HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1987-12-22, Page 38PAGE 38. THE CITIZEN, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1987.
Reprieve over on Blyth sewage rates. Up 16%
The break that Blyth residents
have been getting on their sewage
bills for the past year will end in the
new year.
After much discussion at its
December 15 meeting council
decided to implement the provi
sions of the original by-law which
was enacted at the time the
installation of the sewer system.
According to the by-law the
sewerage rate is supposed to be set
at 297 per cent of the water rate.
However when the water rate
was increased from $6 a month to
$7 a month last year, the sewerage
rate was not raised accordingly.
The residential rate remained at
$17.82 a month instead of jumping
to $20.79. The situation was
pointed out by Zak El-Ramady of
the Ministry of the Environment
(MOE), which operates the sewer
age system for Blyth, when he
recently reviewed the village’s
operation. He pointed out that
there has been no increase in
charges since 1981 while costs
A Philippine Christmas
Continued from page 5
glimpse of the children.
At the end of the Christmas
programme, each child will be
given a small bag of treats by the
church, usually containing items
such as comb, a bar of soap, a few
candies, and if the child is very
fortunate, a real apple, which are
very expensive in everyday life,
and seldom seen on the tropical
island. Each McIntosh apple will
sell for 30 to 40 pesos, about $3,
while Red Delicious, the most
prized of all, can cost up to $5 per
apple, Rev. Ramirez says.
Second in importance only to the
religious significance of the sea
son, Christmas in the Philippines is
a time of family gatherings, with
every member travelling to the
home of the eldest relative to
celebrate the season.
“No excuse is good enough for a
family member not to be present, ’ ’
says Rev. Ramirez, adding that his
family is sad that it is not practical
for them to make the long journey
from Blyth to the island. Instead,
the Rami re zfamily will travel to
Mississauga this Christmas, the
home of Norma’s elder sister, and
the eldest member of the family in
Canada.
“The money wesend ‘home’will
benefit our families much more
than our presence would,’’ the
United Church minister declares.
The traditional feast dish at the
Christmas gatherings is roast
pork, if the family can afford it,
although beef and chicken may be
substituted; even the poorest
families try to save a little meat for
the Christmas dinner. Sweet des
serts are favoured as well, with egg
custard or white beans boiled in a
thick syrup of brown sugar being
the traditional favourites. Rice
cakes, too, are made for the special
festive dinner.
After the joyful family gathering
is finally over, members go back to
their own homes, buoyed by the
feelings of love and closeness to
both their families and to God,
feelings that will survive until the
Christmas season returns in yet
another year.
have been increasing every year.
He worried that the village might
not be aware of a potential serious
situation because it has a large
balance in the sewerage account
but this will be required to pay
debentures to the provincial
government taken out when the
plant was built.
Mr. El-Ramady suggested coun
cil increase monthly rates by at
least three per cent. There was
discussion as to whether this
meant increasing the monthly bill
by three per cent or going from the
297 per cent levy to a 300 per cent
levy.
In the end the councillors
decided to implement the original
agreement which will increase
revenue by more than $14,000 a
year. From the fees collected the
village pays $6,262 per month to
the MOE for operation of the plant
and makes annual payments on the
debentures for the original capital
construction costs. The village still
owes $49,000 in debentures. The
rest of the money is held in reserve
in case of major repairs needed to
the system.
The rate will increase 16.6 per
cent, for residential users. Com
mercial users will be charged
$26.73 per month.
The rate increases will hit
hardest at some businesses that
also got caught in a revision of what
rates should be paid: residential or
commercial. Council reviewed a
list of all businesses using town
water to make the first revisions
887-9035
Now OF
Christmas
The friendships
we’ve made
throughout the
year have been
our greatest
pride.
Holiday
greetings and
thanks to all!
Brussels
June, Gerry
& Staff
In the tradition of a festive, feasting season,
we extend our best holiday tidings to all.
Thanks for your kind patronage.
We are now closedfor the season. Looking forward
to seeing you in the spring!
Ollie tSlitlje spirit ®ea Snom
33C&33 Sheilla & Gary Wallace
since the system was installed.
Hardest hit are some food
outlets and hairdressers which
were elevated to commercial rates
because of the amount of water
they use and thus the amount that
must be treated at the sewerage
plant. Another of the companies
being hit was Howson and Howson
Ltd. which Councillor Bui Howson
felt should be moved up to
commercial rates because of the
number of employees and since
other employers of similar size are
also classed commercial, even
though there is no commercial
sewerage created in the company ’ s
operations.
BRUSSELS
BULLS
NEW
YEARS
EVE
DANCE
DECEMBER 31
BRUSSELS LEGION
Dancing9to1
MUSICBYDOUG&TERRY
$6.00/person
HATS&HORNSSUPPUED
Tickets Available
Carol, Peter & Staff
HOLIDAY HOURS
LOUNGE
Closed Christmas Eve 5 p.m.
Closed Christmas Day
Closed Boxing Day
Closed New Year's Eve 5 p.m.
Closed New Year's Day
Closed Sat., Jan. 2/88
DINING ROOM
Closed Christmas Eve Day
Closed Christmas Day
Closed Boxing Day
Closed Sunday, Dec. 27
' FROM
tl>e Blyth IW
Closed New Year's Eve Day
Closed New Year's Day
Closed Sat., Jan. 2/88
Phone 523-9381 for reservations
Eleanor, Kim, Don and Staff
GRAND VIEW
RESTAURANT
BLYTH