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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2007-08-23, Page 1The CitizenVolume 23 No. 33 Thursday, Aug. 23, 2007 $1.25 ($1.18 + 7c GST)Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Inside this week Pg. 3 Pg. 6 Pg. 8 Pg. 9 Pg. 20 Wingham Kinderoos graduate Words from the AMDSB chair Local teams win championships Brussels Bantams take B title Co-operative opens on main street Water rates for the new Belgrave water system will seem reasonable for some, a burden for others, depending on where they previously got their water. About a dozen Belgrave water users who attended a public meeting as part of the Aug. 14 Morris- Turnberry council meeting learned that those who had previously received water from the Humphrey well on the North Huron side of the village, will see little change in their water costs while those on the Morris side will see a substantial increase. Under the $89,472 budget to operate the system, each home will have to pay $844.07 per year, or $70.34 per month. For users of the McCrea well, this is an increase of 53.47 per cent over last year’s monthly bill of $45.83. Users of the Jane well who paid $50 a month last year will see an increase of 40.68 per cent. Those who received their water from the Humphrey well (which will be decommissioned when all connections have finally been made) paid $805 last year. But there will also be money going back to users of the Jane and McCrea wells from funds on hand before the new system was instituted. The Jane system users will receive $622.89 while the McCrea users will receive $568.61. In presenting the budget, Nancy Michie, administrator clerk- treasurer, explained the major reasons for the increased costs are provincial requirements. Because of requirement that the users pay for the system, a reserve fund for future capital repairs or replacement must be built up. This year $6,500 has Belgrave water rates set In an announcement last week, the ruling Liberals added $182 million to Ontario’s 2007-08 Education Ministry budget, including about $1.6 million and $600,000 to the two school boards in Huron and Perth Counties. “We’re not sure if we’ll receive quite that amount because it’s an enrolment-based figure,” explained communications manager Steve Howe of the Avon Maitland District School Board, the larger of the two boards. He noted the province’s preliminary allocation of the new funding was based on enrolments in last year’s school system, but the final amounts will be based on enrolments as of Oct. 31, 2007. The wide-ranging government news release identified eight different aspects of the new funding, including vice-principals in large schools, school maintenance, and office supplies. But Howe suggested the Avon Maitland board will be affected in three main areas: transportation, primary class size reduction, and possibly easing the limitations on which schools qualify for specialized “rural” support. The Education Ministry news release points to “$12 million to continue transportation funding reform by ensuring boards receive funding that more accurately reflects the real costs of school bus operation and maintenance.” Avon Maitland trustees have repeatedly communicated their dismay to the government regarding the difficulty the board faces in providing student transportation within the provincial allocation. Howe agrees this latest cash injection represents a “move towards better recognition of actual costs … I think, probably, it’s going to address the shortfall.” He added Avon Maitland administrators are hopeful the money will allow the board to stop the practice of using money originally designated for other areas to instead cover transportation costs. The board will also benefit from new money aimed at helping boards attain a province-wide goal of having 20 or fewer students in 90 per cent of primary classes by 2008. Because the exact dollar figures haven’t yet been calculated, Howe couldn’t say how many new teachers this will represent, but he expects Avon Maitland will benefit. He offered less clarity, meanwhile, regarding the new “rural” funding. A part of it will be allocated based on a revised definition of “rural,” based on decreasing the required distance between qualifying elementary schools from 30 km to 20 km. The distance between secondary schools that qualify for “rural” funding will change, meanwhile, from at least 50 km to at least 45 km. Even under the old formula, a small number of elementary schools in the Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board qualified as “rural.” Under the new formula, that list is expected to increase, and possibly include the board’s two secondary schools in Clinton and Stratford. After a quick look at the Avon Maitland situation, however, Howe said he believed that board will still not qualify at any schools. But he noted a different portion of the new “rural” support will be allocated on a different basis, and he’s confident the Avon Maitland board will eventually see some of that money. “We’ve now got the 2006 Census information, and (the government) says this new Rural and Small Community Allocation will be based on that Stats Can information,” he said. “We expect we may qualify for some (funds) here.” Last week’s announcement also included a pledge of $127 million for the 2008-09 school year, but there was no allotment of those funds on a board-by-board basis. Planned expenditure areas for that money include special education, English as a second language, special funding for small school boards, new schools in population growth areas, and “non-salary compensation.” After an “exhausting” week, another Walton TransCan weekend is in the books. After just enough rain on Aug. 14 to keep the track damp and not too dry, the course was ready for the riders. And although Huron County didn’t boast too many representatives, those who were here, made their voices heard. The Gaerne Bronze Boot award for general excellence went home with Dylan Kaelin of Grand Bend. Organizer Chris Lee calls the award “prestigious” and “nationally- recognized”. “The award recognizes quite an accomplishment. Last year someone from New Brunswick won it, so it’s a pretty nationally-recognized award,” Lee said. “For the award to be won by someone who trains here, a [fairly] Fitness fun Emma Hruska tests an exercise machine on display at McNeil’s Auto Shop Museum and Collectibles during the Doors Open event in Brussels on Saturday. About 175 people were in town for a peek at 10 sites. (Vicky Bremner photo) School boards benefit from provincial funding By Stew Slater Special to The Citizen Books close on motocross By Keith Roulston The Citizen Continued on page 6 By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Continued on page 7