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4- The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday March 5, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Do you know someone worthy of a pat on the back? By Krissie Rutherford OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Know someone in town who's got spirit? It's time to recognize them. The Town of Oakville launched its seventh annual Community Spirit Awards at Oakville Museum on Monday, calling on local residents to "nominate a community champion." Nominations are due by April 25 for eight awards: the arts award, group volunteer award, heritage and history award, individual volunteer award, senior award, sport development award, youth award, and new this year, the international award. "We encourage all of you here in this room, and your friends and colleagues, to submit nominations by the end of April," said Bill Nesbitt, a member of the Community Spirit Awards steering committee. Past winners, local councillors, Mayor Rob Burton and sponsors were on hand to launch the awards that recognize and celebrate individuals, organizations, businesses and community groups that contribute to the quality of life and spirit of Oakville. "Many of you are the backbone of volunteerism in our community," Burton told about 30 people gathered at the launch. "I see you all the time, is what that means," he added, smiling. The mayor applauded the "strong ethic of volunteer work" in town, and encouraged those present to continue their work "to help make our town more and more livable" and move towards OAKVILLE BEAVER FILE PHOTOS PAST WINNERS: Julie Harmgardt and Allen Klarer with their Community Spirit awards. Oakville's goal of becoming "the most livable town in Canada." "We can't do that without you," Burton added, "and we appreciate the role you play." Allen Klarer, who won in the Seniors category in 2006, was among a handful of past winners at the launch. Klarer was recognized for more than 20 years of volunteer service in town. "It was a surprise to me when I found I was nominated, a pleasant surprise, of course," he said. "It was a great honour." Klarer said these awards "give people a lift" and encourage them to continue their selfless work. Last year's Youth award winner Julie Harmgardt, recognized for countless volunteer initiatives, seconded that. "Going up on the stage, I really felt everyone was recognizing your efforts," said the Grade 12 T.A. Blakelock student. "Of course I don't do any of this to be recognized, but it's nice when someone tells you what you're doing is worthwhile in the community." Harmgardt will be on the committee whose task is to select the winners for 2008, a job she says "will be really hard, because of course everyone deserves it." She was approached to take on the responsibility, and didn't hesitate to get involved. "I obviously wanted to give back that way," said Harmgardt. "I wanted to give someone the experience I had, and reward them for their work in the community." Nomination forms can be filled out at www.oakville.ca, or picked up at Town Hall, Glen Abbey, River Oaks and Iroquois Ridge Community Centres, and all Oakville Public Library locations. For more information, contact Louise Veres at 905-845-6601 ext. 3154 or email lveres@oakville.ca. Trio accused of conducting crime spree across GTA Halton Regional Police have charged three men in connection with a string of armed robberies that started in January and saw three local convenience stores hit up for cash. Oakville, Milton and Campbelleville gas stations and convenience stores fell victim to robberies in January, prompting the formation of a Halton Regional Police Task Force to address the series of crimes. The robberies involved multiple suspects armed with handguns operating different motor vehicles, and occurred locally at Oakville's Hasty Mart, George's Convenience Store, and two times at MinA-Mart. Police say other jurisdictions in the GTA had similar robberies. The Task Force worked in partnership with officers from York Regional Police's Hold Up Unit, the Toronto Police Hold Up Squad, and the Peel Regional Police Central Robbery Bureau. On Feb. 19, three men in their 20s were arrested by York Regional Police after a robbery at an Esso gas station in Vaughan, and a pursuit that followed the crime. As a result of a joint investigation, 31 criminal charges have been laid against three men for robberies that occurred in Halton Region. A total of more than 200 charges have been laid against the suspects for dozens of other armed robberies across the GTA. Charged is Bill McBean, 24, of Vaughan, with six counts of robbery with a firearm, six counts of wearing a disguise with intent, one count of uttering a death threat, one count of dangerous driving and one count of flight-cause pursuit. Also charged is Rowan Cooper, 25, of Brampton, with two counts of robbery with a firearm and two counts of wear a disguise with intent, along with 25-year-old Martin White of Brampton, who faces charges of six counts of robbery with a firearm, and six counts of wearing a disguise with intent. The accused remain in custody in York Region and are scheduled to appear in Ontario Court of Justice in Newmarket on Friday, March 7.