The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 1986-04-02, Page 5• THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 1986. PAGE S. Budget approval means go-ahead for renovation BY BOBMURPHY With its approval of the 1986 budget at a special meeting, March 21. Huron County council also -trommitted itself to the expenditure of $720,000 over the next three years for a renovations program at Huronview. Budget approval came following length discussion on the controver- sial Huronview building project and a recorded vote of 18 to 12. The 1986 budget allocates an expenditure of $240,000 in each of the next three years -- an amount which is to be collected from county taxpayers. The Province of Ontario will also provide three equal subsidies of $240,000 for the renovations of Huronview, the County -operated nursing home near Clinton. Countil was clearly divided on the issue of the Huronview build- ing project and discussion centred on the feasibility of including the project in this year's budget when the county is already faced with the ambitious Pioneer Museum pro- ject. Coun. Bill Mickle (Exeter reeve) said he wanted to "go on record as favoring people over artifacts any day" but urged council to give consideration to including their Huronview project in this year's budget. "It's a matter of whether we are going to have it now or do it at sometime in the future," Mickle said. Last year during the budget discussions, Mickle said, one of the considerations which led to appro- val of the Pioneer Museum project was "that we were told the Huronview project was perhaps five years down the road ... and we made our decision based on that." Coun. Torn Cunningham (Hullett reeve) said council should make its budget decision based on how each member considered the Huronview project. "If this is a worthwhile project, then we should be doing it now," Cunningham said. The provincial funding for the project is there now, Cunningham added, "and it looks as if we don't use it now we will lose it." Cunningham suggested that approval of the budget should also mean that each councillor was accepting the apportionment for their municipality. "If we approve this budget now, then we should beaccepting our apportionment as well," he said, "there's no point in coming back in a week's time and trying to change that apportionment." Coun. Marie Hicknell (McKillop reeve) told council she felt the county was getting a "good deal" if it moved on the Huronview project at this time. "I think the time is now," Hicknell said, "we have to think of the people who are living there." In response to a suggestion that council consider deferring the project for a few years, Clerk Treasurer Bill Hanly said that politically such a decision would be "more astute." However, Hanly added that he felt the project should go ahead this year. "If this project is going to go ... it has to go now," Hanly said. Coun. Dave Johnston (Bayfield reeve) said he had the support of his local council and that he favored the inclusion of the Huronview project in the 1986 budget. He said thecostper household in his municipality to have the project included amounted to $6,40. "I suggest that each reeve and deputy look at whatitis going to cost per hoi' 3ehold in your munici- pality when you are making your decision," Johnston said. Although not the only councillor to speak against the project at this time, Coun. Bob Fisher (Zurich reeve) was perhaps the most direct The approval of the Huron County budget last month also meant the approval of the allocation for renovations to Huronview. Scheduled over a three-year period, the renovations wW make the home more like in his suggestion that the county "get out of the business of Huronview." Fisher suggested that private enterprise might better be equipp- ed to handle the business of operating nursing homes. He said his municipality made every effort to keep its mill rate down and still meet its commit- ment to the county. - However, this meant the cutting of services within the municipality, he said. "I would like to be able to spend some money in Zurich rather than give it to Huronview," Fisher said, "I'm in favor of scrapping the project and letting some charitable organization operate it." Wirigham cuts fire budget Reacting to growing complaints about the cost of fire protection in areas served by the Wingham Area Fire Board, the board has cut its budget and fire -call charge. Morris township council had been among the leaders of the revolt with a letter from Reeve Doug Fraser that said his council felt the board was being "very extravagant" in some of its spending proposals. The reeve followed up his letter by attending a meeting of the board along with Morris Deputy Reeve Clem McLel- lan. Also at the meeting was Reeve Ernest Snell of East Wawanosh and representatives from the Howick council. Mr. Fraser said his council did not see the need for a signal light in front of the fire hall in Wingham or an additional pumper truck in the current year. Chairman Brian McBurney ex- plained the board had already dropped the $6,000 in the budget for the signal light because it had found putting up a light that would meet Ministry of Transport and Communications specifications would cost $40,000. Eventually the board also a- greed to spread the cost of a used fire pumper for the Gorrie fire station over three years which allowed them to make total cuts of $26,000 from the budget. Discussion then moved to the hourly rate for fire calls. The boards proposal had been to charge $800 per hour, based on the idea of basing the cost on the actual operating costs of the previous year. Eventually the board agreed to cut the cost back to $500 per hour. The effect of the two changes will save East Wawanosh about $3000 and Morris, $2,600. Away from the meeting, Fisher stressed that his comments should not be interpreted as meaning that he was against nursing homes or old people. "But I am against the county operating a nursing home," he said. In the recorded vote councillors voting in favor of the budget - and the inclusion of the Huronview project are: Jamies Aitchison (Wawanosh West), Warden Leona Armstrong (Grey), William Ben- nett (Seaforth), Bee Cooke (Clin- ton), Laurie Cox (Goderich Town - a home and less like an institution. Presently residents often have long walks just to go to the bathroom. ship deputy), Tom Cunningham (Hullett), John Doherty (God- erich deputy), Doug Fraser (Morr- is), Allan Gibson (Ashfield), Marie Hicknell (McKillop), Dave John- ston (Bayfield), J. R. Kernighan (Colborne), Ken McCann (Stephen deputy), Clarence Rau (Stanley), Jim Robinson (Hensall), Ernest Snell (Wawanosh East), Tom Tomes (Stephen), Albert Wasson (Blyth). Voting against the budget as proposed - with the inclusion of the Huronview project were: Bob Bell (Tuckersmith), Gerald D' Arcey (Howick), Claire Deichert (Hay deputy), Bob Fisher (Zurich), Lossy Fuller (Exeter deputy), Bruce Machan (Wingham), Brian McBurney (Turnberry), Bill Mick - le (Exeter), Gerry Prout (Usborne), Grant Stirling (Goderich Town- ship), Harry Worsell (Goderich). Worsell, as Goderich reeve, has two votes and both were cast as against the budget and the Huron - view project. Absent from the special council session were Councillors Lionel Wilder (Hay reeve) and Hank Ten Pas (Brussels reeve). SNOWM•OB!LES - Summer Storage - - Inspect track and adjust. - Clean / grease unit. - Check idlers, sliders, springs, limiter strap - Check bolts and skis for wear - Check chain case oil - Check for wear and alignment of drive pulley - Lubricate engine and drain carburetor - Disconnect battery and charge - Check fan belt 47.99 - Parts extra. ■ GARDEN TRACTORS - Check ignition and new plug - Change oil, clean filter - Adjust carburetor - Sharpen blades - Check drive belts/chains/bearings - Check transmission oil - Change transmission filter - Check battery/connections - Wash / clean complete unit - Parts extra LAWN MOWERS AND STRING TRIMMERS - New plug - Check ignition and adjust carburetor - Clean air cleaner and change oil - Sharpen blade - Wash / clean complete unit 99 - Parts extra ■ CHAIN SAWS - Check ignition / new plug - Clean air filter - Adjust carburetor - Check blade and bearings in clutch - Sharpen chain / wash unit - Parts extra LAWN RIDERS - New plug and change oil - Check ignition and adjust carburetor - Clean air cleaner - Sharpen blades - Check bearings, drive belts, chains - Check oil and tires - Check battery/cables - Wash / clean complete unit - Parts extra SEAFORTH 527-0120 FARM EQUIPMENT LIMITED SEAFOl lH • AYR • CAA/0211R .l WOOItSIC►(K xim•