Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1993-12-08, Page 1PUBLISHED IN LUCKNOW, ONTARIO Wednesday, December 8, 1993 S5• G.S.T. Included Little Amber Dellsle was one of approximately Bridges was Santa's helper. In handing out the 300 area youngsters who visited with Santa candy treats. (Pat Livingston photo) Claus after Friday night's parade. Tiffany Taxpayers face hefty increase in their 1994 education taxes by Don Jackson Huron County taxpayers can expect to see an increase of bet- ween 14.1 and 19.5 per cent in their 1994 education mill rate according to projected figures from the Huron County Board . of Education (HCBE).., On a $60,000 residential as- sessment, if the increase is 14.1 per cent this would mean an increase from $549, the 1993 rate, to $626.64. If -the. -increase -is 1 -9,5 --per cent the amount will jump to $656.04. A key factor in this increase is down loading the burden of education dollars on to the local boards by the province. HCBE Superintendent of Business Janet Baird -Jackson explained, "The province sets the ceiling on per pupil spending. Then, the ministry (of education) says a portion of that must be paid by the local people and the province decides what should be that share. That's how we get the standard mill rate." After the province sets its mill rate to the HCBE, the board then has the choice to pass on the increase to the taxpayer or to try to absorb some of the increase through cutbacks. HCBE Director Paul Carroll said that the board has, historically, tried to absorb some of the costs incurred by the standard milt rate but with the Social Contract Act and other reductions, there are not many places to look for additional funds. "Our spending, in 1994 will be lower than it was in 1993," he said, adding that "our belt tightening has brought us down two -and -a -half million dollars. Our tax rate is still going to be forced to go up 15 to 19 per cent, unless we can fmd- a way to take another $2-3 million out of our spending." Baird -Jackson said, "We're going to" hit the wall this year." -Sher sard the onlyway the board could make up some of the shortfall without "stripping the system" would be to look at wage reductions for teaching staff. "Over the last five years, salaries have gone up from 73 to 80 per cent of our total spen- ding." Such a reduction would have to be voluntary on the part of the teachers union groups, as the board cannot legislate wage cuts because of collective agreements. She said she thinks her estimates on the increase coming to local taxpayers are conservative. "The 14 per cent increase (scenario) isn't realistic because it's unrealistic that the standard mill rate won't change." Carroll said that part of. the problem is an outdated provincial grant system, which. relies on the wealth of an area to supplement the system. This means that large in- dustrial centres, like Toronto and Ottawa, have a larger tax baseto draw on than more spread out, rural areas like Huron County. "The grant system we have was built in the 1960s and '70s when we had a good economy, The grant system we had in the '70s does not work in the '90s. It needs to change. There ate gross inequities that are not fair to certain areas, like Huron County." The board will hold . a special meeting on December 13 to discuss possibilities for dealing with the province's down loading. Carroll explained the need,forsuch a meeting. "I don't think there's ever been a budget meeting in the his- tory of the board before the end of the fiscal year, but we've never had a problem this big." • . Todds continue family legend Hugh and JoAnn Todd and family, of St. Helen's, continued the family tradition of exceptional showing at the Royal Winter Fair recently. Their Southdown and Hampshire bred sheep were winners in various categories: Champion Southdown Ewe, Champion Southdown Ram, Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb, Reserve Champion Inter- mediate Exhibitor at the Royal's Junior Sheep Show (daughter Jenean), Champion Senior Exhibitor and Exhibitor of Orand Champion uwe, Royal Junior Show (son Keith), Supreme Champion Flock over all breeds, and Grand Cham- pion Pen of Three Market Lambs. The reserve grand champion market lamb was sold to Highland Farms for $12 per pound. The grand champion pen of three market lambs sold for $7 per pound. Judging of floats was a tough job Strong community support, both by parade entrants and parade watchers, contributed to another successful Santa Claus parade spon- sored by the Lucknow and District Kinsmen, last Friday evening. Dale Lougheed, parade organizer, said, "It was a very tough job to judge all the entries because they all looked so good and represented considerable effort by so many volunteers." The winners this year were: Com- mercial - Lucknow Farm Supply, first; Lucknow Village Market, second and Montgomery Motors, third; organizations - Lucknow Agricultural Society,first; Wingham Canadettes, second; Lucknow Guiding Association, third; open - Isobel Shepherd, old fashioned "walking" Christmas, fiat; Huron County Dairy Princess, second; and Music for Young` Children, third Continue fact gathering Ratepayers, opposed to the. proposed rezoning of Kinloss Township property by Donegan Haulage, continue . to assist the municipality's council in preparation for the Ontario Municipal Board hearing. Gord Fletcher, spokesman' for the group said, "We need the continued support of all concerned residents in the area to make our objections heard at toe hearing." They have scheduled a meeting on Dec. 9, at 8 p.m. in the Township Hall to bring everyone up-to-date on their progress and to get additional input from the residents. Mr. Fletcher said, "We urge everyone to attend the meeting and show council we are still behind them." Grant refusal to CAS was not unexpected by Mona Irwin - Nov. 18, to turn down the re - Huron County Council's refusal to give a $200,000 grant, to the Huron Children's Aid Society for the new CAS buil- ding is a disappointment, but not unexpected, says the CAS fundraising coordinator. "It's a sign of the times," said Joan Van Den Broeck. "Of course it's disappointing, but we ' can't fault the county for doing what they have to do. "Now instead of looking for the county's . share of funds, we'll have to ask (county residents) to dig deeper into their wallets." Van Den Broeck said she didn't know what long-term effects the decision would have on the construction of the new CAS building. Councillors accepted a recom- mendation by the Huron County Executive Committee, made municipal 'partner' before ap- mmittee-meeting--- proving -a-donation: quest. Councillor Bill Vanstone (Colborne Township) made a. motion "that, due to financial constraints" as well as the fact the county isn't giving out any new grants and is deleting exis- ting grants, "I suggest we tell them we , can't support them financially.", The CAS made the request during ,a presentation at the Oct. 24 committee meeting: The $200,000 agure was based on what other CAS offices throughout the province have received from their respective counties, said Van Den Broeck. The timing is, unfortunate, she added, because municipal governments are "partners in providing service to kids", and some charitable foundations need to see commitment from the un, Joann, Keith and Jenean Todd continued the family tradition of excellence at the Royal Winter Fair In November. Hugh is shown here with the Champlon Southdown Ram. More pictures inside. .