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

www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, February 26, 2015 | 16 Public will be consulted before ban approved continued from p.1 "Given the fact the Region has introduced its ban... I thought maybe there are other factors at play here that would suffice to restrict it, versus prohibiting. I didn't see an urgency. Otherwise, I may have pushed it stronger," she said. Tim Danter, a Ward 3 candidate in last fall's municipal election, appeared before council on behalf of the Chartwell-Maple Grove Residents Association. "Signs play a vital role in reminding the public that there is an election, and also, to a certain extent, remind voters in advance of the name of a candidate when there are numerous options to choose from on the ballot form," Danter said. "It is disconcerting there has been not been any public consultation on this motion prior to it coming forward." Representatives of the Trafalgar-Chartwell and Joshua Creek residents' associations also voiced concerns. Duddeck submitted a notice of motion on the item in December, and councillors Dave Gittings and Pam Damoff encouraged Oakville residents through their newsletters to submit comments to the Town. Spokesperson Lesley Patel said approximately 70 email submissions were received by Oakville residents to the mayor and members of council regarding the proposed ban. Several council members polled early delegates appearing Monday on ideas for restricting the placement of signs, and asked if enforcing a ban would disadvantage non-incumbent candidates. Mayor Rob Burton urged colleagues to ask "genuine questions" rather than engage in "debate through questions" because of counsimilar rule be implemented locally. "Councillor Elgar and I, our ward is onethird of the town, twice the size of some of the other wards," he said. Che Marville, the New Democratic Party's (NDP) candidate for Oakville in the last provincial election, equated a sign ban beyond private property as a threat to democracy. "Signs have value beyond the brand and awareness of the candidate," Marville said. "It is an instrument of democracy, and each of you, even though you spend your day looking at numbers trying to figure how to balance the budget... at the end of the day you are a champion, an advocate, for democracy." Neighbouring municipalities Burlington and Mississauga, where voter turnout was higher than Oakville in the fall municipal election, both ban election signs on public property. Council reviewed this same issue in November 2010 when it looked at making changes to Oakville's sign bylaw. Duddeck said while there was no rush, staff would come back to council with a formalized consultation process to engage the public and key stakeholders. "We still have time to be able to revisit; get more information back from people," Duddeck said. "Our staff have done their work so it's more geared towards the public, the electorate, having an opportunity to weigh in." Election signs on the side of roads proved a pet peeve for many during last fall's municipal election. | Oakville Beaver file photo Celebrating 15 years of smiles in Oakville! FREE WHITENING *conditions apply All new patients at Kler Dental Centre receive a free in office LED LIGHT teeth whitening session cil's lengthy agenda that night. Ward 4 Councillor Roger Lapworth questioned John-Frederick Cameron, president of the Oakville Federal Liberal Association, about his submission that outlined how two British Columbia municipalities allow election signs at select locations only. "One sign, per candidate, per location," Cameron said. Lapworth noted the significant exposure that would still take place in Ward 4 should a FAMILY, COSMETIC & IMPLANT DENTISTRY New Patients & Emergencies Welcome 330 Dundas St. E. Oakville · 905-257-3182 info@klerdental.ca · www.klerdental.ca Open Evenings & Saturdays Tackle, Flag and Summer Camps Tackle: Ages 10-19 Flag: Ages 5-14 Oakville Minor Football For your memories. For always. Mature gardens. Stately mausoleum. Tranquil cremation paths. Choose your special way to preserve precious memories in the timeless beauty of Glen Oaks Funeral Home & Cemetery. At a time of need or when planning ahead, call: 905-257-1100 Look for us on Facebook glenoaks.ca Glen Oaks Funeral Home & Cemetery by Arbor Memorial info@oakvilletitansfootball.ca Family Owned. Proudly Canadian. 3164 Ninth Line (403 & Dundas St.), Miss./Oakville, ON Arbor Memorial Inc. Register Now: www.oakvilletitansfootball.ca