Beaver THE OAKVILLE Voted Ontario's Top Newspaper Four Years in a Row - 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com The play's the thing for Peter Artscene 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 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. 127 "USING COMMUNICATION TO BUILD BETTER COMMUNITIES" WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2009 72 Pages $1.00 (plus GST) It's the Great Yorkie Pumpkin Decision pending on power plant OMB hearing By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Development or not development? Legal question is core of sports field lighting dispute By Kim Arnott SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER The arguments may be over, but the wait is just beginning. Lawyers for the Town of Oakville, TransCanada and Ford of Canada completed their closing statements, Tuesday, in an Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) hearing that could decide whether a 900-megawatt gas-fired power plant comes to Oakville. Ford of Canada and TransCanada called for the hearing to challenge a Town interim control bylaw and Official Plan amendment, which bans the construction or expansion of power plants with a capacity larger than 10-megawatts. The two companies are hoping the board will overturn the two planning measures so TransCanada can build and operate the Oakville Generating Station on the Ford-owned lands of 1500 Royal Windsor Dr. TransCanada has called the planning measures an 11th hour action intended to take away development rights. The Town has argued that the planning measures are necessary to give the Town breathing room to conduct a study that will decide what areas of the town can best accommodate the proposed power plant. During the day's summations Town lawyer John Doherty reiterated his position that Oakville Council was doing its job when it passed the two planning measures in March. NIKKI WESLEY/OAKVILLE BEAVER COUNTRY PUMPKIN: Pumpkin the Yorkie dressed as a Jack-o-lantern during the Oakville & District Humane Society's annual fall fundraiser Critters Gone Country Fair and Walk-A-Thon Sunday afternoon. More than 600 people and 250 dogs attended the event and raised $35,000 to take care of homeless, abused and neglected animals. Is adding light standards to a sports field actually development? That was the legal question in front of the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) last Friday, as the Halton Catholic District School Board challenged a decision by the Town of Oakville to require site plan approval for the addition of lights to the sports field at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Secondary School. The school board is in the midst of a $1.7-million retrofit of the school's track and field facilities. Along with replacing the sod field with artificial turf, and installing a new all-weather track and bleachers, the plan calls for the installation of six light standards to the currently unlit field. While the board has undertaken similar projects in Burlington and Milton, the lighting of the field at Loyola, as well as a similar plan for St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School, has become controversial in Oakville, with local residents expressing concern about possible impacts on their properties. A handful of residents showed up for Friday's hearing, but were told they would not be allowed to address the board. "The motion (under consideration) is a question of law -- whether See Ford page 3 See School 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