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Rabid bat found in Halton A Metroland Community Newsp courses to begin f ' 1 wO ý li- wIII le40 Çhisholm Dr. "Using Communication to Bu/Id Better Communities" paper Vol. 144 No. 34 Tuesday, July 15, 2003 40 Pages $ 1.00 (GST included) r, _ ~7 __rÇ - 1LT~__- 1filOW does your garden grow? Theresa Cheung, left, looks around a Roseheath Drive gardon with homeowner Heike Spohr - one of the teatured gardens in the Milton and District Horticultural Society's annual Garden Tour Sunday. The gardon tMatures a pond and waterfall with the back- yard garden accessible by an arch- way adorned with colourful clema- tis. The tour includod 10 gardons. Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Big pay hike for Halton politician By JASON MISNER The Champion Halton politicians have voted them- selves a whoppmng pay hike, but in doing so gave up their one-third tax-free status. On Wednesday, regional council approved a cit- izen advisory committee recommendation that the salaries of the chair and counicillors increase to match those in similar positions in other Ontario municipalities. Effective January 1, 2004, the regional chair's salary will go from $82,591 to $ 139,277. That rep- resents an almost 70 per cent increase. It must be noted, though, the salary is now wholly taxable. Councillors will earn $35,135 - ail taxable - up from $2 1,689, representing a more than 60 per cent hike. However, Tom Clark, Haltons director of human resources, said if's difficult to calculate a proper percentage increase between the current salaries and the impending January 1 salaries. He said the eamnings were decided to ensure there wasnt a large discrepancy between the two net incomes. Mr. Clark noted the new salaries will see more income taxes paid and more money paid into pension plans. Salaries were last reviewed seven years ago and the last substantial pay increase was in 1988. Halton operates under what's called a two-tier govenmnent system, with some politicians serving regionally as well as locally, such as Milton. The eight-person advisory committee, struck in the spring, was comprised of two citizens from each of Halton's four municipalities. With help from a consultant, they looked at a host of issues includmng salaries, workload and the roles and responsibilities of politicians. Regional politîcians say they're satisfied with the results, not because of the pay hikes but because of the open proceas used in making the decision. WVhile some residents may raise an eyebrow at a salary increase, Regional Chair Joyce Savolmne said: I think it's an awkward situation to deal with (our) salaries, and I'm sure some will look at it in awe. "But 1 think that it is a very transparent process we went through, and 1 believe they (committee ,soe PAV on page 5 2003 Pontiac Sunt Ire 0 FINANCINO SSdan SL 0 %10Up mo 60mes. 0.A.C. MM CASH *g PURCHASE OS U OR LEASE $ 78 /iu+ TAXES 48 tkMUN k. FEATURES:- 0 2.21, 140 Hp Ecotec Engins * Theft dteront systoin e Air bags 0 60/40 Spli folding rear seat " C60 Air Condltiening " MXO (Aulomallc Transmission) Isc. Comment ......6 5-Day Weather... 9 Datolns ....... 13 Classified.22-24 eTuesday, JuIy 15 a *Pizza Hur * eCliaile RlWhbUeyu * eHeurt & Stroke Foundatlen *e Speilmarr *e Ashroy Sloop Centre* 0Swlss Chaler* *Selected areas only L- See page 3 1 1 î 1