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NO MORE SOCCER SIGN-UP LINE-UPS! Spo rts WWW D ays to go! PASSIONATE ORGANIC FO O D Focus AM etroland Publication V ol. 37 N o. 149____________________ WEDNESDAY, DFXEMBER 15,1999 52 Pages 75 Cents (plus GST) Hwy. 5 could expand to 6 lanes Crush on area roads will only be temporarily eased by opening new hwy. 407 says report that also sees Bronte Road adding two lanes Stories by Irene Gentle SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER pening up Hwy. 407 in Halton will likely reduce traf fic congestion, but the relief isn't expected to last long. That's the message the Region's policy analyst Dave McCleary deliv ered to councillors during a recent pre sentation on the future of regional roads 5 and 25. A report detailing strategies to deal with the two corridors was approved by regional council. Both roads became the responsibili ty of the Region after being down loaded from the Province last year. Algar: worse before getting better "The good news is a reduction," said McCleary. "The bad news is it will be short-lived." Police chief says traffic And even with Hwy. 407 up and running, Regional Road 5 (Dundas chaos won't be Street) will likely require an initial widening by 2006, expanding further to reversed overnight six lanes by 2016. Efforts are being made to unplug "It's rapidly transforming from a massive traffic congestion in Halton, Photo by Peter J. Thompson rural side road to an urban arterial," but results won't be seen overnight, said McCleary. JO Y F U L S O U N D S : The joyful sounds of the season have been reverberating through Oakville Place, thanks to Halton Regional Police Services Chief And Regional Road 25 is expected the Salavation Army band. Making the music here are: 0 to r) Matthew Banks, Billie-Marie Crossman, Rebecca Burditt Ean Algar said. to be widened to four lanes between and Jessica Rowsell. "This is a very serious issue facing 2006 and 2016. Halton," he said. "My point here really Both roads are vital to the Region, is that it's a work in progress." said McCleary. Chief Algar raised the issue at the o Regional Road 5 currently carries f t more than 30,000 vehicles a day while tail end of the last Police Services Regional Road 25 connects to all cur Board meeting. The meeting was held during an rent and future highways in Halton. Regional staff are recommending accident-plagued month, including one that road widenings be held off until memorable day when traffic on both Hwy. 407 has been in place for two Highway 401 and the QEW was para "It is very gratifying to see how By Howard M ozel "I b e l i e v e t h a t lyzed due to accidents. years. we've moved on these investments in OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF our community," said Mayor Ann th is is a s m a l l (See `People' page A2) (See `Problem' page A8) Mulvale. While development charges While many residents and Town are used to build libraries and recreation councillors alike would have preferred a i n v e s t m e n t centres, Mulvale said other money must 0% budget increase, the 3.6% hike for f o r t h e f u t u r e be spent on books and equipment. 2000 approved Monday night still met The mayor used Monday's Council with nearly uniform agreement. o f O a k v ille ." meeting to state her case on the need for Five of the last six Town budgets -Budget Chair, the federal government to reinstate more were 0%. Last year, the increase was Keith Bird of the transfer payments to the provinces 2.6%. it has slashed in recent years. Ward 1 councillor Ralph Robinson "Restoration of some of these dollars characterized the extra $34 per average weigh the increase required to keep this is critical to the community's wellness," household assessed at $250,000 as an municipality operating at its peak." she said. "easy sell." Approximately $857,600 worth of The 2000 base budget reflects the TTiis good will shouldn't come as a increased service levels - suggested and same service levels of 1999 adjusted for shock, said Ward 3 councillor and 2000 backed by the public - include increased growth, inflationary pressures and pro Budget Committee chair Keith Bird, winter maintenance measures; the visions for salary and benefit adjust since the majority of public input to date expansion of Oakville Transit service to ments - not to mention a further has been supportive of the Town's focus new development west of Third Line; $305,000 reduction in provincial grants. on improved direct services - all of Lakeside Park improvements and grant Bird said he is pleased that this was which, of course, come with a price tag. money to worthy local organizations. accomplished without need for a tax "I believe that this is a small invest Money is also included for conducting increase. ment for the future of Oakville," said the Third Line/QEW interchange envi The 2000 Budget, however, contin Bird. "The recommended budget responds to the town's newest commu ronmental assessment. ues to implement approximately $1.1 The impact of these service level nities, while recognizing the importance million worth of the "strategic direc adjustments amount to an approximate of maintaining existing services. The tions" approved in recent years by 1.5% annual increase. benefits of improving service levels outCouncil, such as the Master Fire Plan, which is in its fifth year of implementa tion and financial phase-in. The Plan's impact on the 2000 Budget will be $164,100, the cost of making the Halton Regional Police are contin Oakville Fire Department's training uing to help keep roads safe with its facility operational. stepped-up RIDE (Reduce Impaired Other strategic directions affecting Driving Everywhere) program. the budget include the Information On Thursday, officers from the Technology Strategic Plan, dredging Public Safety Unit (Traffic) conducted Focus........ ...............................B1 and seawall replacement, Town Hall's a RIDE spot check in Oakville. A total Update--------------------------------------B3 expansion and more. of 800 vehicles were stopped, resulting Entertainment........................... B5 These initiatives account for approx in a pair of 12-hour suspensions and 12 imately 2.1% of the Town's total 3.6% charges laid under the Highway Traffic increase for next year._ Act. Homes & Gardens.__________ C8 About 50% of the total cost of the In Oakville, the unit will also be in Sports.............._________ D1 strategic directions is a result of a operation on Dec. 17th and Dec. 30th. Business.___________________ D4 $574,000 operating budget contribution All districts will be covered New to support the Town's capital program to Year's Eve. reduce the municipality's reliance on This RIDE initiative operates in debt. addition to year-round RIDE checks For H om e Delivery: Notional Sports, Business Depot, The Town's slice of the total residen Photo by Peter J. Thompson conducted by district officers. This hol Party City, The Sports Authority, Devi Home Centre, tial property tax bill is 27.7%. The iday program is funded by the R E A D Y TO R O LL: About 3,000 children went to work...errr..play TheBay Halton Region and education compo province. Saturday at the Oakville Ford Truck Plant's Christmas party. Ashlyn Partial delivery: W hite Rose, CIUS Guardian, nents are 42.2% and 30.1% respectively. Police are making it clear this year Collins was one of many who tried the roller coaster. The employees The total change in residential property Blacks, Blinds To Go, The Brick, Cheerios, that those motorists who have been taxes will be determined only after the collected two skids o f food for the Fareshare Foodbank and $8,200 in Little Caesars drinking and are stopped by officers Region completes its budget and donations for the Christmas Miracle, a charity that provides toys to Canadian Publications Mail will be dealt with in the appropriate Queen's Park establishes the top rate for Product Agreement #435-201 needy children. manner. education. O ( Tow n approves 3 .6 % budget hike for 2 0 0 0 In c re a s es e e na s `e a syse ll' byc o u n c illo rs RIDE charges 12 IN S ID E today's paper Free Anytime -' Children Are Invited To Watch Their F avorite Cartoons And Play O ur 3 Erin 3 0 5 0 Vega (Dundas/Hwy 403) C h a ra c te r M erchandise' RETIREMENT PLANNING SPECIALISTS F re e C A (905) 828-5511 i o n s u l t a t io n 8 4 2 -2 1 0 0 'fife j fl , m i £ ~ > ' ttffftAnd .I-'.