547 Trafalgar Rd. 905-845-7579 2212 Wyecroft Rd. 905-847-2595 www.carstaroakville.com www.dentistoakville.com 905-842-6030 HALTON TRANSMISSION 559 SPEERS ROAD, UNIT #3 (905) 842-0725 A member of Metroland Media Group Ltd. Vol. 48 No. 137 USING COMMUNICATION TO BUILD BETTER COMMUNITIES THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2010 Beaver Trails Travel 32 Pages $1.00 (plus tax) SNA NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR 2010 ONTARIOS TOP NEWSPAPER - 2005-2008 MICHELLE SIU / OAKVILLE BEAVER EVERY DONATION COUNTS: Samantha McBride makes a donation to the Salvation Army, Oakville during the organization's local kettle campaign kickoff at the official lighting of the Christmas tree in Oakville Towne Square Friday evening. By Dominik Kurek OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Prior to his sudden resignation in November of last year, former president and CEO of Oakville Hydro Corporation (OHC) Alex Bystrin tried to address his concerns about the board of directors of the utility company with Town Council. Bystrin sent a letter, addressed to the mayor and members of council, on Oct. 16, 2009, signify- ing his wish to speak with them, in camera, to dis- cuss what he called shortcomings of the cor- porations board of direc- tors. The confidential letter was recently leaked to The Oakville Beaver by an anonymous sender. The letter, which arrived in an unmarked brown envelope, has been verified as authentic by the Beaver through sever- al of the involved parties. It should be noted that Bystrins concerns in the let- ter are allegations, which have not been proven. It is unclear whether Bystrin addressed council before he resigned shortly after submitting the letter. Both Mayor Rob Burton and Bystrin said they could not comment on the letter. That letter is confidential. Im not at liberty to dis- cuss it. I am bound by an NDA (non-disclosure agree- ment), Burton said. Ex-Oakville Hydro boss issued warning before resigning Alex Bystrin See Hydro page 12 By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Its been a close run the past couple of years, but the Salvation Army in Oakville is hopeful Santa via generous local res- idents will come through on this years annual Kettle Campaign. As is usual, the Salvation Army Kettle Campaign kicked off last Friday night as the Christmas tree was lit in downtown Oakville. The campaign will run until Dec. 24. Though its too early to say whether it will be tough going this year, there is a great need for volunteers to staff the ket- tles this year. Were always hopeful, said Major Dan Broome who is co-pastor at the Oakville church with his wife, Major Wendy Broome. A couple of years ago we wanted to raise $100,000 and just got it. Last year, we surpassed it, said Broome, recalling it required a big push at the end as dona- tions rolled in slowly such that little more than a week before the campaign ended, it had not even hit its half-way point. Salvation Army needs Kettle Campaign volunteers See Salvation page 10 We have a great need for volunteers and have a shortage of people phoning this year to volunteer in this way. Aisha Chaney, community and family services co-ordinator, The Salvation Army, Oakville www.brantfl orist.com/ob 905.639.7001