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9 Achilles Mazda of Milton Only a car company committed to an unrivalled driving experience could introduce a warranty like this on all 2015 and later models. A first-of-its-kind unlimited mileage warranty* that lets you drive as much as you want, as far as you want. Now, there's no limit to how far you can go. 1195 SteelesAve East, Milton ON L9T2X8 289-627-1800 or 1-866-620-3248 www.achillesmazda.ca • info@achillesmazda.ca hairlounge.com REFINANCING? PURCHASING? BOBWOODS, Broker (905) 877-1490 360 Guelph St., Georgetown Five Year Variable FSCO #10259 Division of 1490845 Ont. Ltd. 2.3% Thursday, December 4, 2014 Halton Hills' award-winning newspaper serving Acton & Georgetown 64 Pages 50 Cents (+HST) Gift Guide, 4 pages insideVisit us at www.theifp.ca facebook.com/Independent&FreePress Twitter: @IFP_11 Lock it or Lose it Halton Police launch its yearly reminder to residents to lock up their vehicles. See page 4 SWORN IN Halton Hills Council for the 2014 to 2018 was officially sworn in at an inaugural meet- ing on Monday. See page 3 Continued on page 5 An abandoned suitcase left in the driveway of a hydro sub-station in Hal- ton Hills on Saturday (Nov. 29) caused a major Halton Police response. Halton Police responded to a re- port of a suspicious package that was left in the driveway outside the secu- rity gate to a hydro sub-station in Hal- ton Hills. Police stated, in a press release on Sunday, "This situation posed an el- evated risk due to recent world events and threats against Canada." The area was sealed off and Hwy. 7 was closed at the Fifth Line. The Halton Regional Police Explosive Disposal Unit (EDU) was called out as was a K9 unit to further investigate the suitcase. The EDU determined the suitcase was safe and upon ex- amination it was found to be empty. Halton Police Staff Sgt. Robert Lloyd said, "If the reposnsible indi- vidual had taken the time to take his suitcase that he no longer wanted to the landfill on Regional Road 25, and paid the $5 fee, he would have saved the police a great deal of time, re- sources and taxpayers' money. In the end it is the taxpayer that has to pay for such a lack of common sense and responsibilty." Members of the public are asked to dispose of their unwanted belong- ings in a caring and responsible man- ner so that similar incidents do not unnecessarily waste of emergency services resources, he added. Police respond to 'suspicious package' Lighting Up The Hills: Halton Hills is now officially in the festive spirit with Ignition Nights held in Georgetown (Monday), and Acton and Glen Williams (Tuesday) switching on Christmas lights in local parks. The event is hosted by Light Up The Hills, a volunteer organization that finds donations and in-kind services to decorate local parks with lighting displays until Jan. 3. At the Georgetown ceremony LUTH chair Gerry Kentner and LUTH volunteer Marilyn Serjeantson greet a North Pole visitor. More Light Up The Hills Ignition Night photos on pg. 11 Photo by Jon Borgstrom Two potential routes through southeast Halton Hills have been shortlisted for a proposed highway that would stretch from Hwy. 400 in York region to 401/407. The highway (Alternative 4-2), is expected to have a minimum of four to six lanes and a separate ad- jacent transit way. It will be needed to handle the expected 1.5-mil- lion additional vehicle trips each day in the GTA West Study area by 2031 due to a projected increase of about 100,000 people each year in the Greater Golden Horseshoe. It's not known when the highway would be built; currently there is no provincial government com- mitment to fund its design or con- struction. Route options finally released on new hwy. By Lisa Tallyn ltallyn@theifp.ca