91 EXPLORER SPORT $6,995 Rockwood * 856-2222 Delivering hampers of food to needy families in Acton and area prepared by the IODE, St. Vincent de Paul and the Salvation Army was a chore Rotary Club members enjoyed. See photo on Page 3. Acton was knocked out of the Acton rep league's Christmas tournament on nes See Sports, Page 13. A young man from Orton has won a spot on the Canadian Sledge Hockey team. See Page 13. Acton Junior Achiev- ers are a hot item in the merchandising business right now. See Page 10. Wr iats 2 No. = a Fewer sho Reject estate lots Good news for the Worden View residents who opposed plans for 10 estate lots as a continuation of their neigh- bourhood. The Ontario Mu- nicipal Board (OMB) recently ruled against Canadian Tire Corporation and an Ontario numbered company that ap- pealed Town and Regional decisions not to allow the es- tate lots to be developed on the site, bordering on High- way 7 and the Fifth Line, Canadian Tire and the numbered company wanted to subdivide their respective blocks of land into five lots each, for a total of ten. The OMB ruled the proposed |: ~ plan is not good planning and accepted arguments from the Region that while it is a small : number of units. thedevelop- [|__-_ ment outside of a hamlet or tural cluster would be the "thin edge of the wedge." Pay, benefits cut at HHCSI By FRANCES NIBLOCK The New Tanner The New Year will bring staff salary and benefit cuts and service cuts at Halton Hills Community Support and Information (HHCSI) as the umbrella social agency deals with bal- ancing its budget in light of funding cuts. The executive director, Rosslyn Dowell, led by example and proposed a salary cut for her- self and the board of directors also cut staff RSP contributions, saving about $25,000 next year. As well. the agency is selling its van, used to drive clients to appointments and meetings, and will reorganize the program to use volun- teer, not paid drivers. HHCSl isa charitable, non-profit, multi-serv- ice organization supporting people of all ages ppers s Looking back at 1999 See Page 12 in the development of a caring and respon- sive community. While there's ongoing fund- ing from the provincial government for sen- iors and children's programming -- there is no source of funding for youth and community support programs. That means about 25 per cent of annual operating budget -- approxi- mately $260,000 this year -- will have to be raised through agency-generated funding that includes clients' fees, donations and fund Dowell said two part-time van drivers would be laid off because of the cost cutting and the loss of a regional social services grant that equalled $40,000 last year. "We are trying to use our volunteer driv- ers for some of the rides and we've let the agencies that we drive for know that this re- Continued on Page 3 $$ WE PAY CASH $$ for Gold, Coins, Watches, Figurines, Militaria in the Mocre Park Plaza Rikita's Jewellery 68 Main St. N. Georgetown 873-2039 pend more $$ Downtown businesses elated with sales By FRANCES NIBLOCK The New Tanner There were fewer shoppers with deeper pockets this holiday season in Acton -- merchants. At Halton Hills Furniture on Mill Street. owner Ron Kuiken said there were fewer people shopping in the down- town this year, but the shop- pers were buying big-ticket items. A "Those that are coming into the store are spending more than they did last year," Kuiken said on Friday. "We've sold a lot of curio cabinets, recliners and a lot of smaller items like prints and there's been a large demand for coat racks. People also seemed to be waiting longer to shop this year." At Blue Springs Flower Sop, owner Dot Gould, agree there hadn't been as much walk-in Christmas business as past years. "Since the Home Hardware and pet shop closed there haven't been as many people in the downtown, but I've had a lot of phone orders to keep me busy all weck," Gould said. adding that peo- ple seem to have been spend- ing a bit more on flowers, ar- Tangements and stuffed toys this year. At Pamper Me Pets, owner Dennis Purton said business was better than last year. par- tially due to the traffic gener- ated by the Halton Credit Union that bought the Beckers plaza and opened its Acton headquarters there. "The increase in traffic is also partially due to the fact that the image of Acton, com- ing in along Highway 7. is much improved because of Check in and we'll check you out... --_--________- 'We'llcheckup: We'll change: We'll Top Up: XGA. SPECIALIZED * Battery * Radiator Fluid * Fluids Se" Ne MAZDA SERVICE -- - Muffler * WIPER "Windshield Washer 77> S<)- Grr + Lights + Automatic Transmission Fluid ENUINE FARTS ~ - Wire Set : AND ACCESSORIES nd we'll change your oil and install a new filter. $ 69 - od 5 an" oo ready for winter-=\ much to the delight of local the new development, includ- ing Home Hardware and the recent reconstruction of High- way 7," Purton said. "I think the over-all ap- pearance of the town is pick- ing and there is an improve- ment to the image that Acton has and things are starting to look up." On Boxing Day. staff at the olde Hide House were facing their biggest sales day of the year and president Steve Dawkins said holiday sales were "certainly strong, up 10 to 15 per cent, and would sur- pass last year, despite a slower than usual November because of the relatively warm weather. "We're looking for a good year. The economy is gener- ally going to continue to be strong and that's important for a discretionary business like ours because people will only buy discretionary items when they feel comfortable." Perhaps one of the best indications of the amount of holiday shopping that was being done in some Acton stores this years was at Coun- try Reflections where owner, Judy MacDonald. couldn't take time to talk about holi- day shopping because of a long line of customers wait- ing at the till. "Catch me next year," a harried. but happy MacDonald said as satisfied, last-minute customers crowded the Mill Street gift shop. eNO ag! \ ae mazDa 357 Queen St. Acton (S19) 853-0200