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Hall of Famer Cliff Thorburn wins Legion Pro/Am title. Viewpoint You said it Next Level Theatre production resurrects old hero. Lifestyle Classified lcanada.«â€"com| WATERLOO CHRONICLE WHAT‘S INSIDE Gemin: Motors Limifed 26 Manitou Drive, Kitchener 5198942050 Saab of Kitchener Waterioo 663 Victoria St. N. 744â€"5811 Waterloo Home Products® *Selected Distribution SUorsk. RTTH E: Page 18 Page 22 27 11 The Kitchenerâ€"Waterloo chapter of the Taoist Tai Chi Society of Canada held an open house Saturday to spread the word about the benefits of practising the ancient Chinese exercise. Society member Denise Paquette (right) and local chapter leader Lawrie Carter gave visitors a demonstration during the open house. Beginner classes start this month and next. For information, call 884â€"8801. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2002 + WATERLOO, ONTARIO @10 |=2 Sharing the benefits of Tai Chi Serving your community since 1856 47 THOVFAI DEBORAH CRANDALL PHOTO $1 INCLUDING GST Council approves 3.4â€"perâ€"cent tax hike ne word describes Coun. Morty Taylor‘s opinion of the city of Waterloo‘s 2002 operating budget. Disappointed. "I felt we could have sharpened our pens in some areas," said the chair of the city‘s finance committee. "But I guess council met me halfway." Waterloo council approved a 3.43â€" perâ€"cent tax increase Monday night; indicative of about a $20 rate increase for the average Waterloo household in the coming year. Prior to final deliberations, Taylor stated in his eyes an increase of more than 2.9 per cent would be unacceptable. "We need to put the brakes on this year," he said. And council did, to a degree. At the beginning of the night, the group was staring down the barrel of a 5.12â€"perâ€"cent increase. But after making some tough choices, including not to hire any additional staff this year, with the exception of four more firefighters, its was able to whittle the figâ€" ure down just above three per cent. "We shouldn‘t have made any new appointments," Taylor said. "When in lean times, and we are in lean times, it strikes me to be a little more frugal. "We should be spending taxpayers money as if we are spending our own." But Mayor Lynne Woolstencroft felt a few more staff additions could have been made to enhance quality and service to the city‘s residents. "Improving library service is a chronic cry from this community," she said, referring to council‘s decision not to increase staff at the local facility. "In order to do so, we must have staff and resources." She also said the addition of a properâ€" ty standards officer would have been a great asset, especially in student neighâ€" bourhoods. Yet that request also was denied. "Our university students are a tremendous resource to this communiâ€" ty," she said. "It behooves us to protect them. "When I look at some of the largeâ€" Continued on page 4 By Anprea Bamey Chronicle Staff