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Thursday, January 15, 2015 - The IFP - H alton H ills - w w w .theifp.ca Page 3 e-mail: hassellsauto@bellnet.ca www.hassellautomotive.com 2010 Nissan Altima S 2006 Nissan Altima S 2008 Pontiac Montana SV6 • Auto/4 cyl • Certified & E-tested • A/C • Steering Wheel Controls • Power Windows/Mirrors • Cruise Control $13,600 $9,600 $7,450 + HST/LIC + HST/LIC + HST/LIC CALL • Auto/6 cyl Certified & E-Tested • A/C • Keyless Entry • Bucket Seats • Fog Lights • Cruise Control • Auto/4 cyl Certified & E-tested • A/C • Power Seats/Trunk • Power Door Locks • Cruise Control 45 Mountainview Road North Georgetown, Ontario 905.877.7958 Warranty Warranty Warranty NEWS Georgetown Hospital's New Year's Baby was in a rush Maren Zeehuisen didn't let a little thing like no obstetrician stand in the way of her being named Georgetown Hospi- tal's New Year's Baby. The hospital's Obstetrical Department has been temporarily redirecting women in labour to other hospitals since just be- fore Christmas because the hospital's only obstetrician is unexpectedly off. Natalia Zeehuisen said her daughter, who was to be born at Credit Valley Hos- pital, was actually due Friday. But Maren had different plans. Natalia woke up at 6 a.m. Thursday (Jan. 8) with labour pains. She and her husband Mark quickly packed up her things then got in the truck to head to Credit Valley. But by the time they got to Norval, just a short distance from their Georgetown home, Natalia's water broke, and as this was her second child, she could tell there wasn't much time. "I said, we're not going to make it, I just knew," said Natalia. She told her husband to take her to Georgetown Hospital. Mark called 911 and was advised to head back home where an ambulance would meet them to rush Natalia to Georgetown Hospital. When they got home a few minutes lat- er, police officers were there, but the am- bulance hadn't arrived yet. With Natalia already in Mark's truck, police suggested the quickest option would be that they es- cort the couple (with lights and sirens go- ing) to the hospital. With one cruiser clearing the way, an- other following behind, and an ambu- lance joining at Sinclair Ave., they rushed to Georgetown Hospital. Police blocked the intersection at Mill and Guelph Streets and shortly after 7 a.m. they pulled up at Georgetown Hospital's Emergency Department. Natalia was rushed to the obstetrical unit where ER doctor Kelly Williams, with the assistance of OB nurse Nicole, deliv- ered Maren (8 lbs., 2 oz.) at 7:22 a.m.-- earning her the distinction of being the first baby born at the hospital in 2015 and a great story. By Lisa Tallyn ltallyn@theifp.ca Mark and Natalia Zeehuisen with Maren, the first baby born at Georgetown Hospital in 2015. Photo by Eamonn Maher Hydro customers to pay more to cover ice storm costs Starting this month through Oct. 2016, Halton Hills Hydro customers will be pay- ing more on their hydro bills to cover the utility company's $1.56-million 2013 ice storm costs. Monthly cost per customer class will be on average: • Residential-- $2.23 • Small Commercial-- $4.87 • Large Commercial-- $51.28 • Street Lights-- .63 cents per light ($55,000 in total from the Town over 22 months) Halton will be much better prepared if se- vere weather strikes again this year, Regional councillors heard last month. The Region will use $5.2 million from its capital reserves to install generators in four new warming and rescue centres. It's one of the major expenditures included in the proposed 2015 Regional budget pre- sented by Mark Scinocca, Halton's Finance Commissioner and Regional Treasurer. The centres will be strategically located in each of Halton's four municipalities as well as the Halton Regional Centre. Each munici- pality will decide where their centre will be located. For an average home assessed at $400,000, the budget, which will be finalized Jan. 27, will see homeowners paying about $1,332 in 2015, or $20 more than they paid for Regional services in 2014. But the cost of the generators will have no impact on property taxes because they will be funded by capital reserves, according to the proposed budget. Two major storms have struck Halton in the past 12 months-- the ice storm that hit Dec. 2013 resulting in a loss of power for thou- sands of residents and a flood, considered the worst to hit Burlington in 20 years-- caused wide-spread damage last August. "Weather patterns have changed over the past few decades with more localized storm events of greater intensity occurring with greater frequency," said Scinocca. "The 2015 budget includes strategic investments to in- crease the Region's capacity to respond and recover from emergencies such as severe weather events." Staff has also recommended another $378,000 be spent to upgrade the existing 311 emergency phone system to handle the high volume of calls during emergencies. By Bob Mitchell Special to The IFP Region spends money to prepare for future storms