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Kara Lang shines on Popular local artist international stage heading west Sports the arts E very Fr id a y BAND at 9 pm ton Coin I Drnl ft H E W 844 8703 www.oakvillebeaver.com NORTH A M< `Ik >I<u )< I I \ i l )li( iH k M) A 'S M O S T V< > 1 . N( > 12? > H U E BEAVER AWARDED C O M M U N ITY I i< 1 1 )AY M AI U 11 H. M 4 0 I Nl&t *s NEWSPAPER 7 »( <Mils I/>l( is ( > ^ h Town council refers OPA 198 back to staff for review Environmental studies cited as reason By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF The Town of Oakville wants to consider doing lots more environmental studies before it okays growth north of Dundas Street. That was the word out of a four-hour debate that followed 60 hours of public hearings on Official Plan Amendment (OPA) No. 198. The draft amendment would bring the Town's blueprint for the future into sync with Halton Region's and the Province of Ontario's plans which call for some 7,000 acres north of Dundas Street to become urban and provide homes to 55,000 people. Under threat of being taken to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) by several developers, Town councillors voted 7-5 to refer OPA 198 back to staff for review of the feasibility of doing numerous environmental studies before any growth plan is okayed. Staff should report back in eight weeks. The call evoked applause from many in the crowd of 600 who crammed council chambers and over flow rooms to hear debate. Ward 3 Councillor Fred Oliver was supported by Councillors Kevin Flynn (Ward 1), Ralph Robinson (Ward 1), Linda Hardacre (Ward 2), Tedd Smith (Ward 3), Allan Elgar (Ward 4) and Keith Bird (Ward 3). Voting against it, in hopes of getting an amended OPA 198 in place prior to heading to a potential OMB hearing, was Mayor Ann Mulvale and Councillors Jody Sanderson (Ward 4), Jeff Knoll (Ward 5), Janice Caster (Ward 5) and Kurt Franklin (Ward 6). Ward 6 Councillor Janice Wright was absent visiting family in New Zealand. Tuesday's decision had Oakvillegreen applauding, with Renee Sandelowsky hailing it as a "landmark decision." But Bumhamthorpe Road residents, who belong to Residents Association North of Dundas (RAND), were shak ing their heads. Their 100 homes had originally (See `O M B ' page 9) Editorials............. ............ 6 Best Wheels.......... ...........19 Artscene.............. ...........23 Sports.................. 29 Business . 31 Classifieds............. ...........32 Full Ddivery: Dominion, Sprirn, Sobeys, Hiil-M art Partial Ddivery: Albert i Carpet One La-Z-Bm Canadian Tire, Food Basks, Ho-Lee Chow Restaurant, House iif Health, Licks OufriUe. Toys R Us. M e n The Bam Fruit M arins, Sears Canada Inc., Radio Shack. Shop A Save, Kotex Sample. What's Up Kids. The Bay Julie Fairrie · Oakxille Beaver CLOSE COVERAGE! S t Dominic's (black jerseys) won the Halton elementary title on Tuesday in overtime over Holy Rosary of Burlington. In this photo, Kevin Jones of St. Dominic's watch es as the ball goes out of bounds. See today's sports section for story. Council expense report on agenda By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Inside every Friday... own councillors filed more expenses last year than the year before while also cashing in on the first year of a nearly $10,000 pay hike. The pay hike bumped council lor salaries from approximately $17,700 to $26,000. It was approved in June 2000 and took effect December of that year. The T current council was elected in the fall of 2000. The same increase bumped up the mayor's salary from $46,000 to $64,000. After 12 years at the old pay scale, the hike was approved fol lowing a study showing Oakville's mayor was the lowest paid in the GTA. The Province of Ontario requires council to report its pre vious year's annual salaries and expenses before March. That annual report hit the Town of Oakville council agenda Monday. "All expenses were incurred in accordance with the approved 2001 budget and the Town's expense policies," reported Margaret Western, manager of accounting operations for the Town. In fact, 2001 was the first full (S ee `M ayor's ' page 8) I Limited Time offer! f i. W h o le L o t t a V i x z a f o r $ Buy a medium pizza at regular price, get up to 3 more for only $5 each. Pizza must be equal or lesser value than 1st pizza, offer expires March 2 5 /0 2 vf y' V ' * M- O A K V ILLE T O W N CENTRE I 3 3 8 - 0 3 4 4 TR A FA LG A R R ID G E 2 5 7 -5 4 3 3