Interchange project to start in spring R e c o n s t r u c t io n o f T h i r d L in e c o s t $ 2 2 M By Paula Henriques OAKV1LLK BEAVER STAFF The $22-million reconstruction o f the QEW/Third Line interchange is finally scheduled to get under way. The project -- which has been in the preliminary stages for two years -- includes the reconstruction and widen ing of the interchange, as well as the building of new bridges to carry Third Line over the QEW and Fourteen Mile Creek. Third Line will also be widened from North Service Road to King's College and Abbey wood Drive. The reconstruction is expected to start this spring with completion antici pated near the end of 2004. "It is a wonderful addition to our community and to improve traffic flow," said the Acting Mayor. Ward 5 Councillor Janice Castor, at the official groundbreaking ceremony Monday. Funded by the Town of Oakville in partnership with the province, the Town will be responsible for 38 per cent of the cost, and Queen's Park 62 per cent. The project is part o f the govern m ent's five-year, $20-billion SuperBuild initiative, an investment designed to facilitate the largest infra structure-building program in Ontario's history. Castor said the partnership is a won derful way to show two levels o f gov ernment working together. Halton MPP Ted Chudleigh agreed, saying the improvements will "better serve the people of Ontario." He said the interchange will benefit businesses and residents. "The real power is a strong econo my," he said. "With a strong economy The Oakville Beaver, W ednesday January 15, 2003 - A 3 Ward or at-large decision deferred by Catholic board By Howard Mozel OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF The Halton Catholic District School Board has deferred a decision whether to elect its trustees by ward or at-large, after it became obvious Tuesday night that a consensus on the issue remains elusive. Trustees - who are currently elected at-large in their four respective communi ties - formally discussed the matter for the first time this week, but without all the relevant information and their differ ences of opinion evident, the delay was approved. The possible change is becoming an issue since Halton's population of Catholic voters is on the threshold of crossing the 99,999 mark which, under the Education Act, would allow the board to add a ninth trustee. (Halton's last known figure was 90,459.) Trouble is, official assessment numbers that would confirm this won't be issued until midFebruary. In the meantime, board chair and Burlington trustee A1 Bailey got the ball rolling by pushing for his city to change to a ward system in time for this November's municipal election, but only after the assessment figures are released. "Our numbers are significantly up," he said. Bailey's recommendation prompted Oakville trustee Alice Anne LeMay to wonder if the board was "putting tlie cart before the horse" in trying to decide this week if a ward or at-large system best served the needs of Halton. Oakville trustee Ed Viana agreed and wanted to postpone the whole matter until April, but according to Bailey, the legal cut-off date for informing the province is the end of March. As a result, the matter will be re-tabled at the Feb. 18 board meeting. LeMay said she prefers the status quo - with trustees running at-large - for sev eral reasons, not the least of which is that trustees are elected to represent all chil dren and parents in the system. "You have to be prepared to work together in the community," she said. By being "too claustrophobic" within individual wards, LeMay continued, trustees don't possess a "broader vision" of all issues region-wide. "I really think we're jumping into this a little too fast." she added. Oakville trustee Father Charlie Jordan said while he appreciates LeMay's posi tion, a ward system does not preclude trustees from representing all of Halton's concerns. With Bailey pressing for a ward system in Burlington, Father Jordan maintained that consistency is essential. "It's important to me to see Oakville and Burlington do the same thing," he said. Bailey, however, said that there is nothing in existing legislation to prevent the municipalities from choosing differ ent systems. Director of Education Lou Piovesan explained that if the electoral numbers don't qualify the board for a ninth trustee this year, they most certainly will for the 2006 municipal election. to Liesa Kortmann · Oakville Beaver Acting M ayor Janice Castor, Ken Dousep, from B O T C onstruction and Halton M PP Ted Chudleigh participated in a special groundbreaking ceremony to sig nal the sta rt of the reconstruction of T hird Line. The jo in t initiative between the province and the Town of Oakville is expected to im prove traffic flow. you can invest in healthcare, education. This very small project touches all of those aspects. "W ithout a strong econom y we wouldn't have been able to build the 407, and expand the 403 and the 401. We created the environment for busi nesses to locate here. "It ultimately makes a Ontario a bet ter place to live," he said. "It's an important project for the peo ple in the area." [R X c Id T B ® Weekend Wear ^ : 60% A m azing PEGGYS Distinctive Ladies Fashion* begins PC Association hosts open house Sunday (Continued from page A1) Web site - www.davidyoungoakville.com - which will be up and run ning Jan. 22. Pask, 34, is a Clearview resident and a long-time conservative activist who said he strongly believes in making Oakville an even better place to live. "I chose to call Oakville home because of what the community offered. Now I offer the community something in return - my enthusiasm, my ideas, my promise to protect taxpayers' money and my pledge to constituent service," said Pask. `Taxpayers don't pay taxes from 9 to 5, so I will operate a constituency office with retail hours and make house calls if needed. Elected representatives are sup posed to work for the public, not the other way around." · Pask, a former non-profit fundrais ing manager and federal government ministerial aide, said he also wants to build on the one million jobs created in O ntario since 1995, to help make Oakville a "tax incentive zone" and remove more barriers to jobs, invest ment and growth. "Although I stop short o f slaying fire-breathing dragons, the communica tion. leadership, research and people skills that I possess will help me as a catalyst on the Ernie Eves Ontario team." Pask is asking voters to stay tuned for his six-point campaign platform focused on attention to constituents. healthcare, education, transportation, the economy and accountability to tax payers. "I will also be expanding on my pro posals o f an Oakville Citizens Task Force, Oakville Education Team and the Oakville Youth Service Initiative, all geared to promote greater community involvement," said Pask. Local Tories are looking at a late February nomination meeting. The PC Association for Oakville is also inviting anyone interested in speak ing to the candidates during an open house this Sunday from 2 - 4 p.m. at the Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate at the foot of Navy Street. There will also be light refreshments and complimenta ry tours of the museum. 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