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Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Follow the leader ISale and Sound Daycare's Julie Heimbecker pushes a cart ful of youngsters whiie others tag along during Victoria Day Weekend. IThe group was getting ln shape for the annual Hike for Health ln support of Milton District Hospital. The hike ls Sunday, May 31 begin- jnlng at Milton District Hospital, with events startlng at il a.m. Layoff victims protest at school board By GM ARNOTT Special to The Champion Instnictional assistants who work for the Halton District School Board organized a candlelight vigil prior to last week's board meeting. "We're in moumung," said Lynne Gurzi, presi- dent of the Halton Instructional Assistants Association. "A lot of these people are facing lay- off." Several weeks ago, the school board issued lay- off notices to 273 instructional assistants (lAs). The layoffs, which will take place at the end of this school year, will cut the board's total comple- ment of lAs fromn 420 to 147. Many of those employees, who provide physical and academic help to special needs students, lined the driveway of the board office carrying candles and wearing T-shirts reading, "Special Education Cuts Hurt ids." Insîde the meeting, Pst Stedman made a presen- tation to trustees. "Instructional assistants are thought to be the kind folk who push wheelchairs, meet buses, feed students unable to do so themselves and change e Guaranteed Quiet -, Vehicles Specific Formulas % e 0E Style Chamfers and Siots for Perfect Match AK - Premium Constrained Layers Shims PARAKE e Wear Sensors Identical to 0E g, Shear Tested PAT o Premium High Temperature Moiiy Lubricant - Limited Lifetime Warranty e l;à,#-;,j y "Sooner or Later, Youll Own Generals" AIR CONDITIONINO SERVICE Hâàve your air conditioning system inspocted and serviced today by a icensed C.F.C. tacility. Licensed Technician on duty for both R 12 and the new R 1 34A Freon4 diapers," she said. "Those may be the most visible tasks, but the oeality of the mIle is far more oeach- ing." IAs also work with teachers to modify programs for special needs students, offer specîalized akilîs such as sign language and help organize various school extracumrcular activities, she ssid. Brenda Sampson, whose autistic grade 3 son, Carson, requires daily help from an TA, said she is very concemed about losing the assistance which has helped him progress socially and academical- asee ANGER on page 21 MedaIIy Significant Obcity the L,%C. progam is availabIe through your faniiy physisuan mothiy vieis - i year program oneon-ýone counseling by: exercse physiologiss occ"patùonal rtherapist medical,% psychiatric assessnenr jfor information: 905 337 004 or visltwww.Imc.ca MONEMPLOYMENT oppoRruNiTrY CORPORATE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Purchiasing Admiirao rTwn i ýfto buan emptwmt nuWtunKivfor a PIrdma m histato Jamie Burton Deal is made on west side By BRAD REAUME The Champion Business leaders, opposed to lopsided development of Milton to the east, stmuck a deal. Town council has sgreed to kick-start growth in the west for a second wave of development as soon as east-southeast growth objectives are met. Growth in the west could occur as early as 2001, council heard. Members of the planning and adminis- tration committee agreed recently to endorse a Halton Region plan to initiate growth on the east side of Milton. TIi the last few days Milton business leaders forged their compromise, which was accepted Tuesday by municipal council. At the time committee members made it clear that growth is paramount. They also said that without solidarity the plan may faîl spart when it cornes time for approval at Halton Region, given that some region- al counicillors in Burlington and Oakville alresdy harbour serious reservations about the $100 million initiative. "I commend those who took part to help reach this compromise," said Jamie Burton, president of the Milton Chamber of Commerce. "T think the future of Milton will be exciting." In the end, little changed from the origi- nal development proposaI, except counicil b\ as endorsed western development as the second phase. Prior to the council decision additional development plans would have mu been made at a later date and were not 'UI ained at any specific ares. 0-UM « Patieswith interests on the western side of Milton's current urban ares also endorsed the plan. Both Mitchell Fasken, representing Jannock Properties, and t r home builder Hugh Heron spoke in favour of the compromise. Bill Sinclair, chair of the Downtown M1Oitio Business Improvement Ares (DBTA), said wordung of the plan '"requires a tremen- dous leap of faith" and demands that "al m*wuh parties be diligent" in making sure it is fol- xtr**ti lowed. Mpp "'The DBIA supports the east-southeast option along with the intention to balance >sm in the growth in the west as soon as possi- un"1<I ble," Mr. Sinclair said. ma, Mayor Gord Krantz said that in future many people will be reminded of the leap of faith required by council to endorse »S 8., growth as Milton changes over the next five, 10 or even 20 years. Councillor John Challinor said lie sup- ports the plan and added he hopes the DBIA will take an active mIle in tic new Central Business District study and sec- Imondary plan. jâ 0 s" GROWTH o page a : 1 Ask About PFSufflmmer Spec:ia3ls