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Carr to run for Region chair mer chair Joyce Savoline. But that doesn't By TIM FORAN mean Carr and his team have been tightMetroland Media Group wads. In fact, it's the opposite. Halton regional chair and former miThe Region's overall budget has jumped nor pro hockey player Gary Carr passed to $1.1 billion in 2010 from $759 million on something last week he was told by in 2006, with the municipality buoyed by George Armstrong in 1975, when Carr was more property tax dollars coming in from a teenage goalie being coached by the for- the industries, businesses and residents lomer Maple Leaf captain on the Memorial cating in Halton over the past few years. Cup-winning Marlboros. However, the percentage of the budget "He said, `You're only as good as your coming from property taxes and money last game'," recalled Carr. paid by residents and businesses Carr is now hoping his last on water bills has dropped to 42 game, last Wednesday's council per cent from 50 per cent over session, during which he and the the same time period. council he leads approved a 2010 So who's picking up the slack, budget with a tax and water rate if not local taxpayers? The two freeze, as well as an update to the groups Carr has harangued for municipality's Official Plan, is money since arriving at regiongood enough to take to the camal headquarters-- developers paign trail next year. and the upper levels of govern"I will be running in the next ment are major contributors to GARY municipal election for regional the Region's coffers. CARR chair," Carr confirmed. To Carr, growth is growth After years of serving in proand somebody's got to pay for it vincial and federal politics, which are the besides taxpayers. subject of a book he is in the midst of writ"We have finally got it to where growth ing, Carr said he has thus far enjoyed im- is paying for itself," he said. mensely the three years he has completed That attitude isn't shared by all his colin his first term as a municipal politician leagues however. and hopes to be able to continue in his role Halton Hills Regional Councillor Jane following this October's election. Fogal, Burlington Mayor Cam Jackson Carr said he believes there have also and Milton Mayor Gord Krantz have all been other successes during his term be- questioned whether development-related sides budgetary matters. charges in Halton are getting too high to "Two years in a row Maclean's maga- keep new homes affordable or to attract zine has named us (Halton) one of the two industry, the taxes from which help keep safest communities in Canada," he said. property taxes for residents low. He also pointed to the success of HalCarr, however, has sometimes assertton's recycling initiatives-- the introduc- ed his primus inter pares-- first among tion of the Green Cart program has im- equals-- status on council and used public proved landfill diversion to 60 per cent email campaigns as a way to gather supfrom 40 per cent. port through council. And he said the introduction of a new During a particularly heated council Natural Heritage System designation in session this past summer, when Matthe regional Official Plan will protect the tamy Homes bused in hundreds of conenvironment and agriculture. struction workers from across the GTA However, he didn't deny fiscal responsi- to council chambers to protest an extra bility would be one of the things he'll voice $8,000 charge, Carr came prepared for the as a success to voters. fight. He plopped down thousands of pa"I think it's very important," Carr said. pers onto the chamber desks, and printed "It's really a team effort," he added, credit- emails from constituents backing his poing staff and council for supporting what sition in favour of the charge, he told his he feels is part of his mandate. council colleagues. Over the past four budgets includ"I'm elected by the people, not by couning 2010, that team has effectively cut in cil," he said. "As the chair, I take the lead. half the tax and water rate hikes seen in On the things that were important for me, the previous three-year term under for- that I ran on, I got support on." Install Today! 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