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Growth plan would bankrupt town You've heard me on more than a few occasions express my concern about the Province's Places To Grow plan. This is the legislated provincial plan expecting Halton Region to grow its population by 68 per cent over the next 25 years to a population of 780,000 people. Folks, I can tell you that there is a huge bull's-eye on Milton and Halton Hills. Worst yet, this is an $8.6 billion plan if the Province doesn't pony up to the table. Besides the usual road widenings, we would have an additional 1,100 hospital beds, 50-plus schools, 25 community centres, 22 fire halls, four ambulance stations and the list just goes on. Halton Region Chairman Gary Carr and the four Halton mayors have sent a strong resolution to the Province and to the opposition parties. All four councils (Milton, Burlington, Oakville and Halton Hills) will be supporting this resolution, which your Town council unanimously supported. It is time to "push back". This plan, as it is now, will not only change our community, but it will bankrupt our town at the same time. We are hoping that other regions will follow our lead. ··· Your town councillors and staff have been busy working with our Strategic Plan for the future. A Strategic Plan is where council sets goals for this term of office (four years), and long-term goals up to the year 2031. ··· It's already been one year since Georgetown Hospital was transferred to Halton Healthcare. The Minister of Health and Long Term Care, George Smitherman, was applauded by many for this move. Rick Bonnette Huge kudos go out to all the doctors, nurses, and other staff for making the transition appear seamless. ··· I would like to welcome the new Georgetown BIA co-ordinator, Kay Matthews. It will be an exciting year for the downtown as the Main Street will be reconstructed. ··· It won't be long now until the new Acton Agricultural Building will be up and operating. It looks impressive. ··· On behalf of members of council, I would like to welcome the following new businesses to Georgetown: · Upper Credit Humane Society Thrift Shop · AV Salon & Spa · TD Canada Trust ··· Congratulations to Mary Ann Lapointe for recently being named to the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame. Mary Ann is now one of 61 members to achieve this honoured distinction. ··· Keeping it real! I can be reached by telephone at 905-873-2601, ext. 2342, or by email at mayor@haltonhills.ca. --Rick Bonnette is the mayor of Halton Hills efore I start let me just say thank you to all the well wishers over the last two weeks, I really appreciate your kind thoughts! I wanted to bring light to an area that has been dark for too long. With winter driving conditions like we have had, car accidents seem to be inevitable. The problem lies with the person who has been in one and "feels just fine" afterwards. Well why do you ask is that a problem? Studies have shown that whether you are involved in an accident at 10 kph or 65kph, you can still have damage to your spine. And that's not all...research shows that within a two week period the body will form permanent scar tissue in the injured areas. Computer scanning of the spine makes it too easy to detect areas of injury and quick proper care allows immediate and correct healing to take place. It is extremely important to have your spine properly checked after any such incident, no matter how minor it may seem. Remember that pain can be the last symptom to occur after spinal injury and may not show up for months or even years. Because of changes to insurance regulations over the years we are working cooperatively with all insurance companies which makes processing claims far easier and friendly. Give us a call today and Patricia will book a time for a complete assessment. P.S. when you call, let us know if you had a car accident and we'll have all the paperwork ready and waiting! We'll talk soon.