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5 | The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,D ecem ber 27,2018 theifp.ca NALP ECNANETNIAM EVITATNEVERP RUO HTIW SRIAPER LLA NO %02 EVAS From stories that caused a stir, to stories that made readers beam with pride, 2018 was full of a variety of news that sparked conver- sation among Halton resi- dents. Here is a look back on some of the biggest topics covered this year: McGibbon project cancel- lation Throughout the year, the IFP had been keeping track of the status of the stalled McGibbon hotel project, speaking to the Town, the Silvercreek developers and the buyers regarding plan- ning delays and next steps. After months of uncer- tainty, the answer came in email form in early Decem- ber: the project would be cancelled, as it was " un-fi- nanceable," according to Silvercreek. Though buyers are re- ceiving their deposits back in full, the cancellation has put a halt on their future living arrangements. As well, buyers missed out on any value gained by appreciation to their units and the town is left with a less-than-attractive fixture in Georgetown's down- town. The debate around hosting cannabis retail stores As the Oct. 17 legaliza- tion date approached, Hal- ton Hills council began talking about whether they will choose to host cannabis retail stores in town - a question that has brought forth opposing opinions. The Town has until Jan. 22 to decide if it will opt in to having privatized cannabis stores in town. If the Town chooses to opt out, it will be able to opt in at a later date, however, should it choose to opt in, the decision is final. At council meetings in November and December, Susan Silver, senior adviser of strategic planning and continuous improvement with the town of Halton Hills, recommended that Council opt out by the Jan. 22 deadline in order to en- sure there is time to con- duct a fulsome consultation period. However, on Dec. 11, del- egations and commentary from passionate residents led the town to defer the de- cision to opt out and begin public consultations imme- diately. They are expected to come back to council with a decision on Jan. 21. Halton Hills makes Mon- eysense Magazine's list of the top 10 places to live in Canada Halton Hills moved up in the ranks in 2018, taking spot No. 10 on the list of top 25 places to live in Canada this year, according to Mon- eySense magazine. Halton Hills was spot No. 24 on the list in 2017. Dale Wood faces multiple sex-related charges The former local resi- dent who taught music les- sons in the area during the 1980s and '90s shocked the town after being charged with four counts of sexual assault and one count of sexual interference in April this year. The alleged incidents date back to the 1980s, and involve students whom Wood taught private sing- ing lessons in his home. The case of the Town and the anonymous "defamato- ry" letter In early September, an anonymous "defamatory" email was circulated to councillors and other recip- ients alleging that CAO Brent Marshall "engaged in nepotism to advance the professional careers of his family members and friends." Marshall and the Town successfully petitioned the court for a Norwich order to obtain the IP address of the device from which the anonymous email was sent. It was granted. The matter is still ongoing. The Town makes senior housing options a priority The town has made housing options for seniors a priority for the new term, as a lack of housing options has forced many to move out of Halton Hills to seek more affordable alterna- tives. Progress made in town for individuals with autism Earlier this year, the IFP spoke with families con- cerned about housing and programming options for their sons with autism once they become adults, as well as a general lack of resourc- es for their children in town. Halton Hills has been taking steps toward provid- ing more local resources for individuals with autism, in- cluding opening up a Wood- view Mental Health and Autism Services hub at Harrison Public School. In May 2018, Community Liv- ing North Halton partnered with Habitat for Humanity to build a home for men with autism - a first-of-its- kind project for Halton Hills. NEWS A LOOK BACK AT THE BIGGEST HALTON HILLS NEWS STORIES OF 2018 VERONICA APPIA vappia@metroland.com Left, Mayor Rick Bonnette and councillors gather with members of Community Living North Halton for the official ribbon cutting of the Habitat for Humanity home for men with autism. Right, storefronts along the Main Street connected to the McGibbon site remain boarded up Veronica Appia/Metroland Alexandra Heck/Metroland SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT THEIFP.CA