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This initial forum - which starts at 9 am. in the combined Oakville and Trafalgar Rooms ~ will deal with a variety of issues ranging from an overviéw of the Preliminary Budget to sports and cultural grants. Interested parties, such as represen- tatives of local residents’ groups, will also address the committee. (Any member of the public wishing to register as a delegation to speak to the Budget Committee may do so by calling Pat McPherson of the Clerk’s Department at 845-6601, ext. 3136.) Although a great deal of preliminary work has been going on behind the scenes, the first, full public meeting of the 1994 Budget Committee takes place Saturday at Town Hall. By HOWARD MOZEL Oakville Beaver Stafl“ ngliminary town budget WOuld see 1.6% increase A Metroland Community Newspaper Vol. 32 No. Budget meetings will then take place all Reports from couriers and others who had no choice but to be on the road said conditions in Halton were worse nearer to the lake. While Burlington and Milton received a heavy dose, Oakville seemed bear the brunt of the first major blast of the season. OPEN FOR SAVINGS At around 1 pm. Thursday Halton Regional Police described driving conditions as “slippery and treacherous” and recommended staying at home and not hitting the streets unless people absolutely had to. ’ Sheridan College closed in the afternoon but both the Halton Board of the Education and the Halton Roman Catholic School Board were still open as usual. A special meeting at General Wolfe High School was cancelled. The communications centre of the Burlington OPP was flooded with calls. OPP closed Highway 40] near Milton. Spokesmen for the Town’s Public Works Department were attending to the demands of the storm and were not available for comment. creates havoc Oakville bears brunt of blizzard Swirling winds and heavy snow created havoc on local roads, causing accidents on the QEW from the Burlington Skyway right through to Mississauga as well as dangerous white-out conditions. After circling Oakville for the past several days, wiriter hit town with a vengeance Thursday. Winter storm According to Halton Regional Police, 3 1988 Nissan was broken into outside Road apartment building sometime between Dec. 23rd and Jan. 4th. Reported stolen was a Pioneer AM-FM cassette deck - and a wheelchair. The total value was $900. Those involved with hammering out this year’s budget predict it will be demanding. Ward 2 councillor Kathy Graham, chairman of the 1994 Budget Committee, has predict- ed the current budget process will be the A thief with little regard for others was not content with just stealing a car stereo last week. The next meeting takes place Monday from 6 pm. to 11 pm. and will deal with Oakville Transit, the Oakville Fire Department and other matters. through January and wrap up near the end of the month. The Committee’s recom- mended budget is scheduled to be presented to Town Council for approval on Feb. 24th. ot the month. The Committee’s recom- mended budget is scheduled to be presented to Town Council for approval on Feb. 24th. The next meeting takes place Monday from 6 pm. to 11 pm. and will deal with Oakville Transit, the Oakville Fire Department and other matters. Those involved with hammering out this year’s budget predict it will be demanding. Ward 2 councillor Kathy Graham, chairman of the 1994 Budget Committee, has predict- :d the current budget process will be the The Preliminary Budget represents a 1.6% mill rate increase. According to Director of Finance and Treasurer Michelle Seguin, this will be presented Saturday as a starting point. To reach that goal the Committee will be considering measures which could either reduce or possibly elim- inate certain Town services. Among the proposed cuts: â€"â€" delay the hiring of eight additional firefighters for Glen Abbey’s Fire Station 6 until 1995; Thieves make ofi‘ with wheelchair Watch Your Mail F or Details! FRIDAY: JANUARY 7, 1994 toughest of the current term of Council. a Speers 40 Pages Oakville’s overall assessment base for tax purposes grew by only about 1.5% in 1993. (This year’s total assessnient growth was 2.93%.) Add to this the Town’s obliga- tions under the Social Contract ($1 million This year there are several factors influ- encing the Town’s financial situation which are beyond the municipality’s control. They include the current overall economic cliâ€" mate, declining financial support from the province and the anticipation of slow future growth within the community. For the 1993 Budget, Council passed a 1.97% millrate increase, the lowest tax increase in almost a decade. â€"â€" reduce the hot mix paving program from $650,000 (1993) to $250,000. â€"eliminate Sunday transit service and reduce off-peak service to every hour for most bus routes; FRIDAY FILE SPORTS ........ Paper INSIDE (See 'Budget' page 2) Canadian Publications Mail Product Agreement #435-201 'J‘ETFUTOTCâ€"EN'ITRF Brakes" Front or Back SalePn'ce ’49.95+'10.000FF What's in a name? Bitter-tasting tie Blades blow lead 75 Cents (CST included) Page 1 4 nu "nonun- nu ouuum Page 4 Hospital name change meets opposition ...8-13 ,14-15