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THE NEW TANNERTUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2008 3 264 MAIN ST. N ACTON 519-853-1970 We stock a full line of Paints, Hardware, Electrical & Plumbing supplies Enter to Win FREE HOCKEY TICKETS FREE LOCAL DELIVERY FAX LINE: (519) 853-2542 TORONTO LINE: (416) 601-1259 FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED HOURS Mon-Fri. 7:00am to 6:00pm Saturday 8:00am to 4:00pm Staff and Management of Giant Tiger wish everyone a safe and Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. 12 Main Street North, Acton Rallis Burger OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK AT 6AM Monday, Tuesday Senior Special Breakfast $3.25 294 Queen St., Acton 853-5775 George, Family & Staff wish every one a very happy and safe Christmas & New Year We look forward to serving you in 2009 Closed Christmas Eve 5pm Closed New Years Eve 5pm Closed December 25 & 26 Closed January 1 NOOOBODY BEATS Ted Arnott, MPP Wellington - Halton Hills 1-800-265-2366 Wishing you Joy, Peace and a Merry Christmas Seasons Greetings from the Owners & Staff at ACTON AUTO TECH 45 Main Street North, Acton Tel: (519) 853-4144 Wishing you and yours all the very best of the season. Used car sales & your Drive Clean facility We service all makes & models. CAA Approved. Helping spread tHe cHeer: acton seniors centre members Betty green and donna rowley thanking the volunteer tyler bus drivers Wayne stewart and pat graham after a very successful tour of the lights with two buses of seniors and caregivers from acton. Julie Conroy photo regional tax bill increases by $48.51 By Frances niblock The 2009 Regional operating budget approved unanimously by Halton Council last Wednesday means a taxpayer with an average assessment of $300,000 the will pay $28.61 or 2.2 per cent more than last year for Regional servi- ces and policing. When the cost of water and wastewater services a 6.7 per cent or $48.51 increase are fac- tored in, the average taxpayers faces a $77.12 increase for a total Regional tax bill of $1,303. That includes $860 for regional servi- ces and $443 for policing. The increase for Regional ser- vices roads, social services and public health is 1.7 per cent, one of the lowest increases in Ontario according to Halton officials. It results in $14.15 more on the average tax bill and the 3.4 per cent increase for policing equals a $14.46 increase. The budget approved by Coun- cil includes a $310.6-million tax levy, which includes $204.8-mil- lion for Regional services and $105.9-million for policing. When assessment and revenue are added in, the result is a 2.2 per cent in- crease over last year. Regional officials said the budget maintains service levels and balances community needs with the current economic slow- down. In a press release, Regional Chair Gary Carr said they were proud to come in with such a low increase after rigorous delib- erations that responded to service needs while balancing the eco- nomic uncertainly. Council and staff worked to come up with responsible solu- tions to prepare for the economic challenges and the anticipated demands on social and commun- ity services, and infrastructure, Carr said. Staff said the key drivers for the budget included maintaining service levels, responding to the community and investing in capital infrastruc- ture. The budget allows for new programming, including creation of a youth psychiatric service, 150 new subsidized child car spaces, en- hanced waste diversion programs and servicing of new employment lands to help with job creation. turkey leftovers enjoyable Turkey leftovers are often as anticipated as Christmas dinner itself. In fact, many of us intentionally purchase turkeys that are just a little too hefty for our gathering so that we can enjoy the leftovers for days to come. Sandwiches are among the favourites, and so are the traditional soups and pot pies, but you dont have to limit yourself to these clas- sics. Turkey is extremely versatile and can be sub- stituted for virtually any meat in any recipe, says Heather Nahatchewitz of Turkey Farmers of Ontario. Its great in stir frys, sal- ads, pastas, casseroles, chili the list goes on and on. Health Canada recom- mends storing cooked turkey in a covered con- tainer, plastic bag or aluminum foil for up to 4 days in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in the freez- er. Nahatchewitz suggests freezing cooked, boned turkey in portions, then thawing and chopping what you need for a recipe. Just remember, she continues, dont leave your turkey at room temperature for more than 2 hours after cooking; keep it hot, or get it into the fridge or freezer as soon as possible.