THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2003 THE NEW TANNER 3 GRAPEVINE Plaza plans Looks like there are some major changes in the works that will affect both the old and new IGA plazas in Acton. Kentucky Fried Chicken is reportedly moving to the new plaza in Acton East, to the last existing vacant unit, and an- other plaza tenant may relocate to KFCs current store. A video store, a national hairdressing chain and wom- ens exercise business Curves for Women have also inked deals and will move into the units now under construc- tion in Acton East. The plaza developer hopes to have those seven units open by spring, depending on the weather. Numbers growing Acton assessment fighter Lou Bonnette sure struck a chord with some local prop- erty owners with his questions, concerns and com- plaints about the most recent province-wide property re-as- sessment and its possible impact on tax bills. After a recent editorial and story in The New Tanner about some huge assessment in- creases in Acton, Bonnette has heard from about 25 people with similar concerns. I hope to have a meeting and get someone a little brighter and more capable to carry the mantle. We would also like to get a Web site go- ing and want volunteers, Bonnette said, adding he hopes a non-political support group will evolve from the contacts. There are some hard luck stories out there Ive spoken to five or six old age pension- ers who see this as a threat they feel scared and are so re- lieved that a group is forming, Bonnette said, invit- ing people to call him at 853-1816. Blah beaters Although at this point it doesnt look like there will be an orchestrated Acton celebra- tion for Lighten Up Canada Day next month, many people, including Actons Jack Car- penter, will be wearing red noses in an attempt to stave off the February blahs. More than a decade ago, Carpenters comment on his radio show about the need to lighten up on February 6 the day to honour St. Jacques, the patron saint of humour, led to a silly campaign of people wearing red noses, and in fact in the early 1990s, Acton had the longest line of people wearing red noses in Canada. Carpenter hopes the Town will run its Lighten Up Canada Day flag up the flagpole at the Civic Centre for February 6 and he plans to celebrate with a joke, an eggnog and brandy and a red nose. Champion saved Congrats to the Rotary Club of Acton which has agreed to takeover the Acton Commu- nity Champion program, designed to give public thanks and recognition to those who make Acton a nicer place to live. Although the program has been dormant since last spring, when the Rotary Club of Ac- ton learned the initial organizers were looking for someone, or a group, to take over, it unanimously decided to offer its help. I suggested that it would be a good fit with (Rotarys) Citi- zen of the Year, because we get an awful lot of nominations for Citizens who dont get recog- nized and maybe some of the nominated people would fit in well with the Community Champion, Rotarian Doug Fread said on Friday. Caregiver services The focus is on home childcare providers this month at both branches of the Halton Hills library. At the Acton library staff has set up displays of materi- als books and videos that the library has to offer caregivers. In the past, the library has offered services to caregivers, showing them how to run pro- grams like the librarys popular story time sessions, in their own home. Peewee tourney Organizers are hoping as many as 24 Peewee hockey teams from across the prov- ince will register to play in the 33rd annual Acton House League Hockey Peewee tour- ney, slated for Acton arena on the first weekend of February. Billed as the oldest Peewee tournament in Ontario, the event will feature fast-paced hockey played in three divi- sions with championship trophies, skill competitions, a bake sale, Toonie toss and sales of hockey memorabilia. Garden Parody David Hobson is on tap as the first guest speaker of the new year for Acton Horticul- tural Societys January 21st meeting. Hobsons topic is Tips and Tails, a humorous parody on gardening. The meeting is being held at Knox Presbyterian Church, 44 Main St. N. at 7:30pm. Eve- ryones welcome. A letter demanding a $30 late payment fee for an un- paid Highway 407 toll charge that he did not owe was the end for Actons Robert Keating. When yet another 407 toll bill arrived, after Keating had been told seven times that the error had been fixed, he threatened legal action, and that apparently did the trick. Keatings fight with 407 officials began in October when a bill for $8.14 arrived at his Brock Street home, charging him for a for a trip on the 407 that he did not take. An investigation by 407 officials determined the last two letters of his trucks li- cence plate had been transposed and he was being billed in error. I was told numerous times that the error had been taken off the computer, yet the bills kept coming, Keating said on Friday, adding even after he received a letter apologiz- ing for how long it had taken to remedy the error, another bill arrived. I phoned them, I e-mailed them and the bills kept com- ing so I finally said if I got one more bill I was going to a lawyer and charge them with harassment, Keating said, wondering how many other people had similar problems and couldnt get them resolved. They even sent me a pic- ture of the licence plate on a Dodge pickup truck, so I went out with my digital cam- era and took a picture of my licence plate on my Chev truck and sent it to them, but the bills kept coming, Keating said, including one that said his account was be- ing sent to a collection agency and he would be charged an additional $30 late fee. It was just ridiculous. I wasted a lot of time and en- ergy to get this straightened out and the 407 people wasted a lot of time and money sending me bills and harassing me to pay, Keating said, adding if the bills hadnt stopped, he would have contacted a law- yer to file a class action suit against the 407 over the $30 late payment fee. St. Joseph Catholic School celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and a community Open House is being planned for Wednes- day. March 19. If you have photos or memories of being a stu- dent, parent or staff member at St. Joes, you can help! Jot your memo- ries down or put your name and address on the back of photos and send them to: Anniversary Committee, St. Joseph Catholic School, 147 Mill Street West, Ac- ton, L7J 1G7. Or drop them by. Well be glad to see you! Further details will be available closer to the date. Acton Market Place Plaza 372 Queen St. E. ~ 853-1960 Open 7 Days A Week (except Holidays) cton Christians of Acton ( whatever church you belong to or dont belong to) You are invited to the annual meeting of the Clans It is the Acton Ministerial Associations tenth annual gathering at the Canadian Legion ( yes were turning the Legion into a Church) to Pray for Christian Unity , this Sunday, January 19, 2003 at 10:30 am. The Children are invited to a Special Celebration at the nearby St. Josephs School at 10:15 a.m. for puppets, games, music, fun, stories etc. with (of all people) The Rubber Chicken Company. St. Joes look for alumni 407 bills drive Acton man to threat TOLL TAKES TOLL: Two transposed letters on his licence plate caused Acton resident Robert Keating months of frustration and aggravation as he tried to convince operators of the 407 that it wasnt his car using the highway and wracking up unpaid fees. Keatings threat of legal action against 407 ETR finally stopped the bills. Frances Niblock photo Planning a Super Bowl Party? We are your ONE STOP SHOPfor all of yourparty food favourites