The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Outlining our future plans (Note: The Independent & Free Press provides space monthly for columns from local politicians. However, in the event there is an election the column is suspended during the course the campaign. The provincial election campaign will begin Sept. 7.) Since this is my last column before the provincial election on October 6, it seems appropriate to write about some of our party's ideas and plans for the future. We are focusing on three big themes: the need to leave more money in your pocket, to ensure the delivery of government services we all require, and what we can do to clean up the provincial government. None of these goals will be easily attained. But strong leadership involves setting the bar high, and then working together to cross it. We in Ontario have it within ourselves to achieve great things. We can lead the country once again. Specifically, we call for the removal of the provincial portion of the HST from home heating and hydro bills, as well as the removal of the Debt Retirement Charge from those same skyrocketing hydro bills. This is intended to provide some immediate relief for hard-working Ontario families. In addition, income taxes would be five percent lower over the course of our plan. Small business would be spurred to create the new jobs we need, and we'd cut red tape and waste. The plan includes provision for a balanced provincial budget no later than 2017-18. Projected health care funding increases would be continued, and we would focus on patients and outcomes, not bureaucracy and inertia. Education funding would increase and full-day Kindergarten would be phased in by 2014. University and college spaces would increase, to meet the demands of the 21st century economy. The gasoline tax would be shared with local governments large and small, Ted Arnott not just those with transit systems as is the case today. To clean up the mess in government, we would want to demand greater accountability and innovation, and protect families from those who would seek to take advantage of us. A "Truth in Government Act" is needed, and we need to improve the delivery of government services. You will hear more about these proposals in the coming weeks. ··· Our community's opposition to the McGuinty Liberals' "GTA West Corridor Study" continues to gain momentum. I have listened and taken action. It is becoming increasingly likely that the Hon. Kathleen Wynne will no longer be Ontario's Minister of Transportation soon after October 6. Therefore, it would be prudent for the government to immediately suspend the GTA West Corridor Study, pending a comprehensive review of the province's transportation priorities. This they should do, allowing a new minister to take a fresh look at the practicality, feasibility, affordability, and environmental impact of the proposals after the election, especially their controversial "Alternative 4-3." ··· It has been an honour serving you in the 39th Provincial parliament. Thank you for the trust and faith you have placed in me. ··· I welcome your comments and can be reached at 1-800-265-2366. My website address is www.tedarnottmpp. com --Ted Arnott is the MPP for Wellington-Halton Hills Cool or Clueless? Stag & Doe honouring Kim Gooderham & Wes Porty 7 Suffering from Depression, Grief, Anxiety? Georgetown family counsellor wants to help. Independent & Free Press, Tuesday, August 2, 2011 Friday, August 5 7 pm - 1 am 3 weeks to a more joyous you! Is there really any question? There's no doubt about it: smoking pollutes your body and takes years off your life. Cigarettes are very addictive, very expensive and very unpleasant for those around you. If you do smoke and have thought about quitting, prove to yourself you can do it. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication, but you can live smoke-free if you try. Acton Legion, 15 Wright Ave, Acton Tickets $10 in advance or $15 at the door Games, Prizes, Food & Drinks! Come One, Come All HOPE CONNECTION COUNSELLING SERVICES 416-577-HOPE (4673) hopeconnection@gmail.com GEORGETOWN OPTIMIST CLUB PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING SERVICES 13439 Hwy. 7 ·INDIVIDUAL ·COUPLES ·FAMILY COUNSELING ·DEPRESSION ·ANXIETY ·LIFE CHANGES ·CONFLICT MANAGEMENT ·PERSONAL GROWTH 38 OAK STREET, GEORGETOWN ONTARIO Every Thursday at 7 pm August 4, 11, 18 & 25 Price $5.00 per Five Game Session (3 Sessions) CASH PRIZES Call 905-877-7166 for details. Profits to stay in Halton for Youth Activities! (905) 873-9393 HTTP://FORGECOACHINGANDCONSULTING.COM INFO@FORGECOACHINGANDCONSULTING.COM WANTED Homes With Asphalt Shingles in Need of Replacement Ontario Shake N' Tile, Ontario's most trusted metal roofing specialist, is looking for homes in your area that need a new roof and never want to roof again. We offer the beauty and elegance of a natural wood shake roof with the durability and unmatched performance of metal. It comes with a lifetime transferable warranty against: winds, rain, snow, moss, hail and tree resin. This beautiful roof is being introduced to your local market now. If you participate in our Display Home Program, we will reduce our already competitive pricing and make it worth your while to investigate the many benefits of our roof. You must book your job within 10 days of this advertisement. Low payments, 100% financing available, O.A.C. Concert pianists team up tonight Concert pianists Ron Greidanus and Katheryn Tremills will team up to perform Tchaikovsky's majestic Piano Concerto No. 1 in B Flat Minor tonight (Tuesday) at 8 p.m. at 157 Mains St. S. in Georgetown. Tickets are $30. Following the performance one can enjoy a light summer supper to top off the evening. Two other Tuesday concerts will be held August 9 and 16. Rachmaninoff's piano concerto in D Minor will be featured on August 9, again for two pianos. Special guest Matthew Pope will begin the evening with Chopin's Ballade No. 2 in F Major. The final concert to take place on August 16, will feature Faure's passionate Quartet No.1 in C minor. The ensemble will include Edwin Huizinga on violin, Carol Gimble on viola, Mary Katherine Finch on cello and Greidanus on piano. Finch and Greidanus will also perform Chopin's Polonaise Brilliante to start the concert. To set the mood for the piano quartet, soprano Jane Potovszky will sing two chansons of Gabriel Faure. Tickets can be purchased at Foodstuffs in downtown Georgetown, 89 Main Street, by calling 905-877-6569 or by calling Greidanus at 905-873-9909. Call NOW for HUGE Savings! 1-888-271-7119 www.roofontario.com