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~By FRANCES NIBLOCK The New Tanner Town-owned land where the Acton Trunk Sale is held could be sold to help make up the $2.1 million cost over run for the Geor- getown south leisure centre and twinning of Alcott arena, projects that will now cost $12.1 While staff suggested a new property dis- posal committee should get appraisals on five surplus properties, Council opted for a stream- lined to focus on land beside the Civic Centre, the "big fish" that will bring the most money, according to Councillor Rick Bonnette. "Staff will deal first with the properties Conn oe for the buck," Bonnette said following Mon- day's meeting. Acton Councillor Norm Elliott, frustrated with procedural wrangling over motions and amendments, and the suggested committee, said the Town has "more ing committees" now than it's had in 15 years, and it's time for general committee to make some decisions. At the instance of the Acton councillors, any potential profit from the Halton Hills Hy- dro restructuring will not be considered as an ---- make up the $2.1 million short- Before it could be sold Town-owned land must be declared and the public must be given a chance to comment on its disposition. Coun- cil could sell the property by auction, by bid or on the open market. Staff said if all five properties were sold it should generate the needed $2.1 million but the deals must close by -- 2001, to provide the necessary cash flow. Other sources of revenue could include Sieeos taming Oe Uae aged nents plus or issuing 3 surplus es identified by staff are on John Street, Delrex Boulevard at Fagan Drive, a commer- cial utility site at Boston Church, land to the east of the Civic Centre and the Acton land at the Mill Street rail crossing, adjacent to the olde Hide House parking lot. ILLAGE Rent-A-Car DAILY * WEEKLY MONTHLY 286 Alma Street, Rockwood | ] % +) ae, Maggie Petrushevsky reviews Acton High School's production of Guys 'n Dolls on Page 6 Canadian Blood Services has some happy helpers for the blood clinic in Acton last weeek. See Page 8 for their names. RE - i! Trillium grants were handed out last week to Halton Hills organizations including Halton Hills Community Services and Information. See Page 8 for story. Get In. Be Moved ECs eiiend tice: 40¢+ GST 2 PoLiceE BEAT Assault charges A 28-year-old tenant at 26 Willow St., North is charged assault causing bodily harm and break and enter after he beat another tenant. Police were called at 7:30 Friday night when two men got into a verbal altercation on a com- mon deck. Police said when the victim went into his apart- ment to avoid further confron- tation, the accused forced his way in and beat him. Police didn't know the extent of his injuries or what started the fight. The accused was held for a bail hearing. Pot bust A 15-year-old Mill Street West resident was arrested and charged with possession ofa narcotic after a panies officer noticed him behind St. Joseph's School at 11:45 on Friday night. Police said a baggie of marijuana -- no word how much -- was found on the youth who appears in court on May 19. Window smashed The owners of a Frederick Continued on Page 7 COMMUNITY CHAMPION: Acton's first Community Champion, Gail Thompson (centre) was a hands-down favourite as the recipient of the inaugu- ral award, designed to honour people who make Acton a nicer place to live. Pastor Jamie Shepherd and Mayor Marilyn Serjeantson presented Thompson, whose good cheer brightens everyone she meets, with a pin and certificate on Monday. - Frances Niblock photo ¢? Phonebusters working to stop scams BY MAGGIE PETRUSHEVSKY The New Tanner In the past five years Ontario resi- dents have handed over more than $47 million to unscrupulous telemarketers for telephone and mail scams. Gus Laforge of the OPP's Phonebusters, says these types of fraud are conducted by "professional con art- ists". Often they are young, heavily in- volved in a fast life style and work out of a "boiler room" with several other telemarketers. Most of these operators call from Montreal. Their pitch varies. The caller represents what sounds like a charity and requests a donation, or says you have just won a major prize, or been se- lected as a finalist in a draw, or some- thing like this. Only to collect your win- nings you need to send money for taxes, handling fees or some incidental expense in order to collect your winnings. The common theme is the need for you to send them money and the ur- gency of getting that money to them. Right now, Laforge says, money orders and cheques sent to Montreal callers have to be sent to Israel to be cashed because Canadian banks are aware of the schemes and refuse to cash these cheques. "They don't want you to have time to consider their request or check up on the legitimacy of the cause or the or- ganization behind it," Laforge says. "You need to remember if you won it, it's free. There's no reason for you to pay for anything." Phonebusters is working with local branches of the Women's Institute to reach the public with their program. Last week the Wellington and South Halton Continued on Page 2 Ah, Spring. When birds sing. Flowers bloom. And Mazdas hit the street. Hurry in for this limited time offer and take advantage of great lease rates, special purchase prices, or financing as low as 2.9%. \t's time to get into your car. - Check out page 12 for our unbeatable specials. rs SS We Service What We Sell LOWEST PRICES EVER AINTD IV sminzos Bring this Ad & Receive | off your Puchase 14 Wesieyan St. Downtown Georgetown just off Main St. Closed Sundays 877-3405 Tim Hortons employee lifts spirits By FRANCES NIBLOCK The New Tanner Gail Thompson's unfailing good humour generated a slew of nominations as the Acton Concerns Committee's first recipient for its new Com- munity Champion award, given to people who make our community a nicer place to live. Gail, an Acton Tim Hortons employee, is known and loved far and wide for her ability to lift the spirits of all she meets with a "Hi, honey." Gail is also known for her rap- idly expanding collection of pins - most of them gifts from customers. What's Gail's secret? How can she be so upbeat, happy, positive, interested and en- thusiastic? "I told a customer once who asked how | was always so happy that if I had a prob- lem, it's behind my back and I'm not going to turn around," Gail said after learn- ing she was Acton's first Community Champion. Gail, a single mom to two teens, has lived in Acton for 11 years and has been em- ployed by Tim Hortons since it opened almost seven years ago. (Several customers have tried to lure her away with job offers, but she won't leave "her" customers.) Pastor Shepherd, who said there was a "conimittee of people" who wanted to nominate Gail, knows there Continued on Page 2