www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday November 4, 2006 - 11 Old oak tree is common ground for regional chair candidates By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF The quartet of candidates running to replace Joyce Savoline as chair of Halton Region don't agree on much -- except saving the 250-year-old oak tree that sits in front of regional headquarters. "It (the tree) may be the only thing stopping that incinerator, stopping the trucks from going up Bronte Road. If it costs $300,000, we ought to pay it and pay it gladly," said Oakville resident Brian Burton who is running for the second time on his business experience and being what he calls the business guy in the green suit. The "incinerator" is the Energy from Waste (EFW) plant that Halton Region is looking to develop as Halton's dump nears the halfway point in its capacity. The investigation of alternative waste disposal methods is part of the provincial approval certificate received for the dump in the first place. Much debate has focused on the proposed EFW plant. Burton said the Region has plans to build a $700-million plant that could dispose of trash not just from Toronto or the GTA, but 25 per cent of the trash from the GGH (Greater Golden Horseshoe). Former Halton Region CEO Brent Marshall, a lifelong Halton resident who is now taking a run at the chair's job, stands behind regional decisions to date -- which he participated in as CEO -- that the EFW proposal is going out to the public for review and that Halton must look after its own trash if U.S. borders close to Ontario trash trucks. Halton currently doesn't look after its industrial, institutional or commercial waste, only residential, trucking the rest to dumps in Michigan. Marshall maintains the proposed Halton EFW is for Halton. The proposed EFW is not an "incinerator" per se, but would use newer technologies that involve gasification or plasma technology. Critics say it will cost a lot more than the landfill. Regional chair candidate Gary Carr, former Oakville MPP, Halton MP and Ontario Speaker of the House, who was known for standing up for local wishes -- even against his own government -- said the EFW proposal should be looked at hard and at a later date when the dump is closer to reaching capacity and technology is guaranteed to have improved. Burlington resident Robert Plaschka, who is running on a platform that looks seriously at future energy needs, said that EFW is an alternative that the Region can't afford not to explore given a looming energy shortage. Back to the old oak tree, Carr said he expects community goodwill will raise the funds needed to redirect the expanding Bronte Road around the tree -- but admitted that the cost of more than $300,000 seems expensive. Marshall said he's proud of his work that offers the community the chance to save the tree -- off the tax bill. Burton said the Bronte Road expansion project is $42 million and he doesn't see why it can't include less than one per cent to save the landmark tree. Plaschka said the leaves on the tree appear to be an off shade of This one is for you. I'm Chris Stoate. I have served three years on Council learning Oakville's problems from the inside. I built a business that employs over a hundred people from an idea, a dream. I have the public service experience, the proven leadership and the management skills we need in a Mayor. I am the only candidate who does. The challenges of growth threaten to overwhelm us but with new management we can keep Oakville a special place to live, to work, to play, to raise our families and to watch them raise theirs. Please help me by telling your neighbours you support me. Let us put my sign on your lawn. Visit www.votestoate.ca for more information and on November 13, Vote Stoate for Mayor of Oakville. Your only chance for change. See Marshall page 12 EXPERIENCE EVERYTHING ORLANDO HAS TO OFFER EVEN BEFORE YOU ARRIVE. Visit www.orlandoinfo.com/canada and save up to $500* on your next Orlando vacation. Visit Orlando's only official web site and order your FREE vacation planning kit including an Orlando Preferred Visitor MagicardTM with up to $500 in savings. Learn about theme parks, golf outings, spa retreats, shopping extravaganzas, and more. Orlando is the destination that takes your imagination to new heights. Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. To plan your perfect family vacation, visit www.orlandoinfo.com/canada or call 800-551-2006 *USD. Based on a family of 4. Average stay 6 nights.