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A4 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday December 13, 2000 Administering Provincial Offences Court a $2 million boon to Halton municipalities By Cynthia Gamble SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER When Oakville and its Halton municipal part ners take over the administration of the Provincial Offences Court (POA) in February, it will mean an extra $2 million for the municipalities. Under the new system, Oakville, along with the towns of Milton, Halton Hills, and the City of Burlington will share the responsibility for operat ing and staffing Provincial Offences Act courts and court offices. Among the items being downloaded from provincial responsibility include things such as collecting fines, scheduling court hearings and maintaining records involving violations under the Highway Traffic Act, Building Code Act, GO Transit offences, liquor law offences, bylaw infractions, etc. None of the new court duties involve criminal code violations. In anticipation of the transfer, an interim busi ness plan has been drawn up outlining the costs and responsibilities of each municipality. · Oakville will handle all the "mail-in" ticket payments with a staff or two, as well as providing counter service. · Burlington will operate the main facility for the majority of functions including administration, financial management, prosecution, court support, appeals, collections and record keeping. It will be staffed by 14.5 people. · Milton will host a satellite office, manned with Town of Halton Hills employees. It will pro vide counter services, schedule and hear trials. Three employees will be hired to do these jobs. The towns will receive some funding from the provincial government-- already $1.5 million was paid to Halton Region, and another $1.9 mil lion will be paid six months after the transfer. That money came from 1998 POA net revenues. Another $3 million will be also paid-- again six months after the transfer-- this time from 1999 and 2000 POA net revenues. The POA planning committee has a start-up budget of $1.2 million and will be setting aside another $300,000 into a reserve for future improvements. Burlington will bridge this financ ing until the province completes the transfer of its money, but at an interest rate of 6%. Revenues that are earned by taking over the POA courts will be shared between the municipal ities through a funding formula based on the assessment base. While Halton Region doesn't have a role in providing the transferred services it will share in the net revenues. i Sensational Sweater h Sale In Effect Nouni Caroling in Park tonight If you want to catch the spirit of the Christmas season, you'll find it tonight at Georges Square on Trafalgar Road. Beginning at 7:30 p.m., St. John's United Church is hosting its fourth annual Caroling in the Park with the Salvation Army Citadel Brass Band. Donations will to go the Salvation Army Christmas Appeal. Deaf lobby Region for strong Disabilities Act By Irene Gentle SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER When it comes to breaking down barriers for the disabled, it could be said the silence has been deafening. Which is why members of Halton's deaf com munity appeared before the Region's health and social services committee Tuesday seeking endorsement for a strong Ontarians with Disabilities Act (ODA). The act, which aims for work and leisure activ ities to be accessible to all, easily won the support of councillors around the table. Final approval is expected at today's regional council meeting. Ernest C. Drury School for the Deaf grade 11 honour student Brenda Koumphol addressed the committee on her difficulties in finding a summer job earlier this year. "I tried to explain, through writing and ges tures, that there were a variety of things a deaf per son could do," she said through an interpreter. Though it took some time, Koumphol was eventually hired to work in an office. But she soon found she wasn't being promoted as high and fast as her hearing peers. Marilyn Hunter of the Milton Deaf Action Group spoke of waiting in pain in a hospital emer gency room. Despite having explained to staff that she'd need to be tapped when it was her turn to see a doctor, she sat for hours while others who came after her went in ahead. After approaching staff to ask why she hadn't been seen, Hunter was told her name had been called. "They were embarrassed because they forgot to physically tap me to let me know it was my turn," said Hunter. Incidents like these need to be addressed, said Halton Chair Joyce Savoline. "I think what this motion does is support some thing that has been silent for too long," she said. "I think that inasmuch as some of us have been try ing to change things, this act is a louder and more appropriate statement." Under the ODA, businesses and government agencies would be required to identify barriers within the organization, develop a plan to remove them, and then carry out that plan. Further work is necessary to ensure all resi dents achieve their best, said Oakville Mayor Ann Mulvale. "This sort of sensitization is extremely impor tant," she said. "Potential comes in all shapes and sizes." R O S H L [y c C q S 5 M EN'S ^ 1515 REBECCA ST., OAKVILLE HOPEDALE MALL ^ W EAR MAPLEVIEW MALL BURLINGTON 4 6 9 -1879 6 8 1-2 7 4 4 Last chance for free flu shots Today is your last chance to receive a free flu shot from one of the clinics operated by the Halton Region Health Department in Oakville. The free flu shots are available for everyone over six months of age. The last clinic is today (Wednesday) from, 3:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School, Cafeteria, 124 Margaret Drive. 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