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APPLE Wèekend~~ OAutoGlassI -12d"ivit<~ Wndshild Repau-s I K 781 MAIN ST. #1 &2,I A Metroland CommunityP Iw *aifi N~ewspaper Vol1. 143 No. 80 Friday, December 20, 2002 36 Pages $1.0 (GST included) Photo by GRAHAM PAINE v/Best friends One-year-old Rhiannon Braid and her best friend, i 2-year-old dalmation Clementine, watt their turn to get their photo taken with Santa Claus Saturday ai Country Depot. The Bronte Street business oftered free photos for pet owners. See more photos on page 34. ."Municipal property taxes w»il increase 2 per cent in 2003 By RICHARD VIVIAN The Champion For the first timne in a decade, Milton property taxes are on the tise. Town council approved a 2 per cent tax increase during a special meeting Monday - putting the operatmng budget at $9.7 mil- lion. Norwalk strikes Allendale By FANNIE SUNSHINE The Champion The highly-contagious Norwalk virus has hit Martin House ai Allendale, forcing the long-term- care facility to close admissions and transfers. About half of the 100 residents livingin Martin House have been it with the virus, which resembles stomacb flu-like symp- toms, said Dave Stronacb, senior advisor of bealtb protection services for the Halton Region Health Department. "Ail the symptoms point to Norwalk," he said. Admissions and transfers of patients were closed December 5 wben the oui- break began. Mr. Stronach said. If individuals visit Martin House during the outbreak, Mr. Stronacb said a note on the door advises people to chîeck in with the nursing station prior to visitation. He said the nurse will explain wbat Norwalk virus is and how easily it is spread and will advise against vititing the resi- dents. However, he added, its up 10 the individ- ual to decide whether or not to comply with the recommendation. Mr. Sironach said such a virus usually appears at this time of year, but ibis tinte au * see VIRUS on page 35 Based on the average home (with a cur- rent assessment value of $220,000), the increase means property owners will pay about $11.85 more nexi year, in addition to reassessed property values. -1 think we probably would've been starting to fool ourselves (if there hadn't been an increase). Eventually, it'll catch up to you," Mayor Gord Krantz told The Champion, adding he supported the budget "somewhat hetitantly." "I take a great deal of pride ini standing up and saying we haven't had any budget increases for the past eight or nine years. T'hat's quite an accomplishment in itself." The last tax increase came in 1993, at 0.5 per cent. Following a previous council direction, Town staff prepared the budget with options for 5 per cent, 2.5 per cent and 0 per cent mecreases. A 5 per cent increase was recommended to help offset added expenses and lower revenues. Staffmng issues drove the majority of increased expenses. Annualized and new -sea CHALLINOR on page 35 Comment........ 6 NS Report .......8 A&E ........... 10 Sports ...... 25-27 Classif ied .... .28-29 Dateine ....... 30 FM.fy, Dscun uM 0' 0 looM DMugMMf* Zla~ *0Wy R u* a %~into nuPIV* MINMoula *CffloIo VRM Unb Maikor* WUOW * eE#Mululconomm fipflaooV *Enalaiam ola V*Homo Dopot eAMW OSri utu ala* eUdo Roulaurnt *Solostd amaus 001V