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Wednesdsay August 15,, 2001 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER A3 Halton Police hire 11 new officers Halton Regional Police became 11 members stronger last week with the swearing in of the force's newest constables. Two of the new officers - Jeff Thurston and Linda Williams - have been assigned to duties in Oakville. Chief Ean Algar and Police Services Board chair Jack Brewer presided over Friday's ceremony which saw nine men and two women sworn in at the Halton Region council chambers. Originally from Kingston, Jeff Thurston later attended Sheridan College in Oakville where he graduated with a diploma in Law and Security Administration. Interested in auto mechanics, he is an active member of the Stoney Creek Corvette Club where he participates in fundraising events. Thurston also does volunteer work with Hamilton-Wentworth Regional Police and assists with Girl Guides. Thurston also enjoys weight training and kick-boxing at his gym. Linda "Meg" Williams, an Ontario synchronized swimming champion in 1987, worked for the York Regional Police Service for 12 years befor&joining Halton. Williams enjoys camping, canoeing and rollerblading and has volunteered her time working ' for the Special Olympics. New constables patrolling Burlington are Derek DiFelice, Baldeep Singh Hans, Brad Murray and Edward Spence. Halton Hills' and Georgetown's new constables are Michael Leighton, Pritpal Nagra, John Pauls, Adam Smith and Stephanie Visser. C h ild r e n ' s w o r k s h o p a t E r c h le s s The Oakville Museum at Erchless, 8 Navy St., is holding a two-day Summer Workshop for Children 7 years-of-age and older. Paper Marbleizing will be the subject for the Aug. 16 and 17 workshop. Cost is $30 per child. Call 815-5966 for registration. Photo by Peter C. McCusker SPECIAL SUMMER SCHOOL: Teachers Sherry Kalil of Bishop MacDonnell in Cornwall and Fern Partridge of Burlington's Tom Thomson School look over a computer math program/assignment at St. Domenic's School in Oakville where teachers are learn ing new techniques to teach the math curriculum. There are 114 three and four day work shops being held at 40 locations throughout Ontario for 3,500 teachers. Halton critical of review By R ich ard V iv ia n SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Regional councillors are concerned a new Municipal Performance Measurement Program (MPMP) will be used to unfairly compare munici palities. Halton Region recently submitted the results of the first MPMP report to the Province, as mandated. The program uses 16 measures to compare service efficiency among municipalities. In addition to financial measures, the program report also includes notes explaining why the results are as shown. The results will be made public in September. Mayor Gord Krantz told the regional administra tion and finance committee last Wednesday that he's concerned the results will be used to create a "cook ie cutter" solution to municipal issues. That, he said, does not serve in the best interest of each munici pality. "We have to be, or should be accountable - which I certainly suggest we be on our performance. I just don't want to be played off against (other munici palities)," he told the committee. "We (elected offi cials) get a report card done on us every three years. If you don't perform, you're gone. That's a report card." Oakville Mayor Ann Mulvale, also President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, echoed Krantz's concerns, saying people need to concen trate on the accompanying notes in order to under stand financial differences. "The windows, the notes are absolutely critical. If, and I'm sure the media of Halton wouldn't do this, they merely take the results that are now being submitted and list them without any regard for those notes, it will be a total misrepresentation of the facts," she said. "If a group of taxpayers in any community. decide by majority decision that they want to hire a service, who are we to say that they shouldn't have that service? That's my concern." Director of Performance Measurement and Internal Audit Ed Archer told the committee that he understands their concerns, but stressed the program does present opportunities to share best practices resulting in potential savings for taxpayers. "Because the information is better, more accurate (than interim comparisons done on a regular basis) we've got a better chance of applying change with in our own organization. Therefore there should be savings that are built into every iteration of the bud get," he said, putting additional emphasis on the accompanying notes. Regional Chair Joyce Savoline said she sees the benefits of the program, but fears it may lead politi cians to make decisions that do not represent the best interest of their constituents. "I'm fully supportive of this exercise because I think that there are huge opportunities to create effi ciencies in the delivery of service. But my fear is that the bottom line is going to rule and that is not necessarily a good move," she explained. "Just because something is cheaper does not mean it's best. I have lived and re-lived that many times in my 20 years on council." ta m m We Know How To SAVE You Money! CAA Members take advantage o f group rates and save on insurance for Car, H om e, Cottage, Boat and RV. Get a quote from us today and y o u 'll be glad you did! CAA has saved money on common insurance needs M W rW Ifway Why not take advantage ,0 f m a n V a r 8 a r e S id e iltS ' "" of the savings? Call for a oo obligation Quote 1-866-593-7250 U nderw ritten by: Lombard Canada* n s u r a n c e Brokers Inc. Visit Us At www.caascoinsurance.com C ri me W atch C rim e W atch is presented in co-operation with Halton R egional Police S ervices and is aim ed at promoting aw a re n es s of crim inal activity in our com m unity and a better understanding of the security issues facing O akville residents. T h e following is a list of O ak ville-are a break-ins and auto thefts reported to Halton Police. S o m e occurrences m a y not ap p ea r because of delays in the reporting of the incidents. E N N IS C L A R E IN T E R IO R S From July 30-Aug. 5, 2001 Residential break-ins Kings College Dr. Ninth Line Lakeshore Rd. W. garage door rear door bicycle alcohol A C C E S S O R I E S 2 O % L A M P S , 4 0% O F F E T C M I R R O R S , C A R P E T S , C H E S T S , Stolen vehicles July 30th July 31st Aug. 3rd Aug. 4th Deer Run Ave. White Oaks Blvd. Speers Road Speers Road 1992 Dodge Caravan 1995 Chrysler 1996 Dodge Caravan 1994 Plymouth Sundance Tip of the week: D o n 't let crim inals w indow shop in your vehicle. D o not leave belongings in your vehicle that are easily seen from the outside. It only takes seconds for them to strike. If a crim inal observes som ething they like, they will break a w indow to get it. If you have information regarding the above crimes, please contact #2 District Criminal Investigations at 825-4777, ext. 2216 or Crime Stoppers at 825-TIPS (825-8477) or 1-800-222-TIPS. Callers will never have to identify themselves. Help conserve water Halton Region would like to advise its residents that while the weather is hot and dry to conserve water by fol lowing these tips: · Water lawn once a week (less in wet weather). · Water lawn early in the morning between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. · Only use 1" (2.5 cm) of water per week (use a tuna can to monitor). · Sweep driveway instead of washing it. · Shut off water while soaping up cars and turn on again to rinse. Be water wise and help conserve this precious resource! For more information or to receive your free Household Guide to Water Efficiency, call 905-825-6000 ext. 7787 or toll-free 1-866-4HALTON (1-866-442-5866) or visit www.region.halton.on.ca. W * \J f l : I Is s iL . §g£M _ -f. GO offering early bird EX tickets GO Transit is offering CNE early bird tickets at a discount, with savings of $ 10 on an All Day Magic Pass. Lakeshore GO Train stations between Hamilton and Oshawa, including Union Station, are selling these special advance tickets to the Ex. All advance CNE admission tickets cost $6. The All Day Magic Pass, which includes grounds admission and unlimited midway rides, costs $22 until the CNE opens on Fri. Aug. 17. Once the Ex opens, general admission tickets will cost $9. Admission for children six and under and adults 55 and over will still cost $6. All Day Magic Passes for all ages will cost $32. For GO information, the public can call 416-869-3200 SALE ENDS AUGUST 25/2001 All items may not be exactly as shown. · See store for complete selection. ENNISCLARE INTERIORS 1075 North Service Rd. West, Oakville. Tel: (905) 825-2450 STO RE HOURS: M o n ., Tues., W e d . & S a t. 1 0 :0 0 a m to 5 :3 0 pm T h u rs . & Fri. 1 0 :0 0 a m to 9 :0 0 p m . C lo s e d S u n d a y s until S e p te m b e r 7 e y fific a /e ± T h e p e rfe c t gift th a t's a lw a y s w e lc o m e . Payment plans available In-hom e decorator service available w w w .e n n is c la re in te rio rs .c o m