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A Metroland Community Newspaper Vol. 139 No. 15 Friday, April 24, 1998 36 Pages 75¢ (GST included) Business groups oppose the eastern growth focus By KAREN SMITH The Champion Balanced east and west Milton growth is essential to the future of all local mer- chants, say leaders of two business groups. Opposing Halton Region's call for initial growth in southeast Milton, the heads of the Milton Chamber of Commerce and the Milton Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) say they think merchants in the centre core will suffer. "We don't believe there will be any net savings, especially if downtown businesses suffer and fall," said Chamber president Jamie Burton. DBIA chair Bruce Sinclair said he believes eastem- only growth would create a satellite town with its own stores and services and encourage shopping and enter- tainment in Mississauga and Oakville. "If the historic downtown core is in the western quadrant of the new Milton and unable to benefit from increased traffic and growth then quite simply it will die," Mr. Sinclair said. But Halton Region recently announctd it intends to first develop lands to the east of Thompson Road. Financially speaking, that plan is the most feasible, said regional Councillor Rick Malboeuf. He said if money was no object, he would prefer the east-west scenario, but unfortunately that's not the case. "They're legitimate concerms, but we have to do what's best for everyone concermed. We have to look at the big picture." Halton development review manager Pat Murphy has said eastem development would reduce initial ser- vicing costs by about $13 million, because the branch lines of the main pipe from Lake Ontario would be sit- uated in the area before spreading out to cover other locations. Developers would put $36 million up front to pay for servicing costs. But Mr. Burton said he doesn't buy the financial rationale. "It has to be realized that any and aIl local develop- ment costs will be borne by the developers and not by existing taxpayers. If the developers are prepared to pay, then we'il ail be better off if we maintain a cen- tred growth plan," he said. "The main issue is protecting our historic downtown core, which Destiny Milton calls for." - say MAarT The Chamber and the DBIA heads say the regional preference is in complete contradiction with Milton's master plan, Destiny Milton. "The main issue is protecting our historic downtown core, which Destiny Milton calls for," said Chamber general manager Sandy Martin. The choice is still subject to more public debate and a regional council resolution. The business groups plan to make a presentation to town council May 4 followed by a visit to regional council May 19. Time to move on, says Joyce By BRAD REAUME The Champion Joyce Savoline says Halton gave the chlorination fight its best shot. "Council has gone to the wall on this," the regional chair said. "We tried to communicate with the province but they can't get around their own rules. It's time to say we've given it our best shot and its time to move on." Ms Savoline walked council briefly through the process of trying to get Milton an exemption which would allow residents to drink untreated well water. However, provincial officials insisted on several con- tentious conditions before issuing such an exemption. One requirement was that the Halton Medical • see FIGHT on page 3 Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Higher mom, higher Spring lsn't the only thing in the air lately as Crystal Hill gives son Owen a bird's eye view of the situation at the Mill Pond, where the two enjoyed a little fun and sun. 7!- 715t E Ion 76-14 65 MAN T E. 85-673ext23 rg/gggMOUNa atgaiN V I E W-M Counselling for womon 327 Bronte St. S. The Halton Women's Centre offers peer counseling to women facing difficult life situations. One-on-one support is available f rom trained volunteers. Dr. .Io-Ann McKinnon No appointments arenecessary for this Tuesday service 87-1322 in Burlington. Call 634-2119 for more information. 875-1322