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50 cents (+GST) Vol. 131 No. 8 Wednesday, May 7, 2008 36 Pages Circulation 22,500 www.independentfreepress.com Rebels put the grab on Hamilton in junior rugby action Page 15 Fundraising tourney wont be held this year Page 4 Silas taken 19th in OHL draft Horticultural Society plant sale Page 4 INSIDE While there have been some difficulties over the past few weeks with Haltons new garbage collection program, the Region reports that its not all bad news its waste diversion rate has increased by more than 20 per cent so far. At its meeting last Wednesday, the Regions planning and public works committee learned that in the first three weeks of the new pro- gram, the amount of garbage diverted from the landfill has risen from 43 per cent to 64 per cent. This figure goes above and beyond the Regions target to have a 60 per cent diversion rate resulting from the new GreenCart program, weekly Blue Box collection and bi-weekly garbage pick-up. Halton Director of Waste Management Rob Rivers acknowledged that residents have been frustrated with the delays in garbage collection. But at the same time, this is small pain for a large gain, he noted. The way the general public has participated is phenomenal. Rivers explained as the program moves for- ward, the diversion rate could actually go up or down, depending on residents participation levels. While many rural residents previously said they wouldnt be using the GreenCart as they already compost on their own properties, Rivers said there are actually lots of citizens taking part in the program in the rural area. A representative from Miller Waste Systems, the Regions garbage contractor, also attested to the high participation rates. Miller saw a 77 per cent increase in the vol- ume of Blue Box/GreenCart materials put out last month compared to April 2007, said Miller senior vice president Blair McArthur. Editorial 6 Gary Carr 8 Calendar 10, 14 Sports 15, 16 Classifieds 20-22 Seniors 23 Canadian Tire is the first business in Halton Hills to complete a light- ing retrofit that will not only save energy, but resulted in a significant cash rebate. FRIDAY... Realty Specialists Inc. Brokerage Top Producer since 1985 www.mariabritto.com MARIA BRITTO Local: 905-873-9255 GEORGETOWN VOTED #1 FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE 2008 KIA SEDONA FINANCE0% CALL THE GEORGETOWN HEADQUARTERS 1-866-364-0697 or 905-877-7818 Up to 60 mos 33 MOUNTAINVIEW RD. N., GEORGETOWN 905-877-6944GEORGETOWN CHEVROLET 2.2L 140 hp Ecotec, Auto, Air, Power Windows, Locks, Mirrors, Keyless Entry, Cruise. 60 month lease, 0% security deposit 2008 COBALT LT NEW 2008 MALIBU NEW 2008 SILVERADO LT NEW Take advantage of our award-winning lineup, we offer very competitive lease and finance rates here at Georgetown Chevrolet. For further information contact our Sales Representatives ~ Norman John Jeff Rick $199 $0 0.9% DOWN FINANCING 2.4L VTT Ecotec, 4 Cyl., 169 hp, 4-Wheel Disc Brakes w/ABS and Full Traction Control, Airbags, On-Star One Year Plan Vortec 4.8L V8, 295 hp, Auto with Overdrive, Locking Differential, 4 Wheel ABS, Cruise, Special Equipment Pkg. $3000 down, , 0% security deposit, 0% financing 72 months $3995 down, 0% security, 7% financing 27 months $289 2.75% $289 $22,995 ORPURCHASE PRICE $33,998 PURCHASE PRICEOR SMART LEASE $1,000 IN ACCESSORIES ON US! LEASE For breaking news go to: www.independentfreepress.com Halton Hills award-winning newspaper Rites of Spring Glass artist Jennifer Tarrant shows some of her creations during the Williams Mill Rites of Spring art show Saturday. Tarrant has been a glass blower at Williams Mill for 13 years where the public can watch as the artists create their works from molten glass. Photo by Jon Borgstrom But Region acknowledges collection problems Publics use of GreenCart phenomenal MELANIE HENNESSEY Special to The IFP See AMOUNT, pg. 3