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The federal deficit is $37â€"billion; the provincial deficit, $10.2â€"billion and the Halton Roman Catholic School Board deficit, $0. "Education is not a problem; it‘s a solution," said Gerry O‘Halloran, who is seeking his third term as a trustee representing Ward 5 at the Halton Roman Catholic School Board. With these figures O‘Halloran quotes, he is hoping people underâ€" stand not just that the board is survivâ€" ing despite decreasing support from the provincial government, but that maintaining quality programs is important if Oakville is to retain its highly educated and skilled workâ€" force, and its spot among the top comâ€" munities in this country. "We‘re still delivering the proâ€" grams yet we‘re faced with the federal government offâ€"loading its debt to the province and the province giving less and less support to education," said O‘Halloran. O‘Halloran is also working with other trustees whose communities include older schools unable to offer programs in an effective way, and wants renovations to St. Michael‘s School completed "before I even conâ€" sider walking away." Reâ€"building St. Michael‘s School a priority for Ward 5 Separate School incumbent Programming has been a major concern to O‘Halloran for quite some time, but the issue is sharing the platâ€" form during this election with his transportation and building concerns. O‘Halloran is concerned about JK, SK and even Grade 1 students walkâ€" ing 1.6 km to school and feels the disâ€" tance policy must be altered. "For little kids it‘s a fairly substanâ€" tial distance," he said. "Lay that into the context of strained finances and I have to find the money (for busing) somewhere." To maintain services to students in a cost effective manner, O‘Halloran is supportive of sharing services with the Halton Public School Board in many By KATHY YANCHUS Oakville Beaver Staff _ "I am totally committed to reâ€" building St. Michael‘s School in the next two years," said the 55â€"yearâ€"old father of one. "Our system is predicated on Catholicisim; it‘s the only reason for it o exist," said O‘ Halloran. O‘Halloran has been a member of he budget and public relations comâ€" nittees of the separate school board. ie has also had extensive involveâ€" hent with St. Michael‘s Parish, from eing involved in the building of the thurch to serving as president of its arish council. _ O‘Halloran feels over the past six ears he has served his constituents ell. "I‘ve talked to a lot of people, lked to a lot of groups," said ‘Halloran. "I think these people now where I‘m coming from." as with the exception of programâ€" EATONS â€"© TOYOTA Pairs, Ladies Men‘s Technical Prsâ€"srams, Ladies Artistic Program YoOU‘RE ONnty MNUTES Away FrRom THE HoTTEST COMPETTTION ON ICE See Canada‘s best. .. Kurt Browning, Brian Orser, Isabelle Brasseur Lloyd Eisler, Josée Chouinard, Elizabeth Manley and Christine Hough Doug Ladret go skate to skate with the world‘s best professionals. .. Scott Hamilton, Ekaterina Gordeeva Sergei Grinkov, Yuka Sato, Robin Cousins, Elaine Zayak, Mark Mitchell, Denise Biellmann, Elena Valova Oleg Vassiliev and Rosalynn Sumners. CoPPs COLISEUM, HAMILTON â€" ALL Evenir TickETs: Lower Bown â€" $79.50 Upper Bow1 â€" $49.50 â€" SINGLE Day TickETs: LowERr BowL â€" $43.50 UppERr BowL â€" $26.50 CALL Topay For TickETsâ€" In Hamiron (905) 645â€"5000 or TickETMasTER (416) 872â€"5000 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 7:00PM OvErR $440,000 In Prizz MoneEy! Poge PREMUM ~Lite F1 GREATE the Festive Region Mens Pairs Artistic Programs, Exhibitions Medal Presentations SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 7:00PM Sheraton Hamilton . . The Hamilton Spectator