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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, May 30, 2014 | 8 CONTACT THE OAKVILLE CHILDREN'S CHOIR TO BOOK YOUR AUDITION Mon. June 3 ­ 4:30 ­ 9:30pm Audition Location: St. Simon's Mon. June 10 ­ 4:30 ­ 9:30pm Anglican Church, Sat. June 22 ­ 9:00am ­ 1:00pm 1450 Litchfield Rd., Oakville Audition Location: St. Simon's Anglican Book your child's audition today: 1450 Litchfield Rd, Oakville Church, phone 905-337-7104 Book your child's audition today: Parking plan goes to public Council explores free parking for BIAs by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff Choral Music Excellence Choral Music Excellence for for Children and Youth Children and Youth ages 4 - 25 ages 4 - 25 An agency of the Government of Ontario. Relève du gouvernement de l'Ontario. phone 905-337-7104 Little Notes Preparatory Choir Theory Instruction Cherub Choir Music Festivals Intermediate Community Choir Performances Senior Choir Social Activities Chamber Choir Recordings Boys & Young Men's Choir International Tours Vocal Coaching Upcoming Events: A Kaleidoscope of Song Free Noon Hour Choir & Organ Concert series 12:00pm, Thursday June 5th, 2014 Roy Thompson Hall, Toronto Visit www.roythomson.com for more details Bon Voyage Concert 3:00pm, Sunday June 22, 2014, St. John's United Church, Oakville Donations are appreciated at the door in lieu of tickets Visit the OCC website for more details www.oakvillechildrenschoir.org After bandying about a recent proposal that could see free parking programs reinvigorate a struggling downtown -- and other village areas in town -- councillors want public input. On Monday, councillors heard from some downtown business owners and reviewed two staff reports detailing potential free parking programs and strategies to help stimulate BIAs after a difficult winter. Then they asked staff to hold a public information meeting in June to get residents' feedback. A date hasn't yet been announced. The Town is looking at the potential of free parking programs, particularly two staff-recommended options, but they could carry a financial impact of $100,000-$675,000 annually for the Town. The cheapest option -- that will result in $100,000-$300,000 in lost revenue -- promotes free Saturday parking at selected municipal lots close to the commercial core. The other option could carry a hit of up to $675,000 in lost annual revenue -- unlimited at some of the municipal lots close to the downtown core. The Town would offset the revenue loss through the Town's parking reserve fund, which by year end is expected to boast a surplus of $2.63 million, according to a staff report. The June public meeting will also explore additional ways to strengthen the business districts. They include a trial period during the summer where the middle lane of Lakeshore Road in the downtown area is blocked to traffic. Temporary curbs would be put in place, and businesses could then make use of the sidewalks for outdoor retail or patio space. Councillors also heard that while an economic assessment is currently underway to identify the challenges and opportunities downtown Oakville has, short-term options and details about plans for 2016-17 and 2018-19 will be brought to council in July. The 2016-17 plan would attempt to mitigate the economic impact on businesses during the reconstruction of downtown portions of Lakeshore Road. The revitalization plan for 2018-19 aims to implement a retail strategy that would identify ways and means to keep the districts competitive in a changing retail landscape. Two downtown merchants and Downtown Oakville BIA Executive Director Sharlene Plewman were at council Monday to support some kind of free parking program that could attract shoppers and visitors to the area. see Downtown on p.15 Defensive Driving Certificate Program Advance Defensive Driving Program Driver Retraining Program For Reinstating Driver's License Minimizes Road Test Time, Qualifies for Maximum Insurance Discount and Teaches You Emergency Skills Minimizes Road Test Time and Qualifies for Maximum Insurance Discount SUMMER SPECIAL SAVE $100 WEEKENDS: 4-DAY: Complete Refresher Program Prepares you for G2 or G License JUNE 7-8, 14-15 · JULY 12-13, 19-20 JUNE 27, 28, 29, 20 · JULY 2, 3, 4, 5 JULY 14, 15, 16, 17 Refresher Program Warm Up Practice Before the Test Helps Reviewing Your Driving Habits for Test Preparation and Evaluation Winter Time Driving Helps overcome your winter time driving jitters 2380 Wyecroft Road Unit 3B, Oakville Gift Certificates Available 905.825.1172 We Are Licenced by MTO