www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday June 27, 2008 - 7 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Thumbs down on discounts to developers It is with a considerable amount of disappointment that I learned of the Region of Halton's majority vote to give a $10 million discount on municipal services to developers. I was very pleased to note Oakville's representation (Mayor Burton and Councillors Tom Adams, Keith Bird, Allan Elgar, Alan Johnston and Fred Oliver along with Regional Chair Gary Carr) opposed this motion. How on earth can we go to the Ontario government with our cap in our hand and have the audacity to ask for more money for development when we in turn merely give it away to developers? Shame on those that voted for the motion; it is the taxpayers' hard-earned money that you just gave away; congratulations to the Town of Oakville for progressive thinking and voting. DAVID EVERITT Oakville Transit wrong to increase youth fares Regarding a possible increase in youth fares on Oakville Transit discussed at the June 11th Transit Advisory Committee. Oakville Transit's Barry Cole told the Town's Transit Advisory Committee on June 11, that he foresees an increase to the current youth fare. At the meeting of the Transit Advisory Committee, Cole used the higher fares charged by some other GTA transit systems as justification. Oakville Transit should not strive to emulate the failures of these other transit systems. During the summer of 2006, a previous Transit Advisory Committee allowed Oakville students to ride toll free for that entire summer. Oakville residents enjoyed the benefits of lessened traffic congestion for the loss of a small amount of transit revenue. The failure of the current Transit Advisory Committee to continue this program has resulted in a lost opportunity for all of Oakville. The benefits of such a program would include less auto pollution that would improve our air quality and lessen our contribution to global warming. Additionally, reduced road traffic would see a reduction in vehicle accident injuries. Here is a program that is affordable, achievable, and is something we can actually do to make a difference in our daily lives. Oakville Transit must not raise fares for our students; they should eliminate them. We do not need another reason not to use public transit. Oakville residents deserve better. 30TH DATE JUNE ADLINE TRATION DE LINE DATE JULY 15TH REGIS N DEAD EARLY BIRD EGISTRATIO ZE R GRAND PRI United Way needs to find a way USE LESS AND WIN BIG Who knew that simply turning up your thermostat a couple of degrees not only saves electricity but could make you a big winner? Reduce your total electricity consumption by 10% this summer, and get a chance to win great prizes*. Sign up between May 1 and June 30, 2008 to be eligible for the Early Bird draw. Grand Prize draw entry deadline is July 15, 2008. For more electricity-saving tips and to enter visit: Continued from page 7 they wanted motions accepted, I was dumbfounded. Funding cuts to the agencies should have been explained fully to those attending the AGM and more importantly, it should have been explained by the board and management as to why United Way is having such difficulty in meeting its goals. The total amount raised is less than the cost of two homes in east Oakville. Oakville is one of the richest and most affluent communities in Canada, for United Way to say it can't meet its goal and needs to cut funding to the agencies to assist those in our community is unacceptable. United Way needs to do some soul searching of its operations and find a way to raise more money and quit making excuses why it needs to hurt those in need with cutbacks to the agencies. I will continue to be a leadership donor until the next annual general meeting in June 2009, when I expect to see more accountability, transparency and a successful campaign that surpasses its goal. The United Way slogan is `without you there would be no way.' The board and management of United Way of Oakville best find a `way'. KEN ROBERTSON www.everykilowattcounts.com/sweepstakes or call 1-800-322-7417 INSERT LDC LOGO HERE A program offered by the Ontario Poer Authority and Oakville Hydro Electricity Distribution Inc. A program offered by the Ontario Power Authority andand [INSERT LDC NAME]. A program offered by the Ontario Power Authority Oakville Hydro Electricity Distribution Inc. OM OM Official marks of the Ontario Power Authority. OM Official marks of the Ontario Power Authority. Official marks of the Ontario Power * Conditions apply. For a complete set of of contest rules www.everykilowattcounts.com/sweepstakesor Conditions apply. For complete * Conditions apply. For a a complete set contest rules visitvisit www.everykilowattcounts.com/sweepstakes or www.everykilowattcounts.com/sweepstakes or [insert Hydro @ 905-825-9400 ex. 2332 OakvilleLDC contact information] 2332 Oakville Hydro @ 905-825-9400 ex. Southeast Oakville school closure debate Editor's note: We have received many letters regarding the issue of school closures in southeast Oakville and whether a school should be built in the Clearview community. These letters can be found at www.oakvillebeaver.com. Allegro Allegro $ central vacuum central vacuum systems systems BEST PRICES EVER $ 14 SEER HI-EFFICIENCY Save Money and the Environment Bring in your old unit and save 600 OFF WAS $ 3100 $ 3200 $ 3400 $ 3600 NOW $ 2500 $ 2600 $ 2800 $ 3000 CENTRAL AIR 1.5 TON 2 TON 2.5 TON 3 TON 50 Expires July 14/08 towards any new Allegro central vacuum purchase. 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