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

`Dog days' have been anything but quiet The last couple of weeks in August are often described as the "Dog days of summer." There isn't supposed to be anything happening-- no news-- and just lazy hot days. The past couple of weeks have been nothing but newsworthy. Let's recap. Transportation Minister Kathleen Wynne has delayed any decision to advance highway option 4-3 until further analysis and dialogue with the Town. Thanks to all of you who have joined the fight by sending emails, postcards and putting up lawn signs. On Sunday, August 21, Goderich was devastated by a tornado that killed one man. Like many Ontario communities, we don't give much thought to tornadoes. After all, these tornadoes are reserved for Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and other parts of the U.S. The reality is Ontario does get dozens of tornadoes a year. Who can forget the May 1985 tornado cluster that hit Arthur, Grand Valley and Orangeville before finally kill- 7 Independent & Free Press, Tuesday, September 6, 2011 Rick Bonnette ing eight people in Barrie and decimating much of the city? I can tell you that our Fire Emergency Services have plans in place if we were ever hit by one. On Monday, August 22, the day after the tornado smashed into Goderich, came the shocking news of the passing of NDP leader Jack Layton. Despite your political stripes, you couldn't help admire Jack for his energy and enthusiasm. I had met Jack a few times in person and he was what you saw on TV. He was one of the best speakers I have ever heard. An example of his passion could be seen in his letter to the Canadian public. Lastly, longtime Ward 3 Councillor Moya Johnson has been nominated to run for the Liberals in our riding in the upcoming election. The choice between Moya Johnson and incumbent PC Ted Arnott will be a tough one as both of them have tremendous political experience, care for our community and above all, have integrity. In fairness, I do not know NDP candidate Dale Hamilton. So if August is supposed to be the quiet lazy dog days of summer, we can only imagine what September will be like. ··· Congratulations to: · Solar Form, on installing the largest solar panels in Halton Hills · Hornby Ball Park Ladies League on their 40th anniversary ··· Keeping it real! I can be reached by telephone at 905873-2601, ext. 2342, or by email at mayor@haltonhills. ca or you can read my blog at www.rickbonnette.blogspot. com. --Rick Bonnette is the mayor of Halton Hills NOTICE OF STATUTORY PUBLIC MEETING HAMLET OF NORVAL DRAFT ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT Notice is hereby given that the Council of the Town of Halton Hills will hold a statutory public meeting pursuant to the provisions of the Planning Act, R.S.O., 1990. Members of the public are invited to attend this public meeting hosted by Town Council and provide input on the draft Zoning By-law Amendment for the Hamlet of Norval. On July 19, 2010, Halton Hills Council approved the Town's new Comprehensive Zoning By-law (By-law 2010-0050) which, at the request of the Norval community did not include new zoning regulations for the Hamlet of Norval. At this time, the Esquesing By-law (By-law 74-51) is still in effect for the Hamlet of Norval. This By-law is quite dated and not in conformity with the Hamlet of Norval Secondary Plan, which means that uses could be established that are not contemplated by the Secondary Plan. Planning staff have prepared a draft Zoning By-law Amendment to include the Hamlet of Norval in By-law 2010-0050. The lands affected by this draft Zoning By-law Amendment are shown on the accompanying key map. The draft Zoning By-law Amendment proposes some revisions from the version that was previously proposed for Norval and presented at the Statutory Public Meeting held on November 23, 2009. As a result, Council has directed that a second Statutory Public Meeting be held. The main revision in this draft Zoning By-law Amendment compared to the version previously presented to the public is a change in approach related to permissions for new commercial uses within the Norval Hamlet Community Core area (the boundary of the Hamlet Community Core is shown on the key map). The draft Zoning By-law Amendment proposes the following: · that properties within the Hamlet Community Core area with Commercial zoning in the Esquesing By-law (By-law 74-51) be placed in a Hamlet Commercial Zone in the Comprehensive Zoning By-law permitting the range of uses contemplated by the Hamlet of Norval Secondary Plan. · that the entirety of 507 Guelph Street and the property described as 530 Guelph Street also be included in the Hamlet Commercial Zone with the range of permitted uses contemplated by the Hamlet of Norval Secondary Plan in recognition of existing commercial uses on these properties. · that all other properties within the Hamlet Community Core area be included in a Hamlet Residential Zone requiring a site specific Zoning By-law Amendment to permit commercial uses contemplated by the Hamlet of Norval Secondary Plan. The draft Zoning By-law Amendment will be presented for public review and comment at a statutory public meeting. LOCATION: Council Chambers, Civic Centre 1 Halton Hills Drive Halton Hills, ON L7G 5G2 Following this meeting, Town staff will prepare a report to Council addressing oral and written submissions received on the draft Zoning By-law Amendment for the Hamlet of Norval and provide final recommendations regarding the passage of the Zoning By-law Amendment. If a person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting or make written submissions to the Town of Halton Hills before the proposed Zoning By-law Amendment is adopted: · the person or public body is not entitled to appeal the decision of the Town of Halton Hills Council to the Ontario Municipal Board; and · the person or public body may not be added as a party to the hearing of an appeal before the Ontario Municipal Board unless, in the opinion of the Board, there are reasonable grounds to add the person or public body as a party. If you wish to be notified of the adoption of the Hamlet of Norval Zoning By-law Amendment, you must make a written request to the Town of Halton Hills Planning Development and Sustainability Department, 1 Halton Hills Drive, Halton Hills, Ontario, L7G 5G2. Copies of the draft Zoning By-law Amendment for the Hamlet of Norval will be available for public review and comment in the Town of Halton Hills Planning, Development and Sustainability Department on September 6, 2011 or on the Town's web site at http://www. haltonhills.ca/zoningamendment. For further information on the draft Zoning By-law Amendment for the Hamlet of Norval, please contact Tara Buonpensiero, Acting Senior Planner-Policy at 905-873-2601 ext 2214 or Steve Burke, Acting Manager of Planning Policy at 905-873-2601 ext 2254. Please provide all comments on the Hamlet of Norval Zoning By-law Amendment by October 14, 2011. Location of Subject Lands GLT lands $223,000 Trillium grant Georgetown Little Theatre's application for a Community Capital Fund receiving a rousing ovation from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. It was announced at last Monday's council meeting, that the local group has received a $223,000 grant which will fund 50 per cent of many improvements being planned as part of the renovation and expansion of the Halton Cultural Centre and Georgetown Library. These improvements include new seats, theatre rigging, stage, dressing rooms and Art Gallery. The new Community Capital Fund (CCF), administered by the Ontario Trillium Fund, supports not-for-profit organizations' efforts to renovate building and update equipment. Bursaries awarded Prosperity One Credit Union recently presented $1,000 bursaries to four graduating students. Here, Desiray Ebbinge, of Acton, left, and Georgetown's Rachel Voisin hold their bursary cerificates presented by Prosperity One president and CEO Mike Shepherd. Graham Paine/Metroland West Media Group DATE: TIME: ALL INTERESTED CITIZENS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND Monday September 26, 2011 7:30 P.M. FILE NO: D08 Z0 ­ Hamlet of Norval Zoning By-law Amendment 121 1 Halton Hills Dr., Halton Hills ON L7G 5G2 Tel.: 905-873-2600 · Fax: 905-873-2347