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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1988-02-17, Page 5THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1988. PAGE 5. Hullett 'reluctantly'accepts reassessment Hullett Township council has come out “reluctantly” in favour of county-wide tax re-assessment as proposed recently by the Ministry of Revenue in a presentation to Huron County Council, and has indicated that it would favour Section 63 of the plan, providing that grants were available to lessen the impact of the increased tax burden on the township. A county-wide assessment pro­ gram enables similar properties of East Wawanosh wants bridge funds Several representatives of East Wawanosh Council will travel to Toronto later this month to plead their case for a new bridge on the 10th Concession. Reeve Ernie Snell, Councillor Jim Taylor, Road Superintendent Ralph Campbell and Ken Dunn of the firm B.M. Ross and Associates hope to meet with Transportation and Commun­ ication minister Ed Fulton to discuss the project. The township has already ap­ plied for a government subsidy in the amount of $1 million for the project, which has been on the ‘ ‘back burner’ ’ of council’s agenda for several years. Reeve Snell said that the bridge is a definite priority of council, and members hope to learn as soon as possible if funding will be available in 1988. East Wawanosh has received road allocation allowances in the amount of $208,800 for 1988, according to clerk-treasurer Win­ ona Thompson, an increase of 8.8 percent over last year’s allocation. To receive the allowance, the Blyth church against Sunday store openings Saying it was too early to take action Blyth village councillors voted Feb. 9 to keep on file a letter from a local church group asking council to vote against Sunday store openings. The letter came from the Blyth Christian Reformed Church Coun­ cil which asked the council keep in force the policy of maintaining the sanctity of the Lord’s day in keeping retail businesses closed on Sundays. “Where have they been on Sundays around Blyth lately,” wondered Councillor William Howson noting the number of tourist-oriented stores that are open on Sundays. “It’s certainly notbeenourcouncil’s policy (to have stores closed) much as I would like to see it that way.” Councillor Howson wondered what council could do about the situation anyway since all a business had to do was say that it was a tourist business and it would Melville WMS teams of India The February meeting of Mel­ ville Women’s Missionary Society was held at the home of the President Helen Elliott with 11 members present. The meeting opened with the W.M.S. purpose. Hymns were sung with Wilma Hemingway at the piano. Prayer was led by Helen Elliott. The secretary’s report was given. Margaret MacLeod took used clothes to Yonge Street Mission in Toronto. comparable marketvalue topay similar county and school taxes, while allowing each municipality to set its own mill rate to raise revenue to meet local needs. Under Section 63, assessment inequitieswithinthecounty are corrected by dividing all property into five main classes (residential, multi-residential, commercial, in­ dustrial and farm), so that a $50,000 residence in Hullett, for example, would pay the same township must contribute $120,000 of its own funds, for a total of $328,800 to be spent on East Wawanosh roads this year. In other business, council has voted to oppose county-wide tax re-assessment as proposed recent­ ly by the Ministry of Revenue, and has instructed Reeve Snell to vote against the proposal, which is likely to be raised at the March meeting of Huron County Council. East Wawanosh opposes the plan, which would ensure that proper­ ties of comparable market value throughout the county would pay similar county and school taxes, because of the negative impact the re-assessment, would have on township ratepayers. However, council also indicated that if the majority of the 26 municipalities in the county vote in favour of county-wide re-assess­ ment, East Wawanosh would favour Section 70 of the new plan, as opposed to Section 63, as they feel the former would have the last financial impact on township rate­ payers. stay open. Reeve Albert Wasson said there was more to the situation than that with things such as square footage of the shop and whether the store is run by its owners or not, controlled whether a store could be open. Other large stores, had to have a special by-law passed by the municipal council as Bainton Limited had done years ago when the law was first changed. Playing devil’s advocate Coun­ cillor Howson asked why, if little stores in the country are allowed to remain open, big stores in the city shouldn’t be able to stay open to compete. Councillor William Manning said that since the law hasn’t been passed yet by the Ontario legisla­ ture it was a little too early for council to take action. ‘ ‘I think the intent of the letter, ’ ’ Councillor Howson said, “is to inform us they don’t want anymore stores open than necessary and I certainly agree”. There was a moment’s silence for Ethel Long, a member of the church for many years. Isobel Gibson had the medita­ tion on “Costly discipleation” written by Bruce Miles. The scripture from Matthew chapter 10 was read by Isabel Adams. Prayer was given by Margaret MacLeod. The topic on India was given by Helen Elliott. The meeting was closed with prayer. A lovely lunch was served by the hostess and the lunch committee. amount of county and school taxes as would a $50,000 home in Clinton. Initially, the change would mean a somewhat higher overall tax bill for most Huron County townships, but most municipal politicians are indicating that they are willing to accept some form of re-assessment on a ‘ * short term pain for long term gain” policy. At the same meeting on January 19, Hullett council went on record as expressing opposition to the Ministry of Education’s proposal to change school trustee apportion­ Meeting planned over recreation Continued from page 1 coming to grips with our responsib­ ilities.” Councillor Howson said he would like to see the budget presented at the meeting to give other councils some assurance they were not signing a blank chequeandtherewouldbe abig increase in their costs under the agreement. He said he was disappointed in the position of Hullett township which has been an equal partner all along in the agreement. The Hullett letter, which had been sent totheother councils, seemed to fuel the resistance of the other UCW learns of African project A bouquet of red roses on the table in the church parlour was the focal viewing point for 20 Blyth U.C.W. Sunshine unit members coming into the February meeting last Thursday, three days in advance of St. Valentine’s Day. The date determined the theme of Devotions - Love and Friend­ ship, conducted by Evalena Web­ ster and Bernice Chambers who were assisted by Ruby Philp at the piano for the hymns which convey­ ed the message of Divine Love. Thoughts to meditate upon came from Scripture from Genesis 29, other readings and prayer: it is good to be rich but better to have many friends; a man is rich if he possesses one friend; let there be daily Valentine signs such as a smile or a kind word and let there be one global friendly brother­ hood. June Peck, continuing the unit’s studyontheplightof farmers in this age, told about Hank Koskant, now living near Ripley. He worked 12 years ago for Blind Mission International in Ghana, Africa. Brussels 1/V/ studies Third World The Majestic Women’s Institute had their “World Affairs” meet- inginthelibraryon Wednesday afternoon with 23 present. The president, Kathy Bridge, presided over the business part of the meeting. An invitation from the Ethel W.I. to a meeting in Ethel on March9at 8p.m. was read. The annual meeting in April will be a dinner meeting in the United Church. The next euchre party will be Blyth Reeve gets raise Reeve Albert Wasson was voted a four percent increase in his stipend by Blyth council at its February meeting, but other coun­ cil salaries remain the same. Councillors in Blyth will remain at their yearly salary of $1,080 while the reeve will receive $1,700, an increase from $1,575. Clerk-treasurer Helen Grubb will receive $27,300 per year plus benefits. Town Foreman Mervin ment from an assessment base to a population base. Copies of the motion were forwarded to other rural municipalities in the county, and to MPP Jack Riddell. In other business, council pass­ ed a motion asking County council to install road signs along all county roads indicating concession and sideroad numbers. Copies of the resolution were forwarded to all other township councils in Huron. At the regular council meeting on February 2, council extended congratulations to road superin­ townships. Reeve Wasson said that when he hears that the spinoff benefits of the arena are supposed to be worth Blyth picking up 10 per cent more than its share of costs, “I turn around and say how much are you willing to compensate us for all the services we supply: the stores, the mills, the theatre?” Councillors William Manning and Lloyd Sippel agreed that the community centre’sbudget should be presented at the meeting. Morris township, Councillor Sipp­ el said, was worried about paying a percentage basis and wondered what they would be expected to pay Farmers there with badly impaired vision are trained in mobility and farming skills through the estab­ lishment of co-operatives. Many are now self-sufficient in food production. Organizations in this district, such as Auburn’s U.C.W. and their Women’s Institute, budget money to assist in this project which is producing positive results. June Peck gathered her material from an article entitled “Farming in Africa” published in Rural Voice, December, 1987. Before she conducted the busi­ ness, co-leader Mary Wightman read one of Helen Steiner Rice’s poems, entitled Heart Gifts, which revealed the truth that it is not the things that can be bought, but the things that can’t be bought that give lasting happiness. Mrs. Wightman then called for reports: the two 1988 travelling aprons have begun their journeys; get-well cards were issued to Ruth Sheil, Irene Ament, Doreen Mc­ Gee and Zorra Cook; the selling of bake goods at the May Garage Sale will continue. held on Monday, February 29 at 8 p.m. The committee in charge of the party is Edna McLellan, Marie McTaggart, Iona Moore and Marie Stute. Mrs. Margaret MacLeod had a very enlightening topic on the 3rd World conditions and World Af- gairs in general and how closely we are connected to other countries in other hemispheres. Marie Stute had a very interesting quiz on people in world affairs. Ritchie will receive $10 per hour. Village employee John Rinn will receive $9.30 per hour. Secretary Ann Nesbit will receive $8.40 per hour. Casual labour will be paid at $7.80 per hour. Full time employees will receive 1.25 sick days per month to a total of 15 per year which can be accumulated for up to 60 days. No compensation will be paid for unused sick leave. tendent Jim Johnston and to grader operator lan Hulley on successfully completing MTC courses in Guelph on road con­ struction and equipment handling. At the same meeting, Keith Allen of the Londesboro Lions Club was in attendance to request permission for his club to install a new refrigerator in the community hall. The request was granted, and council indicated that it will deduct the cost of the appliance from the rent it charges the Lions for the use of the hall. The next meeting of Hullett council was scheduled for Tues­ day, February 16. 18 per cent of. The March 14datewas finally tentatively set for the meeting since the Centre’s budget would be approved by the board the week before. Councillor Howson said a report giving a general overview of the state of all the equipment at the centre would also be presented at the meeting. However, he said, time is running out for signing of the agreement because councils must set their budgets. “We’ve either got to follow through with it that night or get some pretty good indication action will soon be taken,” he said. Mary askedfor a good attend­ ance of Sunshine members at the World Day of Prayer being held this year in the Christian Reformed Church on May 4 at 2 p.m. She issued a warm invitation for them to attend the Sunday school skating party, skates or no skates. It is being held this coming Saturday, February 20, from 4-5 p.m. with a pot luck meal following in the church hall. Lunch served by Mrs. Webster, Chambers and Ramirez concluded this meeting’s fellowship. Brussels Rebekahs raffle quilt There was a good attendance at the regular meeting of Morning Star Rebekah Lodge. Noble Grand Leona Connelly conducted the meeting. Cards were to be sent to ill members. Requests for donations of money were received from Heart and Stroke Foundation, Eye Re­ search, and Arthritis Foundation. Donationsare to be sent toeach request. Plans were made for the dessert euchre. Tickets were distributed to be sold on a quilt. Birthday honours were given to two members. After theclosing of the Lodge meeting Rene Richmond gave a reading on the origin of Valentines. The social committee conducted a contest on hearts. Mary Lowe and her lunch committee served a delicious lunch. Mabel's Grill Continued from page 4 with his latest bunny, a former model from Richmond Hill (he seems to have an affinity for Canadians) but he split up with her and now she’s suing him for $5 million because he broke promises to her to live with her and father her children. “I mean,” said Ward, “if you’re 61 years old and somebody figures doing without you is worth $5 million, it might be so good for your ego that it might be worth being sued.”