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10 - The Canadien Champion, Tuesday. December 14, 1999 Grounded untilfurter notice ~~j~j Fate of police helicopter up inte*i Evaluation follows last flight for choppersv test phase this Sunday By HOWARD MOZEL Special to Thse Champion Halton Regional Police's whirlybirti eye-in-tise- sky wili soon be grountieti until furiher notice. Accortiing to Halton Regional Police Superintendent Paul Cormier, time is running out on tise. test phase of tise initiative anti tise last sciseduleti Halton fligist is set for Sunday. After tisat, an intiependent consultant will evalu- ate tise pmogram'a relative merits anti report back in Marcis, 20M. "Tise recommentiations will be up to tise consul- tant," ise saiti. "We want it to be totally intiepen- dent." In April, Ontario's solicitor general announceti that $900,000 woulti be spent on four, 20-week iselicopter evaluation projects in tise province, $250,000 of wisicis was earmarked for tise joint Haiton, Hamilton-Wentworts anti Peel regions project. "The reommndatlons wiII be up to the consultant We want it to be totally indepenclent. ........................... IUPBTIUT PAUL. COShB In addition to provincial funding, each region kicked in $100,000. Pilot projects alto took place in Toronto, London and York/Durhsam regions. Superintendent Cormier explained that funds were set aside at the start to pay for the consultant, who will evaluate the program for Halton, Peel and Hamilton-Wentworth. Once these findings are in, Superintendent Cormier said the debate wiiI begin about tise value of continuing a helicopter program anti the costs attached. No firm decision wiii likely be matie next year, Superintendettt Cormier continued, since by March the region's 2000 budget wiIl have aireatiy been tieciieti. "It wouiti be inappropriate to budget for it until the evaluation is complete," ise saiti. Tise helicopter inclutieti a fully steerable. 30-mil- lion cantilepower searchligst, a thermal imaging system, video cameras anti more. Thsis makes tise chopper an ideal tool for appre- isentiing criminal suspects in events ranging from police pursuits to rescues on botis lanti andi in waterways. Superintendent Cormier atimitteti tome resitients have complaineti about tise noise of Use iselicopter anti tise intrusive searcisligst at nigist. Police have responded to every objection, tise superintentient saiti, anti explained to people exactly wisat tise aircraft was doing in ecdi instance. "We tiitn't convince everynne, but a large majority were satisfied wits tise explanation," ise said. The organizers of ail tise pilot pmojects are now requireti to suismit interim anti final reports on isow tise funtiing was useti. Once evaluations are compieteti, a report wiil be forwartiet to Use solicitor general. HOLIDAY STRESS BUSTER The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is enough to stress anyone out. Have you been feeling uptight or hyped lately? If the stress is getting to you, try making a littie quiet time for yourself. Take a deep breath, close your eyes, and relax for 5 to 10 minutes. Strive to find your own sense of inner peace as you unwind. It's amazing how refreshed you'll feel. Now you are ready to tackle *the next item on your "To Do lst. "For g0odIeu sIlke" is brought to you courtesy of Halton Héatcr S~~~ - E - l . CES and fintua1l Ct»~mpOa ,/ Millennium bash Mayor advises merchants to get down to business Local businesses anti consmunity groups can make a prof- itable stasi to thse new millennium by getting invoiveti in Milton's blow-out New Year's basis. By sponsoring events, selling millennium mercisanduse or offering prensiums andi incentives, tise bash will give local businesses tse opportunity to connect with potentially tlsou- sanda of new customers, said Mayor Gord Krantz. "In tise tnie spirit of tise a community event, we're really encouraging participation ftom surrounding businesses to help us put on an incredible millennium celebration," lie said. And ail participating busitiesses anti eommunity organiza- tions will be recognizeti on tise Town's website. Tise New Year's celebration will kick off at 7 p.m. Two stages will blast out a vaxiely of honie-grown entettainsnent acta, andi food and a beer telst wil be on hanti for revele'rs. Tise evening will culminate with a cascade of fireworks over tise Mill Pond as mitinigit. Thousantis of people are expecteti at tise event that willsec Mill Street shut down between James and Martin streets, to acconsmodate thsecrowds. For more information on isow to get invoiveti, call Milton 2000 events committee Chair Paul Sciserer at 878-9124. Christmas Day December 25 2 sittings - 2 pin & 4:30 pin A $37.00 p.p. Children under 12 $20.00 Boxing Day Sunkday Brunch 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. $14.95 CLOED ECEBER24 324 Steeles Avenue East, Milon Tues. - Su n. Luuch sud Di.... (7Vs) 878-79