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Wednesday September 19 2001 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER A5 Residents value parks, libraries most Survey ranks public transit, seniors' services at bottom B y A n g e la B la c k b u r n OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF O akville taxpayers value parks, libraries, woodlots and trails far more than services for seniors or public transit. They worry most about urban sprawl, traffic congestion and overcrowding, as well as pollution, taxes and education -- and 87% want the town to be the same as it is now, 10 years from now. The bottom line -- people like living in Oakville. In fact, 86% think "Oakville is a bet ter place to live than other GTA munici palities" and 82% are satisfied with Town services. That's what a new Citizens Survey, conducted by Environics Research Group, says. The survey results landed before town councillors Monday, where there was virtually no discussion other than confirmation that the full report will be on the Tow n's w ebsite at www.town.oakville.on.ca. The survey will land on residents' doorsteps shortly. The survey was done by telephoning a random 801 residents last spring. Its margin for error is 3.5% (19 times out o f 20). The survey aimed to give the Town's finance department a guideline for its spending by seeking local opinion in four areas, including: quality o f life issues; satisfaction with current Town services; prioritization of improvements to local services and quality o f life; and, views toward property tax, user fees and budget priorities in town. Survey results say the Town's spend ing is "right on the money," said Town finance director Mo Lewis. It appears that the Town's spending matches exactly the priorities o f resi dents. Top priorities include parks, libraries, w oodlots/trails, garbage collection, recreation, and litter pick-up in parks. At the bottom o f the list are public transit, seniors' services, local roads net works, and w inter sidew alk m ainte nance. A "significant" minority supported spending more money on the Town's network of roads, and on winter road maintenance. And many said they don't even use public transit or services for seniors. There was virtually no support for service cuts. Taxpayers appear prepared to pay more taxes to maintain services, but say increased services should be paid for by user fees. Taxpayers rated the top ten reasons Oakville is a good place to work, live and play. They included: environment for liv ing, feeling o f belonging, greenspace, environm ental protection, education/training opportunities, sports/leisure/culture opportunities, help for needy, appearance o f buildings/com munity, job/earning opportunities, and civic involvement opportunities. Residents believe the Town could do better when it comes to environment for living, protecting the environment, and helping the needy. Yet, it appears the Town is outpacing public expectation when it comes to the appearance of buildings/community and civic involvement opportunities. Topping the list of what people most like about Oakville is that it's a small, historic, quiet com m unity; its green spaces; downtown and other shopping; w aterfront and related activities; its friendly people; its beauty and cleanli ness; its safety; and, its proximity to Toronto. M ost dislike the traffic congestion and the rapid development and growth. The highest rated services are parks, firefighting, libraries, cultural venues, and woodlots and trails. Road maintenance, snow removal, pollution, lack o f entertainment, taxes, education/schools, garbage/recycling, public transit all could use some work, said those surveyed. Opinion is split on whether there should be spending increases, versus maintenance o f current spending, for water safety, hospital renovations and facilities. W hile 18% of residents would pay a user fee to have grass clippings picked up with garbage, 78% wouldn't pay extra and though interest in this is higher than average in Ward 5, a large majority there wouldn't pay for it. Also, 54% of residents believe the Town should use fewer chemicals in its weed control on public property while 36% think it's using an appropriate amount. W hen it comes to Oakville parks, most residents favour open green spaces over sports fields with an overwhelming 80% preferring that parks remain as green spaces rather than be developed as sports fields, ball diamonds or soccer fields. A clear 57% say no one in their home uses the local bus while those that do, tend to use it to commute to the GO train. And, 74% say they'd never use the bus if it ran on Sundays. W hile all residents will be receiving a copy o f the survey results, being dubbed Report Card to Citizens, a full text is available at all public libraries, through the Clerk's Department at Town Hall on Trafalgar Road, or at www.oakvillenewsonline.com. 'Canada's Original Super Store For Your Pet!" 0 N A lLPARROTS N O T A X RED & WHITE FANTAIL........ CHECKERED BARB sgjjjjEjm p % ik . 3 /$ 2 M 0 V E R $lOOO ·Discount equivalent to GST and PST tax exempt INQ.UDES: African Greys, Amazons, Cockatoos, Macaws and More! * i / m u ' A L LH A N DR A IS E D&D O M E S TIC A L L YB R E D BLACK PHANTOM ^ TETRA.... LEOPARD DAN 10 AUSTRALIAN RAINBOW BUENOS AIRES TETRA............. .... ALBINO PRISTELLA TETRA........ 5 /s 4 " GUINEA PIGS ALL VARIETIES Adorable baby Guinea Pigs. Excellent first pet for children. H hagenHOLLYWOOD BUDGIE STARTER KIT ^ HAGEN. *3SP ^ HAMSTER HOMESTEAD STARTER KIT 10 GALLON STARTER KIT hagen. *1 tfS HAGEN M SRP $119.99-$124.99 MSRP $64.99 - $69.99 : MSRP $32.99 - $35.99 1 8 |i| *«». OAKVILLE (9 0 5 ) 8 2 9 -9 9 9 9 HWY. 403 & DUNDAS SPRAY MILLET U HAGEN. -*1 -- (100 g) with the purchase SMALL | I i of a ^ h a g e n , VME Budgie ANIMAL I J !! I (6 lb) or VME Cockatiel TREAT (250 g) BURLING TO N (A $2.78 value) Seeds (6 lb) (9 0 5 ) 6 3 4 -9 9 9 9 with the purchase of a 1059 PLAINS ROAD EAST ^ hagen. Any 16 oz BIO-CARE ^ HAGEN. Choose from Aqua Plus,Waste Control, Plant Grow or Cvcle. ^ D ^ l E j a y SMALL ANIMAL DIET (5 lb or larger). BUY ONE GET ONE WE CARRY A FULL LINE OF ~ hagen QUALITY PET SUPPLIES KFC break-in leads to chase, charges A 31-year old Toronto man is facing numerous charges in connection with Saturday's break and enter o f an Oakville restaurant. According to Halton Regional Police, the inci dent began when an officer observed a dark coloured minivan pull into the parking lot o f Kentucky Fried Chicken at 330 South Service Rd. An occupant o f the vehicle was seen to w alk up to the store's front door then run to the driver's side o f the van a short tim e later. The van then left the scene at a high rate o f speed. Police caught up with the van traveling north bound on Fourth Line after which a short pursuit was initiated. The minivan driver ran three stop signs and a red light before the vehicle collided with a metal pole at Fourth Line and Bingham Road. The driver was apprehended at the scene then transported to O akville-T rafalgar M em orial Hospital with minor injuries. The investigation revealed that the van had been reported stolen in Toronto and was involved in the theft o f gas in Halton Hills earlier that day. Police also found evidence o f forced entry at Kentucky Fried C hicken where a cash register was stolen. This was recovered from the stolen van. Saverio F iona o f Weston Road in Toronto has been charged with possession o f stolen property over $5,000; theft under $5,000; break, enter and theft; evade police, pursuit; dangerous driving; two counts o f breach o f probation and two counts of driving under suspension. W I L L T H E B E G Y B E O O N V U E E R F R N M E N T B I G G E S T I C I A R Y ? P a u l R o w a n pr esen ts A V O ID IN G T H E E S T A T E T A X T R A P D isco ver: · Wills & E state P la n n in g s tra te g ie s for th e w e a lth y · M in im iz in g ta x e s a t d e a th · H o w to r e d u c e /e lim in a t e O A S & seniors B enefit C la w B a c k s · In te r-g e n e ra tio n w e a lth tra n sfer · H o w to g e t R e v e n u e C a n a d a to p a y y o u r in s u ra n c e p re m iu m s · R e d u c e /e lim in a te T3 & T5 t a x a b le in c o m e slips H p s t e<J B y : P a u l R o w a n , B A (E c o n ) f - , S . A . L . T . O A K V I L L E R av L a w re n c e O u r g u e s t s p e a k e r is a s p e c ia lis t in E s ta te P la n n in g a n d T a x M in im iz a tio n Seniors & Law-Enforcement Together Presents a In v e s tm e n t A d v iso r S E C U R IT IE S C O R P O R A TIO N ! M em ber In v e s tm e n t D e a le rs A s s o c ia tio n M e m b e r C a n a d i a n I n v e s t o r P r o t e c t io n F u n d A D u n d e e W e a lth M a n a g e m e n t C o m p a n y SENIORS' AWARENESS SEMINAR S a tu r d a y , S e p t. 2 2 , 2 0 0 1 S ir Jo h n C o lb o rn e R e cre a tio n C e n tre fo r S e niors La ke sh ore Rd. a t 3 rd Line 1 :3 0 p .m . to 4 : 2 0 p .m . ( d o o rs o p e n a t 1 2 :3 0 p .m . fo r v ie w in g o f d isp la y s) F R E E S E M I N A R ! 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