Beaver THE OAKVILLE Voted Ontario's Top Newspaper Four Years in a Row - 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com MORTGAGES 905.827.8009 Purchases Over 40 Renewals Lenders Refinances Credit Lines Vacation Rental Properties Properties G R E AT R AT E S PAUL FOLEY AMP MORTGAGE AGENT M08005472 Jailbird Jill gets bail Living 1500 Upper Middle Rd. Abbey Plaza at Third Line HO: 600 5770 Hurontario St. Mississauga, ON L5R 3G5 Licence #10801 Powered by A member of Metroland Media Group Ltd. Vol. 52 No. 130 "USING COMMUNICATION TO BUILD BETTER COMMUNITIES" WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2009 64 Pages $1.00 (plus GST) A gift of love By Tina Depko OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Oakville development charges face OMB challenge The Town's decision to boost development charges to some of the highest allowed under the law has been condemned by four development companies, which are now appealing the charges to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB). The four developers, Mattamy Realty Limited, the Building Industry and Land Development (BILD) Association, Silgold Developments Inc., and Donmar Contraplan Inc., disagree with the methodologies and explanations for the development charge increases. Donmar's lawyer, Blair Taylor, said the decision does not fit the current economic climate. "The background studies and reports of the development charges bylaws by the Town of Oakville all predate the world economic recession," said Taylor. "Thus there is a new economic reality that has been excluded from consideration by the Town of Oakville. The impacts of that recession are wide ranging and have dramatically affected land values, labour costs, project cost, etc., none of which were considered by the Town of Oakville." The changes, which were passed Aug. 10, and came into effect Aug. 31, saw a 63 per cent hero is often defined as someone who is courageous, does noble deeds and puts their life at risk to help another. Christine de Koning is a hero to her boyfriend, Wayne Tucker. Tucker needs a kidney transplant. His name is on a deceased donor list at St. Michael's Hospital, where he has been told that the wait could be as long as seven years. Doctors have told him he likely does not have that long to live. De Koning refuses to watch the love of her life die. While the 37-year-old Oakville woman is not a donor match for her boyfriend, she has chosen to go an alternate route, donating a kidney to a stranger to help move Tucker up on the list. Her surgery is booked for Thursday, Nov. 5 at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto. "It is a big decision to make because you are giving up your kidney to a total stranger," she said. "But I have been thinking about this for two years, so this isn't an overnight decision. When it is someone you love, you have no doubts." Tucker said he is overwhelmed by her decision. A NIKKI WESLEY/OAKVILLE BEAVER THANKS: Christine de Koning receives a thank you kiss from her boyfriend, Wayne Tucker, who has been waiting two years for a life-saving kidney transplant. Fearing that time is running out for Tucker, de Koning is having one of her kidneys surgically removed and given to a special donor program in order expedite his kidney transplant. "What she is doing is saving my life," he said with tears in his eyes. "Christine is my hero." For the past two years, Tucker, 39, had his name on a national paired exchange list, which means live donors essentially `trade' organs. However, this list proved unsuccessful for Tucker. In the meantime, friends and family went through months of testing to see if they were a match, but without success. Tucker required a lung biopsy See Kidney page 7 See Mayor page 7 SERVING OAKVILLE FOR 25 YEARS! 175 Wyecroft Rd. Oakville 905.845.6653 Between Kerr & Dorval No Pay for 6 months and Huge Rebates PLUS We guarantee your valuable Manufacturer and Government Rebates and take care of the Paperwork for you. For Deadlines and Complete Details call 905-844-2949 Ask about our excellent Financing and Great Terms. VISIT OUR ALL NEW WEBSITE YOUR FRIEND IN THE BUSINESS! www.lockwoodchrysler.com