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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, January 27, 2012 · 2 Continued from page 1 Cabbie believes taxis should have cameras In the meantime, Akmal said he cannot work, which is a problem as he is the sole provider for his family. "When you're a taxi driver, if you are working, you're bringing home a living. If you are not, you're done," he said. "I just have to sit at home." Akmal said he worked hard to get to the point, two years ago, where he was able to bring his wife and daughters from Pakistan to join him. As they had family in Mississauga, it was the logical choice to settle down. However, Akmal said Oakville was chosen instead, due to its reputation for being a safe community. In an effort to deter this type of assault from happening again, Akmal has spoken to Town officials point, despite his eyes being filled with blood, Akmal said he was able to make it back to his cab and call for help. He spent Saturday at OakvilleTrafalgar Memorial Hospital (OTMH) before being released to go home with his wife and three young children. "My eldest daughter was so upset, so distraught," said Akmal. "She would not go to school and was afraid to be alone at home because she was worried they (the suspects) may come back." Due to the injuries he suffered, Akmal, who emigrated from Pakistan about seven years ago, said he is still not able to see properly and must wait two more weeks for plastic surgery, which is expected to correct the problem. ERIC RIEHL / OAKVILLE BEAVER RECOVERING: Local taxi cab driver Muhammad Akmal and his wife Shazia with a photo of Akmal's injuries sustained Saturday during an alleged beating by two men who refused to pay their cab fare of $19.49. asking them to make taxi cameras mandatory for cabs in Oakville. On Monday, council directed Town staff to look into the matter. "If this thing can happen to me it can happen to anybody. The way it is in Brampton, Mississauga and Toronto every cab must have cameras. That is for the safety of the driver and the customer," said Akmal. "I know that sometimes if something is going to happen it is going to happen, but at least their picture will be on the camera." Oakville resident Andrew Lee, 21, faces charges of assault causing bodily harm, uttering death threats and transportation fraud. He will appear in a Milton court on Feb. 21. Halton police are continuing to search for a second suspect. Town will take ownership of property in early April Continued from page 1 both the current market value and future liquidity of the site. "This council is committed to the long-term financial sustainability of the town so we wanted to be confident that the Town's offer to purchase reflected fair market value for the site, and to be equally confident that if the site was declared surplus in the future, it would still maintain its value," Burton said. The Town had expressed interest in acquiring this site since the 1990s, but Canada Post only made it available for sale this past year. Under the sale terms, the Town will take ownership of the property on April 2. HERITAGE Lifestyle Home Furnishings SINCE 1977 W F In ee ina Sa cre ken l vi dib d ng l s. e Custom Inground Swimming Pools One Company. One Responsibility. 416-410-2066 · 905-319-7502 Serving the Halton-Peel Region Unbeatable Savings on Quality Top grain Leather, all instock for immediate delivery. 4205 Fairview Street, Burlington · 905-634-5298 www.heritagefurniture.ca