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The Canadian Champion, Friday, October 31, 1997-5 Rural residents worried about -'black hole' of T.O. By KAREN SMITH The Champion The Greater Toronto area (GTA) is like a black hole, waiting to suck the goodness out of the peaceful lands of Nassagaweya. That's how Ward 3 constituents and town council hopefuls said they view proposed regional reorganiza- tion at a well-attended ail-candidates meeting Wednesday night. After the two-hour gathering at the Campbellville Lions Club Hall ended, two things were certain. Nassagaweya residents want to preserve their area like an Egyptian tomb and anyone who wants to increase property taxes can jump into the Campbellville Pond. And those are the main reasons why five citizens said they are running in the November 10 municipal election. "I want to make sure it (the area) remains (the same) on behalf of my family and ail of us," said Lieven Gevaert, a 24-year Nassagaweya resident vying for a town council seat. The president of the Halton Region Federation of Agriculture said he believes in carefully planned, self- supporting growth, and nothing otherwise. The province's downloading would mean an aver- age property tax increase of $432 per Milton house- hold, pointed out regional Councillor Barry Lee, who is defending his seat. "This provincial threat is a fact. The province is really swinging." Mr. Lee said he would continue to fight to protect the area if re-elected in the position to which lie is greatly attached. "Being a politician is somewhat of an addiction, a form of mental illness and a bad habit," he said with his characteristic dry humour. Downsizing govermment was a hot topic that most candidates vowed to actively pursue. Attacking wasteful spending was Ward 3 Councillor Gerry Brooks, who is looking to snatch incumbent Barry Lee's regional council seat. Mr. Brooks, responding to a complaint from a con- stituent, said Halton Region has no business using $100,000 of taxpayers' money on promotion to inform the public about the province's downloading plans. The Region recently announced the move. Mutual understanding of positions would give Nassagaweya a stronger voice on Milton council, said Cindy Lunau, who is running for town council. Gerry Brooks Barry Lee She said her former job as a rural community news- paper reporter has helped her understand issues from ail sides, and therefore she could bring a new perspéc- tive to municipal government. "Rural areas need their own solutions," she said. Speaking from the heart, town council candidate Irene Grier said she wants to give something back to the community she cherishes. "I sec the energy of people here - their love of life. I want to be the same." She said she would apply the same budgeting skills she uses in the construction business she shares with her husband to council. Frank John Wilson, 30, who races motorcycles on weekends, said he lias lots of time on his hands to work on town council to keep Nassagaweya the way it is today. "I sec the rural area slowly getting busier and busier. What is it going to be like in 10 years?" He said he's an avid supporter of preserving the area's wetlands and strongly opposes construction anywhere near conservation areas. Fifteen-year Milton resident Joe DiPalma said he would work on town council to protect the ward's interests in GTA restructuring. "I live in the community. It's a fine community and I'd like to keep it that way. I don't see any positives in this (GTA restructuring for Nassagaweya) at ail." He also promised to restructure goverment to a leaner, more efficient operation to avoid property tax increases. Two people among the five, fresh candidates will be chosen to fill the seats vacated by Mr. Brooks and the fed-up Marion Howard. Check out your new daycare, urges Milton Fire Department The Milton Fire Department is theydroptheirchildrenoff." warning parents about the possible Mr. Cross said fire hazards are dangers that lie with emergency day- more likely te exist in recently estab- care. lished facilities. Most permanent The absence of smoke alarms, lack daycare centres that have expanded of proper exit ways and overcrowd- ing are among safety risks that may exist with recently established facili- ties, according to fire department spokesman Mark Cross. "Our concern is that (with the teachers' strike) there are probably a multitude of daycare centres either in the home or in donated areas that we are not aware of," said Mr. Cross. "We obviously can't do a door-to- door search for these facilities, so we're just tryirg to inform parents to be aware of potential hazards when their enrollment this past week have notified the fire department of changes. Stressed Mr. Cross, "We haven't heard of any specific examples of unsafe buildings, but we need to warn people ahead of time." The Milton Fire Department reports no fire hazards existed Monday or Tuesday, when some public schools remained open with skeleton staffs. Since then, aIl local schools have been closed. Mark Cross Mississauga man killed in crash The victim of a fatal two-car collision in rural crossed into the southbound lane and was struck Milton Monday has been identified as a 40-year-old broadside by a southbound Volkswagen. Mississauga man. The driver of this second vehicle, 58-year-old Neil According to investigating officer Rick Ferguson, Dempsey of Rockwood, was treated for minor injuries Karamijit Gill lost control of his Mazda on Guelph at Guelph Hospital. Line at approximately 7 a.m. Icy road conditions are believed to have been a fac- The northbound-,yphicl sppn around several timý e or.ip the acident, which remainsJnder irsti.gation. - .................... 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