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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday December 5, 2008 - 25 Oakville named Smart Commuter Employer of the year for Halton The Town of Oakville was recently recognized last week by Metrolinx, an agency of the Government of Ontario, as the Smart Commuter Employer of the Year for Halton for its outstanding efforts to help employees get to work by walking, cycling, taking transit, carpooling and teleworking as alternates to driving. "It's important to lead by example," Mayor Rob Burton said. "People expect us to, and our partnership with Metrolinx increases the environmental benefit." As part of the Smart Commute program, Town Hall now has dedicated carpool parking spots for employees and a carpool matching system, an emergency ride home program, transit-use initiatives and bicycle storage lockers. Special recognition awards were also given to Oakville for having the Most Cyclists and earning the Best Mode Shift (to non single occupant vehicle use) in the category of 200-500 employees. "The Smart Commute program was initiated internally," said Dave Bloomer, Infrastructure and Transportation Services Commissioner for the Town of Oakville. "We have a very dedicated Smart Commute team whose goal was to increase staff awareness of other modes of transportation to and from work. We are very proud to receive this award for their efforts." The Town got involved in the Smart Commute program in 2007, under Halton's Smart Commute transportation management association, to help reduce single occupant vehicle trips travelling during peak traffic conditions and help improve local air quality. The Town committed to implementing a Smart Commute program at Town Hall with plans of expanding the program in the future to other Town facilities and eventually other organizations within the community. "Congratulations to the Town of Oakville," said Rob MacIsaac, Chair of Metrolinx. "As a Smart Commute leader, Oakville is setting an example on how to green the community and make better use of their transportation infrastructure investments." Winners were selected by an independent panel of community members from various sectors across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. Nominations were evaluated on the employer's commitment to the program, leadership in their communities, innovation and results. For more information or to participate in the Smart Commute program, visit www.smartcommute.ca BERTIN STABLES Fall and Winter Lessons and Christmas Camps Now Booking · Weekday Lessons 4/$107 or $35/Lesson · Saturday at Farm 10am-3pm $40 (Children 5-12 yrs.) www.bertinstables.com (905) 827-4678www.bertinstables.com