i 4-The Champion Country, Tuesday, January 25, 2005 Cil 'I Greenbelt plan cornes under fire at roundtable talks Photo by GRAHAM PAINE PC Municipal Affaira Crltic Tim Hudak (leit) and Halton MPP Ted Chudleigh listen to public input during the Halton Region Roundtable on the controversial Greenbelt Plan Thursday afternoon. A map of the much talked about area is ait- uated behind them. Plenty of criticisni qftered býY areafarnîers at mieeting' By MELANIE HENNESSEY The Champion Local farmners had a chance to voice their con- cems about the Province's proposed greenbelt plan 10 local politicians and PC Municipal Affairs Critic Tim Hudak Thursday. At the Ramada Inn. Halton MPP Ted Chudleigli andi W a t e r 1 o o Wellington MPP Ted Arnott joled "If farmers are going to be Mr. Hudak for a roundtable dis legislated as 2lst-century cussion on the serfs, it's incumbent upon draft legisiation that has many the government to ensure area farmiers Up in that farming in the armis about the lack of public greenWet remains viable." consultation, potential effects la NID.EI on property val- ues and more. The plan aims t0 create a permnanent countryside in the Golden Horseshoe region, swathing througb Halton. It would encompass the Ntagara Escarpment Plan and Oak Ridges Moratne Conservation Plan and also protect natural abutting features. covering about 1.8-million acres from Niagara Falls to Peterborough. Mr. Chudleigh said the local agricultural industry is going to be hit hard by the poor planning of tIhe greenbelt. "'Already farmers are seeing reductions in their financial bor- rowing power, as thse value of their tand is in question," he said. *see FARMERS on page 17 I I FREE SALT!w (FPI«ve 801b. bags) and FREE INSTALLATION r When you buy a Culiliga-Cn Wavâter Softener (a $200 value) 623 MAIN ST, EAST, MILTON (905) 878m2474