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Next regional chair to be elected by Halton voters By PAUL MITCHISON Special to The Champion Joyce Savoline will soon have 10 turn her mind to fundraiaing and campaigning if ahe wants to keep her job. Under a new bill expected to receive approval, voters will decide who will becomne Halton Region's chair during the next municipal election in November. Currently, the chair is chosen by the memrbers of regional council. Ms Savoline has already decided she's in the race and expecta she'll need 10 raise a substantial amount of cash 10, mn a campaign thmough- out Milton, Halton Hilîs, Oakville and her home town of Burlington. Stili, she said she's pleased about the change in the process. "It is more than appropriate and totally necessary this office be accountable," Ms Savoline said. "It's somnething regional counicil bas been debating on and off for the past 15 years." Ms Savoline was elected Halton's chair in 1994, immediate- ly following the municipal election in a process that required her to step down from the Burlinglon city anid regional counicil seat she had just won. Running an effective Burlington mayoralty campaign requires con- tributions and can coat somewhere between $20,000 10, $50,000. effective wide cam- might also be expen- sive, Ms Savoline said, but Joyce Savalne she wasn't be prepared to guess the amount she' Il need 10, raise. She anticipates, though, the cam- paign will require contributions. 'l guess a lot of il depends; on the style of campaign," she said. "I'm just going 10 take il a step at a lime." The annual pay for Halton Region's chair is $74,734 and the winner is assured a three-year terni. Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Tony Clement introduced legislation recently to allow for the direct election of the chair of Halton Region. "One of this govemment's prior- ities for local government is improved accountability," Mr. Clement said. "Giving Halton voters the chance to choose their regional chair is a definite atep toward more account- able local govemment." The legislation reaponds to a january, 1998 resolution of Halton council asking the provincial gov- ernment to amend the Regional Municipality of Halton Act to per- mit direct election of the regional chair in the November, 2000 municipal elections. Burlington Mayor Rob MacIsaac said making the position of Halton chair an elected one was a good step, but quickly added that il does little to change the need to restruc- ture local govemment. No drugs found ini schools No drugs were founti at E.C. Drury or dure other Halton high scisools during last Wedisesday's Project Hallwalk. *Ialton Regional PoIiee's asinusal pro- gram cosissî of a drug dctector dog walkisig the hafls of a selected scoo sniff- isig for dnsgs. If tie dôg detects thse pows- bility of d,1*gs ins a locker, it's open@d and searched - and if drugs are foi, an investigation begins, Other scbools scarched last welc were Acton H igb Scisool and Whsite Oaks in Okville. The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, Decorfber 14, 1999 -5 ONE PERFECT LOVE. ONE PERFECT RING. This holiday buy her something you'll know she'll like. A ring of beauty and elegance with the power to express feelings no words can describe. Your perfect ring awaits Serving Milton 4«1w Since 1966 JEWELLER - EMOLOGIST INC. Mark Brancier Cerfified Gemologisi Appraiser ito Mai e 870-401 Designers and Craftsmen of Fine Jewelleiy HEC HADS UN CUO6r06SOI6 O HOLIDAY RATE 990!. PURCHASI Up teo48 Menthe .AC BREAKQ Most R000 moies .up te 48 monthe No ~INTE.CREST FOR PAYMENTS FOR MONET DOWN 90 ans 90 DATS O.A.C. See sales rep for details 7ffotdabke ivtobiiyacaroremick I aBo SALES HOUAS SERVICE HOUASCH R LTUO D O IL stfflay ..... »w atusa ..... MW HWY. 25 S. AT DERRY RD., MILTON