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Snows donate Pineland Farm to local Salvation Army branch LISA TALLYN Staff Writer The Salvation Army celebrated the largest living gift donation it has received in recent history in Hornby Saturday. The organization hosted a reception for James and Barbara Snow at their Pineland Farm to show its appreciation to the couple for the donation of the approximately sevenacre property to the Salvation Army. The property on Trafalgar Rd. N. is currently valued at $2.1 million. It includes a 7,000 sq. ft. home, two barns (totaling 15,500 sq. ft.)-- one equipped as a banquet facility-- and a workshop. "The Salvation Army is truly grateful for this significant investment, said Salvation Army Col. Glen Shepherd, second in command for the organization in Canada. "This will enable The Salvation Army to fulfill its mission to be a transforming influence within our communities." Shepherd said the Salvation Army will use the Pineland Farm property "responsibly" and "transparently." "You are making it possible for us to realize dreams in this area that we would never have realized without your generosity," said Shepherd. Former Minister of Commun-ications and Transportation, James Snow, who served in the Ontario legislative assembly from 1967 to 1985, said it was with great pleasure he and his wife turned over the keys to the property to the Salvation Army. "We hope it to be used by the Sally Ann with their three branches in Milton, Georgetown and Acton, to serve the people of north Halton," said Snow. The Snow family bought the property in 1959, and lived there for 47 years. Their four children are grown and the couple has recently moved to Milton. For about 10 years they operated a cattle business at Pineland Farm, until Snow was appointed to cabinet in 1971. They renovated one of the barns into a banquet facility and over the years several political and community fund-raising functions were held there. "For many years we wondered in the back of our minds what we were going to do with this monster we built here," said Snow. He said that wondering came to an end last fall when he contacted the Milton branch of the Salvation Army. Salvation Army Captain Bill Blackman said he was "amazed" when he received the phone call from Snow offering the property. The property was originally part of a 100-acre parcel, 90 acres of which were donated by the previous owner to Halton County, said Snow. He said he has always had in mind that the Pineland Farm property would join the 90 acres in some form of public ownership. Snow said they chose the Salvation Army because it has always been a favourite charity of theirs. "I always felt they were good stewards and looked after their affairs," he said. "The north end of Halton can use some of the services the Salvation Army can provide." Jeff Robertson, Salvation Army Ontario Central Division director of development, said its unknown at this point how they will use the property. The Salvation Army also recently purchased the 4,000 sq. ft. bungalow next door to the Pineland Farm property. A Salvation Army committee has been formed to do a needs assessment of the area to ensure Pineland Farm is utilized to its full potential. "We're going to have to spend some time now to find the right program for that facility," said Robertson. He said if a suitable use can't be found for the property it can be sold, and the proceeds used by the Salvation Army in this area. On hand at the reception to thank the Snows for their donation were Halton North MPP Ted Chudleigh, Wellington-Halton Hills MP Michael Chong, Milton Councillor Mike Boughton representing Milton Mayor Gord Krantz, and Halton Hills Councillor Bryan Lewis representing Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette. (Lisa Tallyn can be reached at ltallyn@independentfreepress.com Friends of the Friends Members of Friends of the Old Seed House Garden committee unveiled a plaque recognizing donors to the recently-completed park on Maple Avenue. On hand were (from left) Chair Jane Fogal, Fundraising Chair Barbara Baron and Canadian Federation of University Women president Pam Kilmer. Since its inception, more than $400,000 has been raised by the group in funds and in-kind donations. Photo by Ted Brown Town accused of racism for not flying Pride flag CYNTHIA GAMBLE Staff Writer Halton Pride representative Domenic Padula accused the Town of Halton Hills of racism for its refusal to fly the Halton Pride flag promoting the gay group's annual picnic. In a delegation at the May 29 council meeting, Padula of the Halton Organization for Pride and Education (HOPE) said Halton Hills is the only municipality in Halton that has not flown the flag at its town headquarters in the past four years. The picnic, celebrating gay, lesbian, bisexual and other lifestyles, was held Saturday at LaSalle Park in Burlington. "As a citizen of this town, I am not proud of this record," he said. "This Town is hiding behind a bylaw (policy) stating that only municipal, provincial and federal flags will be flown in front of the Civic Centre." However, he pointed out the Town of Halton Hills has flown, in the past year, the flags of Terry Fox Run and Ermelo, The Netherlands at the Civic Centre. Mayor Rick Bonnette said later the Terry Fox Run organizers were commemorating the 25th anniversary of the national hero running through Halton Hills, and the Town has a Keeping the Memories Alive (Second World War) connection with Ermelo. Padula also said there has been a number of racist incidents in the past two years including swastika graffiti. He said it took more than five months for the graffiti on public property to be cleaned up, and that in itself, is a form of acceptance of the racism. However, Director of Recreation Terry Alyman said he was unaware of any reports of graffiti with racist symbolism on town property. "In any event, if there was such a thing we would take every effort to remove it," said Alyman. Padula said he had reported the graffiti to the police. Councillors should dispel the perception of racism in this community by flying the flag and attending the picnic, he told them. (Cynthia Gamble can be reached at cgamble@independentfreepress.com Salvation Army Col. Glen Shepherd, (centre) Chief Secretary for Canada and Bermuda (and second in command for The Salvation Army in Canada) accepts the ceremonial (and real keys) to Pineland Farm from James and Barbara Snow Saturday. The former MPP and his wife (above left) donated their seven-acre farm, valued at more than $2 milliion, to the Salvation Army. Photo by Graham Paine