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Residents team together to fight crime Page 10 In Business For Business GSS OFFICE SUPPLIES UVING LIGHTING Si 7 Georgetown fl Illusionist Steve Santini gets out of a tight squeeze Page 11 Oakville posts a 52 victory Page 15 FREE DISTRIBUTION WEDNESDAY JANUARY 31st 1990 PAGES Councillor protests Halton police want almost 15 per cent budget increase ByBENDUMMETT the Herald An Oakville Regional Councillor is refusing to be held accountable for a proposed Halton police budget in crease of almost 15 per cent that he believes isnt sub ject to public scrutiny Although the budget which represents well over per cent of Haltons taxsupported operating budget still must be passed by Regional council its a budget Regional councillors cant control says John Graham If Regional council rejected the increase Halton police could ap- peal the decision to the Ontario Police Commission But Coun Graham argues the would never object to the increase Phoney bills passed In town Two counterfeit bills were passed almost within one hour of each other last week Halton Regional Police say One bill was passed on Jan 24 between 3 and pm in a Guelph Street food store Police say a browneyed slim black woman approximately sixfeet tall weighing pounds came into the store and purchased just over worth of food She paid with a bill The bill was taken to a nearby bank where the victim was informed it was counterfeit police reported At 3 pm on Jan a Guelph Street bakery was also passed a bill In payment for worth of pastry Police say they believe the recently passed counterfeit bills are being passed by the same group of people who have passed at least six bills in and some bills in both Burlington and Peel People who receive the fraudulent bills should protect the bills so police can look for fingerprints police warn Possi ble victims should also take note of the person passing the bill and If possible take down any vehi cles make and license plate number that may help to capture tbe culprits police say because earlier this year It recom- mended Halton police force hire new staff members Haltons board of police commis sioners approved the increase which calls for expenditures to jump from million last year to just over in 1990 last Thurs day Halton Regions administrative and finance committee will discuss the reasons for the increase at its Feb 14 meeting But the committee will also con sider a recommendation put forth by Coun Graham calling for the Region to have final say over police budget increases He wants the Region to have final say over the budget instead of the OPC Based on the OPC recommenda tion for the need to hire more of ficers Halton board of police com missioners recommended that an additional 23 officers and civilian personnel be hired in 1900 And Chief Harding says the force will have to hire more staff En future years Staff requirements account for the majority of the forces expenses he said The Chief couldnt give an exact number of how many more staff the- force ultimately needed but he suggested the OPC figure of could be a target The board approved the current hiring because of growth in popula tion and the number of calls from the public to police in Halton said Chief Harding The OPC recommendations which helped form the basis for the boards budget say that the growth in population and police service calls means that the forces ability to respond to calls to service are being stretched to an unsafe limit he said Changes to provincial legislation also made the need to hire more Continued on Page Ode to Robbie Burns Piper Stewart White leads Haggis Bearer Max Jack to the bead table at the Robbie Burns dinner and dance held Saturday at Georgetowns Royal Cana dian Legion Branch 120 on Mill Street The evening was hosted by the Legions Ladles Auxiliary Rev Peter Barrow acted as master of ceremonies for the affair while Dr Macintosh gave the ad dress to the Haggis Those In attendance were enter tained by the Georgetown Highland Dancers under the instruction of Susan The dancers in cluded Katie Morris VlkULynn Brain Erica MajMM Donna Downey Downey aad Houston