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www.independentfreepress.com Gymnasts end season with Oshawa meet Page 15 50 cents (+GST) ACTON FREE PRESS NE Region trying to attract tourists-- chair Page 7 Vol. 129 No. 20 Wednesday, August 2, 2006 32 Pages Circulation 21,220 Voted Ontario's best newspaper INSIDE Councillors' attendance rates an `A' CYNTHIA GAMBLE Staff Writer With five meetings remaining in the 2003-2006 term, the attendance record of the 11 members of council is generally good. There have been 64 council meetings so far (from Dec 1, 2003 to July 10, 2006), and only Ward 3 Councillor Mike Davis had perfect attendance. His ward mate, Moya Johnson has the worst attendance record, missing seven regularly scheduled meetings (three in 2004, three in 2005 and one so far in 2006). There are, on average, 25 meetings per year during the three-year term. In an interview, Johnson said the meetings were missed for a number of reasons: major surgery in 2004, business meetings and out-of-the-country vacations. "It's a sensitive issue," Johnson said. "People think you don't care if you don't attend a meeting, but nothing could be further from the truth. We (councillors) don't take missing a meeting lightly." Johnson says if she knows that a missed meeting is unavoidable she works with her ward mates (Jane Fogal and Davis) to ensure her views are known on an issue, or that it is deferred to the following meeting. "We are a team, and as councillors as a whole, we are respectful of each other's need to be away at times, for whatever reason. ... I do feel the community understands that and that I represent them well." Mayor Rick Bonnette has missed two meetings (one in 2004 and the other this year). Wards 1 and 2 Regional Councillor Clark Somerville missed only one (in 2006) while Wards 3 and 4 Regional Councillor Jane Fogal was absent for three-- one in each of the three years. See TAKING, pg. 3 Acton Fall Fair booklet 40 pages Library tip: Listen to best-sellers while on the move Page 12 Editorial 6 Joyce Savoline 7 Entertainment 8 Calendar 11 Sports 15, 16 Classifieds 17-19 FRIDAY... "Phishing" season is under way but e-mail users don't want to get hooked, say local police officials. See details in Friday's edition. For breaking news go to: www.independentfreepress.com A treat that beats the heat As the mercury soars into the middle and high 30s, local ice cream parlours have been enjoying the stampede of customers beating a path to their doors in search of a cool treat. Jessica Frith, 8, ordered up a huge ice cream cone at Jay's Ice Cream, at 4 Mill Street East in Acton Monday. Photo by Ted Brown GEORGETOWN will be... 314 Guelph St, Georgetown On 1-866-364-0697 AIR CONDITIONING INSPECTION $ 4995 (SEE INSIDE) WE SERVICE ALL MAKES AND MODELS 33 MOUNTAINVIEW RD. N., GEORGETOWN · Sales · Service · Body Shop REFINANCING? PURCHASING? 5.34% 5 year fixed BOB WOODS Mortgage Specialist 905-877-6944 (905) 360 Guelph St., Georgetown *Rate subject to change 877-5211