Independent & Free Press, Wednesday, January 17, 2007 3 Somerville wants Region to cap payments to MELANIE HENNESSEY got to get it fixed.” do regarding the Acting CAO Jane MacCaskill explained Special to The IFP At this point, the ‘It (the pooling pooling situation. staff has been working with other GTA 2006 pooling figure “I think we need municipalities on an exit strategy from the A regional committee is pushing for a hasn’t been finalized system) is to get very aggressive pooling system. freeze on how much Halton pays to help and it’s not known broke— with the Province,” But for the time being, she said it is a Toronto cover its social service costs. how much Halton Carr said. “It (pool- “requirement and obligation that we pay.” Better known as GTA pooling, the sys- will actually be asked we’ve got to get it ing money) is a huge Other local municipalities, like York tem was introduced by the Province in to pay for 2007. fixed.’ amount of our bud- and Peel, have already frozen their GTA 1998 to support the city’s social assistance Somerville went get.” pooling payments. and social housing requirements— some- on to point out that Oakville Coun- Halton’s pooling costs have steadily thing that’s expected to cost the average with a provincial —Councillor Clark Somerville cillor Fred Oliver risen since 2003, going from about $34 Halton taxpayer about $180 this year. election coming this added, “I think it’s million then to the current estimated $41 During the health and social services year, it’s a good time that time of year that million— a figure that’s also proposed in committee’s budget deliberations last for council to make an issue of pooling. we should put a freeze on it.” the 2007 budget. week, Halton Hills Councillor Clark Several committee members, like But, Burlington Councillor Carol In fact, since pooling started in 1998, Somerville put forward a motion that calls Milton Councillor Colin Best, voiced sup- D’Amelio expressed some doubts about the Region has contributed almost $325 for the Region to cap its upcoming contri- port for the resolution. the motion, noting that she wouldn’t want million for Toronto’s social services. bution for GTA pooling at the 2006 level, “This is a loud message to the her constituents to say they’re not paying Somerville’s motion, along with a report which staff estimates will total around $41 Province,” he said. taxes above the 2006 level. from staff regarding the legality of freezing million. Regional Chairman Gary Carr noted “Two wrongs don’t make a right,” she pooling payments, will go before the budget “Let’s draw a line in the sand,” he said. that he wants to press the local provincial said. “I believe in following the rules and review committee January 22 and regional “It (the pooling system) is broke— we’ve election candidates on what they would setting an example.” council January 24 for consideration. New Georgetown BIA manager wants to keep core ‘relevant’ LISA TALLYN way next month and completed in Staff Writer June. It will be Matthews’ role to keep the public up to date on how to Kay Matthews is a huge fan of his- get in and out of Main St. to visit toric downtowns— an outlook that their favourite businesses. makes her perfect for her new job as She plans to use the BIA’s recently manager of the Downtown George- re-vamped web site (www.down- town Business Improvement Area towngeorgetown.com) to keep area (BIA) Board. residents informed and also by Matthews is excited about the directing e-mailing anyone interest- position she took over from previous ed. She encourages people to e-mail manager, Emma Rock, on Jan. 2. her at [email protected] or “Historic downtowns such as call her at 905-873-4970. Comments Georgetown’s are the backbone of can also be posted at the web site. our country and the fibre that binds Other top priorities for Matthews a community together,” said will be to create a comprehensive Matthews. “I am proud and delighted database of all the businesses in the to work in Georgetown and assist downtown area and devise a business with the work started by so many plan for the BIA that will address that benefits us all.” where the downtown wants to be in Matthews, formerly BIA manager five to 10 years. in Streetsville and communications Attracting new area residents to director with the Mississauga Arts the downtown is a challenge she is Council, is excited about working in looking forward to tackling. a town much smaller than Mississ- She said the solution lies in ensur- auga. ing the downtown is relevant to “I really needed to work in a small those residents and believes the grassroots community,” said Farmers’ Market will be key to bring- Matthews, a Streetsville resident who ing them into the area. BIA Board chair Syl Carle is Georgetown BIA’s new manager, Kay Matthews (right) was joined by BIA Board Chair Syl conducts historical walking tours in that town. pleased to welcome Matthews, who Carle as she recently took over the position, at the BIA office at 87 Main Street South. also has experience as an event man- Matthews was the former BIA manager in Streetsville and is replacing longtime manager She has fond memories of the downtown area of Arnprior where ager for the Mississauga Santa Claus Emma Rock. Parade, and as a volunteer with the Photo by Ted Brown she grew up and sees historic down- towns as destinations “we need to Streetsville Bread and Honey hold on to in our community and in Festival, to the position. .” “I am looking forward to working Road to be closed for rail line work Matthews said one of her first with Ms. Matthews who brings a tasks in her new job will be to navi- background rich in experience with Trafalgar Road will be closed between Temporary road closure signage will be gate downtown Georgetown through community economic development, Maple Avenue and Princess Anne Drive in posted on Trafalgar Road. upcoming road reconstruction, serv- local government, historical commu- Georgetown from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. tomorrow Inquiries on the details of the maintenance ing as a liaison between project and nities, communications and event (Thursday) for emergency maintenance work work should be directed to Mr. Dick Spear, site managers and businesses and the co-ordination,” said Carle. by CN Railway to the Goderich Exeter Railway CRSS, Senior Supervisor of Public Works at the public. (Lisa Tallyn can be reached at Line. Town of Halton Hills— 905-873-2601 x2612. The project is slated to get under [email protected])