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•Th e IFP• H alton H ills, Thursday, February 20, 2014 7 What a great way to Celebrate our 5th year in Business! Thank you Georgetown -Chris & Nathalie 905-877-3100 www.brooks heating and air.ca • Truck Accessories • Upholstery • Heavy Equipment Glass •Window Tinting 354 Guelph Street, Georgetown 905-873-1655 We handle all insurance work. Quality & Service You Can Count On! www.bathstudio .ca 905-702-0885 332 Guelph Street, Georgetown (Across from Canadian Tire) COMMENT Exciting opportunities abound in Halton Hills While temperatures may still be chilly, a sure sign that warmer days are ahead is the upcoming release of the 2014 spring and summer Town Activity and Service Guide to be delivered this week. Guides will also be available at Town facilities and on our website at www.halton- hills.ca. Recreation & Parks' spring and summer program registration starts March 5, kicking off a fresh new season. **** The Town of Hal- ton Hills is committed to taking local actions that lead to a better quality of life. To as- sist local partners in introducing actions that contribute to the implementation of our Community Sus- tainability Strategy, council has approved a new Community Sus- tainability Investment Fund. This is an excit- ing new initiative for our community. Whatever your or- ganization's focus, I encourage you to review the fund for eligibility and explore ways in which we can joint- ly shape our town's future. The 2014 application deadline is April 30 at 4:30 p.m. Visit the Town's website for details and to apply: www.haltonhills.ca/sustainability. **** We are building on the many accomplishments achieved by the Town Sustainability Advisory Com- mittee, including playing a lead role in the completion of the Com- munity Sustainability Strategy, a new committee is being formed to help implement the strategy. The new Town Sustainability Imple- mentation Committee is accepting applications to participate on this committee. Residents interested in shaping the future of our town through this committee can find the application on the town's website at www.haltonhills.ca/forms/pdf/Vol- unteer-Committee-Members-Ap- plication-CL.pdf. The application deadline is Friday, March 7, 2014. **** It's hard to believe a year has already passed since we opened the newly renovated Georgetown Library and Cultural Centre. Our libraries build literacy skills in young children, provide sup- port for job seekers, en- trepreneurs, de-mystify new technology and pro- vide countless resources for life-long learning. Since opening, an av- erage of 12,000 people visit the Georgetown library every month. If you haven't yet, please do and look at the wonderful dis- plays of local art. **** The Town of Halton Hills is now offering free wi-fi at the Civic Centre, Mold-Masters SportsPlex, Acton Arena and Community Cen- tre, Gellert Community Centre and the Georgetown and Acton library branches. Keeping it real. I can be reached by telephone at 905-873-2601, ext. 2342 or by email at mayor@halton- hills.ca or read my blog at www. rickbonnette.blogspot.com. You can also follow me on twitter at: @RickBonnette1 -- Rick Bonnette is the mayor of Halton Hills RICK BONNETTE 'By being on this register buyers are scared away from these properties' --Ray Chesher... see story pg. 3 'Quote unquote' Letters to the editor Volunteering will leave you feeling fulfilled Dear editor, What did I get from becoming a volun- teer? My name is Sharon and I started with the Cancer Assistance Services of Halton Hills, which to most people is CAShh. The 11 years since I joined this fantas- tic organization has gone by very quickly. I worked in the office as a Girl Friday. In the third year, I was approached by Sheila Smith and one of the other office girls about being a driver for them. I was a little hesitant but decided to give it a try and it was the best "try something new" that I have ever done. I have seen a great deal of changes but the one never changing factor is that there is an ever-growing need for our services in our area. No matter what the need or where the treatment is to be administered, we do our utmost to get the job done. It is amazing to me that just by giving a few hours out of my week can make me feel proud of what I am able to do with such a little effort. Life goes by so quickly and I am so glad that this opportunity came along for me to experience such a wonderful way of reaching out to others. It is so easy to do and so very good to be in a position to meet and help where there is such a need. If I had not decided to step up and help with the need, I am sure it would have be- come a very large regret when I looked back on what I had done with my spare time. There is such an ever-growing need for those of us who can help to just take a chance and step up to the plate. You all will be so amazed at just what a great feeling you will get from such a little effort. What are you waiting for? Call us at 905-702-8886 and I am sure we can find a spot for you to help which will make us and you happier. I hope you will think seriously about it. I have never felt so fulfilled as a person and it is a great boost to my daily living of life. Sharon Arbour Georgetown Dear editor, We held a Christmas Party on Dec. 7 at the Salvation Army Church for local families living with Autism. This was made possible with the help of Autism Ontario Potential Programme, in partnership with Ontario Ministry of Children & Youth Services and Autism Ontario - Halton Chapter. We had a modest budget and reached out to our community for non-monetary dona- tions to help alleviate some costs. The re- sponse was unbelievable and it was evident that the Christmas spirit was in the hearts of many. A HUGE THANK YOU to all the following for helping make our day: Yvonne Mabee, Lisa Canning, Amanda Bradley, Katie Downes, Clay Downes, Hayden Downes-Mills, Emmett Downes, Kady Lafortune, Ed Kroll, Niki Kovacs, Tere- sa Kovacs, Mayor Rick Bonnette, Christene Brown, Janice Fendley, Lisa Parenti, Can- dyce Drover Lynch, Andrea-Dave Vogan, Al- lison Haid, Stacie Godzik Sarah Brennamac, Dawn Mosher, Kelly Pacheco, Dana Leslie- Vogan, Betty Brown, Nicola Gauntley, Janet Sinclair Merritt, Kim Abbs, Gayle Maich, Paul Egerton, Gavin Canning, Janet Hanlin, Tony Joosse, Brendan Keaveney, Melissa and Shawn Irwin, Brittany Carlisle and Victoria, Olivia, Alana, Alex, Salvation Army Church, McDonald's, Inspire Halton, Foodstuffs, G-Force Junior, Food Basics/Adam Marcoc- cia, Walmart, Squirts Toys and Learning, Edible Delights, Hayden's Re-Bicycling, Toth Carpentry & Contracting, Saputo/ Shane Morris, The Independent & Free Press, Autism Ontario Potential Programme, in partner- ship with Ontario Ministry of Children & Youth Services and Autism Ontario - Halton Chapter Please support our local businesses!! We cannot express how appreciative we are for the outpouring of support. Beverley Keane-Teakle and Colleen Bliss Autism group says thanks for community support