That’s a load of garbage!

One thing Halton region does is provide waste services to the residents of Halton In Halton Hills our urban areas receive full waste, big pick up green cart and blue box service. Our rural areas receive Blue Box and green Cart service. Recently we asked Halton to look at what the cost would be to provide full garbage service to our rural area. They are looking at the cost s and we will go out to the residents with that information and develop a survey so we know what they would like to see. On average a home in Halton pays about $140 a year for the service.

The landfill site is located in Milton and cost many millions to plan, develop and build. It has a finite life and we will have to start looking at a new one in not too many years. The present one took well over a dozen years to get online. All of the initiatives like Blue Box and green cart work to enhance the life of our landfill. Why have items that can be recycled going to be buried in landfill?

Halton Region has a landfill site that is recognised for being a world class facility and frequently gets tours from people around the world seeing how we manage waste here.

Halton Hills was one of the first to pass a resolution asking for the province to bring in deposits for LCBO bottles and cans. When it came in it dropped the amount of material going into the Blue Box by 1%. It was over 12 million bottles the first year alone diverted from landfill.
Here are some numbers for Halton region for 2009 vs 2008
Waste Landfilled 2009 2008
Residential Garbage 61,952 71,071
Multi-Unit Front End Garbage 9,317 4,989
Front End Garbage Collected - Schools 2,896 -
Container Station: Garbage 11,092 11,633
Recycling & Organics Transfer Residual Waste 596 380
Organics Processing Residual Waste 1,923 1,071
Recycling Processing Residual Waste 3,756 2,882
Total Waste Landfilled 92,401 92,775
Total Material Collected 216,814 213,975
Diversion Rate 57.4% 56.6%

One of the ways we divert garbage is on the “Big pick up days” These days are popular and lead to a lot of items placed out for pick up being reused. As a matter of fact it is close to 50% of the items placed out for big pick up are gathered by others before the trucks arrive! With the high price of scrap metal, people will drive looking for old BBQ’s, chairs etc. I have seen antique tables, chairs and cupboards out for pick up. Bravo to these people for helping out! It is funny as I had my neice place a stroller at the end of my laneway for the big pick up. Someone swapped theres for the old one and left it behind!
The Greencart and Blue Box program has helped extend the life of our site. I had asked and pushed for household batteries to be dropped off at Town facilities and we are collecting about a tonne of them a year in Halton Hills.


If we all try and reduce what we throw out , recycle what we can and reuse items we can make a better environment for all of us. I know as a Councillor who sits on the joint waste management committee, we are always looking at ways to decrease the amount we have going into our landfill.
The Take it Back program that has people returning plastic bags to retailers is an example of the Region working with businesses to reduce landfill.
But we can’t do it alone and will need all of us to work together.

Census Update....

Since writing the original posting on Monday a lot has happened with the census and the federal Governments refusal to reverse the short sighted decision to drop it as a mandatory item and make it voluntary next year.
The out cry has been loud, multi-governmental, and across the whole spectrum of groups, both research and NGO's.
The resolution was carried unanimously at Halton Hills Council and was seconded by Jane Fogal and later in the evening by Milton Council . Jane spoke passionately about the need for the feds to listen to what everyone is saying.
On Wednesday the Head of StatsCan stepped down over the governments refusal to listen. it is not too often you will see the head of a major governmental department step down over a policy issue like this.
Front and centre has been Minister Tony Clement reminding us of what we saw 15 years ago with the government of Mike Harris. The refusal of a government to listen to its most important person, its citizens.
Lets hope that this is not the start of more policy changes that the general public does not want but are part of a agenda we do not know yet.
Here is a partial list of groups or organisations opposed.

Atlantic Provinces Economics Council; Caledon Institute of Social Policy
Canada Census Committee Canada West Foundation Canadian Association for Business Economics;
Canadian Association of University Teachers; Canadian Council for Policy Alternatives, Canadian Council of Social Development;
Canadian Economics Association; Canadian Evaluation Society
Canadian Federation of Francophone and Acadian Communities,
Canadian Institute of Planners, Canadian Jewish Congress
Canadian Labour Congress Canadian Marketing Association
Canadian Medical Association Journal Canadian Nurses Association
Canadian Public Health Association Canadian Research Data Network Centre
C.D. Howe Institute Centre for the Study of Living Standards
City of Calgary City of Edmonton, City of Red Deer, City of Toronto; Region of Halton, Town of Halton Hills, Town of Milton, Conference Board of Canada
Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada Environics Analytics
Evangelical Fellowship of Canada
Federation of Canadian Municipalities; Glendon School of International and Public Policy Information and Communications Technology Council ;
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami Institute for Research on Public Policy
Medical Health Officers Council of Saskatchewan Nanos Research
National Specialty Society for Community Medicine
National Statistical Council ( acts in a consultative capacity for StatsCan).
Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants
Province of Manitoba Province of PEI Province of Quebec
Quebec Conference of University Rectors and Principals
Regional Municipality of Peel
Rotman School of Management
Social Planning Council of Sudbury
Statistical Institute of Quebec
Toronto Association of Business Economists,
Toronto Board of Trade Toronto Public Health
Toronto-Dominion Bank (per its chief economist)
United Way of Canada United Way of Greater Toronto,
University of Toronto School of Public Policy and Governance

Actons Splash Pad!

We get invited to a variety of events. Sometimes it is a new shop keeper or owner who has asked us to come out and bring greetings and well wishes as they embark on a new venture. Sometimes it is a innovative company like Zuraw technologies that is creating Bio Fuels from old waste oils. Sometimes it is new trails and other town initiatives.

Yersterday was a special day as we open and celebrate the new Acton Splash Pad. The Splash Pad is located in prospect Park and over looks Fairy Lake. A fish theme is being used with a giant fish overhead, 3 bobbers that have nozzles and a fishing pole.

The Geng Family that has owned Superior Gloves in Acton for many years have very generously donated to the building and it will bear the name “Superior Glove Splash Pad.” Dufferin Aggregates generously donated to it as well. This helps defray the cost for it which was over $500,000.


I had raised the idea of a Splash Pad in Acton almost 10 years ago and had a resolution passed by Council asking staff to look into one. In 2007 Mayor Rick and I along with Councillor Fogal sat on the Recreation and Parks Strategic Action Plan which confirmed the need for a Splash Pad to replace the wading pool that was on the site.
At the public open house last year, we looked at a variety of options, from keeping the wading pool, to incorporating the splash pad into the pool to a stand alone splash pad. In the end the option of a stand alone splash pad was decided. Especially in light of the age and over all condition of the wading pool.
The wading pool was opened in Acton as a centennial project and each year was requiring more maintenance and had reached well past it expected life span. A Splash Pad will provide over 1,000 hours of availability in the summer for relief from the heat, compared to just over 100 for the wading pool.


The opening ceremonies today were a lot of fun and everyone had a great time. What a crowd… The kids were waiting until the water flowed and finally Terry Alyman the Rec and Park Director for the town had to say “What are you waiting for?” A couple of hundred kids swarmed the pad and started playing having a grand time.

What a blast…

Unique Events part 2

Trunk Sale


Another Halton Hills event we have that is unique is our Acton Trunk Sale. Held each Saturday morning in the “olde Hide house” parking lot, (which is actually owned by the Town). The trunk Sale has been popular and each week you can see people looking for bargains.
It was started over 10 years ago by the “Three Amigos” Jack Carpenter, Ted Tyler and George Hargrave and was based on a concept Jack had seen in England where people would pull into the lot and sell what was in their trunk. Though a new group now has taken over the running of the trunk sale they have done a tremendous job.
People line up early each Saturday to get there favourite spots to sell. The organisers direct them in and charge a small amount for the spots. The crowds arrive and are usually greeted by Jenny the Hot Dog lady at the main gates.
Inside you can find a treasure trove of stuff. Last week their were old oil lamps and other antiques, movies, CD’s Barbies and other toys as well as jewellery and fresh preserves.
I had to get a photo of the guy selling tie died shirts as they provided an explosion of colour to the sale. I love rummaging through the stuff and look for treasures.


The money they raise from selling spots to the vendors is donated back to groups in Town like the Acton Citizen Band, Heritage Acton and other worthy groups.
The Trunk Sale runs most Saturday mornings at the parking lot by the olde Hide House in the summer. If you have not had a chance to go and see it you should check it out.

Our Unique Events.... Part 1

Movies in the Park



I wanted to write about some of the events and things we have going on here in Halton Hills and North Halton that contribute to the reasons we all love living here.
Last weekend an event was held in Acton’s Prospect Park that takes place a couple of times each summer. It also takes place in Glen Williams Park. The event is “Movies in the Park,” located right here in Halton Hills. Movies in the Park are a great family experience and are one of those events that make our small town special and unique. A large forty foot screen is set up that is over 3 storeys tall! The screen is crystal clear and is a HD screen. They come across clear and the sound is unbelievable.
People arrive and stakeout their chairs to watch, much like a drive in. Kids run around and play as they wait for the movies to begin. Some light candles to keep away the mosquitoes. Shortly before the movies start the organisers gather the kids and have hula hoop contests, or they do the “Cha Cha Slide” or other dances. When they showed Michael Jacksons Thriller, everywhere you looked there were people up doing the dance movies from that iconic video.
There is no charge for the movies as they are covered by sponsors. Imagine having your business name on a screen 40 feet tall. They accept donations for the local food banks and there was a great pile of food at the front by the screens. When they held the event recently in Glen Williams they had 700 people watching Avatar and collected over 450 pounds of food for the food bank!

It was great to see the community come out to see a great movie in a unique location. It is one of those events that make Halton Hills such a great place to live. Where else but a small town would you see people gather in a park, by the side of a lake and watch movies together on a stunning Canadian summer night?
It is one of those things that contributes to our high quality of life and makes us happy to live here.
You can find out more about Party Cinemas by visiting there website at www.partycinemas.com or on Facebook under party cinemas.

Census...Count your self in...

For over a millennium there has been a time when citizens of countries have had to stand up and be counted in a census. Originally, it was done to see how many men would be available for military service. It evolved to give us a snapshot of how many people lived in a given area and what there occupation may be. For over 100 years our Country has collected such information and it has shown how Canada has grown as a nation and evolved.

You may have read recently in the news about the Federal Governments decision to stop having the Long Form Census mandatory. While most people may think that is a good decision and people should be able to do it voluntarily I think a mistake is being made. The Long form would be replaced by a short version that is not mandatory for the 2011 census. It was done as an Order In Council so the House of Commons never had a chance to debate it or seek public input. They are getting it now.

The Federal Government has said that it was being done as they have had complaints from citizens over the nature of the questions being asked. In the 15 years from about 1985 to 2000 they had received over 45 but the Privacy Commissioner changed the census in response to those complaints. The Privacy Commissioner for Canada has had a grand total of 3 complaints in the last 10 years. The mandatory long form has had a 97% compliance rate. Far above what would be found if it was voluntary. It is interesting as this has also been done in the US in response to some groups like the “Tea Party”

The cancelling of the mandatory long form has been opposed by all of the opposition parties, Universities, Colleges and research facilities and such groups as the Canadian Medical Association. Major Canadian Newspapers such as the Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail and the Sun have all had articles and editorials asking the government to reverse their decisions. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) has opposed this and last week Halton Region called on the federal government to reverse this decision.

On Monday I will be presenting the same motion to Halton Hills Council and it will be going to Milton Council as well. I have received encouragement to do so by Mayor Bonnette and other Councillors. The motion has been seconded by Councillor Fogal.

The data collected from the census provides a wealth of information and is at the basis of federal transfers for items like housing, health and other social programs. Municipalities use this for items as simple locating bus routes and what the make up of their community and how it is changing. Changing demographics in a community can mean a shift in which programming is needed. Such as for seniors or for new Canadians. For what types of medical services Doctors and hospitals will need to offer. Also, for the basis of what type of social programs may be needed as well. From baby health to Seniors housing and everything in between.

Some people think that a voluntary form will collect enough information but researchers across Canada all agree that the information collected on a voluntary basis is not as accurate as ones that are mandatory.

I hope on Monday night the rest of Council will agree and support the resolution that was crafted with the assistance of Milton Councillors, Colin Best and Wendy Schau. Hopefully, the Federal Government will listen and reverse their decision. I will keep you posted.

Shop Local

I do not know why, but I am continually amazed by not only what you can find, but the quality of the service you get by shopping locally. You always hear of people saying the importance of shopping locally but lets look at a couple of things.

One thing you will always get is excellent Customer Service. Last Fall I was in Virginia and misplaced a pair of glasses. I called Nancy at Acton Optical from a Walgreens in Williamsburg to ask what kind of “cheaters” I should buy. In a matter of minutes she looked up my prescription and took the time to make sure I had found a pair I could use until I got back home. She offered to courier a pair to me if needed. All this while she had customers in the store to take care of.

Burt from Emerald Island is the same way. In the midst of a store being moved, a new one being built and moving inventory. He had an item I had purchased there 2 yrs ago, picked up, repaired and dropped back off at the house. All this while dealing with the chaos of relocating.

These are just 2 examples and we can all think of the times a local shop keeper or a staff member went out of their way to get us something we needed.

Every soccer, baseball, hockey team is usually sponsored by a local business. They give to support these groups as they know the importance that team can play in the development of children and to the active lifestyle for all of us. When ever a local community group needs a silent auction item they approach a restaurant or store for a donation.

A local car dealer will treat you better then an out of town one. I saw that first hand. Why? They know that you should return for service and they want you to tell the neighbours about the great customer service you got. All dealers pay the same price for the vehicle, all want to sell you not only the car, but service the hell out of you with the service and parts department. If you must shop, go out of town first and then stop by your local car dealership when you are ready to make a deal.

Both the Acton and Georgetown BIA work hard to attract you to the downtown cores of our fair town. They spend their own money on beautification whether it be flowers, benches or murals. They organise events like the farmers markets. Festivals and restaurant sampling. All done by dedicated volunteers.

If you want locally grown food there is a variety of produce, fruits and vegetables all at your doorstep. Try the steaks from Agram meats on Trafalgar Road, with Halton Hills raised beef, pork and chicken. Kabobs from Grill to go. A pie from Chudleighs. Made here and shipped all over the world!

All of the shop keepers in town will try and get you what you want. They do not have the big overhead of the city stores. They employ your friends, neighbours and your family. It is better for the environment and for you! Stop in and see and support them. They would love to see you!