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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1989-05-31, Page 5THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 1989. PAGE 5. • Proposed changes would v>LF LU I I j 1 CJLLfA I. Lie change face of Huron BY KEITH ROULSTON Debate seems likely to be loud at the July meeting of Huron County Council when councillors discuss the proposals for county govern­ ment reform contained in the Report of the Consultation Commit­ tee for the Minister of Municipal Affairs. Council approved the original recommendations of the first study by the committee in April 1988 but only after considerable debate. Councillors such as Exeter Reeve Bill Mickel warned the study, called “Patterns for the Future’’, was a step on the road to regional government but others on council felt the report was a good one, that it allowed county councils for reform themselves and didn’t pro­ pose to force changes. But the latest report, issued by the committee members after they had toured the province (they met in Huron June 15 last year) seems even stronger in tone than the original report, particularly in areas that caused concern for county council in discussing the report a year ago. The biggest argument may come over a proposal that would impose a minimum population of 4000 on municipalities. The report argues that: “A strong county system is reliant on strong local units’’. A strong local municipality is one which is efficient and effective in Strong local municipalities needed the delivery of service, and accoun­ table and responsive to its citi­ zens.” The report says local muni­ cipalities must have an adequate tax base and staff resources to provide the required services to the public. “There must be a suffi­ ciently large population and finan­ cial base to support a range of local services and the unit should en­ compass the appropriate service areas. In other words, the munici­ pality should include the area benefitting from local services so that those who benefit also pay and are stakeholders in the planning and management of these ser­ vices.” However, the report goes on to say, “Administrative units (municipalities) and communities need not have the same boundar­ ies.” Concern over the size of munici­ palities had been one of the topics of conversation when the earlier report was debated last year. The report at that time simply recom­ menced: “The minister conduct a review of very small municipalties and separated municipalities.” Bayfield Reeve Dave Johnston, now the county’s warden, wonder­ ed “What’s small? 50? 500? 5000? No one has given me a definition?” Both county council and the Asso­ ciation or Municipalities of Ontario left that recommendation out when they endorsed the overall proposal. Now the M.P.P.s have put a specific number on the size of the minimum population and it seems it is 4000. At its meeting on May 18, the executive committee of county council disagreed with the recom­ mendation for a 4000 minimum population and proposed that each county be given the authority to set whatever figure it wishes. That recommendation will come before the entire council at its July meeting. Reeve Mickle was particularly worried last year about a proposal that would give counties “permis­ sive authority to assume any local municipal function the county does not currently perform ... where there is a two-thirds vote of county council representing a majority of local municipalities.” The new report spells out duties much more clearly. It says counties should be responsible for homes for the aged, children’s aid societies and public health, (as they are now), but also for waste manage­ ment services and for general welfare assistance (which Huron county already administers). The county should also have authority over economic development and New powers to county sewer and water, with local muni­ cipalities given authority to partici­ pate in the delivery of such services. Local municipalities would continue to be responsible for building inspection, fire ser­ vices, policing, business licencing, street lighting, sidewalks, transit, electricity and gas, parking, archi­ tectural conservations and recrea­ tion. Areas such as acquisition and servicing of industrial land could be taken on by either level of govern­ ment. There is no mention in the new report of a two-thirds majority provision. In its recommendation the coun­ ty executive committee wants to see waste management left up to the decision of each county. It wants water and sewer left to the local municipalities and it wants to see economic development a co­ operative program between the county and the local municipality. When the committee visited Huron last year in its round of hearings one thing was loud and clear: Huron county mayors wanted no part of being included in county council. Eileen Palmer, mayor of Goderich told the committee that making mayors sit on county council, with its day-long meetings would preclude many people from running for mayor. Bruce Shaw, Mayor of Exeter agreed, saying he had a day job and would not be able to sit on county council. Clinton Mayor John Balfour said the work­ load of the mayor is heavy enough without adding the responsibilities of county council on top. That message appears not to have impressed the committee because it recommends: “Heads of all local municipalities, including mayors of towns, be required to sit on county council.” The committee argues that “creating a fair repre­ sentation system requires that the Mayors to be on council public be able to clearly identify council representatives and their responsibilities.” Mayors not sitt­ ing on county council, while the heads of all other councils do, is confusing and can cause communi­ cation and co-ordination problems, the report says. But the county’s executive com­ mittee disagreed and its recom­ mendation to the whole council will be that the mayors still be the head of town council but that county council be made up of the reeves of local municipalities plus the deputy reeve of those municipalities where population warrants a second re­ presentative. The committee report would change the name of deputy reeve to “county councillor” but the executive committee disagrees. It’s recommendation to county council is that it wants reeves and deputy reeves retained. The study proposes that the province encourage reorganization studies in the 26 counties by providing 50 per cent funding for a facilitator. The county wants 100 per cent funding for both the facilitator and the study itself. The other hot topic from the study’s recommendations is that the number of county councillors be limited to 20 members. The study says that the large number of small municipalities creates too many county councillors that have more than 30 members. “The Committee feels county councils must be small enough to allow for a ‘full debate’ at council in a reasonable length of time. Every member should be involved in a variety of issues and should be able to speak to each item on the table.” The reply from the county’s executive committee however disa­ grees and says restructuring is not needed in Huron County. Each municipality should be represented at county council, it argues. There are some recommenda­ tions in the study which will have little effect on the county since Huron already has them in effect. We like Huron the way it is The study calls for all counties to have an official plan by 1994 but Huron has long had one. The study also calls for county-wide reassess­ ment based on market value of property. Huron adopted that sy­ stem in 1988. For the most part though, the executive committee is recom­ mending the county go against most of the fundamental changes proposed in the report. Huron County, the executive committee seems to be saying, is working just fine, thank you. Letters to the editor Time to fight to save Callander THE EDITOR, We as a family of a loved one who is making her home at Callander Nursing Home in Brus­ sels, were shocked when we heard that the Home could be closed by 1993. We have an aunt who has made her home there for the past five or six years. Yes, we are sorry, that we cannot take care of her ourself, but she needs more care than we can provide for her. I wasn’t aware of the meeting concerning this matter or I would have been there to voice my opinion. What does the government want to do with these older people? Tuck them under a bed or hide them in a closet somewhere until they start to smell and then dig a hole and put them in it. They are our loved ones and deserve the love and respect the same as anyone. Our aunt started making Callander her home after several strokes. She needed the loving care which we as a family couldn’t give her. I am pleased to go and see her at Callander because she is happy and content there. The nursing staff are kind to her and she is treated with respect. She is part of Callander’s family now and is treated with love, kindness, and respect that she wouldn’t get at a large nursing home. Being confined to a wheel­ chair now, she requires special Changes proposed The face of county government would be changed under new recommendations in the Report of the Consultation Committee totheMinister of Municipal Affairs. Huron County’s executive committee has gone on record as opposing many of the key recommendations. is closed down and the residents moved farther away, how many times will these people get to see the ones they love and hold dear. The government can, has and will spend millions and millions of our tax dollars for day care for kids, trips and dinners for themselves, theatres, art shows and what have you, but they can’t or won’t fork out a few dollars to help care for our older people. Please, I am asking you: Help us Fight to Keep Callander Nursing Home Open. Ella Gwyn Bly th. parents? Then there is a meeting to set up teams, a registration date, another meeting to get coaches, and many more before your child goes out to play ball. Getting coaches in Hul­ lett Township also seems to be a big problem. There are those same parents each year giving up a lot of their free time to go out to all of the practices, and games to help teach your child the game of baseball as well as to have some fun. It seems to me it is about time a few other parents took their turn, just to see how much really is involved. What really irked me the most, is this same ball committee spent a Continued on page 22 care. The nurses, bathe her, dress her, lift her in and out of her chair and help her in everyway. Yet, all this is done with love and respect. Even though there are very few words she can say, the nurses take time to try to understand her. This is something I call CARE, something she wouldn’t get in a larger nursing home. No, we don’t get over to see her every week, however I can phone her or the nurses phone me for her. The staff invite all families to have Christmas with their loved ones. We can have our Christmas dinner for a small fee. If Callander Where are the THE EDITOR, Where is the support in Hullett Township when it comes to raising money for minor sports, such as baseball? What does it cost you parents out there in Hullett to let your child play baseball? How much of your time is taken to drop your child off at his ball games and pick him up? Where is the interest of parents in Hullett Township? Believe it or not, there is a lot more for those on the organizing committee. First they have a meeting to get all the equipment sorted out, and ordered each year.