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

•Th e IFP• H alton H ills, Thursday, January 30, 2014 3 e-mail: hassellsauto@bellnet.ca www.hassellautomotive.com CALL 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS Warranty + HST/LIC2007 Hyundai Santa Fe GL Warranty $10,500 + HST/LIC 2008 Nissan Sentra Warranty • Auto/4 cyl • Certified & E-Tested • Alloy Wheels $8,300 + HST/LIC 45 Mountainview Road North Georgetown, Ontario 905.877.7958 • Auto/6 cyl • Certified & E-Tested • Leather Seats • Sunroof • Cruise Control • Auto/6 cyl Certified & E-Tested • A/C • Cruise Control $13,800 Among the six retirees, three were present for the Halton Hills Fire Depart- ment's annual Recruit Graduation, Medal and Awards, retirement ceremony at Acton (District One) Firehall Wednesday night. In front, Firefighter Tony Paiva, Lieutenant Joel Glaude and Captain Doug Andrews (in back) assembled for a photo. Retiring firefighters are presented with their helmets upon retir- ing from the department. Check out all the photos of this event at www. theifp.ca/photos. Photo by Ted Brown HHFD honors its retirees Town plans cleanup day in March Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette thanked Halton Hills Hydro workers and Town staff for all of their hard work fol- lowing last month's ice storm at a recent Council meeting. "We saw countless acts of kindness from our communi- ty" said Bonnette. "There were numerous stories of people taking in their neighbours for days." He also recognized area residents and churches that brought food to residents without power and hydro workers, and organized com- munity dinners. "I would like to thank Hal- ton Hills for its patience and strength," said Bonnette. The Mayor said he had received calls from people interested in helping with the cleanup of downed tree branches in the yards of se- niors or those in ill health who can't do it themselves or afford to get assistance. "I'm hoping to get the com- munity mobilized to help in the springtime to get to the backyards," said Bonnette. He said he would like to get area youth involved and any- one handy with a chainsaw who would like to volunteer. A tentative day of Saturday, March 29 has been set, but he said it could also span a cou- ple of weeks. Bonnette said churches are interested in helping out and he has sent letters to them ask- ing for volunteers. Anyone interested in partic- ipating is encouraged to con- tact their church if they are a member of one, or Nancy Surette of the Town of Hal- ton Hills at 905-873-2601 ext. 2340 or email at nancys@hal- tonhills.ca Two Acton males are facing charges after being tracked by a Halton Regional Police K-9 team early Sunday. Police responded to an alarm call at the LCBO on Queen St. E. in Acton at 3:30 a.m. Officers found a smashed window with several broken bottles of alcohol on the store floor. The K-9 team of Const. Tara McLorn and po- lice dog Parker were called to as- sist and tracked footprints and a strong scent to a nearby ravine. The track took 35 minutes, and covered more than 2 km through an ice-storm ravaged area, strewn with tree debris. The track led po- lice to a nearby apartment build- ing and two suspects who had a stolen bottle of alcohol were ar- rested without incident. Charged with break and enter and theft under $5,000 is Thomas Gendron, 23, of Acton. Also, a 17-year-old Acton male, who can- not be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, is charged with break and enter and theft un- der $5,000. By LISA TALLYN Staff Writer While the Town has not taken the step to formally close all parks across the Town, they strongly urge residents to avoid areas that were impacted by the storms. "Trails do not receive regu- lar winter maintenance un- der normal circumstances," said Terry Alyman, Direc- tor of Recreation and Parks. "Given the current state of most natural areas we are recommending residents avoid the use of damaged ar- eas for the time being. Trails have been marked as 'Closed' until further notice." Regular winter programs that have been impacted by the storm include mainte- nance of the natural outdoor rinks and weekly garbage col- lection. Maintenance of the outdoor rinks at Georgetown Fairgrounds and Prospect Park, Acton are currently open, subject to any future weather events. Town staff continue to ad- dress the conditions that are the most risk to residents and public property. Cemeteries and major parks are the first priority. Residents may re- port hazards they observe in parks by calling Public Works at 905-873-2601, extension 2603. However, due to the vol- ume of calls, residents are en- couraged to report via e-mail at stormdamage@haltonhills. ca. Town urges caution in parks and on trails Acton men facing charges Contined from pg. 1 But Oakville trustee Kath- ryn Bateman-Olmstead said she wasn't sure if the change in distance would make a big dif- ference. Halton Hills trustee Alice Strachan, chair of the board's transportation committee, countered by saying commit- tee members have been told the 800-metre difference between the current and possibly new walk-to distances would be consid- ered "huge" and have particular impact on cer- tain geographi- cal areas. Strachan said in a later inter- view that part of the rationale for considering a switch in the distance threshold for busing is the safety of stu- dents on some walking routes that fall between 3.2-4km. An HSTS study on walk-to distances also would look at harmonizing the transporta- tion policy for French immer- sion students with the policy for English-instruction students. The Halton Catholic board will address the issue of a fea- sibility study when the HSTS board of directors meets next on Feb. 4. Strachan says change could be 'huge' ALICE STRACHAN