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I he Acton Free Kress Wednesday Oct Challenge to our credibility Actonians for Action reply to McKenzie The Editor The Acton Free Press Dear Madam In the September 1977 issue of the Acton Free Press you published a letter written by Halton Hills Regional Councillor for Ward Acton W Pat McKenzie addressed to the Honourable W Treasurer of Ontario Ministry of Treasury Economics and Inter governmental Affairs In this letter Regional Councillor outlined what he considered to be the advantages and accomplishments of Regional Government in Halton Hills since its inceptiononJanuaryl 1974 At the same time Mr indicates that he feels that a change in the status quo of govern ment in Hills with the possible creation of a fifth municipality having Acton as its urban centre would be in his words both a backward step and ut terly unrealistic Mr makes these statements In letter to the Honourable Mr McKeough in respect to Ihe activities of a group of concerned Acton citizens calling them selves for Action who have submitted a brief to both Regional Council and the Province of Ontario per taining to the position of Acton in the new Town of Hills With the Intention of helping to provide the citizens of Hills with some meaningful background on this matter the Committee of Actonians for Action wish to respond publicly to what appears to be an open challenge to our credibility by our Regional Councillor G McKenzie First of all in an open letter to the citizens of Acton printed in the local press on December the for Action Committee stated that the aims and of our group were to promote and foster efficiency in all levels of govern but more particularly at the municipal level and to strive for in creased influence in determining the future course of government in Acton To accomplish his a detailed study of the future or Acton in Regional Government was undertaken with the clear announce ment that other alternatives to the present system of government would also be con As a result of this study by our Committee a brief on what we considered to be Acton s position In Regional Govern specifically in Hills was formulated and submitted to Regional Council and subsequently to the Hon McKeoughs office with the Province of Ontario The view of our group after considerable discussion on the matter was that we were not convinced of the benefits of being part of Halton Hills to discontinue our investigation Rather we felt there was sufficient evidence to ask the provincial and regional officials to conduct and inquiry into FEASIBILITY of creating a fifth municipality Region with the former Town of Acton as its urban centre We would like to stress that our Committee has not at this point asked for an outright division of Hills into two separate communities The reason for Councillor confusion surrounding the objectives of our Committee could stem from the fact that Mr was absent when our brief was presented to the meeting of the Regional Bill 151 Review Committee of which he is a member Perhaps the most effective method of responding to Regional Councillor McKenzie comments would be to look at them as he raises them in his letter to the Honourable Mr First of all we question Councillor McKenzie that the former Town of Acton was experiencing financial difficulties to the degree of having to sell townowned land o bring down an budget in 1973 While it may be true that Acton did sell townowned land in 1973 for various reasons we feel that Mr McKenzie is incorrect in claiming it was due to Actons poor financial position Councillor maintains that in the past three years Hills Council has 1 Set responsible mill rates Were responsible mill rates not set prior to Could responsible mill rates not be set by an independent Acton once again Also how much were Halton Hills mill rates held down by public pressure not to build a million dollar Municipal Building or by provincial transitional grants due to expire shortly What will future mill rates be like without these grants Maintained a low debenture debt by paying for capital expenditures out of current operating budgets Actonians for Action maintain that Actons debenture debt was in good shape prior to Regional Government and according to Regional debenturing practices could still be maintained on a reasonable level under an Acton centred municipality within Halton Region Worked toward an Official Plan for Halton Hills which should be approved in The three former municipalities we believe all had Official Plans prior to Regional Government in Halton Hills Why will it take almost five years to implement one uniform Official Plan for Halton Hills Especially when considering the large full- time Planning department acquired since Spent many meetings reviewing by laws agreements etc of the three former municipalities The hours spent in reviewing these bylaws etc were necessitated by the forced amalgamation of the three former municipalities and would not have been required if a Regional Government had not been initiated Besides what rule decrees that the same regulations should apply in all three former areas or that these uniform regulations will be just and equitable Developed a plan for updating urban and rural roads Acton had a five year capital works project which included roads maintenance and upgrading prior to Regional Government Also why is it that most of the reports for Action hear from our rural neighbours indicate that services have deteriorated since road responsibilities were taken over by HiHs from the former Township Uniled the Volunteer Fire Depart menti and updated their facilities Recent developments between Actons Fire Department and Hills Council concerning expansion of Actons Fire Hall and parking facilities for firemen would indicate that relations between the Town and firemen are anything but harmonious The firefighters wishes would appear to have been ignored or at least completely misinterpreted by Council United the Public Works Department under one roof in enlarging the property and buildings to accommodate them for Action challenge the wisdom of this move When Regional Government amalgamated the former Town of Milton with its rural hinterland in the rook vi lie works yard in was kept open and still functions as before Apparently Milton area councillors felt centralization of services in one location was impractical for Action believe that central ization docs not necessarily make public works service more efficient Spent considerable funds in Recreation to provide two new swimming pools refurbish two old arenas and many tennis courts etc Is Councillor McKenzie s memory so bad that he doesn recall hat Actons Lions Centennial Pools was approved and initiated under the former Town CouncU of Acton with funds generated by the sale of townowned land as well as public donations Actons pool would have been built regardless of Regional Government Revenue from the sale of townowned land also went arena roof repairs and the construction of tennis courts both allocations being ap proved PRIOR to Hills being created Acquired excellent department heads to plan and control our growth and operate Hills a business like manner The citizens of Acton through their ex with these various departments could certainly provide some critical opinions on just how efficiently these departments arc being operated Councillor McKenzie in his letter in THE SIGN SAYS SLOW and that is what the work has way No Rain has hampered the construction crews the work out beyond its original schedule been along high- efforts dragging that he feels Halton Hills most urgent need at the present time Is an Administrative Building His position on this rather expensive matter seems now to be totally contrary to his election campaign statements in where he stated em phatlcally that he would not support further consideration for expansion of the municipal Administrative Building According to his letter the three local councillors spent many hours with Actonians for Action to explain the many advantages of being part of Hills The facts are that Councillors McKenzie and Marks attended one meeting of our committee early in for ap proximately two hours and answered general questions Councillor Marks also provided statistical documentation to one or our Subcommittees We feel this hardly constitutes many hours Strangely the Regional Councillor claims that our brief refers to the poor condition of Actons Town Hall Is he reading the same brief we presented At no time have we ever referred to Actons Town Hall in our presentation He seems to be confusing us with another group of Acton citizens attempting to save our Town Hall building His comment here seems totally Irrelevant Finally we believe Councillor McKen perspective on the activities of Actonians for Aclion should be viewed with a strong degree of skepticism In an article in the Toronto Star January 1977 Mr is quoted as of the problems is that there has always been great rivalry between Acton and George town The article reads that Councillor McKenzie said he believes the review by the for Aclion group is wor thwhile The article goes on to say McKenzie said he thinks the province made a mistake In putting Acton and Georgetown into the new Town of Hills It might have been belter he said to have created a fifth municipality in so that Acton and Georgetown could have continued as separate municipalities Was our Regional Councillor quoted accurately in that Toronto Star article If so what has caused him to abandon those earlier views which were in line with the objectives of Actonians for Action In conclusion we hope that we have clarified our position to the citizens of Acton and Halton Hills generally while respon ding statements made by our Regional Councillor GW Respectfully Peter J Chairman Norman Elliott ViceChairman Actonians for Action Council chairs 1033 If plans go as scheduled Regional Councillors will find themselves perched on chairs valued at more than when hey move into the new regional tors Chairs under consideration now are valued at 1033 each but the actual cost to the region will be between and The choice of the chairs has yet lo be ratified by council but has been roved by the region committee While the committee has opted lo recommend new furniture for the council chambers furnishings for the chairman office and the staff offices are to stay the The committee recom mended purchase of the choirs during a recent meeting According lo con Paul Almis the chair is the same chair that famous chess player Bobbie Fisher insists on using The chair was initially designed for use In the Times Life Building in New York City Almis describes it as a classical leather chair Aim Is conceded that it might seem like a lot of money but he il is an economic way to go In the long run As the region becomes Ihe focil point for other govern mental agencies the will be used more and more The chambers and the chair will get heavy use and councillors are concerned about creating a suitable at mosphere The chairs now in use in the current chambers will lie allocated for use in Ihe est of the new committee Board falling apart Planning board proce dures are falling apart at the seams board Chairman Hoy Booth Tuesday night as he asked guidance from members on the publics participation in meetings when they arc not on the agenda and It Is not a public hearing on a planning amendment He explained he felt he was in a dilemma when people in the audience put up their hands to speak but were not on the agenda He contended the meetings were getting out of hand with people talking for long times and trying to debate with planning board rather than asking questions He emphasized he was all in favor of people making submissions to the board but wanted them to be on the agenda When its an Used public meeting to discuss a planning amend ment that a different thing then of course he point of it is lo hear the publics views Mayor Tom Hill said plan board is becoming bogged down and urged faster answers We have to slop keeping people hanging and say we approve or don t Delays only add to Ihe casts in long run Councillor Pot McKenzie said there are no hard and fast rules for this type meeting and said it would be hard to enforce Councillor Mike Armstrong admitted he had been con for a long time about procedure at planning board and contended councillors want to appease residents of their ward who are sitting in the audience It s got so far out of line no one can conduct a proper meeting Councillor Les Duby argued councillors are Service in old church The annual Thanksgiving service held by the Valley Authority will be ctlcliraledain his year In Ihe 140 year old While south of Sunday October a The tiny church Is expected to be crowded as sight seers viewing full foliage join in Iht service conducted by Very Rev David W Hay IasI Moderator of Ihe Presbyterian Church in Canadi and minister of Knox Church Calcdon East Presbyterian Church elected to do a job and think for themselves even if it means political suicide He recoiled he had open space all around his house for years hut the land was zoned for residential buildings and is now all built up There too much telling people what they can do with their land when it zoned properly Councillor Marilyn jeantson suggested the easiest method may be to have no one speak unless are listed on Ihe agenda but written submissions could always be sent to planning board A or 10 minule time slot at the beginning of the meeting for the public to put forward their views wilhout having to be on the agenda was suggested by Councillor Waller This would be for anyone who happens lo be in the audience and might solve some of our problems in the long run planning board decided to ask Planner Mario Vcnditli lo prepare a report on the provisions of the Planning Act and recommend procedures board meetings Skerrett checks vandals Halton Regional Police Chief Ken Skerrelt Is taking a first hand look at vandalism In the north So for hes found little Tours of Georgetown and Acton last week turned up few people on the streets Chief told police com mission Thursday in vllle The chief said hell make additional Inspections on weekends There was not a person on the streets for 45 minutes in Georgetown chief Skerrett said Last Wednesday night in Acton he said he saw four people on the streets He said the same findings were made in two separate Inps during weekdays The inspections will help lo decide if police arc going to put additional men on the street Further reports are also being wailed on before a decision is made the chief Metric 98 of the world knows it so it must be easy NATURES EMPORIUM I I I If the results remain the same I cant justify pulling man on the street Cheif Skerrett said Bring your own containerBuy only what need AND SAVL on natural foods cooking oils CLOVER with your own container Australian A HP SULTANA Stoneground Wheat PASTRY FLOUR IVIMIIM a I VILLIMIVI natural Foods Cheeses if HOURS Thin ft ivi 877 MAIN ST GLEN WILLIAMS OPEN MONDAY Thurs Fri Mill St ACTON 8530041 KirrenKnirsarrhe office The look Juit for the office I ho com fori u youll love mors with entry weiring And best at ill theyre completely midline or my cite The perfect outfit Serving You In FERGUS ACTON BOLTON STREETSVILLE EAR PIERCING ONLY MARILYNS boutique MILL ST ACTON 8633910 CENTRE -ACTON- Mln St South -QEORGETOVUN- Miikitplics Optlcil Marketplace PI mi Having A Hearing Problem Problems With Your Hearing Aid Mr F Burke will be In Georgetown- Friday September a to noon ActonFriday September 9 pm to 3 p firhue HEARING AIDS SEKVICE 1978 Ford and Mercury NEW CAR WING Friday and Saturday Oct 7th and 8th COME IN AND SEE THE AIL NEW Mercury Zephyr Luxury Dccu Option REFRESHMENTS acton TEL JC VXU BRAMPTON 1761 DRUMATIC POWER HUMIDIFIER includes Humidistat oil accessories 95 Sanitized Micro Duster FURNACE FILTER CHOICE OF 10x20 20x25 16x20 x 20 x 11 Other sizes 77 All Glass 20 off WALL PAPER WEATHERSTRIP DOOR SATISFACTION GUARANTEED OR YOUR MONEY CHEERFULLY REFUNDED