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THE INDEPENDENT 50 cents (+GST) Vol. 130 No. 31 Wednesday, October 17, 2007 52 Pages Circulation 21,220 www.independentfreepress.com Castaways Comedy presents Doctor in the House at JET Page 12 Business Links special section 12-Pages Local runners fare well at Halton meets Page 18 Program to aid underprivileged kids winds down Page 10 INSIDE It was standing room only Monday night in the Halton Hills council chambers when residents came out to air their views on the future growth direction for this town. Residents had been invited to express their opinions to council before the town leaders give the Towns position to Halton Region staff compiling the Sustainable Halton Plan, which sets the future course on growth for Halton. Despite the packed gallery, only nine spoke two developers, three former politicians, one farmer and three environment-leaning residents. Statements varied from more development in Acton, growth based on green sustainable planning principles (build up not out), the current situation overstretched roads and water/waste- water systems and Town facilities say no to all development, negativi- ty of growth on farmers, and consid- eration of all impacts social, eco- nomic and environment. Meanwhile Hemson Consulting, which had been retained in the spring to prepare a report on the fis- cal impact of various growth scenar- ios, painted a bleak picture for tax- payers over the next 20 years. The company developed 11 sce- narios from now until 2031 from no growth, non-residential growth only to population increases in 20,000 increments up to 130,000. All scenarios to 2026 will have pressure for tax hikes and not until 2031 will taxpayers start to see some of the benefits. Only four of the 11 scenarios indi- cate a happy outcome for taxpayers by 2031. The best ranking was a scenario that saw the towns population reaching 90,000 and a 250-hectare urban boundary expansion. (See story pg. 5). Director of Finance Ed DeSousa had his own paint- brush out as well, and suggested that growth, versus no- growth, is a better picture for this community. DeSousa said the most recent example of slow growth was the hold placed last month on the proposed expan- sion/renovation of the Halton Hills Cultural Centre & Library. Examples in other municipalities have included higher tax rates and issuance of debt. Editorial 6 Entertainment 12 Calendar 14, 15 Sports 16-18 Classifieds 21-23 A Terra Cotta resi- dent is fed up with dri- vers ending up on her front lawn, but finding a solution to her problem is difficult. See Fridays edition for details. FRIDAY... REFINANCING? PURCHASING? BOB WOODS Mortgage Specialist (905) 877-1490 *Rate subject to change 360 Guelph St., Georgetown 5.65% 5 YR FIXED (905) 873-1655 354 Guelph Street, Georgetown APPLE Auto Glass Truck Accessories Upholstery Heavy Equipment Glass Window Tinting GEORGETOWN CHRYSLER We handle all insurance work. 2 Locations Georgetown Kia 1-866-364-0697 314 Guelph St. (Hwy. 7) ~ Over 1000 Used Vehicles In Inventory ~ Superstore Open Sundays 199 Guelph St. 1-866-367-4081 KIA MOTORS The Power to SurpriseTM For breaking news go to: www.independentfreepress.com Halton Hills award-winning newspaper Golden girl Halton Hills resident Emily Boycott performs the ribbon routine that won her one of five gold medals at last weeks Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China. The 24-year-old Boycott took first place in the ribbon, hoop, rope and ball events, along with the all-around title in the rhythmic gymnastics competi- tion in her debut on the world stage. Photo by Ted Brown Taxpayers will pay for towns future growth CYNTHIA GAMBLE Staff Writer See GROWING, pg. 3 ED DeSOUSA