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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday October 19, 2007 - 7 Town embarks on turning a vision into reality By Kim Arnott SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Now, onto the hard part... Last spring, Town Council adopted the goal of making Oakville the most livable town in Canada. But on Wednesday night, local politicians were given the more challenging task ­ figuring out just how to get there. In an attempt to create a vision to guide the town's future growth and development, councillors were asked to ponder Oakville's strengths and its weaknesses. They decided that Oakville is a safe, attractive, wealthy, historic and geographically-blessed community with an abundance of recreational opportunities, a unique downtown core and a strong community identity. "The civic and natural landscapes are very, very different from what you find in most other places in the GTA," said Mayor Rob Burton. Councillors also admit- "How do we not grow ourselves out of existence?" Oakville Ward 3 Regional Councillor Keith Bird ted that Oakville is an unaffordable, congested, smoggy community with limited access to daycare, healthcare and jobs. Several councillors noted that their children ­ now young adults ­ have left Oakville because they can't find affordable apartments in town. Another councillor will soon accompany his wife to Mississauga to give birth, because that's where her doctor is located. With an additional 64,000 people expected to flood into Oakville over the next 15 years, the challenge will be to maintain the Town's positive features, while improving its disadvantages. A new Official Plan, intended to replace the outdated one adopted 24 years ago, is being developed to guide Oakville into the future. But Town staff believe the plan needs to be based on a strong vision of what the community should be. For councillors, that vision includes cleaner air, more trees and green space, more employment opportunities, a greater diversity of housing, and plenty of active public space for people of all ages. They also expressed a desire to see a more balanced form of growth that brings new jobs, services and schools, alongside new residents. One of the challenges, noted Ward 3 councillor Keith Bird, will be maintaining the physical and psychological boundaries that create the sense that Oakville is a separate community from its neighbours. "How do we not grow ourselves out of existence?" he asked. Oakville residents will be asked to grapple with some of these questions over the next few weeks, as town staff hold a series of public meet- ings to talk about the vision for Oakville's future. The following meetings are scheduled: · Oct. 24 (7-9 p.m.) at Sir John Colborne Senior Centre · Oct. 30 (7-9 p.m.) at Town Hall · Nov. 1 (7-9 p.m.) at Town Hall · Nov. 5 (7-9 p.m.) at Central Library · Nov. 8 (7-9 p.m.) at Halton Regional Police Headquarters · Nov. 10 (10 a.m. -noon) at Town Hall. Enjoytoday. Invest for tomorrow. Reaching your current and long-term financial goals is easier when you have a Financial Advisor who works with you to build and maintain an investment plan ­ complete with solutions that are tailored to your personal situation. CIBC Bonus Rate GICs provide guaranteed income and security for your investment portfolio to help meet your savings and investing needs with: above our regular GIC rates1 www. .com 1 For clear, objective advice that's right for you, please call me at (905) 825-2502 at our Loraine Tavares, CFP 1500 Upper Middle Rd Financial Advisor location. CIBC Investor Services Inc. 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