The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Tax relief from the Region On December 16, 2009, Halton regional council approved the Region's 2010 Budget and Business Plan, delivering a 0.2% tax reduction for regional programs and services and a combined water and wastewater rate freeze for Halton residents. Since my motion for a 2010 tax freeze in April, Regional council and staff have worked diligently to ensure the 2010 budget is one that offers residents the financial relief they need while enhancing our community's core services and service levels. The 0.2% tax reduction in the 2010 budget will not halt investment in the services and programs you have told us are important to you, including infrastructure (e.g. regional roads and water and wastewater facilities), employment and social assistance programs, emergency preparedness, and public health. In two of the last four years, Halton has reduced its tax portion for regional programs and services, and, over the last four years, the combined tax increase for Regional programs and services has been less than half a per cent-- one of the lowest among municipalities in Canada. The budget delivers the secondlargest capital infrastructure invest- 7 Independent & Free Press, Tuesday, January 12, 2010 Gary Carr ment program in the Region's 35year history, with an investment of $394.7 million. This funding will be used to upgrade, expand and rehabilitate Halton's infrastructure. This funding includes $109.3 million for transportation, $252.8 million for water and wastewater, and $1.5 million for waste management. I would like to thank Regional council and staff who showed tremendous commitment throughout the 2010 budget review process to deliver a 0.2% tax reduction for Halton taxpayers to provide them with the relief they need in these uncertain economic times. To learn more about the 2010 Budget and Business Plan visit www. halton.ca/2010budget. --Gary Carr is the chair of Halton Region Healthy snacking at Joseph Gibbons Joseph Gibbons School recently unveiled its much-anticipated Healthy Snack Program. The program is aimed at educating students about healthy eating choices and improved learning abilities and is one of 19 programs overseen by Halton Food for Thought in 17 schools in Halton Hills. Joseph Gibbons Snack Program is run by school volunteers, led by Sammi Brooks, and is offered to students on Wednesday and Thursday during morning break. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Joseph Gibbons School and to learn more about Halton Food for Thought and student nutrition, please visit www.haltonfoodforthought.ca. Among those taking part in the launch were, from left, Grade 5 students Georgia-MayDavies, Davis Drover, Skylar Sponagle, and Justine Brooks. Submitted photo LINEN WAREHOUSE SAVE DIRECT FROM MANUFACTURER! OPENING JANUARY 6TH Boxing Week Continues... FLOOR MODEL SALE CHRISTMAS 75% OFF HOME DECOR 265 GUELPH ST., GEORGETOWN 905-873-2753 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Hours: Mon. - Wed. 10 am - 6 pm, Sat. 10 am - 5:30 pM, Thurs. - Fri. 10 am - 8 pm, Sun. 11 am - 4 pm up to ly Weekre In-Sto Specials 1ST T QUALITY MERCHANDISE · BRAND NAMES · Comforters and d Sheets · Decorative Cushions shions · Sheet Sets · Kitchen K tchen & Table Linen L nen · Area Rugs · Shower Curtains · Bed In A Bag · Slips/Sheets · Bath Ceramics Ceram cs · Bath Rugs · Luxury Drapes · Licensed Hockey Bedding 70 rd Rd St Clarence % off Retail Evans Ave. ALL SALES FINAL! 241 Clarence St. #3, (beside Laserquest) Wed - Sat 9:30am - 5pm, Sun 11am - 5pm, Closed Mon & Tues BRING IN COUPON TO RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL 10% DISCOUNT ON ALL PURCHASES 427 7 Brampton 576 Evans Ave. Etobicoke 10 % OFF This coupon must be given to the cashier at time of purchase. Not valid with other discounts. Expires Feb. 6, 2010. Islington slington ington n Av Ave. Kipling g Ave. y ed nn Ke Rd