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The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday October 24, 2001 - A 5 Small Business Week kick-off breakfast Radio station owner hits gold w ith form at geared to 50+ audience Michael Caine, of AM 740, says success has been beyond his expectations By Wilma Blokhuis OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Michael Caine has been so too busy run ning the most successful independent family owned radio station in Canada, that he hasn't had time to change the sign on the outside of the building. It still reads CHW O 1250. But, its half mil lion listeners know it as AM 740. "I still have to change the sign," the presi dent of AM 740 told a full gathering at M onday's breakfast at the Ramada Inn to kick off Small Business Week. "I'm surprised nobody has ever said any thing to me about it." Since its launch as AM 740 Prime Time Radio on Jan 8, the adult standards station has rocketed to third place in Toronto behind CHFI FM 98.1 and CHUM-FM 104.5 in total hours tuned according to the summer Bureau of Broadcast Measurement (BBM) ratings. "We're third in Toronto with 19.6 hours tuned weekly for," said Caine. This success comes at the heels o f the Spring BBM ratings which placed AM 740 sixth overall in Toronto, with more than 550,000 listeners per week, each of them tun ing in an average of 15.1 hours weekly. However, in total hours tuned, its ranking in Toronto increased from 4.7 to 5.7 million hours. AM 740 is the top ranking radio station serving the 50-plus m arket in Toronto, Ontario and Canada, said Caine, and fourth in North American behind two new-talk giants, WNBC and WCBS, in New York and WGN in Chicago. Caine describes his station's success as "incredible," "remarkable" and "exceeding our greatest expectations. "In over 30 years of being in this business, I have never seen the arrival of a new radio station anywhere in this country rank so high in the ratin g s. . . not once, but twice . . . in less than a year of operation," said Caine. Caine grew up in the family business. CHWO was launched as a small middleMichael Caine: radio station a hit of-the-road (MOR) radio station serving the area between Hamilton and Toronto, by his parents Howard and Jean Caine, on Nov. 17, 1956. And, since its beginning, the station has featured music from the Big Band era and top hits of the 1950s. After Howard's death in 1967 from cancer at age 51, Jean took over the operation of the station, distinguishing herself of one of only three women playing an active role in Canada's male-dominated broadcasting busi ness at the time. The station's slogan became `Radio to Remember,' a phrase still heard today on AM 740. And like its early days, it continues to feature music from the Big Band Era and top hits o f the 1950s. "Our years of dreaming and planning, a few more years o f long hours of work in research and development: and yet even a few more years of execution and implementation has turned AM 740 into an overnight success. "And, all we can say is: It's About Time," he said referring to the station's new slogan. Realizing the 50-plus population is a grow ing market not served by any other radio sta tion, CHWO twice applied unsuccessfully during the 1980s to obtain a FM frequency, Caine said. During the mid-1990s, he made a third application to the CRTC (Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission), the federal licensing body, for 99.1 FM. However, that frequency was awarded to the CBC, leaving the powerful 740 AM signal, "a crowning jew el," available. Caine jum ped at the "golden opportunity" to greatly increase the coverage area of CHWO. "Our plan was a hit with the public," said Caine. "Our AM 740 application received over 7,000 letters of support - the largest number of positive interventions in CRTC history." CHW O was awarded the frequency in June 2000. AM 740's signal reaches west to Windsor, east to Kingston, north to Parry Sound and south to Pittsburgh. Hydroponic marijuana operations found in two more houses Two major hydroponic marijuana growing operations have been uncovered on the same street in north Oakville. Last Friday, Halton Regional Police seized 1,300 mari juana plants with a potential street value o f $1.3 million from two residential homes on Nichols Drive. Police also seized about $50,000 in hydroponics equip ment. Phong Dinh Dang, 25, o f Brampton, has been charged with producing a controlled substance, possession for the purpose o f trafficking, theft o f electricity under $5,000, occupant injuring a building and breach o f recognizance. He was arrested after police responded to a call at a Nichols Drive residence and found a rented van backed halfway into the garage. Police became suspicious that the residence was being used as a marijuana hydroponics oper ation. The arrest o f a man at the scene led to the uncovering of second hydroponic operation on the same street. The Drug and Morality Unit was contacted and search warrants were executed at both homes. Region taking steps to ensure protection of water supply With concerns about public infrasturcture safety following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, Halton Region is taking precautionary measures to increase the security at its water supply facilities. Patrick Murphy, Halton's Commissioner of Planning and Public Works, said his staff were reviewing water system security measures prior to last month's attacks. Since that time, preventative security measures have been taken includ ing increased physical security and closer monitoring of all visitors to Halton's water supply facilities. Police monitoring of the areas around these facilities have also been increased. "Security at our water supply facilities has always been a top priority, and we have increased our vigilance in light of recent circumstances," said Murphy. "But the measures are strictly precautionary. Halton's water is as clean and safe to drink as always." Athena Awards highlight of Small Business Week There is still tim e to participate in Small B usiness Week activities sponsored by the O akville C ham ber o f C om m erce. T onight at Town H a ll's T rafalg ar Room, you can check out a sem inar called "Growing Your B usiness For P rofit" : This seminar, from 6 p .m .-10 p.m. w ill consist o f a group o f successful entrepre neurs who will advise on all aspects o f "grow ing your business for profit." Come and have all your questions answ ered by these experts in a round table environ m ent. The event is co-sponsored by The B usiness A dvisory and B usiness A dvisory A ssociates. A dm ission is free, pre-registration is required. Call 845-6613 ext. 28. Halton Region and the Royal Bank are staging th eir ow n Salute to Sm all B usiness with an open house wine & cheese reception on Thurs. Oct. 25. The trade show for H alton's new small businesses will take place from 5 p.m.7:30 p.m . at Region headquarters, 1151 Bronte Rd., just north o f the QEW. R efreshm ents w ill be provided by B lack O ak Brewing Com pany and Scotch Block Country Winery. Those w ishing to attend should contact the Business D evelopm ent Centre at 8256300. And the w eek's highlight on Fri. Oct. 26 from 6:30 p.m .-9 p.m. is "Business W om en's Netw ork G ala/A thena Awards D in n er" w hich w ill feature one o f O a k v ille 's best-kept secrets, C arole B ertuzzi Luciani as keynote speaker. A lso honoured w ill be the 2001 Athena N om inees and recipient. The event will be held at the new O akville Conference & C onvention Banquet Centre. Tickets are $60 M embers, $75 Non-m em bers... space is limited. To register or for more inform ation, contact Cynthia Fournier at 905-845-6613 ext. 28. Vandals hit Islamic centre Halton Regional Police are investi gating an incident of vandalism that occurred at the A1 Falah Islamic Centre on Bumamthorpe Road East in north Oakville. Sometime between 4 p.m. Sept. Call 825-TIPS 28 and 8 a.m. Sept. 29. someone or 1-800-668-5151 threw a small rock at a school sign ________________ located at the front of the school. A nine-inch hole resulted and the rock was found located inside the sign. If you know who is defacing property, damaging windows or vandalizing community property, call Crimestoppers. If you have any information that leads to an arrest in this or any other matter, you may be eligible for a cash reward. You will never have to give your name or testify in court. Crime Stoppers of Halton does not subscribe to call display. Call 1-800-222-TIPS or 905- 825-TIPS (905-825-8477) or check the web at www.linkstohalton.com. CRIME STOPPERS Town lobbying Province for hospital land in north By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF With the Ontario government prepar ing to sell between 800 of the 1,100 acres it owns north of Dundas Street -- called the Oakville Land Assembly -- the Town of Oakville is trying to influence that sale to its advantage. And that includes a formal request for a new hospital site in north Oakville, as well as a bid to save green space. Last spring the Ontario Realty Corporation (ORC) announced the Province was keeping in public owner ship 300 environmentally sensitive acres of the 1,100 acres managed by the ORC in Oakville. At the time, Mayor Ann Mulvale said it was like a dream come true and proved that local lobbying efforts had worked. So the Town is back lobbying the Province. The Oakville Land Assembly is bounded by Hwy. 407, Bronte Road, Sixteen-Mile Creek and Dundas Street. The environmentally sensitive acreage includes the Sixteen Mile Creek Valley and various woodlots. The Province's decision to sell the rest of the land was up for public review and comment until July 31 after which time the Province began preparation for sale. Since the Town negotiated the removal of the 300 acres from sale -- ownership of that acreage is now being transferred from the Province to the municipality -- the Town is hopeful it can influence the sale of the remaining acreage. Last week councillors agreed to con tinue the lobbying. First, the Town is asking the Province to put off selling the land until Nov. 1. That, says the Town, would give the Province enough time to establish criteria -- other than price -- to govern the sale -- and Oakville has suggestions. Oakville is asking for a trio of special considerations when the land is sold -- including the need for a new hospital in north Oakville. Besides the need for a hospital site in north Oakville, the Town is also asking the Province to be mindful of the need to preserve green space and the Town's desire to stage north Oakville develop ment. After a lengthy public hearing, the Town is currently revamping its Official Plan Amendment (OPA) 198 which aims to rezone from agricultural, to urban, the land north of Hwy. 5. It sets out development of a trio of new residential/commercial communities as well as the Hwy. 407 Employment District, at a staggered rate allowing for development of one community before another begins. Another five criteria the Town believes should be observed when the Province puts the Oakville Land Assembly on the selling block includes a requirement for prospective purchasers to submit concept plans and proposed tim ing for development. Prospective purchasers should also be able to demonstrate how their plans fit with the provincial Smart Growth strate gy to develop a strong economy, strong communities and a healthy environment. The Town also believes prospective purchasers should be able to show how their plan would dovetail with Oakville's Official Plan. Working for the Community, them e of Rotary Auction Nov. 23 & 24 from the comfort of your own living room. Some amazing products and services It's that time of year again: Rotary will be open for bids - and remember Auction slated for Nov. 23, 24 that every dollar you spend goes to help You know those really hard-to-buy Rotary support worthwhile local pro for friends and relatives who leave you grams and charities. This year's focus scratching your head in frustration as is "Working fo r the Community", and you wander aimlessly through shop over the next few weeks you'll have the after shop looking for the perfect opportunity to learn how you can help, Christmas gift? too. Rotary projects include the YMCA, Well, three Oakville Rotary Clubs Ian Anderson House, Wellspring, Oakville West, Oakville North and the Halton W om en's Place, Oakville Rotary Club of Oakville Trafalgar -- Trafalgar M emorial Hospital have the perfect solution to holiday M am mography Unit, Dreams Take shopping blues. Pull up a chair, make Flight, Big Brothers/Big Sisters After yourself a nice warm drink and tune to School Tutoring Program, and M unn's Cogeco 23 beginning November 23 for School Breakfast Program. great deals on some incredible items You're almost guaranteed to find something you've always wanted durADVERTORIAL By Je n n ife r Kay O A a k v il l e u c t Rotary i o n ing the two nights of the Auction - and enjoy some really off-the-wall enter tainment from local celebrity guests and hosts. Tune your TV to Cogeco 23 Nov. 23 & 24 or log on to www.oakvillerotary.org for the simultaneous online Auction. Special exclusive items will be online, and you can bid 24 hours a day during the Auction weekend. Mark the dates on your calendar now, so you don't forget! You'll be glad you did. Whether you're new to the Auction or a seasoned veteran, you'll be happy to join friends and neighbors who have been supporting us for more than a dozen years. And all it takes is a simple phone call or mouse click to place your bid. For those who are lucky enough to win items, paying is just as easy as buy ing. We accept cash, cheques, debit cards, Visa or MasterCard when you pick up your item. So far, we have the best Leafs and Raptors tickets; travel certificates; home decor items; jewelry; aesthetic services; and much more. Items are being added every day. If you are able to donate an item, or know someone who would be happy to help us out, please contact Auction Chair Barry Kay at (905) 319-7051 as soon as you can. The more products we have to offer, the more money we will be able to raise for community-oriented proj ects. A complete catalogue of items will be printed in The Oakville Beaver the week of the Auction - be sure to watch for it and set up a timeline for your bid ding! Jennifer Kay handles marketing and promotions fo r the Auction, and is a member o f the Rotary Club o f Oakville Trafalgar. H elp your local R otary C lubs help th e c o m m u n ity . T u n e in to th e O akville R otary A uction on C ogeco 23 Nov. 23 & 24. C A L L 1 - 8 8 8 - 6 6 8 - 4 6 3 6 To receive your free information brochure which explains: · W h y o u r e le c tr ic ity s y s te m · H ow th e n e w s y s te m is c h a n g in g w ill w o r k fo r c o n s u m e r s · W h a t c o m p e titio n w ill m e a n or visit our website at www.est.gov.on.ca © O n t a r io