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4 EDITORIAL with Hartley Coles Common sense? Back when "common sense" was considered a requisite for anyone in government, the then Department of Highways turned the pot-holed, gravel-based Second Line into a new highway, designat- ing it No. 25. The route of the new highway stretched from the Queen Eliza- beth Way (QEW) to Grand Valley. It passed through Milton, Acton and Hillsburgh on its way north before intersecting with Highway 9 near Grand Valley. Eventually, it also intersected Highways 5, 401, 7 and 24 before the final run from 24 to 9. Highway 25 was considered important as a new route to the north especially in connection with 24 and 9. The opening of Highway 401 increased its importance and traffic increased, espe- cially heavy transport. the then Town of Acton considered it an important link, in fact the only feasible link with the rest of the county. It was also a selling tool for business and industry to locate when there were such good connections. I don't believe the status of the road was ever questioned, especially from 24 to 401, that is until last year when the Province started "downsizing." Then the Ministry of Transportation, in its wisdom, decided Highway 25, like others in the Province, was ripe for a transfer to the regions or the counties. 'As an incentive to implement the change, the Province dangled a $10 million block funding carrot in front of the Region. Actually there was no choice. The Ministry had decided Highway 25 as it existed was no longer a fact after January 1 of this year. We're assured the transfer of responsibility for the now regional road will have no noticeable effect on road conditions. In fact, they may even be better. However, let's face it--reducing the status of the road from a highway to a regional road will have an effect on its use. Drivers like to use highways to reach businesses such as the olde Hide House or even Chudleigh's. Reducing the status certainly won't increase the road's appeal. Councillor Rick Bonnette must have had this in mind when he suggested new signs for the road should indicate it was formerly Highway 25. A good suggestion as a form of damage control. However, it seems to indicate the ministry doesn't give a fig about business in Acton or they would have left 25 as a highway. The situation is compounded by the miserable condition of Highway 7 between Acton and Georgetown. Improvements to Highway 7 stopped at Rockwood and Norval last year. And al- though former Transportation Minister Al Palladini said plans were in the works for our miserable section of road, they sure are slow. It looks like we are getting coal in our stockings again. The only plus we can see in the latest move is ameleriation of some of the heavy traffic through town. Not much to look forward to, is it? THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1998 of the new Acton Arena and Community Centre. Mayor Marilyn Sarjentson may have political differences but they Anthem. - Eve Martin photo BT Ui Oh Canada! Three levels of governement, federal, provincial and municipal/regional were at the official opening MLP. Julian Reed, M.P.P. Ted Chudleigh and all join in for the Canadian SO Skaters belong to skating club To the Editor: I'm very glad that the "New Acton Tanner" is back, with real Acton news. I truly missed it. How- ever, I would like to comment on a feature written by Barbara Metelka on Acton skaters competing in Uxbridge. As a past president and past test chairperson of Acton Figure Skating Club, Mrs. Metelka, knows ve! well that an "unsanctioned" school such as the newly formed academy, can- not send representatives to any com- ours and design. petition, such as the one at Uxbridge. Another Acton FSC skater was The skaters must be registered with a "CFSA sanctioned" club (Acton Figure Skating Club) and skate un- der that Club's name, ie. Acton FSC. as without that membership they are not allowed to skate. It would be interesting to see a progam from this event, as I'm sure that these skaters were there repre- senting "Acton FSC" as can be seen from the fact that all three girls shown are, in fact, wearing Acton FSC jackets, with the distinctive col- also there, Bronwyn Marshall, fin- ishing 4th in her flight! Finally, may I suggest to Mrs. Metelka that if "Acton FSC's" name is good enough for the skaters to USE on their entry forms, then it should be good enough to mention in her article. Margaret Eddolls (parent of Acton FSC member) To the Editor: ' Congratulations to the Tanner quite interesting. A bit of "the pot calling the kettle ~ Write a Letter to the Editor! Deadline is Mondays at noon. Congratulations! The Acton House League Hockey Association Inc. would like to offer our best wishes to your paper for many years to come. It's great to have a local paper back in town to cover this town's sports events. Having already met with Frances Niblock, I can see that you are committed to representing the local sports scene. Her interest in our league is tly appreciated by all, and promises to be very cme: tive and exciting. George Hunak President, Acton House League Hockey Association Inc. To the Editor: The Tanner is back. Three cheers. And the staff lineup looks great, except maybe that O'Leary guy. Just kidding Mike. 9 Former Tanner publisher, Paul Nolan's piece was black." Mr. Nolan states that uncontrolled receiva- bles led to the paper's downfall. Mr. Nolan has for- gotten that when he closed the paper abruptly last year, he defaulted on his agreement with paid sub- scribers, many of whom, like myself, had supported his es from the outlset. a positive note: from what I've seen, Ted Tyler has been a strong Acton supporter his entire life. His efforts in resurrecting the Tanner are just an- other example of his commitment to the commu- nity. May the New Tanner last many more years. Don Dagenais RR 2, Acton To the Editor: Congratulations and best wishes on a great com- munity paper. Les Pelitis Achilles Mazda # fe e 59 Willow Street North Acton, Ontario L7J 1Z8 (519) 853-0051 Fax: 853-0052 Tanner Advertising Sales Publisher Ted Tyler Hartley Coles Frances Niblock Mike O'Leary Maggie Petrushevsky Ellen Piehl Lynne Burns Marie Shadbolt Angela Tyler Karen Wetmore Circulation Composing . Distributed to every home in Acton and area as well as adjoining communities. ADVERTISING POLICY Every effort will be made to see advertising copy, neatly presented, is correctly printed. The publisher assumes no financial responsibility for typographical errors or omissions in advertising, but will gladly reprint without charge that part of an advertisementin which an error may occur provided a claim is made within five days of publication.