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In a move that both "excited" and "thrilled" him, Acton resident Bob Austin accepted a promotion to CAO -- Chief Administrative Officer -- for the Town of Halton Hills last Thursday. Before beginning scheduled budget talks, Mayor Rick Bonnette announced Austin's appointment, praising his "no nonsense, let's get the job done approach," and his GOOMADOY MOTOR PRODUCTS Rockwood * 856-2222 depth and knowledge of the municipality and its history. On Tuesday, Austin, who has been acting CAO since the abrupt departure of Steve Andrews in July after five years at the helm, said he was halfway between "seeing it coming" and being surprised when he was offered the job. "There were indications given to me that I was doing okay (as acting CAO) -- so on that basis, I wondered if it would be considered, but I obviously had no inside track on that," Austin said. When he accepted the acting CAO position in July, Austin was told it could be for six months until the new Council got settled, and a search could be conducted. continued on page 2 Here Police, gela's scary doll u e put back in inside Our weather? -moderation is prediction Even if the groundhog sees his/her shadow next Monday (Groundhog Day) and proclaims there'll be another six weeks of winter, the real weathermen are predicting the weather will There might be lots of -- snow but the memory is supposed to climb as high as -4C by Saturday, -1C Sunday and break the zero mark on Monday or Tuesday. However, the possibility of more snow to build snow banks even higher runs from 40 to 20 percent. For those who longed for an old-fashioned winter this one has all the earmarks -- intense cold and lots of snow. The bloom is off the rose. The Town won't spend money this year to participate in the Communities in Bloom civic pride and beautification program, according to Mayor Rick Bonnette who told councillors there isn't the volunteer momentum to continue. Three years ago in its first competition, Halton Hills earned a first place finish in its population category and the next year earned an honourable mention in the national competition. Last year, Halton Hills placed second in the ninth edition of SNOW MUCH FUN: The bi fos the National Communities In Bloom (CIB) competition, designed to foster civic. pride, environmental responsibility and beautification through community participation and national competition. At the January 19 Council meeting, Ward Two Councillor Bryan Lewis asked if there was any beautification/CIB money in the budget, noting that in past years funding come from different departments and was "'cut and sliced and hidden and diced, and everything else." itterly cold temperatures didn't stop these two friends from a little fun in the sun on Saturday. Phillip Wright, 6, and friend, Jacob, 5 (right) were having lots of fun in the mounds of snow that have fallen recently. - Angela Tyler photo No Town money for Blooms program Bonnette said there is no money and no volunteer momentum to continue, adding there were three volunteers and seven staff at the last CIB meeting, and there is "just no interest in continuing." He said another CIB meeting is scheduled for February 10, possibly to consider a "lower scale" program. "It doesn't have to be a high-end cost, but something that we can still take a lot of pride in," Bonnette said, adding they can continue to promote enjoyment of their parks and gardens. continued on page 3 Bob Austin IT'S WORTH THE DRIVE TO downtown business to meet Hope to work out problems By FRANCES NIBLOCK The New Tanner Halton police officials will meet with Acton business owners early next month to discuss on- going problems with loitering and vandalism in the downtown area. After receiving a petition last week from approximately 50 business owners and shoppers who said there is a"grave" need for additional policing in downtown Acton, Halton Inspector Ron Welsh said the issue would be discussed at a meeting in early February with the businesswoman who circulated the petition. The businesswoman, fearing retribution, does not want to be identified, but wants all those affected to attend the meeting. "There certainly seems to be incidents of vandalism -- we've dealt with that on several occasions," Welsh said last Thursday, adding loitering is not an isolated problem but occurs all continued on page2 | ACHILLES "4 MazpDa 357 Queen St. (Hwy 7) EXCLUSIVELY AT ACHILLES FOR JANUARY The All New 2004 Mazda6 All 2004 Mazdatis come with an impressive list - of standard equipment: "2.2L IGOHP 4 Cylinder or ¥ Available 3.0L 220HP V6 Engine * Power Windows * Power Heated Mirrors ¥ Cruise Controt Y Power Looks Keyless Entry + 4 Wheel Disc Brakes /ABS Brakes WEBFO oy " Blectranic Traction Canteot 4 * 40° Wheels Acton, ON + AMIFM CO Stereo wif speakers 519-853-0200 = Rear € peta in rperaon "Seen For 36 Mos | info@achillesmazda.ca let tenner mae Mazda Added Protection Plan included at no Tis Telescopic Steering Suteide Ambient Temperature indication extra charge for all Mazda6s sold in January ** plus much more "Plus Preighi/PDE and Taxes. ** Call for deails Starting from only $24,395* SER Der pe 2s ee Gu Dealerohip ivnot the' Biggest. 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