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OAKVILLE'S BEST REAL ESTATE SECTION INSIDE! www.oakvillebeaver.com Beaver THE OAKVILLE Voted Ontario's Top Newspaper Four Years in a Row - 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 Mortgages G R E AT R AT E S Purchases Renewals Refinances Rental Properties Over 40 Lenders Credit Lines Vacation Properties A member of Metroland Media Group Ltd. Vol. 52 No. 91 CLOSING THE OPEN: Nathan Green, Canadian Open 2009 champion, kisses his trophy. It was a hard-fought battle for the title as rain proved to be Green's biggest adversary on the course designed by Jack Nicklaus. For more photos and coverage, see page 2 and Sports. The Open all wet but business was up By Tina Depko OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF While heavy downpours created chaos for RBC Canadian Open organizers last weekend, the hospitality industry was seeing dollar signs. Like the raindrops, there was a trickle effect on local businesses as spectators and golfers alike spent more time at restaurants waiting for Mother Nature to bring sunny skies. The extension of the tournament to Monday, rather than wrapping up on Sunday, also meant that out-of-town guests needed an No Pay for 6 months and Huge Rebates PLUS ­ We guarantee your valuable Manufacturer and Government Rebates and take care of the Paperwork for you. For Deadlines and Complete Details call 905-844-2949 Ask about our excellent Financing and Great Terms. MORTGAGE CONSULTANT M08005472 1500 Upper Middle Rd. Abbey Plaza at Third Line PAUL FOLEY AMP HO: 104 ­ 5770 Hurontario St. Mississauga, ON L5R 3G5 Powered by 905.827.8009 Crusaders in prom dresses NEWS "Using Communication To Build Better Communities" WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2009 · 52 Pages $1.00 (plus GST) Councillor calls for lobbyists' registry Others fear more red tape By Tim Foran METROLAND WEST MEDIA GROUP An Oakville regional councillor is seeking to shed light on backroom lobbying taking place in Halton. At a recent regional council meeting, Councillor Alan Johnston asked staff to report by September on the feasibility of creating a lobbyist registry. Such online, searchable registries already exist at the provincial and federal levels as well as in the City of Toronto, but not in Halton. The Province granted municipalities the right to set up such registries when it updated the Municipal Act in 2007. "Lobbying has gone on forever and it's always going to go on," said Johnston. "There's nothing wrong with it. It should just be above board and open." Currently, Halton residents can see any lobbying that takes place in the form of oral presentations made by attendees at council or committee meetings or as written submissions solicited during a public feedback period. However, what's hidden from the public's view is if, when and why a development consultant has lunch with a councillor outside regional headquarters, or a technology company hoping to sell its product to the Region meets with senior staff. "There's no suggestion it's unprofessional," said Mayor Rob Burton, who supports Johnston's proposal. "The suggestion is it ought to be reportable and public. I believe our decisions will be better if everybody knows who's playing with who." But how far does it go, questioned other councillors. Burlington Mayor Cam Jackson said he has no problem with the registry in principle, but wants to ensure it doesn't tie up non-profit groups with red tape. Jackson said he meets often with volunteer-run environmental groups or non-profit organizations in the children's services field, both of whom could technically be considered lobbyists. JON CURRIE / OAKVILLE BEAVER extra night at local hotels if they wanted to see the final outcome. Sharkey's World Cafe, located just down the road from Glen Abbey Golf Club, saw a boon in business thanks to the weather. "A lot of people were staying longer because of the rain," said Jessica Docherty, manager of Sharkey's. "For the golfers, they didn't have to rush back to the course, so they stayed and usually when people stay longer, they purchase more beverages and food." Docherty said the restaurant relies on the Canadian Open to meet its summer sales targets. "Most of our regular clientele live in Oakville and many of them leave to go to the cottage for the summer, so we absolutely rely on events like the Canadian Open to bring business in to the restaurant," she said. Restaurants in other parts of town, such as Stoney's Bread Company in Kerr Village, also saw spectators come through its doors looking for good food and a reprieve from the drizzly weather. "People from the Open don't generally venture down to this area, but we certainly saw some people the past few days wearing golf attire," said Blake Stoneburgh, owner of Stoney's. See Hotels page 4 See Some page 3 · Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed · Serving Oakville with Shop at Home Service SHUTTERS CALIFORNIA & PLANTATION · Wood & Vinyl Shutters, Supplied & Installed · High Quality at Affordable Prices Authorized Eclipse Shutters Dealer Shop at Home Service FREE SHUTTERS ETC. 905.691.4455 www.shuttersetc.ca