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Pa ge 1 6 T hu rs da y, S ep te m be r 3 , 2 01 5 - T he IF P - H al to n H ill s - w w w .th ei fp .c a HaltonHighlights September2015 This page has been donated by this newspaper to communicate important information to Halton residents at no cost to taxpayers. Meetings at Halton Region 1151 Bronte Rd., Oakville, L6M 3L1 Visit halton.ca/meetings for full schedule. Sep7 Offices closed for Labour Day Sep9 9:30 a.m. Regional Council Please contact us as soon as possible if you have any accessibility needs at Halton Region events or meetings. Keeping you informed by highlighting what makes Halton a great place to live. Gary Carr, Regional Chair A bountiful harvest of events in Halton this fall In Halton, we are fortunate to be surrounded by beautiful fall landscapes and a wonderful local agricultural heritage. This fall, bring your family and friends to some exciting local events. You'll support our agricultural community, discover why food grown in Halton simply tastes better and have a lot of fun! Join us for the third Annual Harvest Halton on October 4. This unique culinary fall event presents a farm-to-chef culinary experience that brings Halton's finest restaurants and local farmers together with fresh local cuisine. A Simply Local marketplace will be onsite with locally- grown products. You can also learn more about the story of agriculture in Halton through interactive displays and demos. To purchase tickets, visit halton.ca/harvest. You won't want to miss this event! On September 14, Halton's Pumpkin Trail kicks off. Hop on the trail to explore everything pumpkin through this self- guided tour that connects themed events, attractions, on-farmmarkets, restaurants and specialty shops. Follow the online interactive map at halton.ca/pumpkintrail or dial 311 to get a paper copy. Lastly, Halton will also feature three Fall Fairs: Georgetown (September 11-13), Acton (September 18- 20), and Milton (September 25-27). Halton really has the best of the season. Halton provides parents with safe and healthy back to school resources and supports As parents and children from across Halton look forward to the upcoming school year, there are many safety and health issues to consider for the year ahead. Halton Region offers parents information and resources to ensure the back to school transition is a safe and healthy one for your children. To help you and your little ones get ready for Kindergarten, check out Ready, Set, Go! at halton.ca/haltonparents. The same web page also offers a section called Ready, Set, Whoa! for teens starting high school, as well as a parent section. Other resources available on Halton's website include: • School immunization requirements from the Halton Region Health Department at halton.ca/ immunization; and • Resources and strategies to prevent bullying and cyber- bullying at halton.ca/haltonparents (select Children/ Tweens, then Healthy Minds - Children/Tweens). From homework tips and healthy eating to safety tips and information about healthy child development, halton.ca/haltonparents offers families a wealth of valuable back to school information and supports. Connect with us online at halton.ca/haltonparents, on Twitter @HaltonParents and Facebook, by email at haltonparents@halton.ca, or dial 311 to speak directly with a public health nurse. Halton Region's strong financial position contributes tomaking Halton a great place to live Halton Region is a recognized leader in Ontario for its sound financial position and prudent budgetary practices. Our latest Annual Financial Report demonstrates how the Region's planning and commitment to responsible, transparent financial practices ensures a solid performance year after year. For 24 years in a row, Halton Region has achieved a AAA credit rating, which is the highest credit rating possible. This rating has enabled us to keep taxes low, with a zero per cent average annual tax increase over the past eight years. With the AAA credit rating, Halton Region is able to obtain the best possible financing rates in the capital markets minimizing the longer term costs of infrastructure capital. Maintaining Halton Region's strong long-term financial position is a key priority in Halton Region's 2015- 2018 Strategic Action Plan. To view the 2014 Annual Financial Report, visit halton.ca/annualreport. For 24 years in a row, Halton Region has achieved a AAA credit rating, which is the highest credit rating possible. 2015 rail Halton September 14 to October 31 Celebrate autumn and all things pumpkin in Halton Region with a self-guided tour. For more information visit halton.ca/pumpkintrail Harvest Halton A Farm to Chef Experience A culinary event bringing Halton's finest restaurants and local farmers together October 4, 2015 • Noon - 4 p.m. Harrop Barn @ Country Heritage Park, Milton halton.ca/harvest