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U W v c i food& dnig Upper Middle/8th Une A Mctroland Publication Vol. 37 No. 117 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1,1999 Traffic w o e s w ill g et w o rse Congestion m ay choke economy By Kim Amott SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Think Oakville's traffic congestion is bad today? Well, prepare to yield while 650 new cars merge onto the highways in October alone. Another 650 are expected to join you in November, and in every other month from now until the year 2016. In fact, the transpo rta tion crisis in south­ ern Ontario is so bad that we're going to have to start spending twice as much money as we do today, just to keep the roads at their cur­ rent levels of congestion. The situation truly is a cri­ sis, and one that, if not addressed over the next few years, will have a dramatic impact on the economic prosperity of the GTA, according to staff with the Region of Halton. The depressing statistics were outlined at a breakfast meeting hosted by the Oakville and Burlington Chambers of Commerce, Thursday morning. Halton's population is expected to grow by about 200,000 people between now and 2016. All those new res­ idents will mean that the number of cars on the regional road system will increase from about 201,000 to 324,000. Despite that, there is little in the way of plan­ ning, funding or political will aimed at dealing with the increasing traffic congestion, said David McCleary, senior policy advisor with the Halton region. "This is positioned to be the major urban problem at the turn of the century," he said. "If we don't act, we're going to have a congestion crisis that gets out of con­ trol." While traffic backlog has a substantial impact on the quality of life for commuters, who find their work days (See Chambers' page 3) Traffic Fact In 1985, the QEW was congested for three of the 12 business hours each day. In 1998, the highway was congested for 10 of the 12 hours. today's paper Fire Preuention_23-34 Entertainment__35-42 _________ 38 Sports__________43-46 Business....... ......... 47 / M ,.........u ia s s m e a .. Real Estate.. -50-54 ---- 55 C an ad ian P u b lica tio n s M ail P rod u ct A greem ent #435-201 Partial DelkeryFbod Basks, Soper Pet Consumers Appliance, Sean, Michaels of Canada. Future Shop. Oil of Olay sample. Bronte Creek Pharmacy, Photo by Peter C. McCusker Lions Foundation dog guide Breaker (held by local artist Alan Kingsland) could not help show his appreciation to Oakville Mayor Ann Mulvale for volunteering as the auctioneer for the upcoming auction for the foundation. Watching this show of affection is Marianne Kanold and her dog guide Libby. Auction w ill be a howling good time The Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides is hosting a gala fundrais­ ing event on Oct. 14th at Le Dome Banquet hall. The event begins at 7 p.m. and fea­ tures an art auction with proceeds sup­ porting Dog Guide programs for phys­ ically-challenged Canadians. Fifty limited edition reproductions, donated by Dr. Michael Ostro of Toronto, can be viewed during a cock­ tail reception. The reproductions, appraised at values between $250 to (See 'Lions' page 11) Artist causes maxi mess at town hall By Howard Mozel OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF While a Toronto artist cries censorship over the removal of her work from Town Hall, local officials have not wavered in their defense of the decision. The piece in question, entitled "Ultra- Maxi" Priest by Toronto artist Tamara Zeta Sanowar-Makhan, is a life sized reli­ gious vestment of Catholic design made of more than 200 quilted maxi pads. It is part of "Visual Raaga," an exhibition of South Asian visual arts. It was removed from the show by the Town, even as the exhibit was being installed, after complaints were received from municipal staff. In response, Sanowar-Makhan - who called the Town's behaviour blatant censorship - pulled the rest of her works from the exhibition and vows to be on hand at tonight's official opening wearing the robe. Mayor Ann Mulvale said the Town's action does not indicate that Oakville is against "the whole range of art," as evi­ denced by exhibitions hosted by the Town-owned Gairloch Gallery. "The difference between Gairloch and Town Hall is clear. One location is totally dedicated to art, the other's main focus is providing service to people with a periph­ eral function of providing the opportunity for people to review art," said Mulvale. According to Oakville Arts Council (OAC) executive director Gillian McIntyre, a properly organized art exhi­ bition is all about context and curatorial thesis - especially those of a controversial nature. Ordinarily, visitors to a gallery have made a conscious decision to go there, they are aware they may be chal­ lenged and that help to understand the show is readily available. "Sanowar-Makhan doesn't know this community and is making a big political (See 'Artists' page 17) H E R E W E GRO W A G A IN ! W e a r e p l e a s e d t o a n n o u n c e t h a t o n J u l y 1 , 1 9 9 9 w e a m a l g a m a t e d w i t h T o m e n s o n D i c k e r s o n I n s u r a n c e B r o k e r s o f T o r o n to . Vince Tomenson Dickerson has its roots in Syd A. Vince Insurance, Est. 1953 • Home • Auf o • Life • B u s i n e s s • Vince Tomenson Dickerson I N S U R A N C E B R O K E R S L I M I T E D 60 Rebecca Street, Oakville T h e D O M IN IO N O F C A N A D A G e n e r a l I n s u r a n c e C o m p a n y Tel: (905) 845-9793 Fax : (905) 845-9149 hmhmk Traffic woes will get worse Artist causes maxi mess at town hall