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lO-The Canadian Champion, Friday, May 6, 2005 Conservation plan gets both praise and criticismn By STEPHANIE THIESSEN l'lie dclic.aic balaînce bet\wccn dcx Ioinentl and the environmeni was one of the hot topics ai Conservation Halion's (CH) recent Earth Week open bouse and discussion forum surrounding its draft straîegic conservation plan. "Conservation Halton faces many challenges as il moves forward with ils strategic conserva- tion plan," said Brian Penman, Milton councillor and CH chair. "Our ability to, deal with these challenges will depend on how we're able to integrate our conservation actions with growth." The open bouse, held April 21 ai CH's admin- istration centre in Burlingion, provided visitors with a preseniation on the draft plan as well as a chance to ask questions and offer feedback before if's finalized. The plan, Toward a Healtby Watersbed, is a combination of the environmental agency's long- tern strategie directions and current priorities. Il was created in 2002 and updated laie last year. 'Me draft plan identifies 48 proposed conser- vation actions including developing a co-ordi- su ,1rans and Iakes to prcvcnt cosnamnîîoi. There are ihree main goals of' the plan, Mr. Penman said -to create a waîershed with healthy ecosysîems to proteci the health and qualiîy of life of ils residenîs, to provide quality and financially susiainable recreational opportu- nities and to sîrive for excellence in the area of govemnance and management -including creat- ing financial stability. Several Milton residents ai the preseniation gave suggestions on how to improve the docu- ment and encouraged more accountability for CH. Campbellville resideni Bob Beyette raised somne questions. "We want less bureaucracy, more environmen- ta] and ecosystem protection and we want it for lesa tax dollars. It's really that simple," he said. 'Does this draft plan give us what we want, or does it just show whai Conservation Halton wants?" Mr. Beyette also mentioned thse importance of 5 oic o.ounicillou s to thc boardî .1 dii ctios Several residenis addressed the format ol'CH's financial documents and urged that they be more readable to the public. Mike Grimwood of thse Milton Rural Residents' Association said he wanted to see more financial clarity in the plan. "t can't sec exacîly how the money is being spent," he said. John Vice, chair of CH's new finance commit- tee, responded that the issue of clariîy is being addressed. Be said the Region of I-lton recent- ly requested that Cl- work on the formai of its budget, which sparked thse formation of the finance commitîee. "We were challenged by the Region Io have more undersiandable documentation," Mr. Vice said, adding the 2006 budget will be submitted in the new format. Jim Faught, a Milton resident and environ- Imentalisi, offered some suggestions, but said it's a good plan. CHl',, 2005' budgct o)$4. m~IIXillionu. Throughout the evening, Mr. Penm-an empha- siLed the importance of a joint effort beiween Cl and the public. "We are comnmitted to an open and collabora- tive process wiîh our draft conservation plan and feedback is critical in helping us achieve our mission of proiecting thse natural environmeni for tIse benefit and enjoymnent of present and future generations." An on-line survey of the draft plan will be available on CB's Web site ai www.conserva- tionhalton.on.ca until Imid-May to give people who couldin'î attend the meeting a chance to commuent. "AIli feedback on the plan will be reviewed by Conservation Halton prior to approval of thse final document," Mr. Penman said. The plan is expected to be approved by tIse board in June. Stephanie Thiessen can be reached at sthiessen@miltoncanadianchampion.com. Believe it, or ilot, your kid can die front kissing. Or sharing a bottie, a straw, even a smnoke or lipstick. It's callecl rneningitis C and sharing saliva spreads it. Basically, bacteria infect the bloodstream and the lining of the brain anci spinal cord. Symptorns include headache. Fever. Fatigue. A stiff neck. Sensitivity to ligbt. Dizziness. And a red, blotchy rash. They could lose > ~their hearing. An armn or a leg. Worse, more than, 1 lu 10 who get infect cd die. So talk to your kidl about getting their free vaccination. Clinies are being held in your community and in most sehools, for 15- to 19-year olds. Caîl your local public health unit for more information. Or talk t o your doct or, visit: ýww.bealtih.gov.on .ca, orc(ail 1-877-234-4343, TTY 1-800-387-5559. Prfrcuî io I(utO n t rtario