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50 cents (+GST) Vol. 130 No. 51 Wednesday, March 5, 2008 36 Pages Circulation 21,220 www.independentfreepress.com Raiders ready for showdown against Blades Page 11 Hockey Heritage special section 8-Pages Local rink qualifies for Winter Games Page 11 Board chair supports altered busing policy Page 4 INSIDE The Georgetown Lions Club has announced the Homecoming 2007 Committee as the win- ner of the Georgetown Citizen of the Year award, annually presented to a Georgetown res- ident (or group) since 1973. In the summer of 2007 something amazing happened in Georgetown, said Lion Doug Penrice. A hard-working committee co- chaired by Dave Smallwood and Neil Cotton brought together a series of events that was the Homecoming 2007. While this could be a one- time event, the impact on the community was so strong that the selection committee felt it worthy to select the committee as Citizen of the Year. Comprised of a committee of 26 people, the group organized the July 27-29 weekend-long event, which, with an additional volunteer base of 50 people, brought thousands of people back to Georgetown, from every province in Canada many U.S. states, and as far away as Australia, New Zealand and Europe. In addition to a great event, the committee also raised $79,271, which was donated to Halton Hills Public Library to be used for their expansion project. The committee members were delighted when they received the news. It was great, said co-chair Neil Cotton. We achieved our goal and plus, and had a really great party, had some fun, and were able to raise a little money for the library to boot. I think we exceeded it and then some, said committee member Erika Breese. Just seeing the look on (Halton Hills Library chair) Jay Jacksons face when we presented that cheque made it all worthwhile. The event was first conceived by longtime Georgetown resident Don Fendley, who oper- ates the Georgetown Online website, uniting current and former residents. Don was looking for someone to carry the ball, said committee treasurer Alison Green. He was fishing for someone to run it, and he reeled in Dave (Smallwood). About a dozen people met in February of 2005, and we talked about doing it, said Smallwood, We met again in May (of 2005) and more than half of those 12 people remained on the committee. Editorial 6 Dave Ford 7 Calendar 10 Sports 11, 12 Classifieds 13-15 The Region estimates it will need $2.5 billion to cover growth-related infrastructure costs between now and 2021 but half the cash will be needed in four years. See details Friday. FRIDAY... Realty Specialists Inc. Brokerage Top Producer since 1985 www.mariabritto.com MARIA BRITTO Local: 905-873-9255 (905) 873-1655 354 Guelph Street, Georgetown APPLE Auto Glass Truck Accessories Upholstery Heavy Equipment Glass Window Tinting GEORGETOWN CHRYSLER We handle all insurance work. Jason 2 LocationsGeorgetown Kia 1-866-364-0697 314 Guelph St. (Hwy. 7) Superstore Open Sundays 199 Guelph St. 1-866-367-4081 The Power to SurpriseTM 0% & ) . ! . # ) . ' / . 3 % , % # 4 - / $ % , 3 e 2008 RIO CASH PURCHASE V $9, 995 One of the Greenest Vehicles in North America+ -GreenerCars.org HWY: 6.2 L/100 KM CITY: 7.4 L/100 KM> % 8 M O D E L S H O W N o For breaking news go to: www.independentfreepress.com Halton Hills award-winning newspaper Some of the members of the Georgetown Homecoming 2007 Committee assembled to celebrate after being named Georgetown Citizen of the Year by the selection committee of Georgetown Lions Club. Georgetown Homecoming 2007 Committee members included (from left) Bonnie Brunton, Erika Breese, co-chairs Dave Smallwood and Neil Cotton, Lois Fraser and Alison Green. The group will be hon- ored by the Lions at an awards dinner March 25 at the Georgetown Lions Hall. Photo by Ted Brown Homecoming group named Citizens of the Year TED BROWN Staff Writer See HOMECOMING, pg. 3