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"It‘s good form to maintain (the association‘s) tradition of backing the winner," said Brown. Another key element which should help the Liberals take the riding is the retirement of longâ€"time MP and Revenue Ministry Otto Jelinek, Brown said. Political veteran hopes to wrest federal riding from the Tories By SAL BOMMARITO Oakville Beaver Staff after narrowly defeating Milton businessman Bruce Hood for the Liberal party nomination in the Oakvilleâ€"Milton ridâ€" ing Wednesday night. "I think it‘s my time," Brown said, standing among a crowd of wellâ€" wishers and supporters. fi n elated Bonnie Brown predicted a federal election victory "I‘m very excited and very enthusiastic for the election," she said. "I‘m very grateful for the competent people who formed my team and I‘m very delighted with the numbers attracted to the nomination meetâ€" ing," she said. Around 11:30 p.m., one hour after voting ended, with the four candiâ€" dates â€" including Mohan Anand and David Bazar â€" standing together across the stage, meeting chairman Jack Siegel declared Brown the winâ€" ner. The association employed a new (Dballotitg systemâ€"â€" referred to aAs preferential bailoting â€" to elect its new candidate. The system required voting members to select at least three candidates in order for their balâ€" lots to be counted on the final tally. "A combination of the annoyance people feel for the Conservative party and their policies will give us an edge," Brown said, "and the fact Otto stepped down will be an advantage. I think (voters) will be thinkâ€" ing in terms of policies." Brown expressed confidence that the losing candidates, as well as their election teams, would rally around her to work towards a Liberal federal election victory in the riding. Bonnie Brown choice of local Liberals the annoyance people feel for the Conservative party and their policies will give us an "A combination of edge." â€"Bonnie Brown A loud cheer erupted from the audience as a smiling Brown raised her arms in victory. Siegel said 1,422 ballots had been cast. He said 11 ballots were declared invalid after the first tally of ballots. Siegel said Brown emerged as the victor after the third tally. The numbers represented a voter turnout of approximately 50%. It was announced earlier in the evening that the association‘s had topped 2,700 members. Public school board labels 54 teaching posts redundant By ANGELA BLACKBURN Oakville Beaver Staff he Halton Board of I Education is planning to operate with 54 fewer teaching positions next year, but hopes to accomplish this without any layoffs. The board hopes to avoid layâ€" offs through natural attrition which could be enhanced through a $500,000 early retirement fund. "The board has not laid anyone off at this time," assured board employee services superintendent Sue Currie Thursday. And while some instructional staff have been informed their positions are "Excess to Region," Currie said the process is an annual Bonnie Brown, the Liberal candidate for Oakville Milton, receives congratulations from her oppoâ€" nents (I to r) David Bazar, Mohan Anand and Bruce Hood. (Photo by Barrie Erskine) She stressed it was not related to Halton education director Bob Williams‘ request for a day‘s pay donation from teachers â€" for a total of $1.2 million â€" in order to avoid 75 layoffs. To date, the voluntary contribuâ€" tions from teachers has raised $600,000 with the final amount due to be released Wednesday. In collective agreements, teachâ€" ers were given job security subject to the agreements‘ Article 19 which outlines a surplus/redundanâ€" cy process if a drop in enrolment equates to a drop in teacher numâ€" bers, according to the pupilâ€"teachâ€" erâ€"ratio (PTR). (See ‘Board‘ page 4) Paper Artistic entrepreneur Frank Rea has a flower for every season and reason