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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012 Town likes proposed Halton Hills - Milton Riding Councillors want to align with Milton not Wellington House of Commons allocated to each province and territory. Ontario, where the population has increased significantly since the previous census, would have 121 electoral districts, up by 15. In a unanimous, recorded vote at a special council meeting on Tuesday, Halton Hills Council pledged "strong support" and had high praise for the proposed Halton HillsMilton riding, based on shared history and commonalty of issues. The resolution noted that Acton, Georgetown, Milton and Oakville historically formed Halton County since the 1850's, and since the beginning of Regional government in 1974, and up until 2004, Milton and Halton Hills were in the same riding. "This is to take the personalities out of the debate," said Mayor Rick Bonnette, praising the efforts of MP Chong and MPP Arnott. "We all share the same regional government, we share the same school boards ­ both separate and public schools ­ and even our heath care..." he said. Regional/Ward Two Councillor Jane Fogal said the Halton Hills-MilVoters in Acton could be part of a newly electoral district of Halton Hills-Milton if the riding boundaries currently proposed by the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario are approved. The proposal calls for two additional electoral districts in Halton for a total of five, including the new district of Halton Hills-Milton, an unchanged Oakville riding, a slightly revised Burlington district, and new districts of OakvilleNorth Burlington and Burlington North-Milton South. T h e c u r r e n t We l lington-Halton Hills riding was created for the 2004 election from parts of DufferinPeel-Wellington-Grey, Guelph-Wellington, Halton and WaterlooWellington ridings. It includes the Town of Halton Hills and Wellington County townships of Centre Wellington, Guelph/ Eramosa and Puslinch and the Town of Erin. Currently, the riding of Wellington-Halton Hills, with approximately 115,000 people, is represented federally by MP Michael Chong, and provincially by MPP Ted Arnott. The proposed boundary changes stem from new Statistics Canada population figures used to determine the number of seats in the THE NEW TANNER 3 Proposed new riding Budget Committee okays capital budget and 2014 forecast Adding $20,000 to begin replacing "treacherous" cobblestones in downtown Acton and $20,000 for GO Bus stop in downtown Georgetown, and cutting $80,000 for a pylon sign at the entrance of Cedarvale Park in Georgetown, the Town's budget committee approved a 2013 capital budget of $12.3-million, and a capital forecast to 2022 of just under $100-million. The budget committee ­ all members of council and the mayor ­ went lineby-line through next year's budget and the first year of the 10-year capital forecast last Wednesday, looking at projects already assessed and ranked by senior management. Six projects ­ five infrastructure services and one Recreation and Parks project ­ account for 51 per cent of the 74 approved projects, including $2-million for pavement management, an area that generated a lot of debate last week when Regional/Ward Two Councillor Jane Fogal attempted to get support to develop a complete streets policy. During last year's capital budget talks staff was directed to investigate the complete street concept ­ streets designed and operated to be safe for all users including pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and transit users. But last week, budget committee rejected an amendment to move ahead with a policy at this time. Councillor Fogal said the Town is already including complete streets elements when designing and budgeting for roadwork, and now they need a policy to take politics out of the decisions. She stressed complete streets will not mean "sidewalks everywhere and bike lanes everywhere," but that pedestrian safety and public health be a criteria when a road us being studied for improvements. Regional/Acton Councillor Clark Somerville who said he didn't have enough information and had concerns with the cost. "I can't support asking staff for a policy ­ I don't have a comfort level based on what we have here," Somerville said, adding a council workshop would be helpful. The twinning of the Acton arena is ranked number one on the approved project list. ­ Other Acton projects include: $124,000 for design and engineering costs to twin the Acton arena. Other Acton area projects include: · $364,000 ­ the Town's share to install barrier gates at the CNR rail crossing on Dublin Line, north of Highway 7, the scene of a car/train fatality · $500,000 ­ development of a buy/lease partnership that includes development of a youth centre open in the Acton Town Hall Centre · $198,000 ­ replace tennis court lighting in Prospect Park · $208,000 ­ replace ball diamond lighting in Prospect Park · $120,000 ­ install ceramic pool tiles at the Acton Indoor Pool · $52,000 ­ replace street lights and poles in the Lakeview subdivision (total of $304,100 over the next five years) In January, the budget committee tackles the operating budget. ton option would result in the Town leveraging more power with an additional MP and MPP. "In terms of having an impact that we're better to be with Halton ...I just don't see the common interest (with Wellington)," Fogal said, adding the new riding would be a "better fit." Georgetown Councillor Dave Kentner initially said he was "troubled" about how an elected official in the new riding would fairly weigh the possibly competing interests of Halton Hills and Milton, when at times, Milton and Halton Hills have been at odds with each other on Regional issues. "That's why they get paid the big bucks," answered Mayor Bonnette who said the MPP or MP would have to weigh both point of view. The Town's resolution was presented at a public hearing yesterday (Wednesday) in Oakville. Wr i t t e n s u b m i s s i o n s about the proposed electoral boundaries can be sent by ontario@rfed-rcf. ca or by calling 1-855747-7224. For more information visit www. federal-redistribution.ca JOIN ME FOR AN OPEN HOUSE! SATURDAY DECEMBER 1ST 10AM - 1PM See the New and Exciting Schedule for 2013 including an Outdoor Bootcamp Door Prizes, 5 minute Demos every 15 minutes Fitlife Fitness 80 Division St., Acton For more information call or e-mail Heather 519-853-8031, fitlife@cogeco.ca