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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2014-06-11, Page 5opinion Clinton News Record PUBLISHED WEEKLY — EST. 1860 53 Albert St. P.O. Box 39 Clinton ON NOM 1L0 (519) 482-3443 www.clintonnewsrecord.com SUN MEDIA A Quebecor Media Company el) rio NEIL CLIFFORD Publisher neil.clifford r) sunmedia.ca MAX BICKFORD Advertising Manager max.bickford@sunmedia.ca DAWN JOHNSTON Sales Representative clinton.ads@sunmedia.ca CHRISTY MAIR Front Office clinton.classifieds@sunmedia.ca SUBSCRIPTION RATES 1 YEAR $50.00 (47.62+2.38 GST) 2YEAR $95.00 (90.48+4.52 GST) SENIORS 60 WEEKS $50.00 (47.62+2.38 GST) 120 WEEKS $95.00 (90.48+4.52 GST) Advertising is accepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical error, the advertising space occupied by the erroneous item together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged but that balance of advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. 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This week was no different from any other, until I came upon the opinion of Mr. Barry Devereux appeal- ing for the readers to vote Conservative. Having voted in many elections (I'm very much a senior citizen), his opinion (and I stress we are all entitled to our opinion) I must never the less reply to him. Mr. Devereux, I do not feel I am neither naive, misinformed, (how could I be as each candidate has been bashing all the other parties for weeks now) or incredibly stu- pid as your letter to the editor suggests. We all have opinions, each differs, one of the reasons we live in this wonderful province in this wonderful country we call Canada. With that being said I will add my opinion, I hate it when the candidates are shown on TV or in the papers stressing what all the other parties have done wrong, what their party will do right etc. etc. This is the first year I have ever (with so much trouble) tried to prepare my self to decid- ing who and which party I want elected. Will also add to that by saying this is the first time I can remember not really liking any of their platforms. This I do not feel makes me either misin- formed or naive, it makes wonder what has hap- pened to a candidate standing up and saying, " I will do the best job I can for the people of my riding if elected". Never mind bashing his/her opponent, we the voters know what each party did wrong the last four, eight or 12 years, let them stand on their own platform. We the voters are not stupid, think its time some of the candidates (from top to bottom) realized this. To them I say, "Best of luck" you will need it, also thank you for running; it is what makes us a democratic society. Deanna Payne Bayfield Wednesday, June 11, 2014 • News Record 5 111.111 www.clintonnewsrecord.com i Reader questions the viability of the REACH Centre To the Editor; Once again, I would like to inform Central Huron taxpayers of the disappointing financials at REACH in 2013. I have a copy of the REACH December 2013 financial statements and it reports another loss of $315,926. The total income generated for 2013 was $262,298 - subtract the $12,000 given to REACH from Central Huron taxpayers for management fees, which equals $250,298 actual income. The total wages for 2013 was $309,103. Once again, REACH was short $58,805 from paying their own wages, not to mention paying their lease or expenses. REACH 2013 statements also show a bank loan and payables of $72,404. When the existing council signed the current REACH lease in 2013, they chopped their lease payment in half - from $100,000 per year to $50,000 per year. Councillor Westerhout (also a REACH board member) keeps telling me REACH is doing much better. Their statements show a loss of $367,368 in 2012 and $315,926 in 2013. The only reason I can see they are doing better is because council chopped their lease in half. From information written by the REACH's board chair and general manager, they say that they have had a "fairly successful year': With a loss of $315,926 and more in previous years, I wouldn't consider this a success. In fact, in the private sector, losses like this year after year would probably result in closing the doors and filing bankruptcy. All of current council agreed at the last election all -candidates meeting that REACH needs fixing. If they consider cutting their lease payments in half a fix, I beg to differ. It onlymasks the problem and hides the real facts. REACH doesn't generate enough income to pay their own wages. I was told by the general manager that they rent a facility in 2013 for $600/day. In the original busi- ness plan, it was to rent for $1500/day. Information I obtained off their website in July 2013 states the main arena rents for $150/hour + HST. That would four hours only and considering lots of events are there eight to 10 hours. I would say we are not charging near enough for this facil- ity. Most horse events are also using the outdoor arenas - free I guess. The people using this facility need to start pay- ing a realistic rental fee so the taxpayers of Central Huron aren't paying for them. I am pleased to see that it appears there are more activities going on at REACH but ifthey are not paying sufficient rental fees to cover the wages of the employees, it would be better to have it sit empty. In the Central Huron 2013 statements, they also show a loss in REACH account of $267,069.32 If you consider the fact that if the raceway had not given the $75,000 donation, it would have been $342,069 provided by Central Huron taxpayers. Central Huron gave REACH $239,993 as a donation and also paid $144,433 principle on the building loans, a total of $651,414 or $1785/dayby Central Huron taxpayers. In the beginning, I had faith that this council would honestly do something sensible to fix this mess and the drain on Central Huron taxpayers not to cut REACH's lease payments in half so it doesn't look so bad. I see nowwhere we are also paying for a REACH trail to Hullett Conservation Area and we are expensing this to parks department - $2385. The current council decided to install solar panels on the roof of REACH. In my opinion the purpose was to help pay for a previous bad deci- sion. Two wrongs don't make a right. Last year, Mayor Ginn told us the solar panels would be paid for in three -and -a -half years and then they would make the REACH loan pay- ments. NowI am told itwill be at least four-and-a- halfyears. All I can say is thankyou for contributing to my increasing hydro rates! Carol Dutot LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The News Record welcomes letters to the editor. All letters must be signed and include a daytime phone number for verification purposes. 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