The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday A ugust 20, 2003 - A 5 Region and Town cut services to conserve energy By Howard Mozel O A K V IL L E B E A V E R S T A F F The Town of Oakville and Halton Region are still feeling the effects of last week's blackout and have reduced energy consumption in response to Premier Ernie Eves' appeal to conserve. "We are trying to maintain key servic es," said Halton Regional Chairman Joyce Savoline. "Regional child care centres, parks and recreation summer programs, social assistance offices and waste and recycling collection will be operational, and other services will be provided as well." Call Halton Region for more informa tion about specific programs or services at 905-825-6000 or visit www.region.halton.on.ca. Water and sewer services will not be affected by reductions implemented by the municipalities. Mayor Ann Mulvale, on behalf of Council, extended her appreciation to res idents and businesses of Oakville for their cooperation since the blackout. "Council and Town staff have addressed the effects of last Thursday's blackout by reducing our power consump tion and offering essential services to the community," said Mulvale. "Thank you Oakville residents for your support as we reduce Town services to help stabilize the energy supply in the province." Savoline also thanked residents for their continued patience and cooperation since Thursday's major power outage. "As usual, Halton residents can be counted on to do their part by conserving power and water. Your efforts have helped to stabilize the situation over the week end," said Savoline. "The start of the work week poses new challenges, and we are asking everyone to continue to make con servation a priority." All Town facilities will be open for business between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. All regular Town services and activities will be provided with the some excep tions. Until Friday, the following Town services will not be available: · Sports fields will be closed in the evenings; · All splashpads will be closed; · The Oakville Museum (Erchless) and the Oakville Galleries will be closed; · Community centres and all branches of the Oakville Public Library will close at 4:30 p.m.; · The Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts will be closed; however, the box office will remain open between noon to 5 p.m.; · All evening meetings at Town Hall have been cancelled with the exception of a public meeting on Thursday for the site plan application for an office building on North Service Road. The Town of Oakville will continue to post the most current information on www.oakville.ca. Residents can also call 905-845-6601 as service availability may change. Halton's critical services, including water and sewer service have remained fully operational during the power out ages, and water reservoirs remain at nor mal levels. There have been no problems with either the supply or quality of Halton's water. A ban on outdoor water use remains in effect in Halton Region until further notice. This provides an extra measure of security to ensure the Region can meet fire protection and essential household needs until the electrical system is stabilized. Residents are asked to refrain from water ing their lawns, washing their cars, or washing driveways and sidewalks. Due to the possibility of additional blackouts and high temperatures this week, Halton Region's Health Department offers the following reminder related to food safety and dealing with the heat: Food safety · Carefully assess all foods stored in unpowered refrigerators. Although unpowered refrigerators may maintain temperature for variable periods of time, conservative advice suggests that perish able foods such as milk products, prepared salads, soups, meat, meat products, eggs and egg products that have been stored in an unpowered refrigerator for more than four hours should be discarded. · Frozenfood still containing ice crys tals or that feels refrigerator-cold can be refrozen. Any thawed food that has risen to room temperature (21°C or 70°F) and has remained there for two hours or more should be discarded. Dealing with the heat · Those at increased health risk during hot weather include older adults (over 65), infants and young children, and those with chronic heart of lung disease, including athsma. Parents and others supervising children should be aware of the health risks during periods of extreme heat. People taking certain medications may also be at increased risk. Please consult your doctor or pharmacist for more infor mation about your medications. If you experience symptoms of heat-related ill ness such as rapid breathing, weakness or fainting, headache and/or confusion, seek medical attention right away. · Keeping cool with wet towels is rec ommended. Call or visit friends and neighbours who may be at increased risk. Drink lots of water and natural fruit juices, and avoid alcohol and all beverages con taining caffeine. Strenuous outdoor activi ty should also be avoided. Only call 911 if it is a true, immediate emergency. Do not call 911 to report power outages. Call the Power Outage Info Line at 1-800-268-1154. TA B R IC LAM ) P R E V I E W F a ll 2 0 0 3 Grand Opening! 3J« <M ferin @ MARKHAM: 8573 MeCowan @ 7 CHATHAM: 463 S». Clair St. o r fu s ^ A U f | * A V E " OFF on o u r E E N J iB E reg. p rice d in -s to re * FALL 2 0 0 3 ARRIVALS! N o n - M e m b e r s S a v e 2 0 % O f f o n F a ll 2 0 0 3 A r r iv a ls ! Our Entire In-Store Stock! Residents urged to conserve power Both the Town of Oakville and Halton Region continue to call for energy conservation to reduce the need for rotating power out ages. "I know O akville resi dents will respect the need for conservation," said Mayor Ann Mulvale. "By reducing our energy con sumption we can do our part to minimize the risk o f fur ther blackouts in our com munity. During the next few days, residents should con tinue their emergency food and water supply practices." Residents and businesses can help to reduce energy consum ption in the Town significantly. Oakville Hydro estim ates that a 100megawatt savings can be achieved by doing the fol lowing: C om m ercial Buildings · Turn air conditioners off, if practical. Set air condi tioning thermostats to 25.5 degrees Celsius where cool ing is essential. · Reduce lighting levels in offices by 50% (except in areas required for emergency response such as stairwells) by removing every second light bulb. Consider remov ing ceiling lights from work areas located one or two rows from office windows. · Reduce the numbers of elevators and escalators in service. · Eliminate the unneces sary use of cooling systems during off - hours. · Turn off outside security lights during the day. · Turn off all lights with the exception o f lights need ed for safety and security. C onserving Energy a t Home · Turn air conditioners off if practical, and especially when you leave home. If cooling is essential, set ther mostats at 25.5 degrees Celsius. · Open windows to draw in naturally cool air if possi ble. · Reduce lighting levels. Tum lights off when leaving the room. · Use microwave ovens for cooking, if possible. · Dry clothes by hanging them outside, where practi cal. · Use limited hot water. M e m b e r s h ip P a y s! If you have a new s tip or story idea, call the Oakville Beaver at 8 4 5 -3 8 2 4 . Not i Man tor? Not problem! Become i Member today! Purchase * new Membership for plenty of opportunities to SAVE! Ask for a brochure today! Join now and tave through Aug. 31,2004 New Member* $15.00 GST included. Beaewah (wth proof al previous m em bership), VOGUE PATTERNS Only 5.49 each Offer valid August 18-24. 2003 only. Not valid with any other discount offers. LAST CALL c o n t i n u e s . ,. LAST CHANCE TO SAVE UP TO Sealers (65plus) t Students (vw tfi vtftd 1 0) $1150 GST included. Defcrae 3 Tear Memberd ip (good tfiru August 2006) O U I GST Included. DON'T MISS OUR NEXT SEWING MACHINE DRAW! WE'RE G IVING AWAY I SEWING MACHINE PER WEEK PER STORE FOR 3 WEEKS! FIRST WEEK OF BA110TING STARTS A UG .2STH ! SEE STORE FOR FULL DETAILS OFT M M U C IA N D 'S ORIGINAL PRICES ON (ELECTED fPHINO ft SUMMER CLEARANCE Look tor the r*d s * tigs. Ml s ita fr ill Ftil dttafls in-ston. CHECK O UT OUR NEW & IM PROVED M EM BERS' BENEFITS! ` excluding promotional goods & ends, and items already reduced. Sale in effect August 11-30,2003. Look fo r the red sale tags. OPEN SUNDAYS 12-5 1 4 0 R e b e c c a S t. O A K V I L L E 8 4 4 -7 7 2 8 O a k v ille H y d ro U rg es B u sin e sse s an d C itiz e n s to C o n se rv e E le c tric ity Oakville Hydro is appealing to commercial and industrial customers to reduce energy consumption by 50% and recommends that all customers make an effort to use electricity during off- peak hours, from 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 am. For example, customers who must use a dishwasher or clothes washer should do so after 8:00 at night or before 8:00 in the morning. While 100% o f Oakville Hydro customers have electricity at this time - things are not yet "back to normal." It's important to remember there is still the possibility o f rotating blackouts throughout the province if we do not reduce our use o f electricity by the 50% target and power generation is not returned to service as planned. Power throughout the province is limited - we urge you to please use it wisely and during off-peak hours. We expect this appeal to reduce electricity consumption will continue throughout much o f this week. By continuing to conserve electricity you will help to ensure enough power is available for essential services such as hospitals and water treatment plants, and you will help reduce the need for rotational outages or blackouts. Again, rotational blackouts are possible over the next few days and could be expected to last approximately 2 hours at a time. Oakville Hydro thanks you and all its customers for the continued efforts to limit the use o f electricity. We will provide updates on the situation as new information becomes available. TIPS FOR CONSERVING ENERGY FOR: There's so much more to La-Z-Boy! from M i99"' COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS: - Turn air conditioners off if practical. If cooling is essential, set air conditioning thermostats to 26 degrees Celsius. - Reduce lighting levels in offices by at least 50% (except in areas required for emergency response such as stairwells or security reasons). - Reduce the numbers o f elevators and escalators that are in service. - Eliminate the unnecessary use o f cooling systems in off-hours. - Where practical, reduce the availability o f hot water in the building. - Where possible, open windows and doorways to draw in naturally cool air. YOUR HOME: - Tum air conditioners off if practical, and especially when you leave home. If cooling is essential, set your thermostat to 26 degrees Celsius. - Close all blinds and drapes on the sunny side o f your house or apartment. - Reduce the use o f pool pumps and heaters. - Open windows to draw in naturally cool air, if possible. - Reduce lighting levels. Turn lights off when leaving the room. - Use microwave ovens (if possible) for cooking. - Where practical, dry clothes by hanging them outside. - Minimize the use o f hot water. - Avoid using furnace fans. - Open refrigerators and freezers infrequently. Again, thank you for your support. If we all work together we all win. LA-Z-BOY F U R N IT U R E ® G A L L E R IE S B U R L IN G T O NP O W E RC E N T R E Q £ W i BRANT STREET* (905) 33! X00 Moa-fri 9 am-9 pm , S al. 9 am-A pm ,S un. 10am-5 pm -C o b b l e S l O N E m b e r S M asonry & F ireplace D esign S p ec ia lists All ty p es o f m ason ry w ork & restoration: · chimneys · stairs · walkways · patios · planters · tuck pointing QUALITY BRAND NAMES GAS & ELECTRIC FIREPLACES AVAILABLE N ou' fea tu rin g M A fcsnC Verm ont C asting* VERMONT B arbecue* D e s ig n & in s ta lla tio n o f g a s, e le c tric & c o n v e n tio n a l fire p la c e s : · stone & brick facings · built-in · wood su rro u n d s cabinetry · cast stone m an tels 406 Speers RcL, Oakville (across from Rona Lansing) q a fr Q Q 7 Q A 4 2 4 2 v is it t h e sp ec lu js ts to i -^ U D O SEE THE DIFFERENCE