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The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday April 16, 2003 - A3 Region will purchase site (Continued from page A1) with the advisory committee given the task of creating cri teria for appropriate locations and operating procedures. As a result of the process, the Region has also decided to purchase the land for the shelter, rather than having the Salvation Army buy the land. That decision was a con troversial one among local politicians. Proponents of the idea, including Regional Chair Joyce Savoline, believe Regional ownership of the land will assure the commu nity that all criteria will be adhered to in the site selec tion process. However, Mulvale and other Regional Councillors opposed the idea. Mulvale says she supports the establishment of an emer gency shelter in Oakville, but believes the cost of the land which she describes as "sev eral hundreds of thousands of dollars or more" - should not be borne by local property taxpayers. She believes a Regional purchase of service agree ment with the Salvation Army would ensure the ongo ing quality of the shelter, without any need to own the land. "I am fundamentally op posed to purchasing this land with taxpayer dollars," said Mulvale. Despite Regional Coun cil's decision to purchase the land, Mulvale said she is very supportive of the need for the shelter, which will replace the temporary Lighthouse Project shelter operated by the Salvation Army. It is estimated that 1,200 to 1,300 individuals in Halton become homeless each year, primarily as a result o f family breakdowns, a shortage of affordable housing and the escalating cost of living in the area. According to the detailed criteria for establishing a location outlined in the report, the size, design and fit o f the facility must have regard for the existing neigh bourhood and be compatible with the surrounding area. Suitable locations will also be accessible to local transit and community' amenities and supports, will be separated from other group homes by at least 800 metres and other emergency shelters by at least two kilo metres, and will be on larger arterial or collector roads. When in operation, poten tial residents will be screened for drug use, criminal back ground and mental illness. High school students stopped grass fire from spreading A handful o f Holy Trinity Secondary School students are being credited with help ing contain a grass fire on Grand Ravine Drive, Monday afternoon. According to resident Germaine Wright, the youths immediately came to her aid when summoned and helped her break up ice to toss in the fire's path in order to stop its spread. "They were scared, but they really helped me out," said Wright. According to Oakville Fire D epartment Public Education and Special Projects Officer Rick Barrett, several crews responded to a call at 1 p.m. and were unsure o f what exactly they might face. When they arrived on scene, they found a relatively small grass fire that was being whipped up by the wind. Several "hand lines" were used to extinguish the blaze, but not before the fence out back of two homes was dam aged, as were some shrubs at the rear of a third property. Total damage was estimated at about $500. It could have been a worse, says W right, who was on her way out when she saw smoke pouring from the rear o f a neighbouring property. "I thought 'M y God, one of the hous es is on fire,' " said Wright, who yelled to a neighbour to call 911. `T here were giant flames and black, black smoke." Making her way behind her back yard fence to the open space beyond, Wright started throwing chunks of ice in the way o f the fire to slow its progress. After seeing some youths across the ravine, she called for them and they came running. One of them, Jonathan Greenhill, was dispatched by Wright to find a working garden hose in any of the backyards, but without success. Greenhill then ran up the street to direct the firefighters to the scene. The remaining teens - Philip DaRosa, Evan Kostyr, Kyle Turpin and Ben Muldoon - continued tossing ice until fire crews arrived. `T h e fire stopped two feet short of my backyard." said Wright, who has nothing but good things to say about the students. "They were so happy to help." Antiques & Fine Arts Auction Friday, A pril 18th at 10:30 a.m. Preview April 17th 5-6:30 p.m. & day of sale from 9:00 a.m. ^Cobble^IONEm becS^ "Masonry & Fireplace Design Specialists " DESIGN & INSTALLATION OF GAS, ELECTRIC AND,CONVENTIONAL FffiEPLACEg: · stone & C 7 ^ f lf e o > ' m a brick facings · wood surrounds · cast stone Featuring: Quality Victorian and early 20th century furnishings. Oil and Electric Lighting, Victorian glass, Shelley, Moorcroft. Royal Doulton. Wedgwood, Flow Blue, Quantity of Silver. Jewelery, Paintings, Decoratives, etc. Many rare and hard to Find items. Photographs and listing can be found on the web at Je s t i c V E R /v U >N. I HEAT-N-<jfijO el ec c rx j flam e mantels · built-in cabinetry www.auctionsrind.com/medlev Sale to be held at the A gricultural hall, M ilton Fairgrounds R obert St.. M ilton. TERMS: CASH. CHEQUE. VISA. INTERAC, No Reserves! No b u y e r's prem ium Ml tyRgs.QfjnaiQfl.qwQ.rJk iisst.Q.ration Nowfeaturing Dimplex Electraflame Electric Fireplaces V IS IT TH E S P E C IA L IS T S T O S E E TH E D IF F E R E N C E ... FOR FUTl'RE SA1.K OR CONSIGNMENT INFO FAX OR PHONE: Hi J O N M E D L E Y - A U C T IO N E E R (9 0 5 ) 8 7 8 -2 6 4 7 chas@spectranet.ca 406 S peers Road, O akville (across from Rona Lansing) 9 0 5 -3 3 7 -2 0 6 6 A I R E m, r" r . | r | * O f f e r c a n n o t b e c o m b i n e d w ith a n y o t h e r o f f e r s . C a ll fo r d e ta ils no area code required A I R E O N E (4 3 2 8 ) Jo o ^ Q_ CD UPPER MIDDLE mm 1505 Guelph Line 970 Upper James St. 905 385-2800 _ (south o f M ohaw k) THE LINC cc LU L (in the Food Basics Plaza, Burlington) o_ Q_ 905 335-2665 · 905 335-9600 MOHAWK E