Year in Review
March

Bob Smith (centre) received his third Paul Harris Fellow, Sapphire, from incoming Rotary International president Wilf Wilkinson (left), and he received congratulations Peel Chair Emil Kolb.

They were expressing concerns for the limited opportunities for growth in the near future, and called on councillors to revisit their population growth projections.

Caledon Chamber of Commerce President Kelly Darnley pointed out the bulk of Caledon's growth is slated for the Mayfield West area, while Bolton is only slated to grow by no more than 1,500 people over the next 15 years.

Catherine Cross Blacklock, owner of Cedar Hills Pontiac Buick Cadillac, observed the growth forecasts for Bolton and south Albion "will not sustain our businesses."

"We, as Chamber members, require the support of all businesses in Bolton and are extremely pleased that the Chamber is working with us to achieve our goals," she added.

Caledon Councillor Richard Whitehead said the the growth figures were not cast in stone. "The door is not closed on the issue," he declared.

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Representatives of the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) paid a call on Township councillors in March, and learned the biggest concern was with people being left off the voters' lists in the previous fall's municipal elections.

Councillor Allan Thompson said the voters' lists "drove us nuts," adding "it was badly managed from day one."

Councillor Annette Groves said she wasn't on the list herself, and Councillor Gord McClure said there were deceased people in his area still on.

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Mayor Morrison had a visit in March from Green Party of Canada Leader Elizabeth May. She was in the area to address a fundraising event in Orangeville.

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Rotary International President-Elect Wilfred (Wilf) Wilkinson was in the area for the dedication of the Bolton Rotary Youth Centre. While there, he took the opportunity to honour longtime Rotarian Bob Smith with his third Paul Harris Fellowship, Sapphire, Rotary's highest honour.

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Dedicated local hockey supporter Rick Pyman, 49, died after a chain-reaction collision in Halton Hills.

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Census Canada released figures to show Caledon's population had passed the 57,000 mark in 2006.

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Twenty-two new Canadians took their oaths of citizenship at at a special ceremony held at The Humberview School. Local MP David Tilson was on hand for the occasion.

* * * * * * * Provincial Finance Minister Greg Sorbara brought down the 2007 budget in March, and Dufferin - Caledon MPP (and Progressive Conservative Leader) John Tory was expressing guarded optimism after it included provisions for widening Highway 10 in Caledon.

"It's only a mention, but I think we're making progress," he said, adding he had had numerous conversations with Transportation Minister Donna Cansfield about the urgency of the project. "If the mention in the budget is any indication, she may be better at keeping her word than her boss Dalton McGuinty."

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Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty also brought down a budget in March, and he earned lots of praise from local MP David Tilson.

* * * * * * * Two young Bolton ladies, Victoria Nigro and Sierra Amico had their long hair cut in March so it could be donated to Angel Hair for Kids.

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The Caledon community mourned the passing of former councillor and prominent Palgrave Rotarian John Davidson.

"He came into our lives quietly with determination, poise and confidence," Councillor Richard Whitehead wrote in a tribute. "He left us with dignity, courage and grace."

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Councillor Doug Beffort successfully put forth a motion to have O Canada sung at the beginning of council meetings.

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Two Bolton Scouts, Stuart Matson and Thomas Hautot received their Chief Scout Awards, the top award in Scouting.