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A12 - Champion Country, Tuesday, March 21, 2006 Day stili enjoys local conservation areas today ý îhem1ý WHAï onfj page A% i conservation colleagues, if hc would sell the land if the authority let him continue to live on it. Within a week they had a deal. In 1961, the Sixteen-Mile Creek authority paid about $40,000 for the Alexander land. A $325,000 water control dam was erected a few years later. Today, Kelso, named for a village in the vicinity, is a 400-hectare (1,000-acre) area that boasts extensive hiking trails, water sports on a man-made lake, the Halton Region Museum and is home to the Glen Eden Ski and Snowboard Centre. Day noted Alexander never got to fulfill bis desire to live out bis days on the Kelso land. He went on a world tour. Eventually he fell ill and ended up living at the old Milton Manor retirement home. That was on the recommendation of Day who, ironically, worked for the seniors' residence from 1971 to 1978. their 80-hectare (200-acre) property for $45,000, which became the Hilton Falls Conservation Area, located just west of Kelso and north of Hwy. 401. Hilton Falls now constitutes 645 hectares (1,600 acres). Day was also present for the historic inaugural meeting of the newly-formed Sixteen-Mile Creek Conservation Authority on January 18, 1957. He was its first secretary. At the time, he was just two years into a 15-year run as a town councillor in Oakville. He became the authoritys vice-chair in 1963. The Sixteen-Mile Creek Conservation Authority was cre- ated by representatives from the municipalities of Oakville, Trafalgar, Milton and Esquesing (Halton Hills). It bas changed names over the years to the Halton Conservation Authority - with the amalgamation of the Sixteen-Mile and 12-Mile authorities in 1964 - then the Halton Region 1 t I - I -~ + Spectacular DIning Rooms, Sofas & Chairs + Gorgeous Pictures, Lamps & Mirrors + Wondrous Table Decor & Bed Unens + Awesome Accessorles & oluts TWO LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU CH). He looks back proudly on what the authority accom- >lished and what it offers residents today. "1 think it has dorie very well. Its certainly expanded a lot. t has served its purpose. A lot of the private lands they've aken over would have had (commercial) buildings on them otherwise)," he noted. In 1999, Day was recognized for his environmental efforts by being presented with the Ralph Sherwood Conservation Award by CH. The director of communications and services for CH auded the actions of Day and his peers. "Those are probably two of the most significant property acquisitions we've ever made," Gary Hutton said of Kelso nd Hilton Falls. "Allan and the people he worked with had great foresight to acquire these lands. They benefit many people and will for generations. They are a significant part of he Niagara Escarpment and the current Greenbelt." These days, despite his advanced age, Day is still active. In his mid-eighties, he guided a group of seniors from the U.S. on a walking tour of Crawford Lake Conservation Area. He topped driving voluntarily at 90 - "1 figured it was time to get out while I was ahead" - but continues walking around town and heading out to the conservation areas when he can. A quadruple heart bypass in the early 1970s forced a change in eating habits and hes had no serious physical com- plications since. "Kelso is the one I go to mostly, also Rattlesnake Point and Mount Nemo. I just like the hiking and to see the Halton Region Museum," he said of his favourite walking sites and nature haunts. He's also pleased with Paletta lakefront Park, the former McNichol Estate situated on the south side of Lakeshore Road in Burlington, between Walker's and Appleby lines. "We could have bought it in the 1960s but we didn't have the money As a conservation area we couldn't afford it. It just sat there until the city bought it. Its a nice area... You would- n't know that its in a city" Besides being living local history Day bas preserved doc- uments and reminiscences of his time in public life. He notes he almost threw them away but his daughter, Diane Leblovic, convinced him to keep them. What he bas kept over the decades is three separate albums devoted to his time on the conservation authority, Oakville town council and county council, the latter the precursor to regional council. Day served on county council from 1965 to 1970. He was its warden, akin to today's regional chair position held by Joyce Savoline, in 1970. That year he lost to McLean (Mac) Anderson in a bid to become mayor of Oakville. For his part, Day said life was difficult following the death of his wife in 1973, however, "I've enjoyed my whole life, no regrets whatsoever." a good beginning never ends New Village classes! Newborn - 18 months Call Music and Me 905-875-6867 November 13, 2006 is Municipal Election Day in Milton VOTE FOR CHANGE Your Ward One Municipal Candidate KEVIN BRACKLEY "A voice to be Heard" "Au Voix de en Voix de en Manchette" "The people of Ward One will not serve the Councillor, This Councillor will serve the people." I would appreciate Ward One constituents to submit your comments and concerns for change. Nous Sommes tojours disponibles pour repondre a vos questions. E-mail brackley@sympatico.ca www.votebrackley.com Telephone 905-690-7687 Il m