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B6 ' THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Tuesday December 21, 1999 IS YOUR GARAGE C PRO TECTING YOUR C AR B E T T E R THAN -- McGill YOUR BARGAIN-RATERS' UiT21. Oakville 5671 C AR INSURANCE? 8 4 7 Don't trust just anyone to insure your car. see me: s B u s in e s s 1. ' GE Lighting plant expanding 1^ To reach this section call 845-3824 Fax:337-5567 The job picture for Oakville bright ened Thursday, with word that GE Lighting will be expanding its local manufacturing facility. The plant in question, makes the firm's energy efficient, linear fluores cent Ecolux XL® T8 lamps. Expansion of the plant will begin next month. Company officials said the move will see a 30 per cent increase in production. `This expansion will create new jobs for the Oakville area and enable us to better service the growing market with this important energy-saving prod uct," said Peter Mason, Oakville Plant Manger. It's still unclear as to how many jobs will be created by the expansion. The local plant is one of GE's most advanced, linear fluorescent manufac turing facilities in the world. GE Lighting selected the plan for expan sion because of its potential opportuni ty for growth and past efficiencies. The expanded facility will be a `Centre of Excellence' for the T8 lamps. Also on hand for the occasion was John Krenicki, GE Lighting's VicePres. of North America Lighting and John Strainic, GE Lighting's General Manager of Global Linear Fluorescent Products. The T8 lamp lasts 20 per cent longer than standard T8 units, is more energy efficient and fea tures the highest lumen mainte nance and colour retention in the industry, said Strainic. GE Lighting is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio and has divisions in North America, South America, Europe and Asia. A p p o in t m e n t P r o p a n e A s s o c i a t i o n a n n o u n c e s s c h o la r s h ip s The Oakville-based Ontario Propane Association has estab lished the Steven Sparling Scholarships, to honour the founding chair of the association for his exemplary contribution, dedication, commitment, and leadership to the Ontario Propane Industry. These annual awards are avail able to active members of the Ontario Propane Association, their families, employees of member companies, and their families. The purpose of the scholar ships is to provide financial assis tance, annually, beginning in 2000, to recipients pursuing a post-secondary education at Steven Sparling Scholarships, 469-1941 or fax the office at 905e-mail vocational or trade schools, col- contact the Ontario Propane 469-1942; Association, 1155 North Service opa@propane.ca; website leges or universities. Incorporated in 1996, the Rd. West, Oakville, ON at 905- www.propane.ca. Ontario Propane Association is the Important Notice to Drivers and Vehicle Owners voice of the propane industry in Ontario. Steven Sparling, viceSome M inistry of Transportation (MTO) driver and vehicle licensing services w ill only be available until 11 a m. on Friday, December 31,1999, as the ministry w ill be taking the president, Sparling's necessary steps to protect critical driver, vehicle and carrier information for the new year. Propane Co. Ltd., A fter 11 a.m., some licensing transactions, such as plate renewals, w ill continue to Blyth, Ontario, has be available. However, payment must be made by cash or cheque only. been chair of the asso Licensing services that w ill not be available include: ciation since its incep · renewing driver's licences tion. His term as chair · replacing driver's licences expires at the end of · replacing vehicle or plate permits 1999. · issuing first-tim e driver's licences For further infor · changing/correcting vehicle identification numbers (VIN) mation about the · · · · · · obtaining a Used Vehicle Information Package (UVIP) obtaining driver, vehicle and carrier abstracts ordering Own Choice Plates exchanging out-of-province driver's licences changing licence classes or endorsements booking road tests by telephone OMDREB e le c ts Rick Kedzior a s president for new millennium Ethics in Action Awards The Citizens Bank o f Canada has joined with the Mountain Equipment Co-op store in Toronto, in launching a new business awards program. The Ethics in Action Awards program recognizes busi nesses and individuals whose actions and decisions have made a positive impact on our communities and who are mak ing social responsibility a part of their daily operations. The awards program has two categories of recognition: Ongoing Social Responsibility and Socially Responsible Decision-Making. Both businesses and individuals in Ontario will be eligible for award recognition. Nominations are now being accepted. Deadline for nominations is April 9th with award recipi ents being announced at the June 3rd awards gala at the Design Exchange.Nomination packages may be obtained by contacting Susan Antler at Ethics in Action (416) 535-6710 or visit the website at www.ethicsinaction.com Carrier licensing services for the trucking industry that w ill not be available include: · issuing Commercial Vehicle Operators Registration (CVOR) certificates. Truck Transportation Act and M otor Vehicle Transportation Act and M otor Vehicle Inspection Station licences · replacing or changing CVOR certificates, operating licences and M otor Vehicle Inspection Station licences MTO services provided through ServiceOntario kiosks w ill not be available from 11 a.m. on Friday, December 31,1999 until noon on Sunday, January 2,2000. MTO offices w ill open for normal business after the New Year's holiday on Tuesday, January 4, 2000. Some issuing offices w ill be open on Monday, January 3,2000 Please check directly w ith the office in your area Numbers are listed in the blue pages of your telephone directory. www.mto.gov.on.ca/english O n ta rio he Oakville Milton and District Real Estate Board (OMDREB) is honoured to welcome its new president, Rick Kedzior of RE/MAX Aboutowne for the year 2000. Kedzior is looking forward to bringing the OMDREB into the new century, with a wealth of knowledge and experience backing him up. Only six years ago Kedzior left his 20 year career in Rick Kedzior financial services to join the RE/MAX team, taking a chance in real estate. Rick became a member of the RE/MAX 100% Club three years ago and just recently joined the RE/MAX Executive Club. His jump to real estate was a successful one, and his new station in life has given him greater opportunities to give back to the com munity. Rick is a strong believer in volunteerism, and believes that "giving something back to the community makes it a much more dynamic and vibrant place to live and work. Even though he always sets aside plenty of time for his wife, 8 year old daughter and 6 year old son, he also donates many hours to various charitable organizations. In addition to being an active member with the Oakville Chamber of Commerce (and a past president), he has also volunteered time with the Oakville Waterfront Festival, Halton Lung Association, United Way, and he has served as a member of the Oakville Citizens Committee on Property Tax Reform, to name a few. After serving the last year as first vice-president, and the two previous years on the OMDREB as a director, he is looking forward to his term as President. T A hotel for the new millennium, your homeoffice away from horn(office By Kym Funnell ADVERTISING FEATURE he Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites has gone above and beyond to m eet the ever-increasing demands of today's business traveler. All 144 gue strooms are designed specifically for the working guest, Internet data-ports are easily accessed at the spacious work station, along with the two-line speakerphones and voicemail. Always thinking of the busy traveler, you can access your voice-mail for up to seven days after you check out of the hotel! So there will be no missed messages or confused associates trying to find you. This hotel caters to the corporate market with over 7,000 square feet of flexible convention space available. The latest technology in audio-visual equipm ent is available. When Bernadette Beecroft, Sales Manager of the Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites Bronte said, "For the convenience of the customer, nothing has been spared," she was also referring to comfort. Each conference room is self-contained and they are all individually clim ate-controlled. Video tele conferencing is available so you can simultaneously meet with someone on the other side of town or the other side of the globe. The high ceilings and huge windows leave them all open and airy, while the beautiful dark wood wainscoting adds a fabulous decorative touch. The variety of meeting rooms offer a diverse range of use. From brainstorming ses sions to company m eetings to wedding receptions, they can accommodate everyone. (And with the amount of room available, probably at the same time!) Beecroft is very pleased about the terrific response from the local corporate community. "We've received hundreds of calls from the area businesses for meeting space. December has been quite busy and there are already some dates in January where all eight conference rooms are booked!" For overnight guests, the options are endless. For time away from work the Romance Suites are gorgeous with their solid stone tiled Jacuzzi's and fuzzy white terry robes. (But the data-ports and two-line speaker phone is still there, just in case!) The Corporate Jacuzzi Suites are ingenious with the full size Jacuzzi in the bathroom, so the room can still be used for a meeting of the minds without the lure of a swirling, foaming hot tub. A double Penthouse Suite on the exclusive seventh floor offers a perfect meeting place for contract negotiations. Walking in the first door, the common front foyer is perfect for gatherings, while each room is selfcontained for private meetings with an adjoining bedroom. There is also a private walk-out terrace from each double T Penthouse suite offering a panoram ic view of Oakville. Found in all guestrooms is a beautiful gran ite countertop in the bathrooms, and ceramic tile throughout. A beautiful touch in addition to the framed mirrors, which are found not only in the bath room but in abundance all over the hotel. Something else you'll find in each room is the night-light in the m inibar, which is built into the beautiful wood armoire with the raised television. The raised televi sion is handy for playing all those Sony Playstation games while the turntable-style mount is convenient for turning the television towards the table and chairs and even the Jacuzzi tub. Another additional feature completely complimen tary is the 24-hour business centre. Key-card accessi ble to all guests, this centre is equipped with two Pentium III computers with Windows 2000, a colour laser printer, free use of the Internet, fax machine, VCR and television, and fully stocked workstations. With New Year's Eve in the not-too-distant future, what better time to try out a spectacular new hotel? Buy tickets for their Millennium New Year's Eve Gala. The ticket price includes a scintillating menu that boasts such dishes as Lasagna Bolognese, Filet Mignon with Peppercorn Sauce, Lemon Tarragon Breast of Chicken - to name a few. Live entertainment will be performed by the Lloyd Peach Duo upon reception, while Hinton's DJ will be taking requests as the night moves on. Tickets also include door prizes, party favours, reception cocktails and hors d 'oeuvres, dinner with open bar, champagne toast at midnight, and late night platters. Don't miss this opportunity to welcome the new century in style. Call the Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites on Bronte today for your tickets and reser vations, (905) V IP-1000. The lobby (pictured above) w elcom es you, hinting at the fabulous decor you will find as you explore this hotel. Directly above is the exquisitely designed indoor pool, with solid stone tiles and antique floor pieces adding to the ancient G recian decor, a w onderful warm haven to relax in after a long d ay's work. PHOTOS BY PETER McCUSKER Pictured right is the 24 hour business centre, equipped with two Pentium III computers, free use of the Internet, colour laser printer, fax machine, TV and VCR, and fully stocked work sta tions - all complimentary, perfect for the workaholic who just has one more thing to get done before they get to bed. Left is the Bronte Room, one of the many conference room s available. Above is the Executive Penthouse Suite with its own private walk-out terrace.