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Wednesdsay May 31, 2000 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER A5 * Trauma Centre receives much-needed, donation By Howard Mozel OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF bigger impact, however, is money. The Centre's annual budget of $300,000 is lean by any standard, especially consid ering the need that exists throughout the region. "That imposes real limits on what we can do," said Bennett, whose tiny office is proof the money is spent on services, not overhead. "We can't keep running this agency without proper funding." For example, the Centre has never been able to provide individual therapy, something which Bennett describes as a "real gap." explained that offenders are also coun seled. The focus on sexual abuse for the majority of the Centre's existence has allowed staff to develop an in-depth * said. Fortunately, the Centre received a welcome, $20,000 donation this month from Westbury International Corporation The Halton Trauma Centre has sur president Michael H. DeGroote, son of vived for 17 years on a shoestring bud Laidlaw founder Michael DeGroote. A get, but like those damaged souls to Burlington resident, he remains involved whom it ministers, survival alone is sim with properties and charities in Oakville ply not enough says its executive direc - none more worthwhile, he says, than tor. those involving children. After all, says Paul Bennett, children "Everyone should have the same possess the expectation that adults will chance," said DeGroote. "This was a protect them and so morally and ethical great tie-in to help kids have an equal ly the entire community is obligated to opportunity." do so. Fortunately, Centre staff go above With a paltry budget and beyond to help to work with, survivors of all ages Bennett is delighted with next to no fund by DeGroote's gen ing. erosity. "There are a lot of "Hopefully this challenges but there donation will be the is a lot of commit kick-off to finding ment," said Bennett. additional benefac Known as the tors," he said. Halton Centre for The money will be Childhood Sexual funneled toward the Abuse since 1983, Centre's three-mem the Centre launched ber Trauma *its new name and Treatment Team mandate in 1999 to which works with expand services to entire families cop include physical, ing with physical, emotional and psy verbal and sexual chological abuse abuse and neglect. plus child maltreat Photo by Barrie Erskine Like soldiers return ment and neglect. Mike DeGroote of Westbury International presents cheque of support to ing from war, vic All are equally trau tims of abuse matic, says Bennett, Paul Bennett, Executive Director of the Halton Trauma Centre. deserve to be taken causing devastating "We need to find the revenue to sup seriously and treated appropriately, said long-term damage. "We're looking at this through the port that," he said. "If it sounds like we're Bennett. Forty percent of survivors of child clients' eyes," said Bennett. "Abuse is putting our hand out, we damn well are." Approximately 52% of the Centre's hood sexual abuse suffered their trauma abuse, trauma is trauma." For 17 years the Centre has provided budget comes from the Ministry of when only six months to five years of skilled and effective treatment to individ Community and Social Services, 17% to age, a fact which Bennett says under uals and families who have been touched 20% from Halton's four United Ways scores why their psyches are so dam by child sexual abuse, past or present. with the remainder raised by staff. aged. This is especially heartbreaking The new mandate will allow Centre staff Sometimes, says Bennett, they just go when one considers that most abuse to offer their knowledge and skills to a ahead with projects even when funding is takes place in the home, not as the result of strangers. not available. larger population. "We have a history of reaching out "It strikes at the very heart of what we The major barrier to making an even and not letting the money stop us," he think about families," says Bennett, who knowledge of the issue. Those seeking the Centre's services should call 825-3242. Anyone wishing to donate is encouraged to contact Susan Coyne at 825-5024. EXPLORE YOUR NATURE Spinning · Pilates Massage Therapy · Homeopathy Acupuncture · Yoga · Reflexology ce the art of health 282 C h u rch Street (at Church and Trafalgar) 905-337-1128 totalbalance@ on.aibn.com Thieves make off with Porsche, construction equipment H alton R egional Police in Oakville are investigating the theft of a Porsche 911. The theft occurred at a car dealership on the South Service Road in Oakville on M arch 13th at approxim ately 2:30 AM. The thieves cut a hole in the chain link fence enclosing the rear o f the dealership property. The vehicle which was valued at $51,000 is a 1991 Porsche 911, 2 door, black in colour. The thieves disabled the infrared sensor securing the property and cut the pad lock on the gate. Another vehicle was m oved aside to succeed in stealing this sporty car. Several m onths ago Crim e Stoppers featured the theft of another very valuable Porsche product. Could this theft be related to the pre- CRIME STOPPERS Call 825-TIPS or 1-800-668-5151 vious one? Call Crime Stoppers if you can solve this Porsche theft. Halton Regional Police in Oakville are also investigating a theft of con struction equipm ent taken from a trailer located in the area of West Oak Trails and Third Line. This theft occurred on sometime overnight May 17th between 9 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. Over $8,000 worth of construction equipm ent was stolen including a home built 16-foot trailer, tandem axle which was black and red in colour. This was complete with ramps and had "Greenfield Contracting" on the sides. Also stolen was a Case auger attachment, auger bits, Case tooth bucket and tie down straps. Construction thefts are all too com mon. If you know who steals from these sites, call Crime Stoppers of Halton. 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 need not give your name when you tell us your information and you will remain anonymous. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to the telephone call display feature. Call 1-800-222-TIPS or 825-TIPS (825-8477) m frfftoh so hsale n ow eachat "local b an k s, select Petro-C anada, M cD o n ald 's lo catio n s, C anada P o st 9 rR ain b owC as & sr, K en ten Petting Zoo sponsored by: / m I V* % I * S c o tia b a n k % 1 Z *M ; * O n t a r io more ft> discover Festival June 2 3 . 2 4 . 2 5 . 2 0 0 0 www. oa kvi Ile-festiva I.org Lake pollution report Anyone want ing to know about pollution in Lake Ontario and w hat's being done about it, can check up on the subject through a 20-page update report on the Lake O ntario L a k e w i d e M anagem ent Plan. The update describes cooper ative binational efforts undertak en to restore and protect the lake. The com pleted report will be available in the fall. Copies o f the update are avail able from Marlene O 'Brien, E n v iro n m e n t Canada, 867 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington, Ont. L7R 4A6, phone: 336-4552. It's also available on the web at http://w w w .cciw. c a /g lim r/p ro g r a m LaMPs.html A M E S S A G E FRO M R E G IO N A L C H A IR M A N JO Y C E SA V O LIN E I am pleased to present Halton Region's 1999 Annual Report. In 1999 Halton Region marked its 25th Anniversary. It was a time of reflection and remembrance, but more importantly it was a time of celebration. Over the years, we have evolved into an efficient and effective level of government, and our success is in large part due to the vision and dedication of our Council and Regional staff. Twenty-five years ago, the Regional Municipality of Halton was incorporated based on the principle that certain community and infrastructure services are most cost-effectively administered over a larger geographic area. It marked the beginning of a new era of local government in Halton, where the provision of services and programs would address the needs of a growing and progressive community. It was known then, as it is today, that government is all about people. Both Council and staff have always kept that in mind as they work to deliver services such as clean, safe drinking water, quality public health programs and responsive social services. 1999 BUDGET 1999 1998 actual In 1998, the Province transferred a number of services to Halton and reduced subsidies given to us. This had a profound effect on us financially. We had to do more with less. However, sound financial planning allowed us to deal with these challenges, and the added responsibilities expanded our role in the community as a key service provider, and indicated the Province's confidence in our ability to deliver important programs and services to our citizens. We embraced the opportunity to take on these new services and developed delivery models for land ambulance services, social services, social housing, public health, and children's services. We are proud of our performance over the past 25 years and look forward to continuing to work with the Halton community to ensure that we meet the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the new millennium. As long as we continue to listen to our residents and businesses, we will have many more opportunities to lead the way. Our number one priority with «very initiative is to serve you, our residents, and to serve you well, as we have for the past quarter century. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (SOOO'Sl: Cash and short-term investments Net long-term debt Capital fund Reserves Reserve funds Debt per household Current expenditure/household 1999 $ 335,561 37,800 129,227 92,872 66,142 297.04 2,630.36 $ 1998 289,720 49.419 79,316 99,434 72,347 398.78 2,707.53 COST FOR AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD 1999 1998 Iexpenditure I FUNDED BY PROPERTY TAXES ACTUAL $ 19,516 104,958 34,721 46,815 14,851 9,844 2,203 735 17,188 General government $ 18,859 Social services 114,941 Social housing 35,572 ^Protection to persons and property 47,765 ' Health services 16,031 Roadways & G O Transit 13,758 Planning and development 2,230 Recreation and cultural services 729 W aste Management 17,328 FUNDED BY USER RATES W ater/wastewater Total expenditure [REVENUE Property taxes - General Purpose Property taxes - Solid waste W ater/wastewater billings Solid waste disposal/diversion fees Ontario grants Total revenue Excess revenue over expenditure Net transfers to reserves and capital Surplus for the year 171,003 14,619 58,528 2,384 73,997 17.804 338.335 32.300 32.300 $ 20,155 $ 111,338 35,403 43,762 13,836 13,244 1,933 1,055 17,027 68.69 $ 260.98 204.55 281.65 39.54 118.28 10.20 3.75 100.73 65.39 270.85 210.05 269.32 71.12 119.14 8.13 6.54 102.09 Copies of the 1999 Consolidated Financial Statements audited by K PM G from which these highlights were extracted are available from the Corporate Services Departm ent upon request by calling extension 7042 at one of the numbers listed below. From From From From Burlington Halton Hills Acton Oakville (905) (905) (519) (905) 639-4540 878-8113 853-0501 825-6000 38.822 306,035 38.811 289,642 39.833 406.89 402.75 297,586 $1,495.27 $ 1,525.38 www. region.halton .on .ca 176,309 14,617 65,699 2,314 68,980 21.105 349,024 | 59,382 45,086 i 14,296 173,944 14,353 60,865 2,438 68,997 22.181 342.778 45,192 37,899 $ 7,293 CAM W ELD O N , CA Director of Financial & Purchasing Services and Regional Treasurer 1151 Bronte Road, Oakville, ON L6M 3L1 Region of Halton Now you hove th e po w er to choose yo u r e le c tric ity from a num ber of com panies. C A L L 1 - 8 8 8 - 6 6 8 - 4 6 3 6 a n d r e c e iv e a f r e e , 12 -p a g e b ro c h u r e . Visit our website at www.est.gov.on.ca or Email: f yi@est.gov.on.ca Ontario