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4- The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday November 19, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Town eyes service cuts to trim tax increase Continued from page 1 referred to as `walk-to pools.' What other form of leisure offers young children and teens the opportunity to walk to a safe environment that offers them a healthy lifestyle choice? We always hear people complaining that our children are not active today and that they are just hanging around and getting into trouble. What better place for them to hang out than in the healthy environment of our outdoor pools." De Moss went on to point out that closing the outdoor pools simply makes no sense because money would need to be spent to decommission the pools, thereby eroding whatever budget savings the closings were meant to bring. She also noted that a number of other options existed that could help the town recoup the costs of keeping the pools open. These included charging higher fees to use the pools, changing their Christmas is Coming! g So are your guests! A new shower enclosure is sure to impress. 20% off until the 28th Have your's installed before it's too late! We cannot guarantee pre-Christmas installation for orders placed after November 28. Discount applies to materials only. r 28 materia 550 Bronte Rd., Oakville 905.827.2951 hours of operation so that more people can attend, and marketing them better so residents know the types of swim programs that are available. While the fate of outdoor pools was a pressing issue, it was not the only one that was brought forward with the former chair of the Oakville Waterfront Festival Bill Smith also taking the podium. Smith expressed a number of problems he had with a budget reduction item that would see the Town save $47,500 by either eliminating shuttle service to the Oakville Waterfront Festival, charging commuters to use it or having the festival pay for the service itself. "We believe all three options will have a substantial negative impact on not only the festival, but the residents of the community and the town as a whole," said Smith. "The waterfront festival is recognized by many as Oakville's premier event. It has a $5 million impact on the local economy annually and it is an event that both young and old eagerly look forward to and count as one of the benefits of livable Oakville." Smith also noted the festival is a source of fundraising for many community groups with more than $1.8 million put back into the community, so far. He said that because the festival is a not-for-profit event, it does not have the money to pay for the transit service itself. "This decision would literally put us out of business," said Smith. Having commuters pay $2 to use the shuttle bus service was also seen by Smith as an unacceptable option. "A family of four would pay $52 at the discounted advance price for admission into our festival. To include return shuttle bus fare would add an additional $16 to their expenses each day, bringing the total price of getting into the festival to $68 and more if they come for more than one day, as many of our patrons do," said Smith. "That is a cost many families would find prohibi- TOY DRIVE With the holiday season fast approaching many of us will be thinking of the children in our community which are less fortunate than our own. In keeping with the Spirit of giving you are invited to participate with the Canadian Pet Connection in their... tive." Another budget reduction item that caught the public's attention was an option that would see the Town eliminate the current tourism program and tourism support, including an information kiosk. These actions would save the town an estimated $74,000 per year, but they were definitely not a hit with Karen Hewson of the Oakville Tourism Partnership. "I would like to be standing here today promoting an increase in the tourism budget from the town, rather than asking you to not consider eliminating the tourism program as it exists today," said Hewson. "As it is, it is quite unfathomable that there is not a dedicated staff person at the town to assist visitors to this community with their needs. We have to ask what kind of community does not welcome visitors?" Other budget reduction options brought forward by staff include eliminating the Sports Development Grant, which was established to provide assistance to minor sports groups in the areas of coaching, program development and program enhancement. The town estimates eliminating this grant will save $25,000 per year. Options have also been fielded that would see cutbacks to Oakville libraries. One option, designed to save $55,000 per year, would reduce the amount of new collections added to the libraries by seven per cent. Another option would see the library's hours of operation reduced. This option would save the town $20,000 per year and would see Oakville libraries operate from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. from June 15-30 and Sept. 15 to 30. The library's current hours are 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Other library cost saving options include reducing hours for customer account support, reducing Clearview branch service hours, reducing White Oaks branch hours and reducing the Central Branch Children's, Teen's and Adult's services. Another cost saving option, which would save $275,000, called for the delaying of the hiring of 12 new firefighters until 2010 while another, which would save $32,000, would see Town Hall closed to after hours meetings Wednesday-Friday and on weekends. The Arts Council's annual operating grant of $75,500 is also being considered for the chopping block with the option stating it would be phased out by 2010. The $98,000 provided for cultural grants could receive similar treatment if another budget reduction option is approved. Transit could also face some cuts with the elimination of all service on statutory holidays being considered for a cost savings of $88,000 per year. The 2009 budget committee will hear further delegations today (Wednesday) at 7 p.m. in the Council Chamber. For more information, visit www.oakville.ca. 9th ANNUAL TOY DRIVE Bring in a NEW UNWRAPPED toy & you will receive a Gift for your Cat or Dog Compliments of the Canadian Pet Connection Toy Drive in effect until December 15th. For more information call. Create Something New with Old World Charm Sponsored By THE OAKVILLE BEAVER 1500 Upper Middle Road at Third Line 905-847-3299 361 Cornwall Road at Allan Street (Near Whole Foods Market) "MASONRY & FIREPLACE DESIGN SPECIALISTS" w w w. c o b b l e s t o n e m b e r s . c a 905-815-0320 406 SPEERS RD., OAKVILLE ACROSS FROM RONA LANSING 905-337-2066