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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, April 7, 2016 | 14 continued from p.3 would attract diverse communities, getting people out and contributing to the local economy. West Harbour Residents' Association pastpresident Hart Jansson said he would work with residents and council to examine the possibility of slightly increasing height limits on specific properties at Kerr Street and Lakeshore Road. He noted this could spur development and bring more residents to patronize businesses. Jansson said he would also attract developers to redevelop portions of Kerr Street by convincing them of the great potential of Kerr Village. Candidates preparing to win the nod from Ward 2 voters Digital Strategist Soeterik said it is time to give hard-working storeowners a break and lower commercial property taxes. He wants to see how to penalize those keeping buildings vacant, noting currently someone with an empty shop pays a lower tax rate. Loyalty programs, attracting businesses appealing to residents, and encouraging residents to shop locally were other suggestions by Soeterik. Personal injury law clerk and long-time Oakville volunteer McCullagh said free parking on Saturdays in Kerr Village and downtown would stimulate local business. Chisholm, a former Town of Oakville employee, who is chair of Visit Oakville, said Oakville needs to create experiences that will bring people downtown noting retail alone is not going to do it when people can drive to Oakville Place, where there is free parking, or to outlets or stores where prices are lower. There were no shortage of jabs made during the all-candidates meeting. During her opening address, McLeod cautioned residents against electing an inexperienced councillor, charging one candidate may not even be present were it not for their last name. During his closing remarks, Jansson said, unlike some of his younger political competitors, serving as Ward 2 councillor would be his full-time job. "It's not about precluding anyone," he said. "It's about who is going to give you far better value. This is a big job." McAuley noted Oakville council already has nine men with business backgrounds on it. "Do we need another businessman? Absolutely not," she said to the laughter and applause of many present. "We need someone with an arts and education background who will be at the table when, hopefully, we get a new theatre, when we redo our library. Ward 2 is a very wonderful place to live and it is a very diverse place. Town council should be diverse as well." LET'S CELEBRATE TOGETHER CUSTOMER APPRECIATION BBQ Saturday, April 16th, 2016 11 am - 2:30 pm At our Burlington and Waterdown locations! Creating award winning landscapes since 1996. For all your landscaping needs call or visit our showroom. Create your own PARADISE. 3235 Fairview Street, Unit #5 Burlington, Ontario L7N 3L1 905-639-7292 TF: (888) 727-3411 www.letslandscape.ca 31 Dundas St. E. (Hwy #5) Waterdown, Ontario L9H 7H8 905-689-1880 #WeSaveLives Because THEIR life is on the line. Enrol today. Oakville locations 345 Lakeshore Rd. East, Suite 312 180 Oak Park Blvd., Suite 107 YD.COM | (905) 842-6846 Register your new driver for our current evening or weekend courses. Or sign them up for a 4-day express summer driving course. Young Drivers' exclusive Collisionfree!TM driving maneuvers are their best defence on the road.