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NEWS First all-candidates' meeting to focus on rural issues Page 3 SPORTS Christmas house league tournament wraps up Page 10 NEWS Local couple ring in New Year at Times Square Page 4 REFINANCING? PURCHASING? GEORGETOWN .001% Variable Rate Mortgage 314 Guelph St, Georgetown On BOB WOODS Mortgage Specialist (905) 877-7818 WE SERVICE ALL MAKES AND MODELS Wednesday, January 4, 2006 24 Pages Vol. 128 No. 42 (905) 360 Guelph St., Georgetown *Rate subject to change 877-5211 50 cents (+ GST) Serving Georgetown, Acton and the surrounding areas 21,220 copies Transfer of hospital to HHS goes smoothly After months of planning and hard work, the transfer of the hospital from William Osler Health Centre that was announced last May by George Smitherman, Minister of Health and Long Term Care, was completed at 12:01 a.m. Monday. "There was a lot of work from all kinds of people to make this happen," said HHS President and CEO John Oliver. "All the work was to make sure it was a seamless and transparent change-over." As a result, staffing, equipment, contracts, physician privileges, licences and more at the hospital have all been transferred efficiently. Georgetown Hospital now shares telephone, Information Technology (IT) and intranet systems with the other HHS hospitals-- Oakville Trafalgar Memorial and Milton District Hospitals. Georgetown Hospital's phone number remains the same-- 905-873-0111. The IT systems were the backbone of the entire transfer process and transfer teams from HHS worked with Georgetown Hospital staff on a tight timeline right through the holiday season to ensure the transfer went off without a hitch. "It all went really smoothly. The staff here has been wonderful to work with. There has been a really positive synergy and a good outcome," said Oliver. Cindy McDonell is Georgetown Hospital's new Chief Operating Officer (COO). "Her heart and soul is going to be dedicated to Georgetown Hospital full-time," said Oliver. "We have spent a lot of time meeting with staff, listening to their ideas, reviewing service levels and developing a plan to launch the Georgetown Family Practice Program," said McDonell. A similar model is used at the Milton Hospital. See HOSPITAL, pg. 3 I t's official. Georgetown Hospital is now part of Halton Healthcare Services (HHS). Splashing into 2006 Ryan Baldwin, 6, hammed it up for the camera as he enjoyed a dip at the Gellert Community Centre indoor pool. The pool has family swimming hours, allowing the whole family some quality time in the water. Photo by Ted Brown Advance poll dates for election set dvance polls for the upcoming federal election will be held Friday, Saturday, and Monday, January 13, 14 and 16. The advance polls will be open from noon to 8 p.m. Locations in Halton Hills are St. Alban's Anglican Church, Glen Williams; A Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 197, Acton; St. Andrew's United Church, Georgetown and St. John's United Church in Georgetown. Special ballot voting is ongoing at the Elections Canada Wellington-Halton Hills office located at 21 Main St. N., Acton. Hours are Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 12-4 p.m. For information call 1-866-2815091. Election day is Monday, January 23. Voter information cards, informing voters where to vote, were sent out late last week. ROLL AWAY IN A CHEVY! Enter for your chance to WIN $25,000! Only at * Georgetown Chevrolet 905-877-6944 *Award must be used towards purchase of a new vehicle -DICE ROLL-