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Wednesdsay April 28, 1999 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER O n a g a i n , o f f a g a i n J K m a y b e o n a g a i n Bv Dennis Smith tance of the first six years of life, the Halton District School Board is one Trustees rerentlv reviewed a mctc r#»niiir#»H A5 -A By Dennis Smith SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER A provincial report citing the bene­ fits of early learning has prompted the Halton District School Board to take another look at Junior Kindergarten. Trustees ordered a staff report on the possible implementation of JK after hearing the findings of the Early Years Study commissioned by the provincial government. 'T he study, based on brain develop­ ment research, emphasized the impor­ tance of the first six years of life,1 Milton trustee Erica Andrew said at last week's meeting. She quoted one expert view that a society is missing out if it does not offer education programs for children under age five. Junior Kindergarten provides education for youngsters at age four. Andrew also expressed confidence full provincial funding would be avail­ able for Junior Kindergarten. She has suggested having it in place by September, 2000. Burlington trustee Michael Ellis said the Halton District School Board is one of the few boards in Ontario without JK. Halton's separate board offers the program. Andrew's motion seeking a staff report on JK by June 15th was unani­ mously approved. However, some trustees warned they were supporting re-examining JK, but not necessarily approving it. "This is simply about getting a report. It doesn't mean the board is con­ sidering implementing JK in the year 2000," said board chair Ethel Gardiner. Trustees recently reviewed a cost/benefit analysis for implementing JK. They were considering adding the grade to help eliminate surplus space and obtain provincial funding for new schools. The information report estimated JK would reduce the elementary surplus by the equivalent of 1,250 spaces, based on 2,500 half-day students. The report also noted additional pupil grants generated would be offset by the loss of the early learning grant. And there would he additional staitnn costs required. But while JK would fill vacant spaces at some schools, it could add to overcrowding in growth areas. The board actually operated 13 classes of JK for a year in the mid-90s, after it was mandated by the former NDP provincial government. But the program was dropped after the Progressive Conservatives took power. Education Director Dusty Papke said the new provincial government made JK optional and drastically reduced its fundinp. Know your dog-owner laws or it will cost big bucks If your windows are naked and bare... shop BouClair! x" ^ The fines for dog-related by-law infractions have just been raised for the first time since the early 1980s and late 1970s in some cases, to a level compa­ rable with other communities. The Oakville Humane Society's manager Bronwyn Damley remarks, "It's been a worthwhile wait for these new fines, which I hope will act as a deterrent to those people who aren't heeding by-laws in place for the pub­ lic's safety and the dogs.'" Enforced by the Oakville Humane Society and Town of Oakville's By- Law Enforcement Officers, the follow­ ing are by-laws and new fines set for each infraction. Failure to licence a dog $105; Failure to attach a tag to a dog $105; Attaching a dog tag to a dog other than the dog for which it was issued $105; Failure to licence a kennel $205; Keeping more than three dogs of an age in excess of six months at one location $105; Failure to muzzle a biting dog $205; Failure to keep a biting dog on a leash $205; Allowing a dog to run at large $105; Failure to keep a dog on a leash $105; Failure to remove dog excrement $105. A victim fine sur­ charge is also applied: $20 to fines of $105 and $30 to fines of $205. Bronwyn Damley notes, "It's unfor­ tunate that a number of dog owners dis­ regard the basics of responsible dog ownership which, in turn, gives all dog owners a bad name. The best part about these new fines is it makes the resolu­ tion process quicker in problem situa­ tions. Renewed annually, dog licences are available at the Oakville Humane Society at a cost of $12.50 for a neutered dog and $25 for a non- neutered dog." * H i s t o r i c M u r r a y H o u s e t o h a v e a d d i t i o n By Howard Mozel SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER The Murray House, an Oakville landmark since 1857, will undergo the biggest change in its history with the construction of a new addition to the south side of the building. On Monday night, Town Council approved the zoning amendment required to build the three-storey addi­ tion as well as to change the permitted uses of the place to allow a maximum of four residential dwellings located above the office space. (No residential units are currently planned.) Approximately 83 square metres of leasable floor area will be created. The Murray House, located at the southeast comer of Navy and Robinson Streets, was designated in 1983 as a property of historical and architectural value under the Ontario Heritage Act. A Heritage Impact Analysis by Archaeological Services Inc. and Garbage picker takes boy's bike An over-eager scavenger has left a two-and-a-half year old Herald Avenue boy heartbroken. Young Jack Clayton left his trea­ sured black two-wheeler (with training wheels) outside on the neighbour's dri­ veway April 20th while he played in his friend's back yard. Unfortunately, he left the bike a lit­ tle too close to the neighbor's garbage set outside for the annual spring bulk pickup and when he returned out front his bike was missing. His mother, Caroline Meredith, believes a scavenger saw the bike and mistakenly assumed it was set outside for the bulk pickup. M eredith said her son doesn't understand what happened to his bike. "He's very upset and keeps asking why the garbage man took his bike to the dump," said Meredith. The bike has a 12" black frame with multi-coloured streamers flowing from the handlebars. It was a hand-me-down from a fam­ ily friend, but a prized possession for the youngster. Meredith said her son spent the winter practicing riding the bicycle in her basement and after riding a two-wheeler, "he won't go back to his tricycle anymore." Anyone with information on the bicycle should call Meredith at 844- 1796. Musicians sought for Midnight Madness Oakville's Midnight Madness needs musicians and entertainers If you enjoy performing infront of large crowds, have a great show or act, and love people the Downtown Oakville Business Improvement Area (BIA) wants to hear from you. Downtown Oakville is gearing up for Midnight Madness on Friday July 16th, beginning at 6 pm. The Downtown Oakville BIA is currently accepting performers appli­ cations for the shopping and street fes­ tival. To receive an application call the Downtown Oakville BIA at (905) 844- 4520. Unterman McPhail Associates was submitted by 1097585 Ontario Limited in support of the plan. The Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee (LACAC) approved the plan in principle at its Feb. 3rd meeting. A public information meeting was held on March 2nd, but no one from the public attended. Communication with area residents has been ongoing, how­ ever, to deal with such issues as no cov­ ered parking, no mirrored windows on the south side and other issues. According to a report by the Town's Planning Department, the proposed addition is "sympathetic to the heritage fabric" of the existing structure and maintains a consistency regarding everything from roof form to masonry details. The Murray House was built by John Williams to accommodate the increased flow of travelers upon arrival of the railway to Oakville in 1855. It was originally called the Canadian Hotel and featured 21 bedrooms. After Williams sold the place in 1866, it went through several owners and underwent a major refurbishment in 1875. Thirty years after it was built, the hotel was purchased by Murray Williams - John Williams' nephew - and the Murray House Hotel was bom. The Murray House continued until 1988 when the current owner converted it to office commercial use. In 1989 approval was given for the construction of a staircase and elevator addition to the east side of the building. This and other work done to the building was recognized in 1998 with an Oakville Urban Design Award. W E P i T A X E ON EVERYTHING IN STORE! 5 DAYS ONLY! APRIL 28*10 MAY 2 A pply now for your X T R A card and save 20% on your initial purchase 000 - 0000 For the location nearest you call 1-800-BouClair w w w .b o u c la ir .c o m THE FABRIC & DECOR SUPERSTORE! 2 5 0 1 H A M P S H I R E G A T E R O A D in u n d ., & Hampshire Gate) • O A K V I L L E • ( 9 0 5 ) 8 2 2 - 8 4 4 4 • KINGSTON - 616 GARDINERS ROAD. 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