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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1986-10-22, Page 30THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1986. PAGE 31. Blyth Council looks at better off ice controls Acting on the advice of the village auditor, the Blyth village council will look into the cost of having all Public Utilities Commis­ sion bills paid through the bank, council decided last week. In his report accompanying his audit, Bill Vodden of Vodden and Bender, chartered accountants, advised council that the one way to prevent misappropriation of funds in a small office would be through payment of these bills at the bank. Since taxes are already paid Huron may have mental health branch A committee has been establish­ ed to form a branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) for Huron County. This was a recommendation of the Huron-Perth Mental Health Task Force. Three planning meetings have been held and a strong core of interested persons have committ­ ed themselves to continue to meet. This is done on a voluntary basis. Barbara Adams, special consul­ tant with the CMHA Ontario Division, met with the group and explained the procedures necess­ ary for the formation of a local branch. The Huron County group would have to apply to the CMHA Ontario Division for a branch charter. Dr. Harry Cieslar, who chaired the initial meetings, explained, “We expect the whole process may take approximately two years. When we explored this possibility several years ago there was not nearly the support or interest that is being shown now. Ithink this indicates a change in attitudes towards the need for this service. ’ ’ The group is applying to be recognized as a formal CMHA Steering Committee. Members of the committee agreed thatHuronCounty lacks the number of social services that are available in other counties. A Canadian Mental Health Associa­ tion would not replace the medical services present now, but rather complement them by enriching existing services. The goals of the CMHA are to • maintain mental health and prevent mental illness through education, life skills programs, and work adjustment training • promote understanding of life stresses and mental illness • encourage improved treat­ ment and community services for those concerned about their ment­ al health needs and those of others The activities that a local branch might undertake could include: • community education through special programs, workshops and self-help groups • information and speakers on mental health issues • counselling referral • special displays • community friends (volunteers for nursing home residents) • activity centre programs (ex­ psychiatric patients) Those involved in the initial planning meetings have represen­ ted a broad spectrum of community services including representatives from County Council, Community Psychiatric Services, Huron-Perth Centre for Children and Youth, Huron County Health Unit, Wo­ men Today, Huron County Board of Education and the Community Services Council. Several indivi­ duals not associated with any services are also members of the committee. Community response and in­ volvement is vital for the establish­ ment of a branch as the whole organization is dependent on the involvement of non-mental health professionals. Any agency, service or individual who would like to join efforts to get a Canadian Mental Health Association branch esta­ blished in Huron County are invited to contact one of the following members: Karen Day- Rondeau, 524-2089; Valerie Bol­ ton, 482-9706; Dr. W. Croker, 482-3496; Maureen Thomas, 357- 1614; Dr. H. Cieslar, 524-9900. through the bank, he said, PUC bills are the one area of vulnerabil­ ity. Still, he said, the risk of a repeat loss such as the one that appeared this spring is reasonably low (a case involving a charge of mis­ appropriation of funds involving former Clerk-Treasurer Larry Walsh is still before the court.) However, councillors expressed considerable doubt about the wisdom of having bills paid at the bank because of cost. Reeve Albert Wasson said he had asked Mr. Vodden if in all good conscience he could recommend the move and Mr. Vodden was reluctant to say that. Ann Nesbit, acting clerk-trea­ surer said that at a rate charged by the bank similar to that charged for collecting taxes the cost of the service would be about $4,200 a year. Furthermore, she said, errors made by the bank at a rate that has been made in tax collection would make it impossible to balance the Hydro account. Councillor William Howson said he couldn’t see switching to the bank for PUC collection because the cost is too great. It would remove risk from one area of the village operations, he said, but if you have people so inclined they’ll find a way to make off with funds. Reeve Wasson said he had asked the auditor how much it would cost to have the auditor come four times a year instead of two times and the auditor admitted it would likely be less than the cost of using the bank. “I’m more inclined to have the auditor come more often, ” he said. Mrs. Nesbit said the chances of problems are not as great with two different people working with the books. In current office practice one of the staff balances the books one month and the other the next. In the end, council decided to get firmer cost estimates of having the bank collect PUC bills then make a decision next month. NOW County Road 25 Blyth 523-9623 CHRISTMAS BANQUETSAND PARTIES. upto45 persons. REASONABLE RATES ISTHETIMETO B00KY0UR Our separate banquetfacility can handle Meals served country style or smorgasbord. Triple K Restaurant E. of Hwy. 4 A O I /¥ i 1 Ontario to support court fight over Detroit incinerator Environment Ontario recently filed a brief to intervene in a court battle over tougher pollution con­ trol in one of the world’s largest refuse incinerators, Environment Minister Jim Bradley announced recently. The City of Detroit and its contractor are suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to prevent it from revoking or amending a 1984 construction permit for the 2,600-ton-per-day incinerator to require more strin­ gent pollution controls, namely a scrubber baghouse system. The ministry recently filed an “amicus curiae’ ’, or ‘‘friend of the court’’ brief in U.S. District Court in Detroit to provide technical data in support of the EPA’s efforts. The brief supports the EPA’s contention that the scrubber bag­ house system would be more effective in controlling emissions of many contaminants, including sulphur dioxide, dioxins and fur­ ans, and particulate matter. The construction permit was issued by Michigan’s Air Pollution Control Commission in November 1984. Subsequent investigation raised doubts as to the required technology to be applied for the control of sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide andparticulateemis- sion. Re-evaluation of the risk assessment indicated a risk of 38 additional cancer deaths per mil­ lion people for those who spend a lifetime in the area of highest concentration - about 2.4 kilomet­ ers northeast of the plant. The Windsor shoreline is about five kilometers from the 17.5 acre construction site. Despite the discovery of these issues, the State of Michigan did not rescind the permit, allowing construction of the incinerator without extra pollution controls. ‘ ‘ I applaud the action by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to revoke the construction permit for the incinerator unless proper pollution control equipment is to be installed, ’ ’ Mr. Bradley said. “The risk from this incinerator is unacceptable -- and unneces­ sary,’’ he added. “The best pollution abatement equipment ought to be employed.” i Ml, 4—F7 « «• • i• J Restaurant 132 JOSEPHINE ST Wingham, Ontario 357-1633 •Light lunches •Afternoon tea [and coffee] •Delightful desserts HOURS: Noon to 4 and 5 to 8 Thursday through Sunday Blyth 523-4880 523-9623 •Breakfast specials •Special meals every day •Weekend smorgasbord Open 6 a.m.-11 p.m. Fri. & Sat . till 12:30 Award winningdiningroom Open year around THELfTTLEINN o/BAYFIELD For reservations 519-565-2611______ at Chi: tBlitljE Spirit (Tea i&omn Triple K Restaurant BLYTH J Maitland Restaurant Everyday Special Licenced LLBO A taste treat 194 JosephineSt. WINGHAM 357-3341 Bartliff's Bakery and Restaurant /Home cooked l meals r‘Fresh baked goods daily DOWNTOWN CLINTON 482-9727