01_V1_OAK_SEPT22.qxd ■ By Stephanie Thiessen SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER A Burlington man who plowed down thousands of trees in an environmental- ly-sensitive area on Fourth Line near the Milton-Oakville border was slapped with one of the harshest penalties for a case of its kind Tuesday afternoon. Prosecutor John Olah said the case, which has been before the courts for three years, sets an important precedent. "I'm just delighted for the communi- ty and think it shows the court's willing- ness to protect the environment," Olah said after Justice of the Peace Jerry Woloschuk delivered the sentencing Tuesday afternoon. "It's one of the high- est penalties." George Vastis, 65, was ordered to pay a fine of $33,000 as well as carry out a re- planting order that will cost him $122,260 for destroying 23 acres of envi- ronmentally sensitive woodlands. "In my view, there is a need to send a strong message to all that destruction of environmentally-sensitive areas will not be tolerated in the province of Ontario," Woloschuk said at Ontario Provincial Offences Court in Burlington. Vastis swiftly left the courtroom after the decision was given, saying his lawyer could speak on his behalf. Vastis and his numbered company were convicted in April of 44 counts of cutting trees in a woodlot and in an Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) in April and July of 2003, contrary to the Ontario Forestry Act and Halton's tree bylaw. Woloschuk concluded the clearings BeaverTHE OAKVILLE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2006 48 Pages $1.00 (plus GST)"USING COMMUNICATION TO BUILD BETTER COMMUNITIES"A Metroland Publication Vol. 44 No. 113 N O R T H A M E R I C A ' S M O S T A W A R D E D C O M M U N I T Y N E W S P A P E R ARTSCENE Experience Undertones at Sovereign House www.oakvillebeaver.com LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER CHEER ON YOUR FAVOURITE: Student representatives from King's Christian College, White Oaks Secondary School and Iroquois Ridge High School invite everyone to downtown Oakville on Sunday for the United Way of Oakville's 43rd annual Bathtub Race and Campaign Kickoff. The race is from 12-4 p.m. and features teams from local high schools. Besides a chance to have the fastest bathtub team in town, the Moen's Spirit Award is given to the high school with the most team spirit. United Way of Oakville will also announce its community fundraising goal for 2006. For more information on the launch of the United Way campaign, see page 18. Artscene....................................28 Worship....................................30 Sports.......................................31 Real Estate...............................34 Classified ................................39 Inside Full Delivery: Superstore, Food Basics, Canadian Tire, 2001 Audio Video, Zellers, Leons, No Frills Partial Delivery: Office Depot, Ashley Furniture, La-Z-Boy, Linens-N-Things, Lela's Mattress, Trent Pharmacy, The Bay, The Beer Store, Rice Indian Cuisine, Price Chopper, Food Basics, Ho Lee Chow, Holland Park, Tim Hortons, Lori @ Loblaws, Longos, M&M's, Mark's Work Warehouse, Sobeys, Pet Value, Pharma Plus, Rabba Fine Foods, Union Gas, MDG Computers, Toys R Us, Dominion, Future Shop, Best Buy, Shoppers Drug Mart, The Barn, Home Depot, Michaels Landowner pays hefty fine for cutting trees ■ See Ruling page 5 Who has the fastest tub in town? "In my view, there is a need to send a strong message to all that destruction of environmentally-sensitive areas will not be tolerated in the Province of Ontario ." ■ Justice of the Peace, Jerry Woloschuk DELIVERY For home delivery & customer service call 905-845-9742 Mon., Tues., & Thurs. 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Wed. & Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. or Saturday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. For new subscriptions, call 905-845-9742 or subscribe online @ www.oakvillebeaver.com w w w . i w i l l s e l l y o u r h o m e f o r f o o d . c a BILL TERRY Sales Representative I Will Sell Your Home For Food… call: (905)338-3737 FIND OUT HOW!