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When I look back over 2016, I can‘t help but be 1 grateful that the Champion newsroom has welcomed me back after my sixâ€"year hiatus as a stayâ€"athome mom, but I‘m also very thankâ€" â€"ful that I‘ve been given the opportunity to serve as a trusted news source once again for the everâ€"growing, vibrant Milton community. ally lively start as rural residents showed up council‘s approval of a uniform tax rate. filled with a sense of gratitude. Not only am | At Town Hall, the year got off to an unusuâ€" | en masse to budget deliberations to protest | Melanie Hennessey Champion Reporter The phase out of the separate urbar tax levy had rural residents seeing red, with many of them making their thoughts knovn during hours of delegations to council. But in the end, council upheld its original polarizing decision. As | began covering the plight of Milton‘s Trilâ€" lium Demonstration School in March, I develâ€" oped somewhat of an unexpected personal | it has no plans to close the school, but parâ€" attachment to the cause as | watched parents rally to keep the muchâ€"needed school‘s doors open for kids with severe learning disabilities. While | don‘t have a child who attends this | school, my mother‘s heart couldn‘t help but the best possible schooling option for their YEAR IN REVIEW Reporting on news, events that shape Milton simply gratifying children and were faced with the grim possiâ€" bility that the Province might close the facility to save money. During the summer, the Province announced ents are still concerned that decision may change down the road. Also on the provincial front, | had the unique (and admittedly nerveâ€"wracking) chance to | sit down with Premier Kathleen Wynne when feel for these parents who had finally found | she visited Milton and conduct an interview that was streamed live via the Champion‘s | MILTON CANADIAN CHAMPION | Thursday, December 29, 2016 | 10 § § % s This growing community is home to many inspirational stones @ This sweetheart has made it her mission, through Ari‘s Angels of Hope, toâ€"deliver toys to other chilâ€" dren in hospital. While inspiring stories, like that of Arianna and Ari‘s Angels of Hope, were plentiful, there were just as many sad stories in 2016. In April, Craig Kielburger Secondary School students Dylan Stephenson and Farug Anani, both 17, were killed after a collision that saw the vehicle they were driving burst into flames. Teen tragedies are particuâ€" larly gutâ€"wrenching, and this was no exception. Springtime brought more fame to Milton‘s social media pig. Esther the Wonder Pig‘s first book came out, delighting readers from around the world. Writing of the adventures of havâ€" ing a 650â€"pound pig in their home, Steve Jenkins shared the hilarity and the agonizing difficulties he and his partner faced as they made Esther their beloved pet. Over the summer, | got to interview Ontaris Provincial Police officer Dan | membrance Day feature. Albert | Pyrah vho suffered a careerâ€"altering collision that left him deskâ€"bound. | He openly shared the difficulties he | has ‘faed: since the crash and how he‘s hat‘to adjust and make the best of the situation. Truly amazing. In Sepember, | got to meet a wonâ€" derful group of ladies planning a MiltonDistrict High School reunion. The st«ry.came about thanks to my friend Laurie MacNab, one of Milâ€" ton‘s bggest champions. This yer, | also got to meet one of | Milton‘s oldest war vets for a Reâ€" Waddington is a true gentleman. It was such a pleasure to meet him. My roster of 2016 assignments endâ€" ed with an emotional story about | Candi Brake and her mom Tina, who is doing all she can to ensure her terminallyâ€"ill daughter dies in the comfort of their Milton home. The last I checked, the GoFundMe page set up to support the Brakes had | raised more than $5,400. Thank you to Miltonians for helping this family. Since one of my beats is arts, I once again got to take pleasure in other | people‘s talents and abilities. From Brianna‘s quirky art, to the work of novelist Ron Base and FASM‘s many events, | continue to enjoy learning about this vibrant community and the people who shape it. Milton, thank you for letting me cover your stories each and every week. Wishing you a happy and healthy new year! Eâ€"\A/ ‘4 '_'__Mg f%r RING IN THE 7/£ctou‘a }Oazg }5c/%) Since 1981 Mayor Krantz has continued the tradition that originated in 1967 of ringing in the New Year. Rgsidents and visitors are invited to join Mayor Krantz in Vlctoria Park, next to Town Hall, 150 Mary Street, for a bell ringing and festive gathering to celebrate 2017. i '. ,"“'fi‘fi 71, 2016 at //:%/mx oA #%* Sale ends Monday January 2nd 6pm! Hug theâ€" §|00p Fa(t()rv 238 Main Street, East ® 905.8 2150 Burnhamthorpe R Savings Storewide! MILTON 78.4606 A “"“";‘5".“ 905.542.0481 l s Saturday Jam â€" 6pm * Sunday 11am