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Halton wants to give Leach an earful over housing idea By BRAD REAUME The Champion Halton councillors are adamant that they want notli- ing to do with subsidized housing. The whole of counicil agreed with their administra- tion and finance committee and will informn Minister of Municipal Affairs AI Leach they are strongly opposed and want housing programs funded by the province. Putting subsidized housing on the municipal doorstep is part of the provincial cost-swapping plan, which municipalities say will hobble themn with huge new financing challenges. 'The govemment has a big mouth and no ears. They aren't going to listen," said Oakville Councillor Kevin Flynn at committee. "We should say that we don't agree social housing should be on the property tax and that's itL" Counicillors, also used the opportunity to reinforce its opposition to pooling of social service costs. They also took pains to explain how the province should operate the program. .Milton Mayor Gord Krantz told committee that Halton does flot want to be any more involved than iv already the case. He suggested someone else write the letter to the ministry because his version would use language that miight be unsuitably explicit. 1I fundamentally disagree that titis (subsidized bous- ing) iv an appropriate service to be funded through the property tax base," said Joe Rinaldo, Halton's comn- mriasioner of corporate services. Burlington Councillor Ralph Scholtens said hie wanted to tare a more practical view and speil out the approach that should lie -used in order for the shift to cost Halton taxpayers the lcast amnount of money. "We should give no inkling that we support what they are doing to us," said Halton Huis Mayor Marilyn Serjeantson at committee, who claimcd Mr. Scholtens was not part of the flght. "People are really getting angry. What's happening iv not fair or equitable." Oakville Councillor Keith Bird told the committee that at the recent Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference both Mr. Leachi and Premier Mike Harris acknowledged that many of these shifts were bad decisions. "I'm reminded that a bad decision can tp deflned by the length of time it takes to rectify it," he said, calling for the province to hiait its plans. Best says pace new growth e front GROWS on page 4 He said he supports a major change to the commit- tee structure at Milton counicil which would get inter- ested counicillors involved in issues they are most con- cemed about. Sudh a committee structure would make for shorter meetings, which would stop important decisions fromn being made in the wee hours. "People in Milton should have a choice," Mr. Best said. "If they want the status quo, fine. If tliey like what I have to offer then give mie a chance." He pointed to a lack of social and recreational opportunities for youtli as a cause of anme crime prob- lems. Mr. Best said lie lias a strong urban and rural back- ground, liaving lived both in town and in the country. He says lie constantly'gets calîs fromn rural as well as urban residents who say tliey approacli him because lie can get things done., Wyi. Best said kt is in Milton's best interest to try te preserve local counicils. He said it iv unlikely that Halton Region will disappear, an flexibility in local counicils iv important. Down the road Mr. Best said lie would ike te inves- tigate the continued role of hydro commissions and their potential amalgamation. Currently hydro commissioners are elected but Mr. Best said either existing or future legislation might change that. He said he was running a traditional campaign and was making a major effort to canvass neighbourhoods and "get out and listen to people." Mr. Best said there iv still much to lie decided on thse water servicing plan. He wants to make sure that exist- ing residents are served firsi, and that the environment iv respected. He said anme growth iv necessary to protcct current services suçh as Milton District Hospital. Upgrading schools alan depends on pressure fromi new students. "This iv the time to make a choice," he said. Calling for a high voter turnout because of two referenda, chlorine in the water and property taxation policy. on the ballot. Mr. Best said that if elected lie will shelve lis ral estate licence. In addition hie iv refusing to accept any campaign donations from developers or anyone wlio might bene- fit from growth in the community. JUTILTY -TRUCS - AN &666 11-A. vi',s 17 895 6 7Y 7u FI £USV Beware telephone scam artists says victimized trust company Consumers receiving phione calîs advîsing them that tliey've won a significant prize from Canada Trust sliould lie careful if the offer suggests tliey must psy money te receive il, the bank wamns. Canada Trust and police acrosv Canada have received inquiries from people who have been anlicit- cd as part of a teleplione fraud velieme, statcd a press release from tie bank. "In most cases, victimv were contacted by tele- phone, teld tliey had won a large prize, and tliat they lad to send in money te pay taxes andlor shipping and liandling expenses," said Canada Trust spokesperson Marik Towliey. in anme cases, the scamn artist claimied to represent Canada Trust lie saidL Canada Trust wamns that the calîs aoe not legitimate and tic callers are not assocîated witli the bank in any way. Anyone who may have been a victim of this type of call iv advised to contact Project Plionebusters, a joint OPP-RCMP task force figliting teleplione fraud. at 1- 888-495-8501. Carve a scary face at Mountsberg Carving masters of ail ages are invited to Horse drawn wagon rides and children's crafts will Mountsberg next Sunday (Oct. 26) for their annual alan be part of the event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 Pumpkin Carving Contest. pm Jack-o-lantemns are included with gate admissions, Mountsberg iv located on Milîborougli Line, 5 km vo ail you need are a few carving tools and lots of west of Camplielîville between Hwy. 6 and Guelphi I..