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19 | Friday, October 24, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com s e t o V e l l Oakvi Election Day is October 27th On Monday October 27 voting locations across Oakville will be open between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. All locations will be physically accessible. Proudly Serving the Communities of College Park, North Oakville, Oak Park & River Oaks since 2000 Re-Elect JEFF Regional Councillor Ward 5 www.jeffknoll.ca Experience ­ Integrity ­ Results @CouncillorKnoll /CouncillorKnoll jeff@jeffknoll.ca · 905-257-7258 genuine plus ­ our Harbour could be so much better. Bob Ferguson Your Full Time Ward 3 Town Councillor Background - I have a business degree from Sir George Williams University and have business degree from Concordia University as well. I am an inductee into the Concordia University Sports Hall of Fame ­ Hockey. I have coached Oakville Rangers as well as house league teams in various other sports. I am married to Glenna and have 5 adult children. We have lived in Ward 3 for 25+ years. Our daughter Christine and 2 grandsons also live in Ward 3. For over 30 years I have been a Corporate Executive serving as President/CEO in the Insurance Industry for companies that include Royal Life Canada (Lakeshore & Trafalgar head Office), Royal USA, Imperial Life/ Desjardins Laurentien Life Group ­ US and UK. I am on the Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee under our Chair and former long-time former Mayor Harry Barrett. I am in my second term on the Board of the Oakville Club. the vibrancy of the entire Town, everything stems from our Downtown District. Many segments of our downtown business sector struggle with financial viability, traffic flow and of course parking. I am committed to consulting directly with downtown Merchants, Restaurant owners, the BIA and residents - particularly Ward 3 residents. I participated in the `Downtown Transportation and Streetscape Workshop.' JOB ONE is to revitalize our downtown ­ short and longer term. Make our Downtown one of the places to visit, to shop and to dine. Emergency Medical Triage - The closing of our Ward 3 Oakville Trafalgar Hospital raises the issue of ease of access to emergency medical services (EMS). I will immediately recommend as a project, to find a Ward 3 EMS site. Options could include the current Hospital lands, Chisholm School lands, a portion of the Old Post Office site or vacant lands south of the Argus Medical Centre - these are essential services. Hamilton has three EMS centres. The Hospital Lands - I fully support the planned construction of a 30,000 sq ft Community Centre on the current site with a pool, with adequate parking, some park area, playgrounds including Skateboard Park and Basketball court. The funding plans are reasonable and well thought through. Oakville Downtown - the Economic Fabric - From the perspective of both Ward 3 and indeed www.fergie4oakville.com 905-842-4000 to happen ­ fact. The Parking Garage will be built as: step one to alleviate traffic problems. Then: step two is the new Roadway and sewer installation with the Parking Garage as alternate parking for shoppers. The Plan is well done however it will be disruptive, no question. I will be absolutely sure the design of the Garage blends into Historic Oakville. My position ­ I will work with the merchants, the BIA and the Town in order to minimize the impact of construction for all parties. Our downtown must continue to be viable during construction. I support free parking on both Sundays and Saturdays ­ Bronte has free parking. Sixteen Mile Creek Harbour - At the Mayors debate last week Mayor Burton identified our Harbour as a top priority ­ I agree completely. The Cultural Hub and the Erchless Estate Museum need to become the Crown Jewels of our Harbour. On the West Bank of the Creek at the lake is possibly a site for a boutique Hotel as Burlington has done as a Old Post Office Site - Parking Garage Plan - Downtown Roadbed & Sewer Replacement The Roadbed and sewer project has fully support the concept of retaining and revitaling our Cultural Hub in downtown Oakville. The Plan, timing and funding for a new Theatre for the Performing Arts complete with underground parking, a Flagship Library, Art Gallery and more outdoor space for events I feel definitely needs some work. But the bottom line is the Hub is very dated. Midtown Development Plans - Identified by the province as `Places to Grow' in Ontario ­ the Kerr/Speers intersection district at Sixteen Mile Creek and the South Service Road area to Chartwell are already far too congested. Excessive already is the traffic at both Trafalgar intersections, Cornwall and Cross at the Go Train overpass. To plan another highrise or otherwise = more congestion. So there's A short List ­ Great Plans ­ But Now ­ Show me the money. Here is THE ONLY SOLuTiON and I'll borrow this from my many CEO years. We need to look very closely at how these projects are to be funded. The Budget aspect is the critical success factor for Ward 3 homeowners and indeed all of Oakville ­ first, prioritize. Then get it done on a Plan pace that guarantees Homeowner Property Tax Increases are held at or just below the current average of Rob Burton administration. Revitalize our Downtown Cultural Hub - I Reasons to Run for Town Council As a long term CEO and now retiring I would now very much like to give back to this great Community. Vote for Bob Ferguson and give me that opportunity.