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Oakville (905) 257-1207 Maple Grove Village 511 Maple Grove Dr. Suite 2, Oakville (905) 849-4027 Little Reader Registration OPEN Voted Best Learning Centre www.oxfordlearning.com Second-time mayoral candidate Rob Burton noted his daughter's presence at the school and spoke of two of his daughters' involvement in attempts to get a youth centre and skateboard park in Oakville. On the youth centre, Burton charged, "The mayor told them they couldn't have a youth centre." Outlining his background as a co-founder of YTV, Burton said its show, You Can't Do That on Television, made the network an instant success, and was a show that kids loved and adults hated. Burton then said with the attitude toward youth in Oakville, such a show here could be called "You Can't Do That in Oakville, and it wouldn't be funny." Candidate Daniela Giecewicz told students her platform is humanity and that she hopes they will do a better job of democracy than previous generations. "I've been your mayor for longer than most of you have been alive," said incumbent Ann Mulvale, recalling she signed the site plan for the Glenashton Drive high school. Mulvale outlined how she got involved in politics at age 29, was defeated, did her homework, paid her dues and tried until she succeeded. Candidate Chris Stoate asked students to be honest when answering how many of them thought politicians would say just about anything to get elected -- almost all hands skyward. Stoate said he'd like to hold a council meeting at the school, then get students to come to Town Hall. Candidate Janice Wright said her three boys graduated in the very gym in which the debate was staged. "I think we need a change," said Wright on wanting to be mayor. Students lost no time in asking their questions -- and weren't afraid of being too politically correct. The first questions posed to candidates was about growth and whether they accept campaign donations from developers. Wright said she's a single mother of three youths, who are in post-secondary education and could be left out of the process to be mayor if she didn't accept the contributions. However, she said a maximum $750 donation shouldn't sway anyone into thinking her vote was for sale. Stoate said he doesn't accept such donations because he doesn't want to be beholden to anyone. RON KUZYK / OAKVILLE BEAVER GETTING INITIATED: Mayoral candidates attended a debate hosted by Iroquois Ridge High School for Grades 10, 11 and 12 students and also Grade 5 students from Brantwood School. Here Sydney Newton from Brantwood asks a question of the candidates. Mulvale said, "I do not and Mulvale said when she was have not taken corporate dona- first elected there was no River tions from developers." Oaks or Iroquois Ridge and that The mayor did say that she over time recreation facilities were accepts donations from Oakville brought to the newly established residents and does not ask how communities. they earn their money. Wright said kids don't always Burton said he does not take cam- want to hang out in an organized paign donations from developers. environment. Often her basement Burton told students growth is was the hangout place and she coming north of Dundas Street, said parents do have a role to play. but that growth should be built However, if fewer tennis courts are around the natural environment, needed and ball hockey courts are not by bulldozing through it. in short supply, maybe the balance "Everyone is concerned about should be rejigged, she said. growth. Intensification is coming Students asked about the posto where we currently live. We sibility of a sexual health clinic. have a new plan for north of One student asked Mulvale if Dundas. We must be a party at the she was "just standing around" table with residents, business and when Oakville tax dollars were developers. We can't say it's not routed to Toronto. Mulvale going to happen. It's going to hap- answered that GO Transit funding pen anyway," said Wright. that at one point fell to municipal"We should plan for existing ities, was taken back by the residents and not for the ones who Province -- and she worked are not here yet," said Stoate. toward it. The plan to be followed in Candidates were asked about north Oakville will be the Town's sign pollution, particularly elecplan, not one from developers, said tion sign pollution. One student Mulvale. pointed out Wright, who said she'd Students asked about new and re-use her signs next time around existing recreation facilities and when they'd say "Re-elect Janice parks. Wright." Stoate said the Town must find Mulvale said she has few signs creative ways and partner with on public property -- hers being others to address recreational on private property. backlogs. Wright noted Mulvale and Mulvale noted millions that go Stoate had voted to discontinue to fund Toronto's social services allowing people to skate on storm through pooling and that are lost water management ponds at to provincially-mandated dis- Memorial Park and Bayshire. counts on development charges Stoate countered safety must (DCs) (arts facilities and hospitals always come first. are not covered by DCs in new Burton closed the debate by growth areas) need to come back saying he's the one who almost to Oakville. won in the last municipal election Burton said all allowable DCs and said if he wins, he'll institute a should be realized. Additional dis- $10 Oakville Transit youth ridercounts are realized by developers ship pass to allow free evening and as communities compete through weekend transit for youths. development charge discounts to -- Angela Blackburn can be attract new business tax revenues reached at angela@oakvilleto the community. beaver.com.