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16 December 1 Controversial trade centre ‘unapproved concept’: mayor was no public outcry against it until late into the municipal campaign. when now Mayor lustin Altmann voiced his opposition to it. He would prefer it be constructed in Gormley. ln lune. Altmann posted a You'Dube video in which he claimed 400 trucks a day Would come down Main Street into the trade cen- l-rum page 14. Ire. 'lWicc in the video. he referred to the project as an “all-Asian trade centre". Shortly after being elected, Altmann defended his comments to The Sun-'Ih'bune stating: "I wasn’t being prejudiced against a race." ‘ “Asian trade centre, that's the culture that is what they said was coming. It's straight fact." he said. “'l‘his proposed development does not have any approved status. The consider- ation of the North American 'I‘rade (lentre on Main Street is in its infancy and at this time represents nothing more than a concept." Altmann said in a media release issued by the town this month. Former mayor limmerson visich Yiwu. China in lune. as part of a (ETA delegation. to check out its trading centre. which the Stouffville one is modeled after. although on a much smaller scale. Paul (Ialandra, MP for Oak Ridges- Markham and a Stoutfviiio"resident. noted his opposition to the project on Facobook. writing in part: “(It) will negatively impact the town's ability to attract new business." The Yiwu Futian Market is 3.6 million square feet in size and has more than 50,000 daily visitors. Market goods. which include everything from toys to cosmetics, sports equipment to sewing thread. are sold to more than 140 countries. according to its‘website. ‘Asian trade centre, that’s the culturv that is what they said was coming. It's straightfart.’ Get: this coupon and more at: www.sove.ca flyers. coupons. deals. EIOV€.CO Maln Street stores win fresh look In North American contest Forty~two Main Street business exteriors were re~painted thanks to the Bettjumin Moore Paint What Matters project this mm- The businesses were located between the gazebo and Park Drive. Stouffville was one of three (Zunudiun cities -â€" 20 across North America ~â€"râ€" t‘hosen through the Main Street Matters contest. Benjamin Munro prm'idvd the paint and supplies needed for (he fag‘udvs. purrhvs’. railings. shutters and other exterior building trims and its colour experts consulted on the best choices to enhance the architectural style, regional influences and historic refer- ences in each communitv. Main Street's cgflnur pulcm‘ was taken from Benjamin Moore's heritage collection. The facelifts got underway in early lune and were finished up in time for thv Straw- berry Festival. A number of the businesses hired paintâ€" ers to re-do the rest of their exteriors. The two other winning Canadian cigivs were Penticton and Halifax. with files from [I'm Mason