www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, September 19, 2013 | 4 OMBA asks Town for financial assistance to go on with season by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff The Oakville Minor Baseball Association (OMBA) will be permitted to complete its 2013 season despite not having the funds to do so. Town council voted Monday, to allow the non-profit association to carry a debt of more than $40,000 -- accumulated in unpaid field permit fees for the 2013 season. The OMBA's financial difficulties have been attributed to sizable discrepancies concerning the organization's funds. Halton police have confirmed they are investigating a complaint made by OMBA president Dave Fulton. No charges have been laid in the investigation. Fulton spoke about the association's precarious situation during last week's Community Services Committee meeting. wAREHOuSE SAlE buRlINgTON MAll 80% 80% off selected mattresses SEALY, BEAUTYREST, SERTA and STEARNS & FOSTER Queen mattresses from $359 Choose from a large selection of brands, styles, fabrics and leather. SAvE uP TO ON clEARANcE MATTRESSES, FuRNITuRE AND MAjOR APPlIANcES "We have always paid our fees every year and this year we are left with a balance of funds that are owed for 2013," said Fulton. "What we want is to make sure no one loses anything. We don't want a parent to say `You didn't provide my son with baseball this year.'" In a report to council, the Town's director of Parks and Open Space Chris Mark said that in light of the circumstances and possible impact on Oakville youths served by the OMBA, staff refrained from cancelling permits for non-payment of fees and brought the matter to council as soon as it could. The motion, approved Monday, allows the OMBA to carry the $40,000 debt, and authorizes Town staff to negotiate with the OMBA for the debt's repayment. Fulton said at this time, he is unable to say when that repayment might take place. "The problem that I have today, and that I'm still trying to get a handle on... I don't have a real sense today of what our true revenue is and what our true expenses are," he said, during last week's committee meeting. "So, I can't tell you definitely, at this stage, that I can pay you $10,000 a year, $5,000 a year... We don't know." The council motion will allow the OMBA to move forward by permitting coaches to book additional fall practice time at their own expense with such funds being applied to the new bookings instead of the outstanding debt. The OMBA is a non-profit organization that has been offering organized baseball programs to youths in Oakville for 50 years. There are currently approximately 700 boys and girls of all ages participating in OMBA programs. Pinegrove plaza plan gets nod from council by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff 60% off selected furniture Plus, 60% off selected patio furniture BOSCH, FRIGIDAIRE, KITCHENAID and more uP TO 35% off selected major appliances While quantities last. Includes `one of a kinds', `end of line', `custom cancellations' and returns. Selection varies by store. 24 EASY PAYMENTS NO ADMIN FEE 0% INTEREST FOR 24 MONTHS On all furniture, major appliances, mattresses and home entertainment when you use your Hudson's Bay MasterCard® or your Hudson's Bay Credit Card. Minimum purchase $499 (excluding taxes). Delivery charges and taxes are payable up front. On approved credit only. Equal monthly payments required. See below for details. Shop in store and at thebay.com Special Payment Plans are available on approved credit with your Hudson's Bay MasterCard or Hudson's Bay Credit Card on the identified items. Not applicable in Quebec. If you default under your payment terms or under your Hudson's Bay Account Agreement, then the terms and annual interest rate are set out therein. The billing period covered by each statement will be approximately 30 days. For full details, go to http://paymentplanhbc.com, call 1-800-263-2599 or see a store associate. Hudson's Bay, Hudson's Bay Credit, hbc.com and their associated designs are trademarks of Hudson's Bay Company. Credit is extended by Capital One Bank (Canada Branch). Capital One® is a registered trademark of Capital One Financial Corporation. MasterCard and the MasterCard brand mark are registered trademarks of MasterCard International Incorporated. All marks used under licence. All rights reserved. Despite continuing resident concerns about increased traffic, an apartment complex planned for 497-513 Pinegrove Rd. is moving forward. The Town's Planning and Development Council voted last week to approve an amendment to a zoning bylaw, which will permit Mirabelle Developments and Investments Inc., to construct a two-storey complex of 40 residential units above an existing and expanded plaza. The developer initially wanted to build a threestorey complex housing 50 units. Still, not everyone was happy about the revised plan, recommended for approval by Town staff. Pinegrove resident Andrew McEwan said he worries the complex will drive down housing prices and create more traffic. "When I am coming out of my driveway on most mornings it takes around five minutes to get out just because of the amount of traffic Pinegrove Road has. A lot of people are using our street to bypass Speers Road." Three additional delegations echoed McEwan's comments stating traffic on the street was already heavy. Speeding and traffic noise were also listed as issues. Steve Sousa, a Pinegrove resident and business owner, called for the project to move forward stating the plaza is in need of redevelopment. He said traffic could possibly be addressed through the addition of stop signs on the street. Oakville Mayor Rob Burton said he was moved by what he heard about traffic on the road and said independent of the development decision, he'd look into it. Council ultimately decided to accept the developer's compromise and approved the revised proposal.