14% FEWER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED;  24% INCREASE IN CHARGES AND 37% INCREASE IN ROADSIDE SUSPENSIONS

Peel - Peel Regional Police have completed their annual Festive R.I.D.E program, which ran from November 25, 2011, to January 1, 2012.

During this period, 249 motorists were charged with Criminal Code drinking and driving related offences, 20 of which included the offence of Failing or Refusing to Provide a Breath Sample to police. Another 286 motorists received Warn Range Suspensions under the authority of the Highway Traffic Act.

A strategic approach utilizing impaired arrest and collision data analysis once again proved an effective tool in this year's campaign.

Inspector Robert Orr, Officer - in - Charge of Traffic Services, said the number of people charged this year is troubling; it shows that education and enforcement remain essential. "I am very proud of all the hard work of our R.I.D.E. teams during this campaign. Unfortunately the numbers are a stark reminder that there are still motorists who choose to drink and drive, placing themselves and others at risk." he said. "We remain diligent year-round in our efforts to enforce impaired driving laws, and to keep our roads safe."

The following table highlights the results from this year's Festive R.I.D.E. program:

Peel Regional Police remind the public that R.I.D.E. programs continue to operate on a weekly basis throughout the Region. These programs are in addition to regular patrols and sobriety checks performed by our front line officers, who are out keeping the Region's roads safe for the community, 24 hours-a-day.

The public is encouraged to report impaired drivers by calling 911 when they see what they believe to be an impaired driver behind the wheel. .

If you plan to drink, don't drive. Arrange for a designated driver, take public transit, call a taxi or sober friend, or even stay the night.

Mississauga, ON, October 04, 2011: The Community Foundation of Mississauga will launch Mississauga's Vital Signs at an event to be held at the BMO Room of the Mississauga Living Arts Centre on October 4th, 2011 from 9:00 am to 9:30 am. This will be the first ever Vital Signs report for the city and will be accompanied by the release of information concerning a new granting program called Vital Initiatives.

Vital Signs® is an annual community check-up being conducted by twenty-two community foundations across Canada that measures the vitality of our cities and identifies significant trends in at least ten areas critical to quality of life. Vital Signs is coordinated nationally by Community Foundations of Canada. Each city's report card data is a compilation of numerous research sources, much of it local, that help communities make connections between issues and trends in different areas. The findings are presented in a reader friendly format to make them as accessible as possible.

For example among the report's findings, the following are noted:

• Gap Between Rich and Poor: The Gap is getting wider with one in four Mississauga children now living in poverty. The poverty rate amongst senior citizens is higher than the provincial or national levels.
• Safety: Reported crime severity continues to drop in Mississauga.
• Health and Wellness: Although Mississaugans are generally healthier, smoking rates have increased.
• Belonging & Leadership: In 2009, the median charitable donation from Mississauga residents who claimed so on their income tax was $320, higher than the provincial median charitable donation of $310 and the national median charitable donation of $250 over the same period

"The launch of Mississauga's Vital Signs is a pivotal moment not just for the Foundation but for people and organizations in our community", says Eileen MacKenzie, Executive Director. "Providing information in a reader-friendly format encourages us all to know our community better, think about issue areas where we each want to take action and open up informed conversations about how we can make a strengthen our community."

Vital Initiatives

The Community Foundation of Mississauga is also pleased to announce that charitable organizations serving the community can now apply for a grant under the Vital Initiatives grant stream. Applicants must demonstrate that the project to be considered will benefit the Mississauga community, address an identified need within one or more of the issue areas outlined in the Mississauga's Vital Signs report and address the root causes of an issue with the ability to generate sustainable, positive change.
One grant of $30,000 and one grant of $10,000 may be awarded in each of the ten Mississauga's Vital Signs issue areas and applications for a grant under this program must be received by November 4th, 2011.

More information about the Community Foundation of Mississauga, the Vital Initiatives grant program and a digital version of Mississauga's Vital Signs including all findings and links to data sources are available at www.CFofM.org.

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Community Foundation of Mississauga

The Community Foundation of Mississauga is a registered charitable public foundation that seeks to build community vitality by providing efficient, flexible donor services, grants to a broad range of community initiatives and leadership in understanding and responding to current and emergent community needs. Incorporated and registered in 2001, the Foundation is a member of the national network, Community Foundations of Canada and has experienced significant growth in endowed funds. The first grants from these funds were made in 2006. The Community Foundation of Mississauga is now managing approximately $17 million in endowed assets and has made over $3 million in cumulative grants.

On October 4, the Peel District School Board will hold its final public meeting about possible school consolidation in the Clarkson/Erindale communities in Mississauga. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at Erindale Secondary School located at 2021 Dundas Street West in Mississauga.

At this meeting, parents and members of the public will have an opportunity to comment and ask questions about the final recommendations of the Clarkson/Erindale Accommodation Review Committee:

• Ashgrove P.S. and Garthwood Park P.S. be consolidated at Garthwood Park P.S. as a K-5 school
• Pheasant Run P.S. and Sawmill Valley P.S. be consolidated at Sawmill Valley P.S. as a K-5 school
• King's Masting P.S. and Brookmede P.S. be consolidated at Brookmede P.S. as a K-5 school
• grade 6-8 students living within the boundaries of the current Ashgrove P.S., Brookmede P.S., Garthwood Park P.S., King's Masting P.S., Pheasant Run P.S. and Sawmill Valley P.S. attend Erin Mills Middle School. Students in these schools, not currently attending Erin Mills for Grades 6-8 to be phased in, as appropriate
• Elmcrest P.S., Willow Glen P.S., and Hillside Middle School be consolidated at Hillside Middle School as a K-8 school
• students currently attending Pheasant Run P.S. living south of Burnhamthorpe Road West be provided the option to attend Sawmill Valley P.S. or Brookmede P.S. at the time of consolidation. Students living in this area, enrolling after June 30, 2012, will be directed to Brookmede P.S.
• students currently attending Brookmede P.S. living east of Erin Mills Parkway be provided the option to attend Brookmede P.S. or Sawmill Valley P.S. at the time of consolidation. Students living in this area, enrolling after June 30, 2012, will be directed to Sawmill Valley P.S.
• appropriate renovations/retrofits in consolidated sites be undertaken. School consolidation will begin in September 2012 and be phased in following a comprehensive implementation plan.
• the Peel District School Board give consideration to establishing (a) program(s) of choice (previously known as Regional Programs) in (an) appropriate location(s) among the consolidated sites
• in preparation for the transition to the consolidated schools, the board will prepare a comprehensive inventory of memorabilia and seek input on the preservation of archival materials in accordance with policy # 69. As part of the transition plan, the board will also consult and consider whether a recommendation be made to rename school(s).

"After completing a thorough review and analysis of 56 different possible scenarios, including those submitted by the public and school communities, and considering all relevant data and feedback from parents and the community, the accommodation review committee reached the final recommendations by strong majority from its members," says Brad MacDonald, trustee for Mississauga wards 2 and 8. "The recommendations support student success by providing all students with an accessible, quality learning environment where they can socialize with a larger variety of peers in their own age group."

Following the final public meeting, the committee will submit its written report, including findings and recommendations, to the board's Director of Education on Oct. 14, 2011.

On Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012 at 6 p.m., the board's Physical Planning and Building Committee will consider the ARC recommendations, along with an administrative response to the recommendations.

The board of trustees will make a decision about the recommendations at the regular board meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.

At both meetings, members of the public can make five-minute presentations to the trustees. Call 905-890-1010 (or 1-800-668-1146) ext. 2011 at least a week in advance to register to delegate the board. Both meetings will be held at the HJA Brown Education Centre, 5650 Hurontario St., Mississauga.

The accommodation review of the ten schools began in November 2010. The process has been guided by an accommodation review committee appointed by the Peel board, with representation from parents, school administrators and community residents. Its mandate is to consider a variety of options, consult with parents, students, staff and the community and present its findings and recommendations to Peel board for a final decision.

All information about the potential consolidation, including agendas and minutes of all meetings, can be found on the Peel board website, www.peelschools.org-click on the Clarkson/Erindale Accommodation Review chiclet on the left side of the home page. You may choose to subscribe to receive email notifications of website updates by visiting www.peelschools.org/subscribe.htm You may also stay up-to-date by following "Peel Schools" on Twitter at twitter.com/peelschools or by liking the Peel board on Facebook at facebook.com/peelschools.

Conservation Day is a special one-day event that brings specific waste management services to residential communities in Peel.

Residents may drop off the following items free of charge:

Household hazardous waste (batteries, household cleaners, paints and solvents)
Reusable goods for Goodwill (clothing, books and small appliances - no furniture)
Used electronic equipment (phones, personal computers, circuit boards, TVs)
Confidential fine paper for shredding
Materials other than those listed above will not be accepted at Conservation Day. Only residents arriving in vehicles will be permitted to enter the location. Asbestos, explosives and ammunition are not accepted at Conservation Day or CRCs.

"Conservation Day gives residents a great opportunity to dispose of unwanted items that might be taking up space or are not collected at the curb or apartments, like paint, batteries and electronic equipment," says Larry Conrad, Manager of Waste Operations. "These items, as well as gently used items that are in good condition for donation to Goodwill, are accepted at Conservation Day, free of charge."

Furniture, tires, waste wood and scrap metal can be dropped off throughout the year at any Peel CRC along with a wide variety of other recyclable and waste items, including household hazardous waste. Residents can find a complete list of items accepted at CRCs, as well as drop-off fees at peelregion.ca/waste or by calling 905-791-9499. Information is also available in the 2011/2012 Waste Management Guide.

Residents may also exchange damaged recycling boxes for new ones, or purchase additional boxes for $6; backyard composters for $17.50; organics bins for $20; kitchen containers for $5 and rain barrels for $50 (cash only, taxes included in all prices).

The Region of Peel provides waste management services in the Cities of Brampton and Mississauga and in the Town of Caledon. For more information on these programs call the Region of Peel at 905-791-9499 or in long-distance areas of Caledon call 905-584-2216, free of charge. Visit the Region of Peel at peelregion.ca/waste.

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