www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday October 28, 2006 - 9 Ward 1 candidates promise full-time commitment By Melanie Cummings SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Full-time and then some. Each of the three candidates vying to occupy the one and only seat for Ward 1 regional and town councillor said they intend to dedicate a majority of their waking hours to local politics. Margaret Mercer, Michael Glynne and Alan Johnston put forth their promise to 150 electors who piled into Walton Memorial United Church Wednesday night (Oct. 25). They'll need as much time to invest effort into rectifying a series of issues that were laid out by residents and business owners of the Bronte Village Residents Association, which organized the pre-election debate. Traffic congestion, the proposed Bronte quadrangle and redevelopment in the area dominated the questions posed by residents. "Ideally this should be a work live community," said Mercer who would prefer more commercial development in Bronte because by her calculations it brings in more tax dollars than does industry. While Johnson said the terms of reference for the Bronte District Advisory Committee need to be changed to ensure it has a greater impact on council, Glynne doesn't think the committee is at all necessary. He said elected politicians should bring local issues to council. Neither Mercer nor Glynne support the grassroots proposal to install a butterfly park in Bronte. Mercer said it "alters the nature of the waterfront " and wants the nineyear long saga brought to an end. Glynne said it was a beautiful idea that took "a crazy turn" with plans to turn it into a skating rink. He's in favour of finding another feature to attract people downtown. Instead of voters leaving with the usual set of "if elected" promises from candidates, environmental homework was assigned during the mayoral portion of the debate. While residents were assured by current mayor Anne Mulvale and mayoral hopeful Janice Wright (currently representing Ward 6) that Halton water is safe to drink, the candidates appealed to the audience to go home and change at least one fluorescent light bulb to an energy saving one, and to ride the bus or take the GO train more often. On a larger scale, Chris Stoate, who currently represents Ward 3 but also wants to become mayor, called for an overhaul of the town's official plan because "it does a poor job of protecting land and gives precedence to future residents instead of existing residents." Rob Burton said he never cared about politics until he moved to Oakville. He entered this mayoral race to improve this "badly managed" town that is sorely lacking in recreational outlets. In specifically referring to the development of the vacant Shell House lands, Burton demanded a public inquiry to discover why the town lost at an Ontario Municipal Board hearing that approved a developer's bid to build high-rise condos on the waterfront property located south of Lakeshore between Great Lakes Blvd. and Burloak Drive. Mulvale also supports such a review. All of the candidates except Daniela Giecewicz called for a revamped official plan. She had no opinion about it. Reaching your current and long-term financial goals is easier when you have a Financial Adviser who works with you to build and maintain an up-to-date investment plan complete with solutions that are tailored to your personal situation. CIBC Bonus Rate GICs can add guaranteed growth and security to your investment portfolio with: · Bonus interest above our regular GIC rates · A range of select terms available on a time-limited basis · The confidence of knowing that your investment is guaranteed with a superior rate of return For clear, objective advice that's right for you, give me a call at (905) 849-2733 at our Lakeshore and George location. Amanda Hamil CFP, FMA, PFP, B.Comm. Financial Adviser CIBC Investor Services Inc. CIBC Imperial Service is available in select markets and is most appropriate for individuals with household investable assets greater than $100,000. CIBC Imperial Service is a part of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce ("CIBC"). CIBC Investor Services Inc. ("CIBC ISI") provides investment and brokerage products and services. CIBC ISI is a subsidiary of CIBC, and Member CIPF. "For what matters." is a TM of CIBC. TMTrademark of CIBC. Change You Can Trust OAKVILLE'S DEVELOPMENT IS AT A CRITICAL STAGE. WE CAN'T AFFORD TO MAKE A MISTAKE WITH OUR NEXT MAYOR. All candidates agree Oakville needs a better plan to manage growth, more arts and recreation facilities, an improved business climate, tax reform, an increased focus on the environment and public safety. The question is: Who do you trust to get the job done? This election is about vision, leadership and management. We don't need career politicians or people who complain from the sidelines. We need a leader with proven success managing growth and who understands how to get things done within the Municipal Government system. Chris Stoate is the ONLY candidate in this election with proven success MANAGING THE GROWTH OF A BUSINESS and EXPERIENCE IN MUNICIPAL POLITICS. Chris has: Successfully managed the growth of LaserNetworks, a company Chris founded in 1987 that employs 100 people, 60 of them in Oakville. Represented Ward 3 on Oakville Town Council since 2003. WATCH CHRIS' TWO MINUTE VIDEO AT www.votestoate.ca