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THURSDAY, JANUARY 26 2012 THE NEW TANNER 19 Branch no. 197 Legion news By Sharon Graham P.R.O. FREE SKATE: For the third year in a row, Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott paid so the public ­ a record crowd of approximately 160 people ­ could skate for free on Sunday afternoon at the Acton arena. With Arnott are his family, from left: Phillip, wife Lisa, and Jack and Dean. Arnott hosts a free skate in Elora on Saturday and in Georgetown on Sunday. ­ Frances Niblock photo The survey says... Town taps hopes & wishes Halton Hills' small town atmosphere is what is valued most by respondents to a Town s a t i s f a c t i o n s u r v e y, conducted via computerassisted telephone interviewing in October. The survey polled 434 adult residents who were asked to comment on the quality of life in town, Town communications, importance and satisfaction with Town services, and general perceptions of service delivery and strategic priorities. In a recent report to general committee, Tim Hodapp with the survey conductor Synovate Ltd., detailed data showing the majority of residents are satisfied with services overall, and that satisfaction increased for many measured services compared to a similar survey in 2005. Hodapp said more citizens now rate the quality of life in Halton Hills as "excellent" compared to 2005, and they are less likely than in 2005 to welcome commercial and industrial expansion. The largest negative difference between rated importance and satisfaction is with construction and maintenance of Town roads. Recreational services facilities and programs have the highest levels of requested service improvements. Respondents were less likely to welcome commercial and industrial expansion, a "paradox" according to Regional/ Acton Councillor Clark Somerville who asked how they reconcile that finding when the Town needs those types of growth to ease the tax burden on residential property owners. Hodapp said the data shows people surveyed are not as likely to welcome that type of development as did in the 2005 survey. Acton Councillor Mike O'Leary said he is a little concerned with data showing a decrease in the percentage of people who said that staff went the extra mile to make sure they got what they needed. Thirteen per cent were very dissatisfied while 42 per cent were satisfied. "We often get `requests' for services or things that either can't deliver by law, or are not just in a position to deliver, you know, we don't have the staff available," O'Leary said, asking if there is any way to quantify types of complaints. Hodapp said unfortunately they don't go into that type of depth with the survey questions. Regional/Ward Two Councillor Jane Fogal said the survey showed the Town is "doing really well," and they should thank staff for a "job well done." She joked that the Town didn't "put the fix in" to sway the results, but people more appreciative of Town services and staff and administrators who cheerfully go above and beyond to provide tremendous services in a "bare bones" municipality with fewer staff than in other towns. If you have nothing to do on a Thursday afternoon why not come for a game of euchre? Meet new friends and even chat with old friends ­ it is a great afternoon. Cards start at 1:30 p.m., and end at 3:45. Hope to see you there. Just a reminder that on January 27, there will be live entertainment in the games room from 7 to 11 p.m. All are welcome to come out for a good time. February 11 is our Zone winter Valentine's Social. It is being held at the Streetsville Branch. All of the activities will start at 2 p.m. The bus will leave the Branch at 1 p.m. If you do plan to go the bus will be $5 if we fill it, or $10 if we do not. We are hoping for a good crowd to come out for the day. It should be a lot of fun. The next executive meeting is January 30, at 6:50 p.m. This meeting is with the ladies auxiliary. Va l e n t i n e 's D a y i s coming up soon. Have you thought about what to get that special person, or loved one? Legion Ladies Auxiliary Notes Our Appreciation Dinner will be held Saturday, February 18. This is a dinner prepared by the Branch for all the hard work the LA members have done over the year. Please come out to the February meeting to sign up, or give Susan Poulsen a call to say you are attending. Also, there are still a few members who have not paid their dues to be members in good standing. Please pay your dues to Helen VanOpstal by February 2. There will be a joint Branch and LA Executive m e e t i n g o n M o n d a y, January 30 at 6:50 p.m. Helen VanOpstal Secretary will be calling the LA Executive. The next General Meeting is Thursday, February 2. Yours in Comradeship Peggy Harris President to Branch 197 Ladies Auxiliary INPUT REQUESTED on the 2011-2012 Long-Term Accommodation Plan Parents & community members are invited to review and give feedback on the Halton District School Board's 2011-2012 Long-Term Accommodation Plan. This plan addresses the existing and projected accommodation needs of students in elementary and secondary schools and identifies new capital project initiatives, such as the need for new schools. Web videos outlining the Long-Term Accommodation Plan for Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton, and Oakville are available online at www.hdsb.ca The Long-Term Accommodation Plan is posted on the Board's website. Follow the link from the main page under "Program and Accommodation". Please provide your input to the Planning Department by February 2, 2012: telephone ­ (905) 335-3663 ext. 3256 e-mail ­ plan@hdsb.ca (subject line: LTAP 2011-2012) mail ­ PO Box 5005 STN LCD 1 Burlington, ON L7R 3Z2 Feedback will be reported back to the Board in February 2012. For Your RRSP Contributions and Investments Call: Harold Postma Certified Financial Planner · Registered Retirement Savings Plans · Tax-Free Savings Accounts · Registered Educational Savings Plans · Mutual Funds · Guaranteed Investment Certificates 212 Speedvale Avenue, Guelph ON N1H 1C4 Office: 519-824-1408 · Res: 519-821-4690 email: h.j.postma@sympatico.ca