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OPINION & LETTERSTHE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR:The Oakville BeaverTHE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR:Canadian Circulation467 Speers Rd.,Audit Board Member Oakville Ont. L6K 3S4 Recognized for Excellence by(905) 845-3824 Fax: 337-5571ClassiOntario CommunityCanadian Communityfied Advertising: 632-4440 Newspapers AssociationNewspapers AssociationCirculation: 845-9742 Open 9-5 weekdays,ATHENASuburban NewspapersAward5-7 for calls only Wed. to Friday, Closed weekendsof AmericaEditorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. NEIL OLIVERVice President and Group ROD WManaging EditorMARK DILLSDirector of ProductionUnauthorized use is prohibited.Publisher of Metroland WestDANIEL BAIRDAdvertising DirectorMANUEL GARCIAProduction ManagerThe Oakville Beaver is a division ofDAVID HARVEYRegional General ManagerRIZIERO VERTOLLIPhotography DirectorCHARLENE HALLDirector of DistributionJILL DAVISEditor in ChiefSANDY PAREBusiness ManagerSARAH MCSWEENEYCirc. ManagerLetter to the editorGet seriousMisleadingPardon us, but we tend to get a little cynical atbudget informationmunicipal budget time.Over the years we have foundResidents may have received the there are two truismswhen it comes to municipal propertyemail from Tom Adams who is the taxes no homeowner wants to payTowns budget chair. for a tax increase and no politicianwants to be blamedHe is seeking your input into the for a tax increase. Everything else inbetween tends to be a little less black and white2011 budget process. Please note .Over the past few years we have witnessed the Town ofthat he refers to a total tax increase Oakville trying to fudge its true tax increase by rolling itof 3.32 per cent. This translates to a together with the Regional and Education taxes to arrive7.6 per cent increase in the Towns at what theybase budget the total 3.32 per cent call an "overall 3.14 per cent" tax increase.After all,is rather misleading. this sounds much better than Town's basebudget increase is actuallyIf the budget chair wants you to 7.1 per cent. We have to won-der whether the Town would be referringunderstand the impact of the to an "overalltax increase" ifincrease he is referring to it would the Regional and Educational tax increas-es were actuallybe more appropriate for him to give larger than the Town's increase.We would go into more detail, but this was accom-you some context. plishedFor instance the total tax you pay quite well in a letter Misleading budget informa-tionfrom Janice Wright, a former Oakville regionalis a combination of regional, educa-councillortion and Oakville taxes which was , on the other side of this page.Instead1.61 per cent, in 2010 and was 3.88 , we will comment on the other aspect of themunicipal budget process proposed budget cuts per cent in 2009.which tends to inspire cynicism On the other hand the Oakville .When it comes to trimming municipalbase budget was 9.9 per cent, in expenditures,why2008 and 7.9 per cent, 2009 so per- do we always see the same proposals transit fareincreases, cuts to the arts, windrow removal services forhaps the 7.6 per cent being proposed The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerationsLetters toand grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. seniors, municipalis a good story? swimming pools, library hours upLetters should be addressed toThe Editor, Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, ON, L6K 3S4, or via for discussionThis council is continuing to .e-mail to editor@oakvillebeaver.com. TheBeaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter.the editorIshide the true level of tax increases it because staff and council know that each of theseproposals willby expressing the increase as a per- garner an outcry of support from a largeFred Oliver warrants lasting tributegroup of taxpayers? Is this a designed plan to make a taxcentage of the total tax bill. In other increase more palpable to taxpayers?words they are taking credit for the I was saddened to read about the passing however, he reached out to me during the Make no mistake, setting a multi-million budget for anegligible increase in the Region's of Oakville's Fred Oliver.campaign by sending me a very kind and corporation like the Town of Oakville is a difficult task.portion and the fact that the educa-As a long-time Oakville resident myself, I positive e-mail of encouragement and sup-While Town Council is tryingtion portion is unchanged. to make the process moreexperienced a spurt of civic passion back in port.accessible by hosting open houses andThe reductions in the 7.6 per inviting residents2006 when I made a run for council.One could sense his warmth of heart and to comment on the budget, we can't help wonder wheth-cent increase suggested by staff are It was soon evident that political cam-spirit, and his keen understanding of my er this is reallyregarded as effectively reductions in window dressing. paigns can bring out the very worst in people. motivation to serve the community.The sadexisting programs and services, truth is many of us don't have the time orIn fact, some can become downright nasty, I would hope that our current council expertise to wade through the pages and pages of docu-which is nonsense. even if they are not running against you.would see fit to create a lasting monument or ments to arrive at valid budget cuts.MrThe reality is that this council . Oliver, however, was a standout of tribute to this man's enduring commitment For this, we rely on Town staffhas committed itself to so many and our elected repre-kindness and concern. His humanness out-and unique contribution to the community.sentatives. Which is whyprojects, "paid by development char- we are disappointed in theweighed any need to win.Rest in peace Mr. Oliver.apparent lack of effort to find meaningful proposals toges", apparently forgetting that At that time I did not know Mr. Oliver, Margaret Mercer, Oakvilletrim this year's budgetthere will be operational costs in the .Over time, annual tax increases act like compoundfuture.Pud BY STEVE NEASEneasecartoons@gmail.cominterest and the longI have a few suggestions that term impact on our property taxesis muchmight help the budget chair not larger than the "overall" yearly increase.It's time for council and staff to get serious with theincrease our taxes; how about no budget.more raised medians that are a ped-estrian safety hazard, or no more The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 bike lanes that cause cyclists to run Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. Advertising is themselves into sewer grates, or accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of ineffective speed bumps that cost advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for $100,000 and upwards, or graveled at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or See Solid page 9decline.www.insideHALTON.com OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, February 11, 2011 6