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50 cents (+GST) Vol. 130 No. 44 Wednesday, January 16, 2008 44 Pages Circulation 21,220 www.independentfreepress.com Globe in rehearsals for production of Ragtime Page 10 Business Links special section 12-Pages Raiders clipped by Capitals in Jr. A play Page 13 Blaze causes $150,000 damage Page 3 INSIDE Halton Hills council and Town staff have been warning for the past year that, with declining growth due to servic- ing constraints, widening infrastructure funding woes and faltering revenues, tough tax times are ahead for local tax- payers. Well, theyre here. On Monday night, Halton Hills budget committee all members of council approved the 2008 operating budget with a 9.8 per cent (or $96 increase) increase (for a home assessed at $300,000). Thats up from the 9.3 per cent pro- posed last week. In 2007, the Town increase was 5.4 per cent. The 2008 figures translate to an overall tax bill hike, including Region, education and Town taxes, of $113 (3.7 per cent). Halton Hills residents (with homes assessed at $300,000) will be paying $3,187 in taxes ($1,076 Town, $1,319 Region and $792 education). The Town portion includes a 6.1 percent base budget increase, 1.2 per cent fire services levy (for the construc- tion of the two fire stations), 2 per cent pavement management levy and a new 2.7 per cent Special Infrastructure levy. A 1 per cent cut in personnel and ser- vices, and $280,000 (equal to 1.2 per cent) in additional dividend increase from Halton Hills Hydro Inc. (HHHI) helped to keep the total tax increase to 9.8 per cent. Describing it as akin to pulling a rabbit out of a hat, Mayor Rick Bonnette, with Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Dennis Perlin, both Hydro board members, were able to persuade HHHI to bump up its dividend dollars to its sole shareholder the Town of Halton Hills from 15 to 25 per cent. Bonnette said, while it will reduce HHHIs working capital, it would not undermine its financial stabili- ty. This has been a very difficult budget year, said Bonnette, Its been difficult for every municipality in the whole GTA, and theyre all at high numbers. ...I thank our partners from Halton Hills Hydro for allowing that extra money, allowing tonight to go a lot quicker and with a lot less debate. I am glad they were receptive when I proposed that to them. Editorial 6 Gary Carr 7 Calendar 9 Entertainment 10 Sports 13, 14 Classifieds 17-19 An Acton girl has made a big splash in the pool for the McMaster University water polo team. See details in Fridays edition. FRIDAY... Realty Specialists Inc. Brokerage Top Producer since 1985 www.mariabritto.com MARIA BRITTO Local: 905-873-9255 GEORGETOWN VOTED #1 FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE 2007 KIA SPECTRA FINANCE0% CALL THE GEORGETOWN HEADQUARTERS 1-866-364-0697 or 905-877-7818 33 MOUNTAINVIEW RD. N., GEORGETOWN 905-877-6944GEORGETOWN CHEVROLET Available in 5-door or Sedan, 1.6L DOHC Engine, AM/FM/CD with MP3 Playback and iPod, Audio Input Jack, 60/40 Split-Folding Real Seat 2008 AVEO LS MONTHLY PAYMENT LEASE FOR CDN $147.00** 2.9% NEW 3.4L 185 hp V6 Engine, 5-Speed Automatic, StabiliTrakTM Electronic Stability Control System, 4-Wheel Disc Brakes with ABS and Traction Control, Power Windows, Programmable Door Locks and Exterior Mirrors, Dual-Stage Driver and Front Passenger Air Bags 2008 EQUINOX NEW Available in Coupe or Sedan, 2.2L 148 hp ECOTEC Engine, Auto, Air, Power Windows/Locks/Mirrors, AM/FM/CD and MP3 Playback and iPod Audio Input Jack, Remote Keyless Entry, Cruise Control 2008 COBALT LT NEW MONTHLY PAYMENT LEASE FOR CDN $267.00** 1.9% MONTHLY PAYMENT LEASE FOR CDN $187.00** 4.4% Take advantage of our award-winning lineup, we offer very competitve lease and finance rates here at Georgetown Chevrolet. For further information contact our Sales Representatives ~ Norman John Crystal Jeff Rick For breaking news go to: www.independentfreepress.com Halton Hills award-winning newspaper Postal carrier Rob Fauvelle shows off the cleats that postal carriers wear during the winter to get a better grip on icy sidewalks and steps, but Fauvelle warns that the cleats are not effective when there is a bit of snow on the ice. Carriers fall on the ice regularly, and Fauvelle stresses the importance of keeping your sidewalk and front steps clear of ice and snow. See story page 3. Photo by Ted Brown Putting his best foot forward Tax hike of 9.8 per cent gets OK CYNTHIA GAMBLE Staff Writer See HUGE, pg. 4 DENNIS PERLIN