Carr intends to run again as regional chair Continued from page 1 3 · Friday, December 7, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com PricewaterhouseCoopers would bring close to 500 jobs, Lowes Distribution Centre would bring another 500 jobs, and Toronto Premium Outlet Mall an additional 500 to Halton. Carr also pointed out Target alone would pay $1 million in taxes annually with $600,000 to the Region and $400,000 to the Town of Milton. Other positive economic news included the fact the Region is on its way to its seventh consecutive year of an average zero per cent tax increase for programs and services. And it has a AAA credit rating. "To put that in perspective, the Province of Ontario doesn't have a credit rating like that and neither does the United States of America." Carr said the average household income in Halton is currently about $129,861, which is high when compared to the provincial average of $80,000. To ensure Halton's economic future stays positive, Carr pointed out that in December 2011, council approved a 10-year economic development strategy with 23 strategic directions based on five pillars including employment land development, attracting new investment to Halton, working with existing and emerging sectors, entrepreneurship and innovation, and supporting a high quality of place. Ensuring new developments have infrastructure to service them is also important, said Carr. The chair said between 2011 and 2016, Halton Region will invest more than $1 billion in water, wastewater and transportation infrastructure. The Region also spent $615 mil- Gary Carr lion to improve the Regional transportation network. "We've been able pay for the full cost of the roads through develop- ment charges much to the chagrin of some people, in particular residential developers who keep saying, `You don't need that road,'" said Carr. "We have adopted a policy that we are going to put the roads in place... and we are going to ensure they are in before people come in." Carr said an example of what happens when proper infrastructure is not in place before residential development is built could be seen in Milton along sections of Derry Road in 2006 when congestion was so bad people could not get out of their driveways. Waste management was another area Carr touched on, stating that before he took over the helm 60 per cent of the garbage produced in Halton would go to the landfill and only 40 per cent would be recycled. Within two years, thanks to the introduction of things such as the GreenCart, these figures had switched places with 60 per cent of trash now being recycled and 40 per cent going to the landfill. Carr said increased trash diversion is not only good for the environment, but good for the residents of Halton as well as Halton's landfill was only supposed to last until 2020. That landfill is now expected to last until 2044. The extension of the landfill's life from 2040-2044 alone, said Carr, is expected to save taxpayers $18 million. Carr concluded his presentation with a question-and-answer session in which he confirmed he would run for another term as regional chair in the next election. DENTISTRY FOR CHILDREN means... Reassuring appointments geared to your child's self-esteem and confidence ... THE WHOLE CHILD FIRST Conservative treatment of dental cavities. Bottle cavities treatment and oral habits management. ...A NON TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE. ... WHEN, WHY AND HOW **************** **************** **************** Topical fluorides and preventive fissure sealants ... A CAVITY-FREE GENERATION Guidance of the emerging teeth with early interceptive orthodontics ... HELPING FACES GROW Certified Specialist in Paediatric Dentistry DR KENNETH HUNE DISTINCTIVE EUROPEAN FASHION. www.hunekayedental.com HUNE KAYE DENTAL GROUP 1540 North Service Rd. West. 3rd. Line & QEW (Tim Hortons Plaza) Oakville, Ontario, L6M4A1 NEW FAMILIES WELCOME 905-844-0872 200 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville · 905.842.0232 · www.burrowsclothiers.com ent Excell e servic since 1993 We Are Licenced by MTO DRIVING IS A PRIVILEGE, LET US HELP YOU EARN IT WEEKENDS DEC. 8-9-15-16 DEC. 22-23-29-30 EVENINGS DEC. 10 & 12 4 DAY CONDENSED DEC. 27-28-29-30 JAN. 2-3-4-5 SAVE $100 BONUS: PAY ON-LINE AND RECEIVE FREE USE OF CAR FOR ROAD TEST (ADVANCED PROGRAM ONLY) 905-825-1172 407 Speers Road Suite 213