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www.independentfreepress.com Editorial..................... 6 Sports ....................... 8 Calendar .................. 9 Classifieds ... 10, 11 Directory ........... BL 8 50 Cents (+ GST) Circulation: 22,800 SNOW JOB When it comes to clearing roads there's no pleasing everyone PAGE 5 BUSINESS LINK Look inside for the latest news from the Chamber of Commerce 12-PAGE SECTION 32 Pages Halton Hills' award-winning newspaper THE INDEPENDENT & FREE PRESS High fashion TUESDAY, January 18, 2011 Police pay dominates budget debate By CHRISTINA COMMISSO Metroland Media Group Equating the proposed tax increase for police services to a "large cup of coffee each month" didn't sit well with some regional councillors, who questioned the department's string of wage increases during last week's budget meeting. Halton Police's request of $116.4 million from the Region means residents who paid on average $460 of their residential taxes for policing, will now be paying $480-- a variance police chief Gary Crowell equated to a monthly cup of joe. "Absolutely, I have concerns over it," said Halton Hills Councillor Jane Fogal, chairman of the administration and finance committee. "There will be questions asked." "I wonder why our police costs are going up at this rate. If so much is based on salary, what are those contract settlements?" Fogal wonders. "The $20 is not the problem," said Burlington Councillor John Taylor. "It's the $20 every year for the last five to 10 years, and going forward it's the $21, $22, $23. That's a problem because everyone else wants a double-double." The police budget shows a 6.9 per cent or $7.6 million increase from 2010. Last year's police budget translated to a 0.1 per cent tax increase. This year's budget, if approved, will result in a 1.5 per cent tax increase. When questioned about the cumulative pay increase of a median-level policeman over the last 10 years, Crowell said he couldn't provide the numbers, as wages are determined by way of collective agreements with various boards, but did say Halton officers were "somewhere in the middle," of the pay scale, compared to neighbouring services. See COP, pg. 3 During her spectacular dance routine at the Georgetown District High School fashion show in aid of the Because I am a Girl campaign, Megan Jukes became airborne. (Inset left) Aubry Petrick blows a kiss to the crowd. See story page 7. Photos by Ted Brown APPLE We handle all insurance work. GEORGETOWN CHRYSLER Vi s i t o u r s h o w r o o m Auto Glass® ·Truck Accessories ·Upholstery ·Heavy Equipment Glass ·Window Tinting 354 Guelph Street, Georgetown (905) 873-1655 33 MOUNTAINVIEW RD. N., GEORGETOWN 905-877-6944 · 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 ·