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8- The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday February 7, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Reader appalled by save-the-tree expenditure Editor's note: This letter was sent to the mayor and a copy was filed with The Oakville Beaver for publication. I am not one to write council to express my feelings over decisions made during council meetings but I can no longer hold in my frustrations. The incident that has motivated this letter is the "Tree" issue. Your decision to spend public money on saving this tree and the resultant re-routing plans for the Bronte Road upgrade is appalling. I took the opportunity to watch council proceedings on television and was witness to a number of minority groups make their appeal to "save the tree". I also heard a few delegations in opposition to the motion. I cannot comprehend how council, in its infinite wisdom, could make a decision contrary to public opinion. Yes, there were more delegations speaking on behalf of the motion, but these delegations were representative of a few minority self-serving organizations. A few delegations in no way represent the community at large. It is obvious that most residents of Oakville, by the amount of contributions made to the Save the Tree Fund, are opposed to the motion. What ever happened to "For the people, by the people"? In this era of high tech communications I think that council should incorporate referendums on highly-controversial issues such as this. A council website could be used to interact with the constituents and thereby get a true feeling on public opinion. This type of system could also be used by ward councillors to probe their wards in addition to using the newspaper media. I had to advise my local councillor that not all people read the paper. Further to the situation, Oakville's previous council had passed a motion that defined parameters that were to be met by the "Save the Tree" movement. These conditions were not met. I do believe that there was a conflict of interest on council. Council members who donated to the fund should have been forced to abstain from the vote. This vote was simply a rubber stamp to the position declared by Mayor Burton and Councillor Flynn prior to the actual vote. This council has sent a false message to the world at large. The false message states that Oakville supports a green environment to the extent that they are willing to go to save a single tree. During the time wasted on saving this one tree, thousands of other more environmentally supportive trees have been butchered. Yes, we continue to clear cut our woodlots in favour of the concrete jungle. I voted for a clean sweep of council during this last election. It is apparent that I made a mistake. This is just another council "hell bent for election" and one that has no intention of representing the people. BOB MCKERRON OAKVILLE - Celebrating 150 years! Celebrate Oakville! Oakville is celebrating its 150th Anniversary this year and we'll keep you up-to-date on all the activities. For more events, visit http://150.oakville.ca/ February 11, 2007 - For the Love of the Arts Festival ­ Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Road. February - Black History Month ­ Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Road, North Atrium. The Oakville Museum Traveling Exhibit - Oakville's Black History and Oakville's Role in the 1 ­ 6 p.m. Oakville's Music & Art Shared Space is hosting its 3rd Annual For the Love of Underground Railroad will be on display. The exhibit will continue during business hours the Arts Festival. The Arts Celebrate Oakville's 150th! Come immerse yourself in our community's artistic expression! Family Fun! Enjoy continuous performances by various throughout February. choirs, orchestras, and ensembles - over 300 performers. Find out about local cultural groups. Enjoy art demonstrations, art exhibits, and craft activities for children. February 8, 2007 ­ Oakville Images Launch - Central Branch Library 120 Navy Street, 7 p.m. Join us for the launch of Oakville Images, a project that makes thousands of fascinating photos, videos, interviews and other historical documents available to anyone, anywhere via Design a Happy Birthday card and enter our card contest. Join the Oakville Wind Orchestra and Oakville Choral Society in singing Happy Birthday to Oakville at 3:00 p.m. A silent the Internet. auction throughout the afternoon will include one-of-a-kind art work. Admission: freewill donation at the door. PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE Stabilization and Rehabilitation of Wedgewood Creek Class Environmental Assessment ­ Morrison-Wedgewood Diversion Channel to just west of Grand Boulevard Wednesday, February 21, 2007 -Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Road, Committee Room #2 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Members of the public are invited to review and comment on the alternative solutions identified for this project. Project team members and display materials will be available. Through their consultant, Philips Engineering, the Town of Oakville has developed a set of alternative solutions for the rehabilitation and stabilization of Wedgewood Creek from the upstream limit of the Morrison-Wedgewood Diversion Channel to just west of Grand Boulevard. This Class Environmental Assessment has been undertaken to develop, evaluate and recommend a preferred alternative for the stabilization and rehabilitation of the creek channel and banks, along with possible flood/flow control improvements along Wedgewood Creek. Replacement of the pedestrian bridge and staircase system will be included as part of this project. The study limits are identified on the map. If you are unable to attend, you may submit questions or comments to: Ms. Kristina Laretei, P. Eng., Water Resources Engineer, Town of Oakville, Engineering and Construction, 1225 Trafalgar Road, P.O. Box 310, Oakville, Ontario L6J 5A6 Phone: 905.845.6601 Ext. 3889 Fax: 905.338.4159 E-Mail: klaretei@oakville.ca Mr. Ron Scheckenberger, M. Eng., P. Eng., Project Manager, Philips Engineering Ltd., Consultant, 3215 North Service Road, P. O. Box 220, Burlington, Ontario L7R 3Y2 Phone : 905.335.2353 Ext. 1222 Fax : 905.335.1414 E-Mail: rscheckenberger@philipseng.com MEETING NOTICE Proposed Official Plan & Zoning By-law Amendments For 197, 209 & 231 Oak Park Boulevard By Silwell Developments Ltd. & Pouncet Main Street Inc. File: Z.1414.06 Members of the public are invited to provide input at this meeting hosted by the Planning Services Department Thursday, March 1, 2007 ­ 7:00 p.m. Oakville Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville Room Details of the proposal will be presented at this time. The purpose of these applications is to facilitate the construction of two, linked office buildings, one being six storeys in height and another at four storeys. An Official Plan amendment is required to permit the six storey height and a Zoning By-law amendment is required to re-zone the lands to regulate the proposal. Following this meeting, a staff report will be prepared, which will be presented at a future public meeting before the Planning & Development Council. Notice of the public meeting will be advertised in the future. Questions and/or written submissions may be directed to Gabe Charles, Planning Services Department, Town of Oakville, P.O. Box 310, 1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville, ON., L6J 5A6 Telephone: 905.845.6601, ext. 3984 or e-mail: gcharles@oakville.ca Dated at the Town of Oakville this 7th day of February, 2007.