The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

4 Independent & Free Press, Wednesday, May 30, 2007 Halton maintains top credit rating For the 18th year in a row, Halton is tops when it comes to credit ratings. Independent ratings agency Moody's Investors Service has again confirmed the Region's AAA credit rating-- the highest available to any issuer of long-term debt in North America. "Halton's AAA credit rating is good news for residents because it means that the Region and the local municipalities can borrow money at the lowest possible interest rates," said Regional Chair Gary Carr. "Thanks to our prudent fiscal management and our commitment to multi-year planning, we can pass our lower costs on to our taxpayers." The Moody's report recognizes the Region's ability to leverage its financial rating when it comes to providing services to the community. Halton's balanced financial profile, including dependable cash flows, predictable operating expenditures and careful response to emerging cost pressures, supports the Region's high credit rating. According to Moody's, Halton's cost pressures have been managed with modest tax increases, strong assessment growth and spending reallocations. Moody's has attached a stable outlook to the Region's profile, indicating their confidence in its ability to maintain this rating in the future. In addition, transfers from the federal government, including the GST rebate and federal gas tax funding, will help to moderate the impact of certain financial pressures over the next few years. Candles spell out the word HOPE at last year's Relay for Life event held at Christ the King Secondary School. This year the event, set for Friday, moves to the Gellert Community Centre. File photo Relay for Life to be held Friday CYNTHIA GAMBLE Staff Writer Cancer is a disease that never sleeps and for one night-- this Friday (June 1)-- more than 500 residents won't be sleeping either at the annual 12-hour Relay for Life. This year the event will be held at Gellert Community Centre, a move away from last year's event held at Christ the King School. The centre's grounds gives the Relay for Life participants of 42 teams-- including one from media sponsor The Independent & Free Press-- a little bit more area to move around. "We're so excited about this year's relay," said Sue Scarfone, fundraising co-ordinator for the Brampton-Caledon-Georgetown-Dufferin County unit of the Canadian Cancer Society. "We know that cancer never sleeps and so for one night we ask that you support our community and its residents who have willingly chosen to spend the night celebrating together survival and to remember their loved ones who are no longer here. "The Relay is meant to be a celebration of hope and a night of fun, friendship and fundraising to beat cancer," she said. The fundraising goal this year is $45,000 and already $22,000 has been raised online for the event. Last year, 29 teams, 13 survivors and 52 volunteers raised $53,000. More volunteers are needed for Friday's event to join the 30 who are have already committed to the cause. (Volunteers under the age of 18 must have written prior consent.) If interested call Julie Datta, 905-451-4460, ext. 43. Cancer survivors-- 30 have signed up already-- are welcome to take part in this year's Survivors' Victory Lap-- the first lap of the Relay for Life at 7 p.m.. They do not need to be part of a team to participate. Survivors are also invited to the Survivors' Reception at 5 p.m. to enjoy cake and coffee. For details call Suzanne Gardner, 905-451-4460, ext. 42. Luminaries marking the name a loved one who has survived or lost their battle with cancer, will be lit at 10 p.m. after the sun has set. The glowing luminaries, already numbering 114, will line the relay track, providing light and inspiration throughout the night. Luminaries can be purchased online at www.cancer.ca/relay Activities for participants throughout the night includes a jumping castle, Petunia the Clown, watching movies, karaoke or a live band. Halton Hills council unanimously waived the Town's noise bylaw for the event. WATCH FOR YOUR CHANCE TO $2500 or a presented by T here's No Place Like Home" SPECIAL METROLAND SUPPLEMENT Wina Gift Certificate from ToolPackage (Valued at $1350) LAWN&GARDEN LAWN&GARDEN We've lowered our everyday prices on most WOODEN THOMAS PRODUCTS. Plus Save an additional 15%* Off until June 9th *Does not include specialty priced discontinued items. 211 Guelph Street, Georgetown Northview Centre (Beside Police Station) HOURS: Monday-Wednesday 9:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m., Thursday-Friday 9:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m., Saturday 9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Sunday 11 am - 4 pm © 2007 Gullane (Thomas) Limited ©2007 Learning Curve International, Inc. The Learning Curve logo design is a service mark of Learning Curve International, Inc. 905-873-4410 FILL OUT THIS BALLOT FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN! or you can enter online at contests.metroland.com MAIL ENTRIES TO: THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME, Metroland Corporate Sales, 10 Tempo Ave., Willowdale, Ontario M2H 2N8 NAME: ADDRESS: 3 Levels > Beginner, 5KM, 10KM Summer Clinic runs for 10 weeks on Tuesday evenings beginning at 6:00 pm and include: Training Manual > Detailed Schedule > Technical Running Shirt > Store Discount TELEPHONE: POSTAL CODE: EMAIL: Yes, I wish to receive information from Color Your World and Black & Decker on upcoming specials, contests, promotions & events. Contest Rules: Contest opening date: May 9th, 2007 12pm. Deadline for entries: July 31st, 2007 12pm. Residents of Ontario may enter, except employees and immediate family members (and/or persons domiciled with) Metroland Media Group, the prize sponsors and/or any employees of their affiliated companies. Entrants under 18 must have parent/guardian consent. Chances of winning the randon draw depend on the total number of entries received. Prizes must be accepted as presented with no cash substitution. Winner consents to having their names and/or photos appear in Metroland Community Newspapers. The decision of the contest judges is final. No purchase necessary. A limit of one qualifier per person, per household, one entry per e-mail address. Black & Decker prize valued at $1,350, Color Your World prize valued at $2,500. In order to be eligible to win, the selected contestant must correctly answer a skill-testing question which will be administered upon notifying the winning entrant. Full contest rules visit: contests.metroland.com Dates > Summer Clinic: June 12th Fall Clinic: Tues September 11th NEW: Sat at 8 am September 15th Stop in or call to register today! 905-877-3201 72 Main St., S, Georgetown, ON Store Hours Mon-Wed 10-6 > Thurs-Fri 10-8 > Sat 10-5