,,ý4stReal Estate See what's ~f7(OflIsid SPORTS M~add Dawqs Page 21 COMMUNITY Cabbie retires Page 8 Briiosmul à T ibis t A METROLANO COMMUN ITY NEWSPAPER VOL.145 NO.il TUESOAY, APRIL 20, 20G4 $1.00 (GST included) 52 PAGES "Using Communication to Build Better Communities" Awards gala a night to remember The receléat et - urday< nWW M Communlty Awards - -u* h0W#ês owde. hwuwe mas<ck fow, frm Mt) Of~ ~ - l'am*,4M 0 td oSphon EUi of Bofl - *c uk" ~ ~thyu, 25 enpkpyssor w- mI em of Memr and Wm«.er Ssns.p.rson of U. Yu'; Bse Mo0oe of Momuêtg in. qupy.r VolunWer Mmbu« of e» 1r.«M oo Im-w fphbrty SBooo=k Mdi Hoi tOW*k, f«W* Awrd; VMm n Augoo DeMmoiI of mato Km"o Hbo*mr Builn COfftc, Susie. of t Veu, 26 MVÇWM O Il; e C"Meoeo. f MoMa*ulng Mec., »««o h Yaur The. w«d evunt was put on ythemkrOËnnChmairfConxame rnsRd GO# Phooby JIU KITCHENER Bill Mercer along with Home Hardware and Brookville Veterinary Clinic get business honours By STEPHANIE THIESSEN The Champion Biii Mercer was ail smiles after it was announced he had been named the Businessperson of the Year Saturday night at the Milton Chamber of Commerce's 2003 Community Awards gala. "To be namned Businessperson of the Year is an honour that does- n't bappen because of one person," Mr. Mercer said in his accept- ance speech. "Many people have contributed t0 my persona] growth and success." He went on to thank his wife, Leslie, bis colleagues and clients. "Ive hopefully contributed to their growth," he said of bis clients, "but they've contributed t0 my growth as an individual." Although there was no red carpet, the event - held at Granite Ridge Golf Club - was everytbing the word 'gala' brings to mimd, with a sparkling ice sculpture, elegant floral centrepieces and men and women bedecked in their fmneat. Mn. Mercer owns Mercer and Mercer, a local accounting firmn started in 1976. He bas served on the board of CGA Ontario, and as president of CGA Canada. "He builda relationships of trust and respect witb bis clients," said Father Mark Curtis, the evening's emecee. "He especially enjoys belping bis clients succeed." The two other winners announced at the gala were Milton Home Hardware, winning Business of the Year (26 employees or more), and Brookville Veterinary Cîiei, named Busmness of the Year (25 employees or less). As be accepted bis award, Angelo DeMedicis, owner of Milton Home Hardware, spoke of thse store's journey. It firat opened on Main Street, then moved to Milton Mall, and then to Steeles Avenue wbere it is now. Mr. DeMedicis took it over two years ago and sald it bas been a great invesunent in a great town. He spoke of the drive be bas to make the store thse best it can be in preparation for coming com- petition. "I knew Canadian Tire and Wal-Mart were coîning and 1 knew 1 esee AWARD on page 5 Wnsde Cornent ...............6 Champion Countr.. 13-16 Datoline ...............18 Classfled ..........23-25