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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2012-04-26, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2012. ACW 2012 Levy to increase 3 per cent Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh (ACW) Township Council passed the 2012 budget with a three per cent increase in tax levy with little discussion during their April 17 meeting. The spending increase represents a 2.5 per cent tax hike on an average home in ACW that was assessed at $183,527 in 2011. According to information from ACW, that home would have had an increase on assessment of almost 5.7 per cent and would now be assessed at $193,911. The taxes on that average property would be $753, an $18 increase over 2011’s $735 average. Major equipment expenditures include new sandblasting equipment and a plow for $7,000, a new pickup truck for $35,000 and a tandem truck and plow equipment for $220,000. Construction projects include the completion of reconstruction on the London Road corridor for $330,000 and the purchase and widening of MacKenzie Camp Road near Highway 21 for $45,000. The London Road project cost a total of $1.7 million over the past two years. MTO Road just north of Goderich will be paved at a cost of $270,000. Bridge costs are as follows; • An environmental assessment of Cransford Line Bridge costing $35,000 • Bridge repairs at Sunset Beach totalling $5,000 • Bridge repairs at Lanesville Line totalling $25,000. Doors and windows at several Township Works sheds will be replaced totalling $32,000 and entrance signs at the boundaries of the township will be erected costing $13,000. Two documents will need to be prepared for the township’s landfill department totalling $34,000. The documents will deal with increased capacity options and a municipal waste recycling strategy. Administration costs include the following: • A website overhaul costing $32,500 • Laptop computers for council to go paperless costing $5,000. • Large displays and electrical work to support them in council chambers to go paperless totalling $5,000. • Sign and roof replacement at the town hall costing $13,500 • New desktop computers for the township’s office costing $5,000. By Denny Scott The Citizen A fishy fundraiser Grade 8 students from Brussels Public School donned the floppy hat and aprons that signified them as chefs at the Brussels Legion on Saturday night. The class’s annual fish fry fundraiser welcomed nearly 300 diners and helped raise money for their graduation later this year. (Vicky Bremner photo) Continued from page 1 a meeting in Belgrave and Black’s name came up. “A firefighter from Exeter had called and was pretty broken up about Black’s passing,” Vincent said. Black was also to be commended, Vincent said, on the extra time he spent working on the Emergency Services Training Centre (ESTC) in Blyth. “John would work as the fire chief, and be on scene for emergencies, then he would spend an additional 20 to 30 hours a week working on the ESTC,” Vincent said. Deputy Fire Chief David Sparling of Blyth has recently taken over the responsibilities Black had at the ESTC and he says the firefighters of the FDNH were surprised at Black’s passing. “None of us were expecting this,” Sparling said. “Everyone is shocked. We were all very hopeful because anyone who knew John knew that he was a fighter.” He said the FDNH is currently focusing on John’s family and attended a visitiation and a service held in Gravenhurst on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. Black was formerly from Gravenhurst and taught at the fire college there. Vincent said Black was well- respected not only through the firefighting community in North Huron but further afield as well. Guests at the memorial service may include Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, representatives from the Ontario Fire Marshal and local politicians. The Township of North Huron requests that no one park on Blyth Road before Black’s service on Saturday. Parking will be available for the general public and emergency services personnel at the Blyth and District Community Centre located at 377 Gypsy Lane in Blyth. For more information contact memorialservice@northhuron.ca Looking for local heroes There are so many people out there who do so much to improve their community. Now you have a chance to say thanks. Nominate that special person for the 27th Annual Citizen Citizenship Awards. Each year a committee chooses an outstanding citizen from each of the Blyth and area and Brussels and area communities to receive an award for contribution to the community. If you know someone you think should be honoured, please fill in the ballot and send it in. You may attach a longer explanation of why you think your nominee should win, if you like. If you have nominated someone before and he or she didn't win, please feel free to try again. I nominate as Citizen of the year for I feel she/he deserves this award because Nomination Deadline May 31, 2012. Name and phone number of nominator ❑Blyth & area ❑Brussels & area Deadline extended to May 31 Citizen of the Yearentries due May 31The deadline for Citizen of the Year submissions has been extended to May 31 from the original date of April 30. While a few submissions have been received, The Citizen would like to see a lot more. To nominate a person or group you think has made a difference in your community, whether it be Blyth and the surrounding area or Brussels and the surrounding area, see the nomination form on this page. To clarify, anyone nominated for Citizen of the Year in the past who did not win is still eligible and can be nominated for this year’s award. So nominate someone you’ve seen out making a difference and have their efforts celebrated by The Citizen and its readership. Black went above and beyond duty at ESTC #3 And We Try Harder! Recent circulation figures for the 8 paid circulation newspapers serving Huron County show The Citizen has the 3rd highest circulation. The Citizen Proudly Community- Owned Since 1985