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Catching some air Seven-year-old Mallory Argyle still had a smile on her face in spite of the fact she became airborne during her trip down the Cedarvale toboggan run at breakneck speed Monday afternoon. Even though the snow accumulation hasn't been excessive so far this winter, the toboggan run has enough covering to keep the kids flying-- and happy. Seniors' centres appeal to Town for help CYNTHIA GAMBLE Staff Writer Executives of the town's two seniors' centres came to Halton Hills budget committee's public night last week with their hands out, but each for different reasons. Citing age and physical limitations that has put a crimp in fundraising efforts since 2003, a financially-strapped Georgetown Seniors Centre requested a reduction in its required 33 per cent financial contribution to the centre's operating budget. The centre wants it reduced to 25 per cent, which is consistent with the Acton centre's contribution. If approved, the reduction amounts to a $14,500 cost to the Town. Treasurer and director George Ohashi, speaking to the budget committee (all members of council), said the centre is also feeling the loss of Trillium grant funding ($35,000/year) this year, a 5 per cent rental increase and a decrease in business sponsorship. "Also the fundraising revenue has declined a whopping 42 per cent since 2004, which has been attributed to the decrease in the sale of annual memberships by 20 per cent and there has been a change in the amount of time and number of individuals willing and able to contribute to the fundraising and revenue generation," said Ohashi. "We're struggling to even fill the fundraising positions at this time." He pointed out the total expenditures in 2006 exceeded revenues by 12 per cent. Georgetown Seniors Centre president Clarence Gough also requested that budget committee increase the centre's administrative assistant hours from three days a week to five. If approved, it would cost $18,300, but the centre is willing to kick in a third of that cost ($6,000). As well, the centre would like some cash to hire students (600 hours/year) to help set up and take down chairs and tables for programs and events. The centre will also be kicking in $1,800 of the total $5,500 cost. Gough added the centre is approaching the high schools about the availability of volunteer hours for community service. Gough described the centre as an active place with 850-plus members with an average 150 visiting daily. He said the centre had 140 volunteers in 2006 contributing 21,000 hours of work (equivalent to 11 full-time staff).