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CONCEPT FORD G E O R G E T O W N 361 Guelph St. (Hwy. 7) www.conceptford.com 905.873.1626 04 F250 $15,655 Stk. # 01921 05 Ranger $14,899 Stk. # 01819 04 Escape $13,900 Stk. # 01807 COME MAKE YOUR BEST DEAL THEN PERSONALIZE YOUR TRUCK WITH $1000 WORTH OF NO-EXTRA CHARGE ACCESSORIES*. ON ALL 08 RANGER, F-150 AND MOST SUPER DUTY. YOU CAN CHOOSE FROM OVER 100 ACCESSORIES AND NOW GET AN EXTRA $1000* OFF YOUR PURCHASE OR LEASE OF A 2008 F-150 OR SUPER DUTY IF YOU CURRENTLY OWN OR LEASE A SELECTED COMPETITORS PICK-UP. *SEE DEALER FOR DETAILS 04 Freestar Sport $8,999 Stk. # 01619 07 Escape Limited $23,500 Stk. #01871 05 Five Hundred $13,900 Stk. # 01909 05 Focus Wagon $9,855 Stk. # 01895 07 Edge SEL AWD $30,749 Stk. # 01920 07 Focus ZX4 $14,655 Stk. # 01911 Independent & Free Press, Wednesday, March 19, 2008 7 During the years Ive been priv- ileged to serve in the Ontario Legislature, Ive visited many nurs- ing homes in Wellington County, Waterloo Region, and more recently in Halton Hills. With each visit, Ive been reminded of the joy and wonder of life, of the dedication and caring of the staff in so many of our long term care homes, and of the need for appropriate standards of care so that our seniors live in dignity. Thats why during last falls provincial election campaign, I pushed for a significant capital investment to improve long term care. This would ensure that residents arent forced to live in wards with three and even four beds each, and that they receive the compassionate care they need. Its also why I was appalled recently to hear the Minister of Health and Long Term Care, George Smitherman, say he would wear an adult diaper as some kind of strange publici- ty stunt. Even though he apologized the next day for his insensi- tive remarks, the message Mr. Smitherman left is unmistak- able: the McGuinty Liberal governments promised revolu- tion in long-term care has been reduced to an embarrass- ing sideshow. Our seniors deserve better. Speaking before the Legislatures Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs on January 21, the Ontario Long-Term Care Association pointed out the need for an additional investment of $513 million for more staff and supplies to improve care. The money would be ear- marked to make sure residents arent rushed to meals or left waiting for help to use their bathrooms. It would allow homes to have more evening and week- end programs, improve meal service, increase the number of incontinence changes, and improve clinical assessments. It would also help with essential housekeeping and laun- dry-related services. I was moved by their presentation, and a few days ago I visited Extendicare in Georgetown and Royal Terrace in Seniors deserve better care from Liberals Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott recently accepted postcard petitions from Dr. Andre Spekkens at Georgetown Extendicare.The petitions called for an additional $513 million for new staff and supplies to benefit long-term care residents. Submitted photo Palmerston to show my support. I also hope to visit the Bennett Health Care Centre in Georgetown soon. Its hard to imagine any MPP opposing these measures, but it remains to be seen how Minister of Finance Dwight Duncan, will respond in his 2008 budget, expected before the end of this month. If you agree that seniors deserve better, you can help by emailing the Minister of Finance at dwight.duncan@ontario.ca and copying me at ted.arnott@pc.ola.org. I can also be reached at 1-800-265-2366, or on the Internet at www.tedarnottmpp.com. Ted Arnott is the MPP for Wellington-Halton Hills Ted Arnott The Town is hoping an environmentally-friendly fire station may be a money-winner in the elusive infrastruc- ture grants, handed out by the provincial government. The Town has submitted the reconstruction of the Maple Ave. fire station as its request for funding under the Provinces $300 million Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative. Only $1.9 million approximate- ly 50 per cent of the price tag was requested. After strategizing, Town staff agreed that this station met all of the provincial criteria: being construction-ready and providing numerous benefits to the community. The station will be built to the highest LEED environmental standards, including geothermal heating and cooling. Mayor Rick Bonnette said the Town has struck out in past years when applying for infrastructure grants and I hope this ... will make up for it. The Maple Ave. fire station, which will include the Regions new EMS (ambulance) station, will cost $3.8 million to build, funded primarily from the Major Capital Project Allocation Reserve Fund ($2.8 million), GTA pooling funds ($600,000), geothermal heating financing ($200,000) and development charges ($200,000). Final costs for the two new fire stations the Maple Ave. one and the new headquarters building on Eighth Line wont be known until tenders are opened in early April. However, if the Town is successful in winning the provincial grant, then any remaining Town money allo- cated to the project could be returned to the reserve fund for the next major capital project the expansion of the Halton Hills Cultural Centre and Library. CYNTHIA GAMBLE Staff Writer Green fire station could be in line for provincial grant cash