10 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday November 3, 2006 www.oakvillebeaver.com Newcomer challenges incumbent in Ward 5 By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Taxes, development and the environment are the trio of top concerns for Ward 5 voters and both regional/town council candidates know it. That's where political newcomer Angus Scott is challenging incumbent Jeff Knoll, who has been the ward's Regional/Town councillor for six years. Scott isn't mincing words on the campaign trail and particularly not when it comes to money matters. Scott said he rejects the notion that the Town of Oakville budget -- chaired last time around by Knoll -- is a responsible one and says that at Halton Region, the stage is set to raise taxes 35 per cent over the next five years. Scott said he'd seek an immediate budget review if elected. He charges the Town's budget is climbing while commercial development revenues have shrunk. "It's going the wrong way," said Scott, who claims it's "a recipe for reduced services, higher taxes and lower employment." Scott also said he doesn't believe in taking campaign donations from developers, though he acknowledges developers are an important sector in the community with whom the municipality must work to ensure environmentally-sensitive areas in the community are preserved. "If you get the budget right and you get the development right, you get the community right," said Scott. According to Scott, voters are saying that taxes keep climbing and that the municipal- ity will face a financial crisis if that isn't recognized -- and that development problems must be solved locally instead of having them go the costly route of the Ontario Municipal Board Jeff Knoll (OMB). Meanwhile incumbent Knoll says the story is only half written. Knoll said he feels good about what he has accomplished since being elected six years ago and wants to do more -- both for his ward and the town. "We've made a tremendous amount of progress mitigating the impact on the community from growth," said Knoll. "We have to stay the course and finish the job we started," said Knoll, who decided to run again because he believes he helped bring about, if not took a leadership role, in creative solutions to many things, including development and youth issues and public access to council. "I have a lot more ideas," said Knoll, who spearheaded the development of a youth centre, which went from not having a home or funding, to having both, and from which Knoll would like to now expand satellite operations across town. Knoll said Oakville and Halton do a good job serving the needs of small children, but must offer more to pre-teens and teens. "We're losing them to mischief. Good kids are doing silly things because they're bored," he said. "I believe strongly in being proactive," said Knoll who also wants to take a hand in improving the local emergency Angus Scott response. Knoll, who initially accepted campaign donations from corporations, as well as individuals during his first two elections, is foregoing the development donations this time around. Knoll said he has made great efforts to get council -- and the budget committee -- meetings on the Web as they happen to make Town Hall more accessible to the public. Scott, 38, is a married father of a twoyear-old boy. His campaign team includes his wife, Heather. Scott's grandfather was on Waterloo council for eight years and served 12 years as the area's MP. Scott was born in Peterborough and grew up in Port Hope. Scott spent three years in the Canadian military after graduating high school and was a peacekeeper in Iran/Iraq from 1987 to 1990. After attending the University of Toronto, Scott worked as a medical adjustor for a health insurance company, then moved into consulting, worked as a federal government immigration counsellor, an information systems department director for a large trust company, then purchased the Water Depot franchise in Oakville in 2003. He sold the franchise last year, but retains a financial interest. Knoll, 41, lives with his wife, Michelle, and their five children in Oak Park. Knoll studied at the University of Windsor and is CEO of Film.Ca Inc. that operates Encore Cinemas in Oakville, Burlington and Mississauga. Knoll's public service and political experience span 25 years. He has served in numerous volunteer and paid positions within the political process including as an Assistant to Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) and Members of Parliament (MP). Knoll has also held positions within private corporations, non-profit organizations and government agencies including, SEVEC (Society for Educational Visits and Exchanges in Canada), the North York and Etobicoke Boards of Education, Cineplex Odeon Corporation, the Department of Secretary of State and Statistics Canada. As a regional councillor, Knoll has served as president of the Halton Community Housing Corporation and chair of the Halton Health and Social Services Committee. Knoll also serves as treasurer of Oak Park Residents' Association, is past-chair of the Oakville Youth Development Centre, and Group Commissioner of 1st Trafalgar Scouts. For more on Scott visit www.ElectAngusScott.ca For more on Knoll visit www.jeffknoll.ca. -- Angela Blackburn can be reached at angela@oakvillebeaver.com. Margaret Mercer Bronte's Future Starts Here Bronte Residents You're Invited: Munch'n & Mingl'n with Mercer Meet the Candidate Sunday, November 5, 2006 Twisted Fork Restaurant 12PM 2PM Enjoy a Delicious Complimentary Brunch! We see the potential. You live the results. On Monday, November 13, 2006 Vote Margaret Mercer A concerned and committed voice for residents on Town and Regional council. Brought to you by the Greater Toronto Home Builders' Association - Urban Development Institute For more information visit livetheresults.org ever Was N ! oting Easy V This