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By MELANIE HENNESSEY The Champion Local residents and dignitaries celebrat- ed the 2Oth anniversary of the Niagara Escarpment Plan Thursday. The miflestone of Canada's ftrst large- scale environental plan was marked at Country Heritage Park, with several provincial politicians taking the stage to extend their congratulations. The plan that's designed to strike a bal- ance between development, preservation and things like recreation and tourism was * adopted by the Ontario legislature June 12, 1985. * Normn Sterling, a former secretary for resource development and current Lanark- Carleton MPP, recalled for the large crowd the trials and tribulations of getting the plan put together and approved. He said the plan was first unveiled in Burlington in 1984, but was sent back to the drawing board because it would've 'emasculated" the Niagara Escarpment Commission. Just sbortly before the govemrment cbanged from, Conservative to Liberal in 1985. Mr. Sterling said be pusbed to get tbe plan througb for fear that it would faîl by the wayside. -l tbink it was one of our (the Conservatives) greatest coviroomental achievements," be said. calling it the crowning and best last effort of bis party. He summed up by saying, -God bless the escarpmnent. Let's keep it as pristine as we can as we go forward.- Minister of Natural Resources David Ramsay also attended the event and remi- nisced about bis younger days wben he used to ride bis bike to Rattlesnake Point on tbe Niagara Escarpment. He said be could only imagine wbat would've bappened to the escarpmnent if those ftrst steps to implement the plan bad- n't been taken. "The concept of protecting the escarp- ment througbout this great province of ours is sbared by A tbree political panties," be emnpbasized, adding it's also an idea that the people of Ontario sbare. He noted that tbe Niagara Escarpmnent Plan is a comnerstone of tbe Province's new greenbelt strategy. Niagara Escarpmnent Commnission chair Don Sentt told The Champion after the ceremony tbat he sees the plan as being not only envimonmentally beneficial, but also economically. 'It (the plan) created a lot of controversy in the beginning. but people are starting to realize the environment is the economny," he said. -Tourismi generates a lot of money."' He noted in the future. tbe plan will "1probably bave more green in it." like larg- er natural areas. 1-e empbasized tbat on tbe escarpmnent. "Farmers need the land and vintniers need the land. You can put the subdivisions somnewbere eIse.- The escarpmnent spans 725 kilomnetres and encompasses everytbing from. lime- stone cliffs and tèrests to fannland and parks. For more information on the plan s isit wvww.escarpiment.org. Melaffie Hennesses' can be reached ai .niheo.iessev@(ýmiltonc(aniadianc(hamepioni.c 001l. 2Oth anniversary of 1V , à k Plc .r Àel' r", The Ontario Fire Code requires that every home have working smoke alarms. Instali them In your home or cottage today! Fia,Jne1t 10 am uni n MILTON has openings for the following positions: Full Time Driver/ Yard Personnel Full Time/ Part Time Yard Personnel Please drop resume off at address below Attention Ian McKenzîe No Phone Calis Please * 7M Main Streut Eut, Mlii. Store Heurs 'S905-878-8171 =mb.ýu: * MILTON LOCATION ONLY. Inventory Cul- -,ndor'.Çalem. MEMBERS SAVE ON: drapery sheers, voiles, organzas, embroidereds, drapery & uphol- stery solids prints, jacquards, stripes, checks, plus: hardware, beddinq, Lix Claiborne Home Collection, J rendy-to-hang panels & more! 0 R BETTEROR a OFF Our Orîginal Prices ON OUR ENTIRE REGULAR STOCK OF HOME DECOR FABRIC & HARDWARE 50% off origiiial price offer valid for Menibers orily. specific dates orily. in-stock merchandise offly. exclýiding promotional. Sorry. no special orders. Sale goods sold as-is. All sales final. ,Not il 'Mill 1m ust fýÀ il% ilholli il. Mennwhile, f rom June 13-26, Non-Members Save 50% Off Our Original Prices on our entire regulur stock of FASHION, BASIC & CRAFT FABRIC! Jl 1Ira ý@J i LJ 12. à ÏM id 547 Main St. E. MILTON 878@09311 The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, June 14, 2005 - Ag Instail "The business that considers itself immune to the Snioke ~ r;;, , i j MtsTh aw. immune to business." I Derby Bruw ,~4~enlor'si