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Mayor forecasts more economic development in 201 0 , By Melanie Hennessey CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF 2010 will see Multons economie develop- ment continue at a strong pace, according to Mayor Gord Krantz. The bead of town council recently sat down witb the Chtampion to look into bis crystal bail and give bis predictions for the coming year in Canada-,j fastest-growing community. Krantz said Milton led the region this year when it came to new - ICIdeivopmectan be sees tha (InIdustrilcommerci an cstta trend continuing next year as well. "We've been very aggressive when it comes to shaking the bush- es and telling businesses and indi- Gord viduals to have a look at us," be said. A recent Town staff budget presentation indicated that Milton secured about 500,000 square feet of new ICI developmnent in 2009 and is expected to surpass thai number next year at an estimated 750,000 square feet. Witb the econumy still on the mend, the mayor said be anticipates residential devel- opinent xviii continue at a bit of a slowxer pace than in past years. And while there are somne residents wbo wish growrb would stop altogether, Krantz said he doesn't think that will come truc. "The Province bas already legislated growtb in the Places to Grow plan. Growtb is going to happen," he said. "Stopping devel- opment would have a dramatie financial impact on the community We're geared up K with infrastructure projects and we need development charges to support them." Krantz applauded the Province for the stimulus lunds its given the Town tu help advance some major projects, like the arts and entertainmrent centre, Milton Sports Centre expansion and ncw central library Work on the facilities must bc completed by Marcb 31, 2011 under stimulus lundtng ruirs. "Wc ve got our work cut ouit for us on some of those prcojects," S Krantz noted. Wbîle there is also $32 million of S roadwork planned for next year, the ma> or said he tbinks traffic will continue to be an issue in Milton. "It's been an issue for 10 years rantz now In a growing community, its a reality,- he said. "You're just not going to escape traffic. Public transit is the only solu- tion.,, Town council recently approved some transit improvements in the 2010 budget, including a bigb sebool tripper programn that's catered to afternoon sebool bell times and bigbcr frequency service levels on prime tranlstt rmutces Wbile a tax increase of 3.24 pcr cent bas already been set for 2010, Krantz said he hopes the 2011 budget, whicb will be approved next year, will keep the tax increase dlown around the rate of inflation. He added that leading up to the municipal election on October 25, voters sbould ask al candidates wbat their position is on tax inr'reaqe, The mayor predtcted tbe election will lKrantz, who lias been on councio sinceCD~ bring at least three or four new faces to the 1965 and beld the mayors seat since 1980, council table, particularly since changes to municipal ward boundaries could sec some current councillors running against each other for one scat. already announced that he plans to run . again. Melatlie Henrnessev cün bc rcached at mhen - -91 niss> tdmiltoticaoiadiaochainpion. coni SALE IN E4jjL.h IO r s3toaii o s OPEN ptensi i 1to 0 e ý * *DotaIlid Intoçio cI.anlng lndludlng * acuumlng sabt and carpots *CI.anlng glass and Instrummnt panel *Detail floor mats1 *Trsatmmnt of Intorlor, exterlor rubbor and vinyl hlm *CARS, SIJVY5 AND PU(KIJP TRUJCKS CALL SUSAN SILVESTRI OR JASON WILKINSON GORRUD