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www.independentfreepress.com Ted Arnott ............... 7 Sports .................... 13 Calendar ...... 14, 16 Directory ............... 16 Classifieds ... 17, 18 50 Cents (+ GST) Circulation: 22,800 JR. JAGS IN FINAL CtK squad will play for football title in Hamilton Wednesday PAGE 13 GIFT GUIDE Look inside today's section for more Santa parade photos 8-PAGE SECTION 40 Pages Halton Hills' award-winning newspaper THE INDEPENDENT & FREE PRESS By CYNTHIA GAMBLE Staff Writer Prior to a public meeting at the end of the month, Halton Hills council reiterated its position at its recent meeting that Brampton Brick's proposal to set up a quarry near Norval is "premature". Brampton Brick Ltd. filed notice of its application on Nov. 4 to excavate 200,000 tonnes of shale annually from a 34.9 hectare (86 acre) quarry located on Winston Churchill Blvd.-- the border between Brampton and Halton Hills-- just north of Norval. The quarry has been dubbed "The Norval Quarry". Brampton Brick has already applied to rezone the land, in addition to applying for the licence to quarry below the water table. The aggregate will be used for clay brick manufacturing. Brampton Brick will host the public meeting at its premises, 225 Wanless Dr. in Brampton on Tuesday, Nov. 30, 4-8 p.m. The last day to file an objection to the proposal is Dec. 20. This proposal is still in its early stages, said Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette, "but we have no choice but to oppose the Brampton Brick application as it's premature." The Town met with Brampton city officials and Norval residents in early summer, "and they're all equally concerned as we are," he said. "We have to do what we have to do at this stage," the mayor said. In a report to council, Town staff said the application is premature because the TUESDAY, November 23, 2010 `Norval Quarry' bid premature-- council Santa visits Halton Hills Jolly Old St. Nick made a double visit to Halton Hills as both Acton and Georgetown held parades in his honour. (Above) The Robert Little School North Stars wave to the crowd from their Snoopy-themed float in the Acton Santa Claus parade while (right) Santa Claus thrills young and old alike with his appearance in the evening parade in Georgetown. For more pictures from the parades see today's Gift Guide special section inside. review of technical and planning matters by a joint Brampton/Halton Hills is still ongoing. However, the Ministry of the Natural Resources gave Brampton Brick permission to give notice of intent after deeming their application complete and compliant at this stage. Janet Kuzniar, president of Norval Pit Stop, the concerned citizens' group, said in an email to The Independent & Free Press last week, the proposed quarry would have negative impacts on water, provincial significant wetland, woodlands and wildlife, and the rural nature of Norval and decrease property values. She urged residents to support their cause by emailing info@pit-STOP.ca or go www.pit-stop.ca. A guide to writing an objection letter can be found on their website. (Objections must be sent to Brampton Brick and to the Ministry of Natural Resources.) Top photo by Ray Lavender Right photo by Jon Borgstrom Vi s i t o u r s h o w r o o m · your window & door professionals · 341 Guelph St., Unit 3 Georgetown 905.873.0236 www.buy-wise.ca info@buy-wise.ca · awarded readers choice 14 times · 33 MOUNTAINVIEW RD. N., GEORGETOWN 905-877-6944 7e HANDLE ALL INSURANCE work. sTruck Accessories s5PHOLSTEry s(Eavy %QUIPMENT 'LASS s7INDow 4INTING 354 Guelph Street, Georgetown (905) 873-1655