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The Canadian Champion , Fniday, December 10, 1999 - 7 ~Hatona mga city?. Rgion- will debate the idea in 2000 By IRENE GENTLE The Champion Regional council will enter the next mil- Iennium with a debate on turning Halton into a mega-city. At the tail end of a marathon Wednesday meeting, council approved a motion by Oakville Councillor Kurt Franklin to study the feasibility of joining the four municipalities together into one City of Halton. Ironically, the vote to study regional restructuring will be recorded as the last one made by council this millennium. "I look forward to coming back in January and addressing this issue," said Mr. Franklin. A series of options will likely be studied, including the possibility of slicing up the Region to form the City of Oakville and the City of Burlington, with boundaries of both extending north to Hwy. 401. In that scenario, Georgetown would likely join with Brampton and Acton could attach itself to Guelphi. Mr. Franklin's motion to open up discussion on the issue w as supported by Burlington Mayor Rob MacIsaac. who has long been espousing the need to restructure the region. A previous bid by Mr. MacIsaac to amalgamate with Milton was rejected by town counicil. Flamborough also bowed out with a thanks but no thanks. But this is the tirst time Halton Council has agreed to tackle the issue. The aim is to stay one step ahead of the province, which bas set its sights on creating a mega-city in areas such as Hamilton-Wentworth. And Municipal Affairs Minister Tony Clements has binted that Halton may soon come onto the provincial radar screen. Proactively studying the issue now could help come up wîth a made in Halton plan, instead of one imposed by the province, said Councillor Rick Malboeuf. "We could take a look at it, see the advantages," he said. "Right now, everyone's talking." But at firat glance, he doesn't expect the two-city approach to pan out. .How do we pay for the Halton Urban Structure Plan if we aplit up the region," he asked. "It doesn't make sense. We couldn't handle the cost." In the new year, a steering committee will be struck to study the issue, and engage in public consultations. It is hoped that any coss will be shared by the four Halton municipalities. Watch for our twice-monthly business section in Tuesday's issue of The Champion. "Simple chdstinas 5tyjeH Book $5.99 witli purchaw of $6OM or mre See S ores For D*kil Package consisting Of Our most popular upgrades and options. There is no better way to bring in the New Year. FOR mIIouFr ~ contact the Ctnapton C TEAM Zber fanabian CbaMpion - Milton sChoice-Since 1860