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Many problems but few answers revealed at Chamber survey forum Permit application error slip of typewriter Hill The Acton Free Press March Second Clan Moll Number Surprising and depressing answers to the Chamber of Commerce shopping survey prompted the group to mail out 120 invitations to a public meeting Tuesday to discuss the problem but just five merchants a few Chamber members and reporters turned up totalling However after puzzling over the responses to the questionnaires the Chamber members agreed to set up a task force to study parking problems and a phone survey will be taken to assess the desire for increased calling area Chamber president John Shadbolt presided for the meeting in the library and explained the survey sheets showed the opinion of per cent of About per cent of the town had received survey forms and about half of these had been filled out and turned in The Chamber felt it was a good crosssection Overall rating of the Acton shopping area showed 30 per cent rated it good per cent average and 13 per cent poor per cent lived less than a mile from shopping and per cent shop here occasionally per cent usually and per cent seldom per cent of shoppers go by foot 55 by car and by public transportation A surprise to the chamber was the figure of per cent who rated the shopping hours as poor Just 25 per cent felt shopping hours were average and 7 per cent good Merchants present wondered the reasons They agreed they would soon stay open Mondays and evenings if there was enough business to make it pay They felt there was not judging by slow business during Christmas longer open hours A recent newcomer to the area John Sccord felt Acton should be adjusting already to the coming boom He favored open Mondays Dis revealed neighboring towns the same as Acton with many stores closing at 5 earlier than Acton m Paul Nielsen thinks Thursday open nights should be considered One of the almostunanimous reports came in the answer to the question about after sale service warranty repairs etc per cent felt service was poor just 7 per cent average and 1 per cent good Selection in stores brought results good 10 per cent average per cent poor per cent prices good average poor 23 per cent Entertainment good 16 average poor per cent Rest rooms good average poor percent Eating places good average poor percent Knowledge of sales people good 43 per cent average per cent poor per cent attitude good 35 percent average per cent poor per cent handling complaints good average 39 poor per cent telephone manners good 10 average poor per cent Prices good average poor per cent Parking good average poor per cent Dave Mines said he could not understand how the banks were not assessed to help provide parking Sheets were distributed listing the recommendations of council parking authority for improved driving and parking Chamber representatives had attended a special meeting and some of this discussion was reviewed including merchants willingness to cooperate and even contribute personally Fifty six per cent said they d like to sec Mill St turned into a pedestrian mall with percent not in favor A previous attempt to try the idea had fallen through merchants reviewed glumly Some of the merchants should probably take a long hard look at some of these figures the chairman commented Paul Nielsen few Chambers allow results of such surveys to be made public Those present agreed some of the answers were very hard to understand Bell telephone district manager Lloyd was present when Roy Goodwin explained his hopes that all nearly 000 numbers in this area could be phoned to ask about extended coverage Mail survey would cost which the Chamber does not have and returns would not be high he felt There are presently 2 numbers beginning with Acton now has access to 658 phones without long distance changes including s 1 and Georgetown 1 Extended calling area would include Milton with with and with phones Increase in rales Mr Goodwin stated would be a month for an individual business phone to 13 and 90 cents a month for a private residential phone from 40 to 30 Mr Goodwin had all the rates listed presently and with the possible larger area Mr Denby explained that if Acton requested the larger calling area it would be a minimum of three years before it could be implemented and perhaps five years The extension was offered in and 1963 and was turned down by the town The Chamber of Commerce will take this as a project to sec if the people want it Mr Goodwin said Mr Goodwin said he was personally in favor Mr Denby agreed many more calls are made when extended area is introduced Asked about Bell revenue he said it would take yean to cover the costs involved in creating he larger calling area Mr wondered about the possibility of an emergency number Mr explained the Bell provides the equipment but the problem of manning the number remains Mr wondered if the Chamber consider the possibility of an emergency number service The survey rated Bell service cost high 55 average low 16 service good average poor 10 pit cent A slight majority expanded service to Guclph and Milton but not Toronto 79 per cent favored an emergency number per cent said they would use a GO train 51 per cent said they would participate in an adult education program It looks like youvc had the wool pulled over your eyes again drag strip opponent Peter Bowman told Council Monday night as he showed a copy of the building permit application for the Golden Horseshoe Dragway control tower A section of the application read A further condition being that the installation of septic tanks and drainage tile shall be in accordance with the specifications of the Peel County Health Unit Mr Bowman claimed the application was invalid because it referred to the Peel County Health Unit instead of the Halton Unit That a slip of the typewriter tint all deputy reeve Tom Hill a Mr Bowman Assistant clerk C Lindsay explained that application forms had been sent out from the new regional assessment office in Esquesing looks favorably on Boards request for aid A request for financial aid to Acton parks and recreation program submitted by Board of Parks Management and Recreation Committee chairman Peter Marks received favorable response at Monday night regular meeting of Council The chairman appeared at the meeting to follow up a letter the board sent the township council Mr Marks explained the board felt a request for financial aid from was in order since such a large percentage of township residents use parka and recreation facilities in Acton at no extra charge After all revenue from the parks and recreation program is collected the board still has to go to Acton ratepayers for three or four mills approximately Mr Marks added Mr Marks went on to point out that the board also subsidizes many residents through minor sports programs and said he hoped council would look on the matter as a slight moral obligation 1 happen know you get a good hockey team wi thout players from reeve George informed Mr Marks jokingly Brampton Mr Bowman is continuing his fight to have construction on the halted anil is inviting financial support Sympathizers held a meeting Saturday and Mr Bowman reports excellent response Many report empty houses No accidents in town were reported to police the past week An impaired driver was charged a theft was reported there was a liquor seizure among occurrences investigated A passer by reported the door unlocked it the brewcis retail store during closed hours Due to the recent ins quite a few people arc informing the police when they will be away from home Keep it up say the police CORRECTION mm SIMPSONSSEARS ADVERTISEMENT PAGE THIS ISSUE 501 NYLON BROADLOOM SHOULD READ NOT S5 AS SHOWN MELTED CHOCOLATE is poured into mould by Blanche Glendenning feature story on candy factory in todays big Free Press Staff photo Reaction from other members of council to Mr Marks request was favorable 1 go along with you deputy reeve Tom Hill commented The deputy reeve thought council should definitely consider it at budget time agree councillor Ken Marshall added We ought to be trying to arrange something with Milton and Georgetown too We re not farmer s township anymore Councillor Russell MUWr comment This is that is long overdue Deputy reeve Hill also stressed public relations among municipalities is important Mr Marks said he board would welcome any thoughts or comments on their program from residents and mentioned the possibility of allowing council a representative on the board Council agreed to take a further look at the request at budget time Licence plates being sold for historic vehicles Last spring Ontario began issuing licence plates for historic motor vehicles other than commercial motor vehicles Now the older commercial motor vehicles trucks truck tractors fire apparatus buses ambulances etc will qualify for registration as historic vehicles also Historic vehicles must be at least 30 years old and must be substantially unchanged or unmodified from the original manufacturer product They can only be operated on highway for the purposes of exhibition tours or similar functions organized by properly constituted automobile clubs or for the purpose of parades repair testing or demonstration for sale Licence fee is a year for historic motor vehicles The licence plates are marked to identify this class of vehicle and to indicate limited highway use ACTON HOME FURNISHINGS MILL ST ACTON 2 PIECE LIVING ROOM SUITE Features Hi Styhnt Diamond Tufted High Back Sofa Chair roam Back and Cushions Long We inng Fibncs in colors SPECIAL 3 PIECE WALNUT BEDROOM SUITE This Suite highlights a drawer Double Dresser Chest and Panel Bed SPECIAL ape FULL ADJUSTABLE POLE LAMPS Choose the style that suits your decor priced from COFFEE STEP TABLES Your choice Both have NoMar Tops SPECIAL BUDGET PRICED 5 PC DINETTE Table features a smart inlay design on Walnut Abonte Chirs have white and brown upholstered seats and 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