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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, December 4, 2014 | 16 Halton Highlights 2014 What we have achieved together: a look back In 2014, Halton Region celebrated its 40th anniversary. Looking back, we have much to celebrate. Halton is the safest regional municipality in Canada. Residents consistently tell us how much they like living in Halton, with 99 per cent rating the overall quality of life here as very high. Over the past two terms we have maintained a strong, sustainable financial position, including our AAA credit rating, while minimizing the impact on you, the taxpayer. In fact, over the past eight years, we have had a zero per cent average tax increase for Regional services. As Regional Council embarks on its new term of Council, I am very proud to look back at what we've achieved together. We have taken a progressive, long-term approach to planning. During 2011-2016, Halton Region will invest more than $2 billion in water, wastewater and transportation infrastructure. Halton's Regional Official Plan outlines the Region's approved policy for development and growth and includes a number of policies ranging from the establishment of urban area boundaries to accommodate growth and protect farmland to the building of healthy, complete and sustainable communities. Through our innovative waste management programs, including Blue Box, Green Cart and reduced garbage bag limit, we continue to divert waste away from the landfill site, extending its life to 2044 and saving taxpayers $15 million. Our 10-year Economic Development Strategy is on track and already yielding impressive results including new investment attraction and employment land development. According to Halton's most recent economic update, the region's unemployment rate in the second quarter of this year (April-June) was 4 per cent ­ significantly below the region's five year average unemployment rate of 5.5 per cent. December Keeping you informed by highlighting what makes Halton a great place to live. Gary Carr, Regional Chair Citizens' Reference Panel Halton Region is once again holding a Civic Lottery to find 36 local residents to form a Citizens' Reference Panel. Panel members will help determine which issues, services and programs matter most to the people who live and work in Halton. Their insights, along with input from the broader community, will help the newly elected Regional Council develop a strategic work plan and set out priorities for the next four-year term. This month 10,000 letters were delivered to randomly selected households in the City of Burlington, the Town of Halton Hills, the Town of Milton and the Town of Oakville. Eligible candidates who receive the invitation can put their name forward for the Civic Lottery. The invitation can also be transferred to other members of the household. The 36 Panellists will be randomly drawn from among the respondents on January 8, 2015. The deadline for eligible candidates to enter the Civic Lottery is January 7, 2015. To learn more, visit Halton.ca/panel or dial 311. And since 2007, Halton has created 894 new assisted housing units, helping to provide housing supports to address the needs of low income residents. We have also led strong advocacy campaigns on a number of key issues, including work with the provincial government to ensure they fulfill their cost sharing obligations and create real and affordable housing solutions. This past term has seen the launch of new social media channels making it easy to connect with the Region: our new Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn channels provide information about Regional programs, services, events, emergency updates and more. Take a moment to engage with us! Visit Halton.ca/socialmedia to connect. These are just a few examples of significant accomplishments over the past eight years. I look forward to working with you to continue the great progress we have made in making Halton Region a great place to live, work, raise a family, and retire. INCREASE IN AFFORDABLE/ ASSISTED HOUSING UNITS SINCE 2007 894 Strategic Action Plan Halton Region has prepared a draft Strategic Action Plan to serve as a starting point for the Citizen's Reference Panel. The draft document will guide the discussion and assist in the development of a plan that includes specific, measurable actions that can be implemented over the next four years. To review and comment on the consultation paper, visit Halton.ca/actionplan. 1151 Bronte Rd., Oakville, L6M 3L1 December 9 9:30 a.m. December 10 9:30 a.m. December 10 1:30 p.m. December 17 9:30 a.m. December 24 - January 5 Meetings at Halton Region Meetings can be viewed at Halton.ca/meetings. Health & Social Services Committee Planning & Public Works Committee Administration & Finance Committee Regional Council Meeting Offices closed for Holidays Please contact us as soon as possible if you have any accessibility needs at Halton Region events or meetings. This page has been donated by this newspaper to communicate important information to Halton residents at no cost to taxpayers.