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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2011-04-28, Page 1CitizenTh e $1.25 GST included Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Thursday, April 28, 2011 Volume 27 No. 17 RENOVATIONS - Pg. 8BMG Centre receivesfunds for renovations NOMINATION - Pg. 10 East Wawanosh native tolead Huron-Bruce PCELECTION- Pg. 6Huron-Bruce candidatestackle the big questions Publications Mail Agreement No. 40050141 Return Undeliverable Items to North Huron Publishing Company Inc., P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, ON N0G 1H0INSIDE THIS WEEK: Federal candidates speak at HCFA meeting Overall tax levy up 2.17 per cent in Huron East Eau de garbage Heidi Bachert, left, and Rebecca Subject, two students from Grey Central Public School made no secret as to how they feel about the garbage people leave around their playground during a clean-up the school had to celebrate Earth Day. Grey Central, as well as other local schools, cleaned up their communities on April 21 to show that they care about the environment, and to teach students about the importance of not littering. While the schools celebrated on April 21, Earth Day was actually April 22, and coincided with the Good Friday holiday. (Denny Scott photo) Farmers and agriculture were on the minds of candidates and audience members during the Huron-Bruce federal all-candidates meeting held in Holmesville on April 19. Hosted by the Huron County Federation of Agriculture (HCFA), and moderated by HCFA President Marinus Bakker, the debate brought all Huron-Bruce candidates out. Incumbent Conservative Ben Lobb joined candidates Charlie Bagnato of the Liberal Party, New Democratic Party Candidate Grant Robertson, Green Party candidate Eric Shelley and independent Dennis Valenta to debate the issues that affect Huron County residents. Each candidate had a two minute introduction period followed by two question periods; one written and one spoken, and finally, each candidate had two minutes to make closing statements. Shelley began the opening remarks, stating that his bid for Huron-Bruce’s seat was caused by a growing diaspora between youth and government. “We need the voice of youth in the government to bring back young voters,” he said. Concerned by a crisis with democracy in Canada, Shelley stated that “straight shooters” needed to be elected because youth find themselves believing that politicians have no interest in anyone but themselves. He stated that he and the Green Party, are seeking to strengthen communities and the economy through practical solutions. Robertson took to the stage next and highlighted his previous successes in the community as well as his close ties to agricultural stakeholders. “You know my record,” he said, stating he would support agribusiness and farmers. Robertson said that risk management was a key priority for him, as he was a trailblazer in getting the program started during his time as the president of the National Farmer’s Union. According to Robertson, one of his main reasons for running is that he was asked by national NDP leader Jack Layton. “[Layton] asked me to run because there wasn’t an agricultural voice in Ottawa,” he said. “We’re lacking strength there, and we need a strong voice that will work day in, day out until the job is done.” Robertson also stated that the government of the day has lied and failed to keep its promises. Valenta stated that as an independent he isn’t afraid to tell the truth. He stated policial parties dictate what candidates can do and say. “If they aren’t allowed to say what they want, who are they speaking for?” Valenta asked. “They aren’t speaking for you, they’re speaking for their party,” he said. Bagnato said that the Liberals would be providing several key programs for agricultural-centred areas if they were elected, including a national food policy and a Risk Management Program for farmers. Experience was also an emphasized point for Bagnato, who said that, of the assembled candidates, he had the lengthiest political background. “I have the longest political record,” he said, stating that he has 10 years of experience on municipal council, 7 years of experience as a mayor and was the chair of a Bruce County agricultural program for several years. Lobb, the last to speak, highlighted the record of the current Conservative government to show what his party is capable of. “For the last two-and-a-half years At their April 19 meeting Morris- Turnberry councillors renewed the contract for curbside pick-up with Bluewater Recycling Association for five years. The decision to renew the contract, which runs out April 30, came after council heard a presentation from Francis Veilleux, president of the Bluewater Recycling Association who told councillors he was open to shortening or lengthening the term of the contract to meet their needs. He told councillors they didn’t need to feel rushed to sign a new contract by the end of April because as far as he was concerned, he would provide service to the municipality until they told him not to. Council had been considering a three-year contract with some councillors looking to shorten that term. But Mayor Paul Gowing suggested that by making the contract five years, it would come up for renewal one year into the term of the next council, which would give councillors a chance to reconsider it, yet still have some experience before having to make a decision. Other councillors accepted the logic of the argument. The decision to renew the contract came despite vociferous complaints Huron East Council officially passed its budget on April 19 with a 3.77 per cent tax rate increase averaged out over the municipality’s five wards. With a slightly-decreased Huron County tax levy, however, overall taxation by ward will see an increase of 2.17 per cent throughout the municipality. The highest increase in Huron East, however, is in Brussels, where taxes will be rising 4.15 per cent. The overall tax rate is composed of three areas of taxation, the Huron County levy, the municipal levy and the education tax rate. For 2011, education rates went nearly unchanged, decreasing by just under $8,000 throughout the municipality. The Huron County levy rose by just under $100,000 and municipal tax rates went up an average 3.77 per cent throughout the municipality, with changes varying from ward to ward. Huron East’s portion of the tax rate was raised 8.31 per cent in Brussels, 3.11 per cent in Grey, 3.07 per cent in McKillop, 7.27 in Tuckersmith and the Huron East tax levy decreased 0.75 per cent in Seaforth. However, when the other two areas of taxation are factored in, citizens will have a relatively clear idea as to how their taxes for 2011 will be affected (although taxation will always differ from property to property). In Brussels taxes will rise 4.15 per cent on average, in McKillop taxes will rise 1.90 per cent on average, in Grey taxes will rise 0.77 per cent on average, in Seaforth taxes will rise 0.65 per cent on average and in Tuckersmith taxes will rise 3.92 per cent on average. In Brussels, municipal taxes rose from $335,177 in 2010 to $363,017, Huron County taxes will rise from $412,584 in 2010 to $423,675 and education taxes went from $223,308 in 2010 to $224,718 in 2011. In Grey, municipal totals will rise from $623,134 in 2010 to $642,541 in 2011, with the Huron County levy rising from $924,875 in 2010 to $927,252 and the education tax decreasing from $453,244 in 2010 to $446,838. In McKillop the municipal tax rate will rise from $500,148 in 2010 to $515,517, the Huron County levy will rise from $766,937 in 2010 to $781,800 and the education levy will increase slightly from $358,919 in 2010 to $359,586. By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen M-T renews curbside contract By Denny Scott The Citizen By Keith Roulston The Citizen Continued on page 24 Continued on page 22