in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, O ct ob er 31 ,2 01 9 | 6 Meet the nicest neighbours V for Vistamere Nestled in a quiet, residential neighbourhood in south Oakville you'll find Vistamere Retirement Residence. You'll also find a group of very nice, active seniors who live here. They selected us for the location, comfort and price. Come see for yourself. BOOK A TOUR TODAY 380 Sherin Drive Oakville, Ontario L6L 4J3 905.847.1413 vistamere.ca Like us on AIRE ONE MADNEss sAlEAIRE ONE MADNEss sAlE UPGRADE YOUR FURNACE FOR ONLY *Call for Details $1990$1990 *Starting1990Starting1990199019901990Starting199019901990from 10 Year Factory Warranty FURNACE CLEANING SPECIAL BOOK YOURS TODAY! $79$79 * *Call for details HIGH EFFICIENCY FURNACE & CENTRAL AIR PACKAGE INCLUDES: • 95.5% High Efficiency Gas Furnace • High Efficiency Central Air R410A Refrigerant $3990$3990 *StartingFrom Over 120,000 satisfied custOmers 9 Locations to serve you better Heating & Cooling www.aireonewest.ca 95.5%EFF. 95.5%EFF. OR/mth$59OAC* RECEIvE UP tO $1,950 IN REbAtES* RECEIvE UP tO $1,ooo IN REbAtES* *Call for Details OAKVILLE 905-849-4998 1-888-827-2665 10 Year Factory Warranty The amalgamation of Oakville, Burlington, Mil- ton and Halton Hills will not be taking place and the mayors of these communi- ties along with many resi- dents are celebrating. The Ford government announced Friday, Oct. 25 during an update on its re- gional government review that it had decided not to impose changes to size or structure to municipal governments. Instead, it will provide $143 million to local munic- ipalities to help lower costs and improve services for residents over the long term. The news was well re- ceived by Oakville Mayor Rob Burton. "The announcement that the province will not proceed with any amal- gamation or other interfer- ence in local municipal af- fairs is exactly what Townfairs is exactly what Townf council and Oakville resi- dents have been working towards," said Burton. "Our residents made al- most 4,400 submissions to the province in opposition to the amalgamation of Oakville with Burlington, Milton, Halton Hills or to changes in our municipal representation, and their opposition was heard. We thank all those residents who wrote letters to Pre- mier Doug Ford, the Minis- ter of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark, our MPP and others re- garding regional review and amalgamation and congratulate them for making a difference. We al- so thank the Province for listening to council and our recommendations." Burlington Mayor Mar- ianne Meed Ward took to social media to applaud the province's decision to listen to the feedback they received from the munici- pal and regional govern- ments and local residents. "Deciding not to over- haul the regional govern- ment system with a top- down approach and pro- viding up to $143 million in funding over four years tofunding over four years tof all Ontario municipalities will allow us to continue to self-govern and continue to find our own ways to lower costs and improve our services," she said. "I look forward to ongo- ing collaboration with our provincial government and colleagues." Milton Mayor Gordon Krantz says he's happy with the outcome. "I'm pleased with re- gards to Halton being left alone because in my opin- ion it has been working reasonably well," he said. "I'm a firm believer that big government is not nec- essarily better or more ef- ficient. If anything, it isficient. If anything, it isf probably just the opposite. That's one of the things that I have always been op- posed to is huge bureau- cracies. They don't work efficiently as far as I'm con- cerned." Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette said he thinks ev- eryone is relieved there won't be any City of Halton or any other scenarios. "Minister Clark lis- tened to our concerns along with similar con- cerns from the 82 munici- palities and regions that were being reviewed," he said. "I want to thank Pre- mier Ford and Minister Clark for recognizing that municipalities are the closest to the people and for committing additionalfor committing additionalf resources to support local decision making." Following the prov- ince's announcement in NEWS MAYORS CELEBRATE END OF AMALGAMATION THREAT RESIDENTS' GROUP CREDITS OPPOSITION CAMPAIGN WITH CHANGING GOVERNMENT DIRECTION DAVID LEA dlea@metroland.com Mayors in Halton are celebrating after the Province takes the possibility of amalgamation off the table. Torstar graphic See - page 7