The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

2 - The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, October 31, 2000 h a Malboeuf calls OMB hearing a big waste from NUMBERS on page 1 But Mr. Malboeuf blasted the OMB pro- ceedings as a half million dollar boondog- gle. "Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been wasted fighting a fight I don't think we can win," he said. Despite that, the Town should be at the table, said Mr. Melanson. "There's a lot at stake in this process," he said. 'To show disinterest would send the wrong message." Balancing the desire for park land with the need for senior's housing is tough, admitted Mr. Wilson. "I hate to see green belt of any descrip- tion being built on, but there are certain realities," he said. But using Town coffers to fight the pro- posai would be worth it only if the battle could be won, said Mr. Timbers. 'Can battle be won?' "I guess the big thing is whether or not it's really a lost cause," he said. "I think there's a point where losses have to be cut." On the issue of subsidized housing, Mr. Hunter said govemment shouldn't get into the business of owning real estate. "The bottom line is government should not own that housing stock," he said. "Let the private sector do that part of it and let the govemment provide some sort of subsidy." He added that the Region, not the Town, is responsible for subsidized housing. "What we can do at the municipal level is try and encourage a range of housing in Milton, which we've tried to do in the Official Plan," he said. Near the close of the evening, Ms Wasilkowsky baffled some members of the audience and earned applause from others by answering a local governance question with a populist blast at the Federal govemment. But she extended a friendly hand to her opponent Mr. Malboeuf in ber closing remarks: "I wish I wasn't running against you, Rick, because I like your grit, your true grit, and t like you," said Ms Wasilkowsky. Mr. Timbers promised to inspire action rather than just talk if elected, while Mr. Wilson said he would focus on the needs of his own ward at the council table. Mr. Agozzino promised accountability, saying "we need a change and we've got to stop with these closed meetings." If elected to a second term, Mr. Malboeuf vowed to speak for his con- stituents. "I've been a strong, independent voice," he said. "I haven't allowed myself to be intimidated." And Mr. Krantz prodded residents to cast a ballot. "It's the responsibility of each person in the Town of Milton to 'get out there and vote," Ie said. Rural councillors weren't invited to this session, but an all-candidates meeting for Ward Three and the Regional chairs is scheduled for November 9 at the Campbelîville Lion's Hall, starting at 7:30 p.m.