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Rachel Cameron, 4, wasn't about to let her size hinder her as she took part in a road hockey game on Forsyth Crescent last week. (Below: Samantha Kobayashi, 12, took her scooter to the sidewalk as she enjoyed the lack of snow in town. Photos by Ted Brown Warm weather kind to Town's coffers CYNTHIA GAMBLE Staff Writer Mother Nature was kind to the Public Works Department's budget in 2006. The mild weather over the last couple months, and early in 2006, has resulted in $177,000 savings to the snow-clearing budget. The surplus dollars will now go into tax stabilization, capital financing and repairs and maintenance reserves. Mayor Rick Bonnette hoped a portion of that money would ease tax increases in the 2007 budget. Director of Engin-eering, Public Works and Building Services Rick Henry said crews are working on completing other projects not normally done in winter months such as pothole maintenance, ditching and tree trimming. Ward 2 Councillor Bryan Lewis, the Town's representative on Conservation Halton, pointed out a downside to the mild weather. The authority is "taking a hit" on its revenue budget with the lack of snow on the Kelso Conservation Area ski slopes. "So as much as we think this is positive," he said, "there are some within our community who are suffering greatly. So with mixed emotions we are saying, `Way to go. Spend the money wisely, and then, can it snow tomorrow?'" "I can think of a few businesses in town that are suffering too," added the mayor. Melissa Lawr, 12, took her hula hoop outside to enjoy the warm weather late last week. While we're expected to feel more winter-like weather for a couple days, temperatures are supposed to climb again on the weekend. Photo by Ted Brown Chamber seeks nominations for business awards Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce is on the lookout for the local business and individuals that have been tops in their field over the past year. The Chamber is currently accepting nominations for its 2006 Business Achievement Awards, which are designed to publicly recognize the outstanding achievements made by local businesses and their employees. Area residents and business people are invited to nominate those companies, including their own, they feel are worthy of recognition in the Business of the Year category and others for the three other awards handed out by the Chamber. The three other award categories are Entrepreneur of the Year, Civic Pride and Employee of the Year. The recipient of the Entrepreneur of the Year award will exhibit excellence in starting and operating their own business, which has been established from one to three years, with ten or less employees. In addition, the Entrepreneur of the Year is recognized for displaying good business ethics, providing superior customer service and demonstrating innovation and creativity in opening their business. The Civic Pride award recipient is recognized for enhancing or maintaining their business location or initiating environmental programs in areas such as waste management, energy conservation etc. and displaying good business ethics that show pride in our community. The Employee of the Year is a highly valued individual who has made a significant impact, contributing to the excellence of their company through exceptional customer service. The longstanding Business of the Year Award is presented to a business that has made a significant social and economic contribution to the community and displays good business ethics and excels in customer service. To be selected the nominee has to meet or excel in the qualifications required in the category for which they are nominated. Nominations will be accepted from any people of businesses operating in Halton Hills. Nominations are to be submitted in writing (preferably typed) no later than Friday Jan. 26 to Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce, 328 Guelph St., Halton Hills, ON, L7G 4B5. Fax: 905-877-5117 Email: info@haltonhillschamber.on.ca. Nominations must include the name, address, telephone/fax numbers of both the nominee and the nominator and a summary of achievements for which the company or individual is being nominated. The selection committee may contact the nominator or nominee for clarifications or additional information. The award recipient will be chosen from nomination submissions of any business operating in Halton Hills or an employee of a Halton Hills business establishment. (In order for previous nominations to qualify, the nominator must contact the Chamber office, or re-submit the nomination.)