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Tis' the season to shop and here's why you should shop locally BLACK FRIDAY 8 PAGES Check out the latest news from the automotive world inside 12 PAGES WHEELS.CA www.theIFP.ca Thursday, November 24, 2011 Halton Hills' award-winning newspaper serving Acton & Georgetown 64 Pages 50 Cents (+HST) Youth's bike recycling program rolling along at surprising pace By LISA TALLYN Staff Writer Sixty people have a bicycle that might not have one thanks to a program started by a 10-year-old Georgetown boy. And Hayden Downes-Mills, the youth that started the bicycle recycling program after his own BMX bike was stolen a year ago, says there are lots more bikes available. After Hayden's bike was stolen the response from the community was overwhelming-- people were offering used bikes, new bikes and money so he could buy another one-- so with the bikes he received he decided he would start the program to provide bikes for people who can't afford them. It's a family effort with Hayden's dad James Creary, mom Katie Downes, grandfather Clay Downes all helping out along with volunteers Len Bartlett, Chris Lahue, Derek Guest, Victoria Sullivan, Jennifer Ying and Sara Dorhety. "Everyone is happy volunteering," said Hayden's mom Katie. Katie said they have received several donations of bikes, some they fix up, others they use for parts, but they are short on bikes for boys. They also receive donations of cash, which Katie said is wonderful, but they prefer scrap metal donations. She said there have been 150 bikes donated to the program. "There's far too many people to thank who have donated bikes but we would really like to thank them. There are a lot of really wonderful and generous people in this town. We are all so lucky to live here," said Katie. "We're giving them (bikes) out faster than we can get them," said Katie." We're finding a lot of people are embarrassed to call us. We don't mind if they have a friend call, or even come and take the bike." She said they currently have a wide variety of bikes available for girls aged approximately four to seven, and they also have some adult bikes available. Right now they have 25 bikes in working order, and another 25 that need to be looked at and hopefully fixed, said Katie. Hayden's pleased the program has been so successful. "I think it's really great," he said. "I want to keep it going." Anyone interested in getting a bike can get one in the parking lot at the Optimist Club in Georgetown (13439 Trafalgar Rd,) Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. where Hayden will be giving away bikes during the Optimist Craft Sale. Or to get a bike or donate one contact Hayden at 905-873-4417 or swampboy2001@gmail.com or check out his Facebook page called Hayden's Bike Recycling Program. Hayden Downes-Mills poses with some of the bicycles he and his team of volunteers have restored and which are available to people who can't afford a new one. Photo by Ted Brown Swim clubs denounce user fee hikes By CYNTHIA GAMBLE Staff Writer Members of the Halton Hills Blue Fins club made a big splash at a recent council meeting, with a presentation protesting proposed user rate and fee increases. The public gallery was filled with club members while spokesperson Michael Zuraw, with a powerpoint presentation, recited the effects of the Town's ongoing user fee hikes for the Georgetown Indoor Pool over the past four years on the club. REFINANCING? PURCHASING? The hourly rental fee is proposed to be increased in September 2012 by about $3.10, from $102.36 to $105.43 (tax included). But since 2009, that fee has risen nearly $40, from $68.09 to $105.43. That's a 43.87 per cent increase (without taxes), said Zuraw. He said the club's growth rate was climbing to a high of 204 in 2008, but since then has been steadily dropping. See MEMBERSHIP, pg. 4 4 YR. FIXED CALL FOR DETAILS. 2.99% FSCO #10259 Division of 1490845 Ont. Ltd. Sale, up to 40% off... BOB OB WOODS, Broker PA I N T · WA L L PA P E R · L I G H T I N G · H O M E D E C O R GEORGETOWN MARKETPLACE MALL Like u s o n (905) 877-1490 360 Guelph St., Georgetown 905-877-4193