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16 - The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday June 2, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Halton Region introduces new slogan-less logo By Melanie Hennessey SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Halton Region is slogan-less now that regional council has decided a corporate logo without words will do just fine. The verdict came after a council debate Wednesday on whether the `Halton -- Naturally the Best' tagline associated with the 2007-2010 Strategic Plan would be suitable to include with a new Region logo, replacing the current one that says `A World Class Place to Be'. The Strategic Plan was approved with very little discussion as the councillors focused on the slogan issue. While Halton Hills Councillor Jane Fogal suggested `Naturally Inspired' as a tagline at a recent committee meeting, it didn't garner much support from her colleagues. So at council's Wednesday session, she instead proposed doing market research for the slogan and logo. "We need to take a more careful look at it," she said. But her fellow council members didn't seem too crazy about this notion either, like Milton Councillor Barry Lee. Dear Roger, How do I know if the girl I'm dating really likes me? Your furnace can affect your love life. Maintain your heating system for under $19/month, and always create the right climate for romance. Find out how at askroger.ca Halton's new slogan-less logo He said if doing research means spending more money on consultants, he's totally opposed. "In my opinion, the public probably doesn't care (about a slogan)," he remarked. Burlington Councillor John Taylor, who expressed his exasperation about doing what is usually committee work during a council meeting, also spoke out against the market research idea. "I like the logo and I like the tagline," he said. "Let's just get on with this." Meanwhile, Oakville Councillor Jeff Knoll said he doesn't think a slogan is even needed. "I think the logo speaks volumes by itself," he said. In the end, Fogal put forward a motion to approve the logo without a tagline. Council supported her resolution. The new logo encapsulates the natural elements of the region -- the Niagara Escarpment, rolling hills, green space and Lake Ontario -- and also represents the values council wishes to achieve through the Sustainable Halton land use planning process. It was created by Halton graphic design staff. In order to minimize costs, the logo will be phased in gradually as existing supplies of materials are depleted, and in accordance with the normal life-cycle replacement program of vehicles and signage. Council went on to endorse the Strategic Plan and its original vision statement that starts off with `Halton -- Naturally the Best'. The document lays out where council wants to go in its term of office. The Strategic Plan's goals are supported by the annual committee plans that contain specific actions for staff. The 2008 actions include: · Develop policies to protect designated employment lands in partnership with the local municipalities. · Implement a tourism strate- gy that takes advantage of Halton's natural heritage attributes. · Establish a `green' building standard for regional facilities. · Develop a work plan to address seniors' issues. · Review the Region's existing pesticide strategy. · Develop updated Transportation Master Plan policies to address walking and cycling. "After our public consultation process, I am confident that this Strategic Plan clearly sets out the priorities of regional council members and of the people they represent," said Regional Chair Gary Carr. Council also approved making two amendments to the 2008 actions to: · Explore the development of an anti-bullying strategy that includes identification of best practices and all forms of discrimination towards diverse groups and individuals that contributes to bullying · Participate in initiatives that support the workforce integration of foreign-trained professionals in their chosen field and advocate to the provincial and federal governments for support. The Strategic Plan and action plans can be found at www.halton.ca. Copies will be available in print in July. Classes start Monday, June 11th River Oaks 6:00 am, 7:15 am, or 6:00 pm INDOOR & OUTDOOR FITNESS TOTAL BODY CONDITIONING 1 hour a day / 3 or 5 days a week / 4 weeks Enlist today! Register online at www.survivorbootcamp.com or call 1 877 BOOTCMP (1.877.266.8267) Franchises Available! Small Class Sizes Ensure Guaranteed Results.