70% of the land north of Dundas exists. "We were excluded." they wrote in their letter. Knoll said he views the exclu sion of Wards 5 and 6 councillors as "an absolute affront to democracy, to decorum and to decency." "I believe that any responsible member of council should be concentrating on the planning issues, the protection of the environment and open space and it appears it will be a battle." · Councillor Kevin Flynn Knoll who dubbed the emer gency meeting "bogus" said the Town has hired consultants already. Knoll said he was elected to rep resent his constituents on a cam paign platform that clearly stated he favoured growth in north Oakville provided the environment was respected. And while. Knoll said he respects the majority decision of council to refer OPA 198. he said. "I do not respect the sneaky, back room maneuverings that took place to have the (emergency council) meeting take place. "1 hope we can stuff' this genie Kick into the bottle and find a way to move forward," said Knoll. Franklin said the calling of the emergency meeting and the sug gested committee content "tried to cut out" the majority of north Oakville councillors with a "stacked" committee. Franklin said the north Oakville politicians represent people living in I(X) homes on Bumhamthorpe Road, people who "were active and willing participants" in OPA 198 process. "To shut them out is just not right," said Franklin. Caster said the emergency meet ing "was not warranted" and the motion proposed was a re-working of the motion of March 5. "The way the seven councillors tried to take charge of the whole process was inappropriate." said Caster. Wright was visiting family in New Zealand for the OPA 198 final debate and vote, however, she signed the March 18 Letter-to-theeditor. Wright couldn't be reached for comment yesterday. O f the information in the let ter, Flynn said, "If it was true, it would be heavy-duty stuff. I think people are upset with the decision and are expressing that, having lost the vote. Life's tough." Flynn, who plans to forw ard the letter to his lawyer, said he's repre senting his constituents and what he believes to be the best interests of all of the residents of Oakville. "I believe that any responsible member of council should be con centrating on the planning issues, the protection of the environment and open space and it appears it will be a battle. "If I have received calls from people in Wards 5 and 6, it's to congratulate me on the position I've been taking on this issue," said Flynn. The councillor said. "I'm not sure if I'd call writing letters to the editor behind people's back democ racy in action." FREE INFORMATION SEMINAR Date/Location/Presentation Tim e s Wednesday, March 27 - Oakville Public Library - Central The Maritimes by Motorcoach 7:00-7:45 p.m. Newfoundland: Fly/Motorcoach 7:45 - 8:30 p.m. Both trips include the Nova Scotia Tattoo in Halifax For more inform ation call (905) 934-4414 Ont. 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(between Dorval Drive and 4th Line) (9 0 5 ) 8 4 7 -2 2 7 4 ^ MON fM 10 AM. - 5:30 PM SATURDAY 10 A M.-6 PM · SUNDAY 12 A M · 5 PM ONTARIO GOVERNMENT SERVICES UPDATE The O ntario Public Service Employees Union (O PSE U ) is currently on strike. The G overnm ent of O ntario has m ade a reasonable and responsible offer that is fair to em ployees and taxpayers, including an across-the-board wage increase of 1.95 per cent in each of three years and increases to address wage disparities in key occupational groups by offering am bulancc/com m unication dispatchers and scientists an additional increase of eight per cent and nurses an additional increase of 10 per cent. It is not possible to predict how long this disruption of public services will continue, however, the governm ent rem ains available to resum e meaningful negotiations at any time. Ring thief steals idling vehicle On Feb. 14. at 3:20 p.m. a man entered the Howard Williams jewelry store located at 309 Lakeshore Rd. E.. The suspect claimed to be ring shopping for his girlfriend. He then selected a specific ring and asked that it be removed from the display case for closer inspection. Once the man had the ring in his hands, he ran from the store. Employees and other witness es gave chase. During the foot cha.se* the suspect jumped into a parked vehicle that was left unat tended and idling. The suspect stole the vehicle and made good his escape. The vehi cle was aban doned near Ill by. ll!ITII\ The man C4 is described 825-TIPS or 1-800-668-51SI as: male, white, 6-foot to 6-foot 2. weigh ing between 185-2(X) pounds, 2735 years old, black hair combed back, heavily gelled, dark com plexion and a scar on his left eye brow. At the time of the theft he was wearing a black three-quarters length leather jacket, black scarf, black denim pants and black boots. The ring is described as a 14karat white and yellow gold band. 1.07ct. diamond centre piece, surrounded by 12 .02 diamonds and six .06 baguette diamonds. Ring has a retail value of $18,750. If you have any information that leads to an arrest in this or any other matter, you may be eligible for a cash reward. You will never have to give your name or testify in co u rt Crime Stoppers of Halton does not subscribe to call display. Thanks to our tipsters... whoever you are. Call 1-8(X)-222TIPS OR 905-825-TIPS (905825-8477) or check us out on the web at www.linkstohalton.com Answers to your Questions To further assist you we have provided answers to the most frequently asked questions we're receiving from the public about: Government Payments? · Ontario Disability Support Program recipients should receive their monthly cheque or direct bank deposit on time. · Cheques will still be issued for the Guaranteed Annual Income Supplement payments to low-income seniors. · Ontario Works (social assistance) cheques will continue lo be delivered by the municipalities, which are not affected by this labour disruption. Awards ceremony honour local contributions (Continued from page 1) enhance the cultural awareness of students. Matthews said the showcase hits also served as a forum to link high school students and youths from across Halton. As always, the local commu nity has also stepped up to the plate to help out with the event. While the HMC and Halton police have provided the venue and the leadership, other local businesses and individuals have helped with everything from the foods to the fashion show run way. Many stores in Oakville Place have contributed to the fashions to be showcased. In north Halton Thursday, the North Halton Cultural Awareness Council's second annual awards ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. at the Halton Hills Cultural Centre on Church Street in Georgetown. A host of awards are to be presented recognizing local con tributions to fronts like education and the community. Former Halton police chief James Harding is also slated to pick up an award for policing; Halton Regional Chair Joyce Savoline for political leadership; Cogeco for media coverage and Oak\ ille Beaver reporter Howard Mozel for his stories about the Halton Anti-Homophobia and Halton Pride committees' activities. Driver's Licences? · If your licence expired on or after March 13.2002, you can still drive until the end of the strike. This includes all classes of driver's licences. · If your licence is suspended, the suspension will remain in effect until the strike ends. · If your plate sticker expired on or after March 13. 2002, it must be renewed. This can be done at one of more than 280 private Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Offices throughout the province; they are listed in the blue pages of your telephone book. Payment is by cash only. Health Cards? · Your health number is still valid. · You may be asked to fill out a health number release form by your doctor or . hospital that they will use when filing with OH I P. March is Maple Syrup Month March 2-31 Public: Weekpnds in March & March Break (fM 5 ) W a g o n R id e s I* P a n c a k e H ou se fiy r u p H isto ry Trail V ic to rian Farm hou.se Tours ·I* T h e M a p le G ift S h o p Ye Oldo Carwlij S h a n t y L o g g in g T heatre t* S p r in g F arm A n im a ls Medical Treatment for New O ntarians? · New or returning residents can access health services, and as usual will be responsible for paying for those services. The usual three-month waiting period applies until new or returning residents are eligible for OHIP coverage. A ll e v e n t s lo c ate d at S p r u c e L a n e F a r m - P a r k in g Lot F For up-to-date, pre-recorded information on services, call toll-free 1-866-933-9233 or visit our website at www.ontarioservicesupdate.com PARKS B ro n te C re e k Fnr m oro irrformation pall ( f ) 0 5 ) 8 2 7 - 6 0 1 1 or w ww.nnharinparks.com © O ntario 4 * 4 * FM W IN D O W S & D O O R S FM INDUSTRIES W IN O O W S * D O O R S F re e E n e rg y A d v a n ta g e TM L o w -E G la s s p iu c in g t o n J j -- J;j No Interest No Payments till May 2003 oac. Easy to Clean * Maintenance Free * lifetime Warranty w w w .fm w in c lo w s .c o m ,» | k Beat the Rush, Call Today! (905) 876-3016