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l WATERLOQCHRONICLE Uptown i panhandling i, problems n continue I police crackdown may not be A:th answer to a growing pan- andting problem in Waterloo's uptown core. despite a call for better enforcement from the local business community: Organizers of the local Out of the Cold program at First United Church, as well as the Waterloo Regional Police Service, said it will take a wider community effort to solve the prob- lem of aggressive panhandlers by changing how they offer help to the homeless. Mike Savage who runs the overnight shelter for the homeless at First United Church every Friday night during the cold winter months, said most of the people he sees pan- handling in the core aren't the same ones that come to the church for a meal and some rest. And there are more new faces coming in all the time. as the program bursts at the seams with another dou, ble-digit increase in the number of people using the service. "There is a hardcore group that we see every year but that's less than 10 people when I feed more than 100 people every night, and sleep 50 or 60 or more this winter." said Savage "When we meet our guyddowrr [own not too many pcople are pan- handling. "The panharodlers who hit me " for change aren'l our gucstrc $0 olwi, ously policing is not the answer even though a few (persons') sensibilities have heen hurt." lt also quickly separates the person who is really in need from the pcrsnn iust out thcre to make mmuy Savage suggests dealing with peo- ple in need like he does when he encounters them on the street. Instead of offering them money, he offers them bus passes or coupons to local rvstauranls. Ws something tangihle and some- thing redeemable, so there are no qualms about where the money is going. "lust in say it is "w homi.iess pan- handling is incorrect." said Savage BY BOB “mum _t 1tr_ortirefttttL Continued on page 4 Council satisfied with 10.45 per cent tax hike At Monday's finance and strategic planning committee meeting, council unveiled the preliminary budget _- the highest municipal tax increase in Water- loo Region this year, "However. w? have wifrked diligently and w? haw Como down from fan incrcase of) 26 per whopping I0.45 per cent tax Ai?':':',?),':, could have Water- 00 taxpayers reaching deep imo their wallets. "Right now we're talking about a 10.45 per cent increase and I am nnt happy with that increase." said Waterloo Mayor Herb EPP. WEDNESDAY. APRIL 7, 2004 0 WATERLUU, ONTARIO Karen Dillabaugh, a member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority. helbed sell daffodils in support of the Canadi- an Cancer Society's Daffodil Days fundraising event, Saturday morning at the Zehrs store at Beechwood Plaza in Waterloia By ham Mlnnumm For the Chronicle Seruingyour community since 1856 cent, and I think we've made major strides forward with the budget." "All things told. I think 10pm com is a wry responsible num- lu-L" commented Coun. Ian d'Ail- ly, who is also the rily's chair of finance. The average household could so? an increase of S67.43 on the municipal portion of their tax hill. A house with an assed value of $61000 in 2003 is considered average. Kitchener residents face a 4.84- trer-cent municipal tax increase. while Cambridge residents could sor- a 2.79 per rem increase. Despite the tax increase. Waterloo still maintains the low, Daffodil Days $1 INCLUDING GST est property lax of any city in the region. An average home in Waterloo will pay S712. compared to kitclr t'ner residents who pay $796 and Cambridge residents who pay $788, The budget will address key areas such as the financial impact frmn operating RIM Park. stabiliz- ing reserves and reserve funds. and maintaining service levels In Fehruary council discovered RIM Park was running with an operating cost of $3.5 million per year compared In the originally planned SH.2 million per year. "This is a very resportsiltlt' bud Continued on page 4 ANDREA IA>lEY NOTE: Wiiff’. sum Local Athlete of the Year nominees named. Win ner to be announced at Apri126 event. Viewpoingr Arts Calendar Obituaries Classified WHAT'S INSIDE l ,. .' is' ;.3B§AR¥ QPDRTS Page 23 20 29