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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2015-12-03, Page 15THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015. PAGE 15. Continued from page 14 be reviewed by the next council, which was elected in the fall of 2014. The Vanastra Day Care is another topic that council has referred to the Administration Committee. Mayor Bernie MacLellan said he strongly feels that the day care could be operated privately or through a co-operative model, while other councillors have spoken up saying that the day care’s importance to the Vanastra community goes beyond dollars and cents. The day care costs the municipality $70,000 per year, $34,000 of which is rent revenue to the Vanastra Recreation Centre. Knight’s report stated that the municipality has a financial obligation to staff currently employed at the day care, should the model be changed to a private or co- operative business. He also pointed out that the ongoing, and sometimes heated, debate regarding the day care is “demoralizing” for the staff and “adversely affects the current and future marketability of the service.” The third and final sector to be referred to the Administration Committee is Huron East’s recreation services. During the service delivery review earlier this fall, there was much discussion surrounding the profitability of the recreation centres. Several councillors acknowledged that usage at the centres is falling, but also recognized that having a community centre with a hockey rink is a service that is expected by municipal residents. MacLellan mentioned the possibility of building a new community centre that would serve the entire Huron East community, rather than continuing to maintain three centres in Brussels, Seaforth and Vanastra. While council has been frustrated year after year that community centres aren’t being able to keep the budgets dictated to them by the municipality, due to declining usage, escalating costs and being asked to bring in a zero-increase budget year after year, some councillors acknowledged that council may be setting unrealistic expectations for the centres and for those paid to run them. In Knight’s comments, he spoke to the importance of citizen expectations on the topic of community centres, saying that residents expect to have recreation options in their communities, not simply one structure to serve a municipality that spans the geographic area Huron East does. He compared it to community fire departments and the citizen expectation that the closest department responds to an emergency, rather than having one department to serve the entire municipality simply because it’s cheaper. Knight did say, however, that a review of the centres’ overall levies may be in order during the 2016 budget process. The three topics of conversation will be addressed at a future meeting of the Administration Committee, which will then be followed by recommendations that will be made to Huron East Council. Committee members will be provided with copies of Knight’s report with council’s comments. Councillors defend community centres in review Specialty Coffees & Espresso Bar 430 Queen St., Blyth 226-523-9720 Wi-Fi access • queensbakery@tcc.on.ca Lunches, Fresh Pie, Buttermilk Biscuits, Cake, Muffins, Cookies & Squares Local Artisan Cheese, Ontario Wines & Craft Beer Licensed (under AGCO) RESERVATIONS 226.523.9720 queensbakery@tcc.on.ca After hours phone: 519-523-4590 or 519-525-8007 QUEEN’S BAKERY SUITES 430 Queen Street 409 QUEEN STREET SUITES 409 Queen Street BLY T H Main Street Accommodations After hours: 519-523-4590 519-525-8007 Call now for your gift baskets or gift certificates Huron Bay Co-operative Inc. Auburn Co-op Auburn • 519-526-7262 Belgrave Co-op Belgrave • 519-357-2711 Ladies’ 100% Polyester Winter Jackets 29" and 35" length Corn Brooms from $1666Car Blankets $1888 Plus many instore specials! Toys Toys Toys Great Selection $4999Towels $1199 Crock Pots $2599 Assortment of Treats Hoodies Special $500 Give a BOOK for Christmas We have the perfect solution for the hard-to- buy-for person on your list. Drop in and check out our great selection of books for all ages. The Citizen 413 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792 541 Turnberry St., Brussels 519-887-9114 Brussels 519-887-6277 www.mcdonaldhomehardware.com McDonald Home Hardware Building Centre Work Wear Lug Bags and Accessories Melissa & Doug Toys Kuraidori Cooking & Baking Products Giftware and Home Décor Christmas Decorations NO TAX on the following regular priced items Until December 31 Save on Something for Everyone Dunlop Thermo+ Boots $19999