th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, A pr il 5, 20 18 | 28 of the month-long initiative. A total of 73 motorists were arrested for alleged im- paired offences and 83 road- side suspensions were is- sued during RIDE pro- grams in December 2017, re- presenting a 24 per cent increase over the number of December 2016 arrests and a 54 per cent increase in road- side suspensions respec- tively. As Insp. Derek Davis succinctly explains, "If you want to catch more salmon, you put more bears in the river. Our enhanced en- forcement tactics place more bears in the river." The significant increase in impaired arrests and sus- pensions can be attributed to our efforts to continuous- ly identify and employ new approaches to impaired en- forcement, which are sup- ported by an increasingly vigilant community in terms of reporting suspect- ed impaired drivers to po- lice. In 2017, road users within our region reported 165 drivers who were subse- quently located by police and arrested for impaired driving. It is remarkable to think that more than a third of our impaired investiga- tions can be attributed, at least in part, to our commu- nity. Community safety is a shared responsibility. We encourage residents and visitors to continue to work with us to reduce impaired driving. Our work to reduce im- paired driving, however, doesn't end there. Impaired driving and road safety remain priori- ties in 2018. Our goal is to en- sure our enforcement is tightly aligned with the is- sues we are facing. The community de- serves and demands our best, and in this regard, we will continue to seek oppor- tunities with our partners to mitigate risk, improve prevention messaging and promote social develop- ment with our municipal and health partners. This is the final instal- ment of Duraiappah's three- part column outlining the service's work to reduce im- paired driving in Halton. - Nishan Duraiappah is a deputy chief with the Halton Regional Police Service. OPINION l Continued from page 25 2,563 roadside tests were conducted in 2017 Halton Hills Hydro took part in a simulation chal- lenge to create and foster innovation in the utilities sector. On March 26, the group won an innovation award from the Electricity Distributors Association. "I'm thrilled to see staff throughout the company embracing the innovation mindset and coming for- ward with creative ideas," said Art Skidmore, presi- dent and CEO of Halton Hills Hydro. The award recognizes local distribution compa- nies (LDC) that have cre- ative business models. He said the innovations in the company are small steps that result in larger differences further down the road. "New ways of thinking and operating are essential to the ongoing success of LDCs in Ontario," said Skidmore. Hydro receives innovation award ALEXANDRA HECK aheck@metroland.com The Acton Farmers' market will be bigger and better this year, thanks to a little help from the town. Halton Hills council ap- proved funding for the mar- ket, which is held every Thursday through the sum- mer at the Bethel Church. The market will be re- ceiving $1,825 from the Mu- nicipal Assistance Pro- gram, and an additional $175 for marketing and $1,000 for picnic tables and signage. "It means the world to get town support," said An- gela Tremblay, who co-or- dinates the market. Last year was the first year that the market was held, after the Acton Business Im- provement Area (BIA) an- nounced they were cancel- ling their own market. "We want to continue improving it and building it to what it was," said Trem- blay, who requested fund- ing from the town through two different programs, one being the Municipal Assistance Program and the other being for market- ing. The market will be re- ceiving $1,825 from the Mu- nicipal Assistance Pro- gram, and an additional $175 for marketing and $1,000 for picnic tables and signage. "It was overwhelming in the beginning," she said. "It was a rough go starting this up." She says that they paid for their market insurance with the vendor fees they charged. There was very lit- tle funding for signage or advertising. "We didn't have money for big enough signs," she said, adding that the fund- ing they have received will go towards signage, picnic tables, buskers and adver- tising. "It's going to be amaz- ing," said Tremblay. The market opens on June 7 and runs until Oct. 18. NEWS Farmers' Market gets town support ALEXANDRA HECK aheck@metroland.com Kelly is a graduate of Sheridan College and holds a BA from McMaster University where she is a career mentor to students. Prior to this appointment, Kelly was GM for MetrolandHalton and Flamborough. Previous appointments have included VP Advertising at The Hamilton Spectator and Director of Advertising at The Oakville Beaver. Kelly recognizes the value of community and is actively involved with charity and sports organizations through support and fundraising. With a passion for community news and local marketing, Kelly looks forward to engaging readers and connecting with the community's residents, organizations and businesses.Kelly, alongwith the talented team of management, reporters, photographers, media consultants, digital experts and graphic crew is keen to continue showcasing Metroland'sprintanddigitalproducts. Shecan be reachedat kmontague@metroland.com. Kelly will replace Neil Oliver who was appointedExecutiveVicePresidentTorstarand President of Daily News Brands. Neil remains thePublisher ofTheHamilton Spectator. Kelly'soperationaldivision -MetrolandWest has a geographic footprint that encompasses the regions of Brockton, North Huron, North Perth,Waterloo,Wilmot Township,Wellington County, Hamilton, Halton, Dufferin County, Niagara, Glanbrook, and Peel. It delivers printed products to just under one million homeseveryweekandhasanonlineaudience ofmore than 1.5million unique visitors and 4 million page views monthly. Metroland West is comprised of 25 community newspapers, including such award winning publications as the Burlington Post, The Oakville Beaver, Niagara This Week, The Milton Canadian Champion, The Flamborough Review, The Orangeville Banner, The Guelph Mercury Tribune, The Waterloo Chronicle, Hamilton Community News, andThe CambridgeTimes. In addition,MetrolandWest is the publisher of multiple digital products, specialty magazines such asWest of The City and products such as City Parent, Forever Young and the industry magazineCanadianAutoWorld. Metroland Media Group, a subsidiary of Torstar Corporation, is Canada's leading community media company with more than 80 newspapers and operations in digital, flyer distribution, printing, consumer shows, magazines, directories and online commerce. Announcement Ian Oliver, EVP Torstar and President of Community Brands is pleased to announce the appointment of Kelly Montague as RegionalVP&PublisherCommunityBrands for MetrolandWest. Kelly looks forward to her new role as Regional Publisher for the Acton FreePress/Georgetown Independent. 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