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Mulligan believes new views needed on hydro commission By STEVE LeBLANC Special to The Champion Milton Hydro commissioners haven't taken an active enough role on utility issues, says Ward 4 hopeful Loretta Mulligan. 'The commission isn't as involved as they should be. I've gone to meetings where there's been no discussion and no questions asked," said Ms Mulligan, who is hoping to unseat longtime incumbent Jack Robertson. According to the former Milton Hydro executive manager, the single biggest problem surrounding the commission is lack of communication. Unadvertised meetings and a discontinued newsletter, she said, have kept the public in the dark over hydro changes and issues. Ms Mulligan said, "I've had people ask me just what the hydre commission does, and that's a serious problem." If elected, she would urge the commission to hold evening meetings - offering increased accessibility to the public - as well as reintroducing their regular newsletter. She would aiso like to see the retumn of hydro safety lectures at the elementary school level, which she dlaims have "fallen by the wayside." Experience with both the library board and Canadian Federation of University Women, Ms Mulligan said, have offered ber insight into management and negotiating skills. Both - she feels - will be vital when Milton eventually undertakes amnalgamation plans with other Halton municipalities. "I don't think we have much of a say as to whether or not it (wmalgamatio) happens but we'll need strong leadership to pro- tect Milton's interests," she stressed. 'This town's diverse layout makes its hydre services much dif- ferent from Oakville or Burlington and our needs have to be addressed." Although part of management during last year's lockout, Ms Mulligan feels grievances could have been resolved without dras- tic action. "Both sides dug in their-heels during the lockout, which could have and should have ended much sooner. "Management talks about how they saved money through lost employee wages, but that's money that wasn't going into the community and helping our economy," said Ms Mulligan. Loretta Mulligan Wheels on the web Students about to go after their dniver's license in Ontario now have a brand new, free tool to help prepare themselves. The www.LearnToDrive.com web site is designed for first-time drivers, who can use it to practice the Gi test get automo- bile tips and other valuable information. The web site is sponsored by the Milton- based Wheels driver training company. Chief instructor Keith Black said, "stu- dents of ail ages will benefit fromn this interactive approach to the practical aide of driving." A chiff1es mz dtN la- t9 PROTEGE SE. EVE-RYTH I-NGS BIG# EXCEP THE PRICE. 4 1998 Mazda. Protegé SE The Place for Unbeatable Prices and Service r>~~357 QUEEN STREET EAST, ACTON (519) 853-0200 (905) 453-8965 Ul The Canadien Champion, Frlday, November 7, 1997 - 13 Robe rtson says he knows business, is a team pkiyer By STEVE LeBLANC Speclal to The Champion Jack Robertson says good, long-term planning bas gotten Milton Hydro osut of $4 million in debt. The 12-year local hydre commissioner explaissed that wben be first started in 1985, "Milton Hydro took on a $4 mil- lion debt to purchase Ontario Hydro's power lines in rural Milton. "As of 1996, we've been out of thse Sd." Challenging for bis Ward 4 commis- sion seat is ex-Milton Hydro employee Loretta Mulligan, wh> believes thse com- mission bas been lax. in keeping its con- stituents appnised of its operations. While admitting tisat tbeir monthly meetings aren't publicized, he asserts that Milton residents are consulted on hydro-related.issues. "For example, we talked with many residents before we switcbed te monthly billing and most feit it was a good idea," said Mr. Robertson, a systeins control operator for Mississasga Hydro. In addition te Milton Hydro's iniproved. balance sheet, Mr. Robertson takes ciadit for helping implement a $5 million long-range maintenance over- haul - which he feels offers residents better service at a reasonsble rate. Speaking to thse issue of amalganma- tion, the-longtine inecmbent said link- ing up with other municipalities is important - not se mucis witb regards to lowering costs but rather giving Milton Hydro greater weight with its provincial parent commission. Jack Robertson WARD 4 Keep Hydro Rates Low 'Toronto bas one quarter of thse hsydro for ail of Ontario, so if they ask for sometbing tbey'll usssally get it. Smaller centres don't bave nearly as nsuch Puill," he said. Mr. Robertson said Iast year's Milton Hydro tockout hurt tbe comsnission's, credibility, adding tbat he wiIl continue to work towards mending fensces between managemnt and employees. So wby should Miltonians re-elect him? "I'm thse teebaical expert on thse comn- mission, I know hsydre ant I 'm a tean player," he answered. FOiday à Sturday ighty e 7:00&9:15 [S] 5day -Thursoy nghdy t7:00 pm, 0,Oy 5.onday Mal,,,.. 2I 0p0 F..dyAaturday ighn4% t7:00 &0 9:1p, PG 50 Thu"LghdaL9iYt 70p, o 1 KNOW WHAT YOU DI AST MR Say - Thmaý70 .pa -py tieee 2p IL MYk ILLWVI ( l j 20 Remaining Family Memberships avallable at between $5,500 and $6,500 - nitiati n'on (reduced from $24,000). F or more information 519 924 3595 or 519 924 3956 Fax. ý _ _ - 1 M qq NEW 1998