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Thse Canadian Champion, Flday, Mareis 31, 2000 - 3 'Regiorial chair and Burlington mayor at odds By IRENE GENTLE The Champion Burlington Mayor Rob Maclsaac had been looking to merge east Flamborough with his city, and Hatton Chair Joyce Savoline was Iooking for an apology. But after back-to-back council meetings Tuesday and Wednesday, neither one isad any satisfaction. After amalgamation failed in a tigist 11-9 vote, Ma Savoline raised an objection to statements made by Mr. MacIsaac in tise Tuesday edition of tise Hamilton Spectator. In tise article, ise stated lier words on a radio talk show could isave influenced staff's recomn- mendation on tise contentioua and emotion-laden issue. But Ms Savoline felt isis cisarge cisallenged the credibility of botis herself and Halton employeea. "My own personal integrity isa been called into question, tise office of tise chair isas been called into question and tise integrity of tise staff bas been questioned," ase said. Ma Savoline iselieved bier remarka, wbicis noted tisere wasn't enougis information to, responsibly inititate a mn e r g e r w i t b Joyce avoline Flamborougs, were taken directly from staff after sitting <brougis two public information sessions. "My commenta were made from <bem, not <be otiser way around," ase said. Ms Savoline expreased bier grievance attse end of a grueling five-and-a-isalf-isour meeting tisai began Tuesday evening aid crawled to a close at close to 2 ar. Attse time, Mr. Maclas sm at a bass for words but promised to take anotiser look at tise article. "Tise commenta were not made to impugn anyone's integrity," ise said. 'mr not sure isow you could take it <bat way." The issue arose again at a regular council meeting later tisat [nm- RbMcs ing, after ail involved RbMesa isad managed to get at lest a few bours sleep. But no apologies were fortiscoming. 'mr sonry you feel <bat way but I stand by my commenta," said Mr. MacIaaac. 1I don't <bink 1 did anytising wrong." He cisarged Ms Savoline witis being naive if ase felt iser word didn't carry weigist wîth regional staff. "If yeti tisink wisen you make a comment <bat mate your rote," hie said. -Our staff listen to, commenta made around this table." He added <bat hie had oepealed isis opinion in a public forum during tise previous evening'a debate. "No one took issue wîth tisat statement st nigist," ie said. "I think wisat I said waa accu- rate." Mr. Maclsaac said lie refused to curtaîl bis speech to please ei<ber Ms Savoline or Regional staff. And hie noted Ms Savoline could have contact- ed isim privately about tise matter, ratiser tisas bring it up at open counicil. Oakville Mayor Asan Mulv*ale also, believed no apology waa due. 'I think it'a higisly regrettable tisat offence is being taken to <bis," ase said. "I tisink it's moat unfortunate tisat we'd spend valuable time diacussing this." Votes close to ones at municipal level r - from HALTON on page 1 Along <be way, Mr. Maclsas took sota at Halton CAO Brent Marshsall for aaying tise opportunity could arise again. He also condemned staff for seeming; to go out of ita way 10 look for tise negatives in the deal. But in tise end, Mr. MacIsaac couldn't convince a majority of counicillors, who rougisly voted along tise samne lines lisey had earlier in tiseir municipal counicils. Ail Milton representatives voted againat tise merger. A potential wild card was Oakville coun- Too soon for merger, sayqv councillors -from TOWN on page 1 Afier today'a deadline, il will be up 10 Minister of Municipal Affaira Tony Clement 10 make <be final decision. Staft's position was based on <be belief that il's ao 100n iof 10eriously consider a merger, Halton CAO Brent Marsisall told town counicil Monday nigist. "lIt'a simply too premature," hie aaid. His presentation sowed coats would tise for virtually everyone involved sbould tise merger go tisrough. ,Ils il correct 10 aay if <bis goes tbrougis, taxes will go up in Hamilton and Haltoni and Flainhorougis," sked an incredulout Councillor Rick Day. Tise information also had. Councilloi Brian Penmsn searcising for an emergencj exil. "How do we gel out of tisis," lie asked. But afler noting il would lake an actar to gel tisrough ail tise reports on tise issue Councillt)r Barry Lee was convincei Milton sbould juat say no. -I underatand one tbing. Amalgamaliol wilb Flamborougis could be quite detri mental to Milton taxpayera," lie said. Tise decision waa also easy fo Councillor Rick Malboeuf. ,Tis is ôf no benefit, it'a basically a nc bramer,", ie said. And in tise end, a merger won't tak place if tise miister feels it doesn't met bis objectives of fewer politicians asl more efficient government, said M b4arsisall. ".Tise minister May indicate <bat <bis not somne<bing ise's intereated in," bie sai cillor Stepisen Sparling. in the Middle of tise meeting, bie seemied poised to malie the no vote even atronger, saying "I've listened intently to try and flnd a way to make <bis work, but every time 1 look attise numbers, I get con- cemed." But in <be end, bie decided tise opportu- nity waa too good 10 miss. Saying no meant resisting an emotional appeal by Flamborougis Mayor Ted MeMeekin. "I believe this is a once in a lifetime opportunity," hie told counicil attse outset of a marathon meeting <bat ended close to 2 a.m. "A failure bo move now will in ail likelahood lock us into Hamilton forever." Tis vote seemed to tear at many council- rkn# lors, who appeastd to be battling between Harder to stay emotion and prudence. 'r concemed about debts, concerned Spociallzinu in Insurance Claini about the unknown," said Oakville Councillor Kathy Graham. "We can't just say we'll deal witis <bat later." 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