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The Citizen, 1993-03-03, Page 1The North Huron itizen Happy travellers Sunny skies with just the right chill in the air made Saturday a perfect day for snowmobilers to hit the trails for the Blyth Snowmobile Club's annual poker rally. Organizers said the day was a success with a total of 150 machines registered, 493 hands sold and lots of food eaten Sports Bulls, Barons face-off in playoff finals See page 7 Community Brussels-area man places second in auctioneers' match See page 10 News MVCA sets 1993 budget at annual meeting Education Trustees lay it on the line to MPP Klopp See page 16 Grant changes could raise education taxes By Lisa Boonstoppel-Pot Education taxes may have to be increased more than five per cent just to hold the budget at last year's level, it was revealed Monday at the Huron County Board of Educa- tion's (HCBE) March meeting. Changes in the provincial gov- ernment grant structure means the HCBE may receive over $1 million less than last year. Even without spending a cent more than last year, ratepayers are facing a five per cent tax increase. The news incensed trustees who promptly decided to petition the Minister of Education to change the grant structure. "We are absolutely devastated by this information," said HCBE Chair, Bea Dawson. "The ratepay- ers of Huron County have been severely hurt by local economic circumstances and now the provin- cial government is attempting to download educational costs on a county which simply cannot afford it." News of the proposed grant changes came in a memorandum to the school board which contained the key elements of the projected Brussels village councillors voted to support Wheels Away transit Monday night, but without a lot of enthusiasm. Councillors made the decision following a presentation by Gloria Workman and Sandra Thompson of Wheels Away, supported by Pat Watson, Rev. Cam McMillan and Bev Brown. The presentation came after a request from councillors who wanted an explanation of why the village's share of the cost of supporting the service for disabled and frail elderly had jumped from less than $16 for 1991 operation to $513 for 1992. Councillors agreed they would pay the $513 for this year, while accepting any donations that might be forthcoming to sup- port the project, but not enter into an agreement that would commit the village to support a share of the annual deficit for the service. Ms Workman explained to coun- cillors that the $513 represented the 6.28 per cent share of all the trips taken on Wheels Away that were 1993 General Legislative Grants. One of these key elements is the projected standard mill rate which the province sets. This year, it was adjusted to six and a half per cent and this is where the problem lies. Bob Allan, director of education with the board explains. "If the county assessment had gone up six and half per cent, we would be all right but our assessment didn't even go up one per cent so that gap has to be paid for by local taxpayers." It's a classic case of the poor get- ting poorer and rich richer, said Mr. Allan. While slow-growth areas like Huron have to pay more, rapid- ly developing areas like the greater Toronto areas pay less. "It's the six and half per cent mill rate that's pounding us into the ground," said Mr. Allan. "Other aspects of the general legislative grants are fair." Trustees are hoping by petition- ing the government, it will make changes to the proposed grant structure before final mill rates are anounced later this month. HCBE will also be soliciting the support of other boards to petition the government. taken by Brussels residents. The amount was so much higher than in 1991 because Wheels Away was in operation for the full year in 1992 and because more residents from Brussels used the service in 1992 (a total of 97 trips). While councillors objected to the fact that they couldn't budget when they didn't know how much the bill might be for the service, Ms Work- man explained that the municipali- ties had said they would rather pick up a share of the deficit based on ridership, rather than based on pop- ulation of the municipalities. The problem with this, she explained, is that the cost can't be determined until the end of the year. Councillor Greg Wilson said it was difficult for council to budget not knowing how much the increase might be, pointing out the large difference between the 1991 and 1992 requests for support. Rev. MacMillan said the projected growth in use of the service is 10 Continued on page 17 Petitioners request meeting By Lisa Boonstoppel-Pot Blyth taxpayers who signed a petition calling for Clerk-Treasurer Helen Grubb's dismissal are requesting another meeting with council. Ron Ritchie of Blyth was at council's Feb. 23 meeting. "A few weeks ago," he said, "you received a petition. I haven't heard any response. Am I going to get any?" He then requested another meet- ing with council. Council had met with five petition signers in early January. "I don't think that's necessary," said Reeve Dave Lee. "As far as I'm concerned, we've dealt with the issue. I'm not sure it's the answer you want..." In dealing with the issue, council had met with Ms Grubb at two sep- arate meetings and consulted with the village solicitor. Following these meetings, Reeve Lee stated to council on Feb. 10 that firing Ms Grubb would be wrongful termination. Council had few options, he said, in that Ms Grubb's duties as clerk- administrator are spelled out by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and as there is not any reason to believe they are not being done properly, firing her would be wrongful termi- nation. Council will therefore take no action, he said, will apologize to Ms Grubb for any discomfort she has experienced through the course of the proceedings and will encour- age her to go on with her duties. Councillor Steve Sparling made a motion to accept Reeve Lee's state- ment and it was seconded by Coun- .cillor Shirley Fyfe. Councillors Doug Scrimgeour and Robbie Lawrie voted against the motion. Though Reeve Lee said another meeting wasn't necessary, Council- lor Scrimgeour pointed out that it has been the policy of council to meet with any group of taxpayers. He informed the group the proper way to speak to council was to apply to the clerk to be put on the next meeting's agenda. Reeve Lee advised that the appli- cation should be in writing. Ratepayer Mason Bailey said he had a concern about submitting a letter to Ms Grubb to get on the agenda. "In this case, I don't think we can do that. With all respect to Helen, this petition was directed to council and no one else." At this point, Ms Grubb said "All behind my back. That how credible you- people are, doing all this behind my back." "I don't want to get personal," said Mr. Bailey. "My argument is with council and no one else." The matter was dropped as coun- cil voted to adjourn the meeting. Vol. 9 No.9 Wednesday, March 3 1993 600 GST included Wheels Away gets Brussels' support CAVEAT continues work A Brussels woman had to postpone a trip to Ottawa Feb. 25, following the resignation of Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. Nancy Machan was one of a group of 40, who had gathered names on a petition for CAVEAT, an organization begun by the mother of slain Burlington teen Nina de Villiers. One of the other people planning to attend was the mother of Kristen French, Ms Machan said. One million, four hundred Canadians have signed the petition request- ing the federal government look at tightening the restriction on bail, parole and probation. "They have to protect society better than they've been doing," said Ms Machan. When CAVEAT began in 1991 the intent had been to get one million signatures to the petition. However, with the resignation of Mulroney, the organization wants to wait to speak to his replacement, so will now con- tinue its efforts with the intent of doubling the original goal to 2 million signatures. "It will strengthen our argument," said Ms Machan. On March 4 Mrs de Villiers will be the guest speaker at Family Transi- tion Place in Orangeville. The special dinner and evening is in recognition of International Women's Day. More information can be obtained by call- ing 942-4122.