All-candidates' trustee meeting ends as incumbent fails to show best I could. I have never missed anything in 26 years and I felt really bad." She said she has been in the rehabilitation unit Approximately 35 area residents interested in at the hospital for at least a month following a hearing from their Halton Catholic District kidney transplant in July, and a "slight heart School Board trustee candidates at a forum attack." McCauley said she had been doing well and Wednesday night didn't get the chance when the was able to come home from the hospital on meeting was cancelled before it began because weekends and some weekdays, but an infection one of the candidates didn't show. had set her progress back about two Long-time Halton Hills trustee Irene weeks. McCauley's son left a message cancelling She said she is hoping to be released on behalf of his mother Wednesday afterfrom hospital next week. noon and said he wanted to present his Despite her recent health issues, mother's platform at the forum, said McCauley is confident she can do the Anne Zebarth, spokesperson fof the job of trustee. Christ the King Catholic Secondary "I have spoken to the heart doctor School Council. and kidney doctor. I'm in better shape She said the council made the difficult than I ever would be. The doctor said I decision to cancel the meeting "in the IRENE spirit of being neutral" and did not allow McCAULEY was quite capable of running for election and quite capable of doing the job," said the other candidate, Rosanna Palmieri, to McCauley. outline her platform and answer quesIn respect to cancellation of the meettions. ing Wednesday, Palmieri said voters "It was a very difficult decision to canshould be able to learn directly what the cel the forum because we just want to be candidates have to say and an all-candiequally fair to both candidates," said dates meeting is the "ideal forum" to do Zebarth. "We wanted the process to that. reflect positively on the public service we "The public is entitled to find answers were providing to the Catholic voters of to their questions and discuss the issues. this community and we would not have It's important to keep people informed moved forward if both candidates had ROSANNA about who will represent their best internot initially replied to our invitation, PALMIERI ests during the next term," said Palmieri. which they did. When (Palmieri) found Area resident Salvatore Bruno was disout that Irene wasn't going to be there just before the meeting was about to start, she appointed the meeting was cancelled last minute. "School trustee is an important position as immediately left the building." From her room in Credit Valley Hospital they have a vote on school budgets and input on Thursday afternoon, McCauley said she was the spiritual education of our children," said planning to attend the meeting until a family cri- Bruno. "It is my responsibility as a concerned parent to be informed on who the best candidate sis arose preventing her from going. "I had permission from the doctor and I was would be. I did not get that opportunity all ready to go," said McCauley. "This is the first Wednesday night. Instead I have to make my thing I have ever missed. I tried to get there as own attempts to meet with the candidates." LISA TALLYN and EAMONN MAHER Staff Writers Christmas wishes Jan Murphy and son Bradley check out the various Santa figures during the recent two-day Christmas craft show and sale at Georgetown District High School. Photo by Shawn McAlpine For annual parade Santa's here on Sunday The 76th Annual Georgetown Santa Claus Parade will be held this Sunday evening. The parade, hosted by the Lions Club of Georgetown, will begin at 5 p.m. at the corner of Guelph St. and Sinclair Ave then proceed west along Guelph St. to Mill St., then along Mill St., Charles St. and west on Park St. to the Fairgrounds. The floats will be decorated in keeping with this year's theme-- "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Glow." There will be approximately 60 entries including five bands. No candy or information will be distributed along the parade route to prevent children from running into the road and risk being struck by a vehicle.