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Insurance rates to perk you up Insurance premiums for your home and vehicle are on the rise. Dobson & Toncic delivers value getting you the most competitive rates and connecting you with the perfect insurance partners. Well further maintain your trust by making sure any claims are handled quickly, personally and easily. Connect with more than trusted professionals, connect with friends. Insurance and financial services the way you want them. Call today for an insurance review and ask for Heather Grant or Jackie Laidman at: 905.829.2907 Dobson & Toncic Insurance Brokers Ltd. 2020 Winston Park Drive, Suite 101, Oakville, ON L6H 6X7 www.dobson-toncic.com 905.829.2907 HOME; CARYour Your 5 W ednesday , O ctober 20, 2010 O A KVILLE BEA V ER w w w .o akvillebeaver .co m By Hiba Kesebi SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Three candidates are competing for the Ward 4 Halton District School Board (HDSB) seat in the upcoming Oct. 25 municipal election. Aman Jaspal and Jennifer Poirier are hoping to unseat incumbent Kathryn Bateman-Olmstead for the position. Aman Jaspal Jaspal, 39, moved to Oakville from Toronto in 2006. She describes her- self as a very involved and concerned parent. Jaspal, who owns a talent search firm, says she is constantly volunteer- ing in her childrens school whether it is in their classes, libraries, or the Food for Thought program. The mother of two says there are three main issues that she will address if elected. The first revolves around alloca- tion of resources. Since the HDSB is one of the fastest growing school boards in Ontario, it is important that the budget assigned to the board is being allocated properly and responsibly. This will ensure that students can walk to schools and there is more technology in the classroom, explains Jaspal. The second issue that she will address is ensuring that the HDSB continues to promote nutrition pro- grams at school. When I joined the Food for Thought program in the school I wanted to ensure that there is a high level of awareness regarding healthi- er food choices and lifestyles. I want to increase awareness about that, she says. Lastly, if elected, Jaspal wants the Ward 4 community members to know that they can approach her to discuss their concerns. I want to transcend the commu- nication between the parents and the board, she says. What Ive been hearing when Ive been out with the people is that they really have no idea who to talk to regarding issues and issues keep get- ting escalated. I want to stop that, says Jaspal. Kathryn Bateman-Olmstead Olmstead is seeking re-election as Ward 4 trustee because she wants to ensure there are long-term plans implemented to make students feel like they belong and are cared for and listened to in school. In the past four years Bateman- Olmstead, 51, has expanded French language programming in Oakville, and helped open Palermo Public School a dual track French immersion school to address under enrollment and overcrowding in the ward. Bateman-Olmstead feels that although it is difficult to bring people of differing opinions together, she has gained considerable insight on the issues affecting Ward 4 and that allows her to build on common goals in the community. If elected for a second term, the stay-at-home mom will continue promoting equal, diversified quality education, accommodation of stu- dents and accountability as well as transparency. I have met a lot of interesting peo- ple, I have respected and listened to people with different issues, and I hope Ill be able to continue to do that, said Olmstead, adding that she will continue to place an emphasis on communication with the community. She said that she cannot remem- ber one suggestion, complaint or comment that she did not take seri- ously or follow up on as trustee. Aside from being Ward 4 trustee, Bateman-Olmsteads involvement with the education system includes teaching autistic children and youths, counselling teenagers and parents, facilitating workshops, vol- unteering in the classroom and organizing various student activities. Her most memorable moments as trustee include the opening of Emily Carr Public School and Palermo Public School. Jennifer Poirier Poirier, a Canadian business manager for an international war- rantee firm, said she is running for trustee because she wants to ensure that the ward is well represented. I want to try to be a voice for all of Ward 4, not just the minority, said Poirier, whose campaign slogan is working for all, growing together. She said she decided to run after being approached by people in the community who felt the ward is not well represented. Poirier does not support the idea of having special programming given preference over accommoda- tion. Boundaries keep changing and weve seen kids displaced multiple times from school to school, she said, adding she is a strong propo- nent of community schools. I think that neighbourhood schools are essential to bring a com- munity together. The idea of busing around to reach other programs could probably be changed to at least ensure that there is less busing involved, said Poirier. Students should be able to attend the school closest to their homes, which is not the case right now, she added. Poirier promises to focus on four issues: accommodation, special education, health and safety as well as the budget. Ward 4 incumbent public school trustees faces two challengers Fourteenth in a series Aman Jaspal Kathryn Bateman-Olmstead Jennifer Poirier