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The Citizen, 1993-04-14, Page 1I Vol. 9 No. 15 Wednesday, April 14, 1993 600 GST included lien • • t it The rising sun As the sun rose high in the sky Sunday morning, members of the Melville Presbyterian Church congregation gathered by the Maitland River to celebrate the rising of God's son, Jesus, from the tomb. Gatherers heard the story of Jesus's crucifixion on the cross and how he rose again from the dead to save humankind from sin.The scene was a repetition of sorts from the 6:30 a.m. Sunrise Worship service in Blyth at the Howson and Howson Mills Elevators for members of the Blyth United congregation. Experts give tips on how to make your child street smart See page 6 Students get the chance to experience a slice of Huron See page 18 Ernie Coombs talks about his 25 years as Mr. Dressup See page 19 `We're not the bad guys,' trustee says By Lisa Boonstoppel-Pot A tide of support for the Family Studies and Design and Technolo- gy courses has trustees re-thinking about cutting the programs. Faced with a 6.5 per cent increase in the Huron County Board of Education budget, school trustees were examining areas for possible cuts. The Family Studies program was one of three costs trustees were tak- ing a serious look at. The other two were proposed renovations at Col- borne Public School and adminis- tration staff numbers. But at their April 5 school board meeting, several trustees revealed there is incredible support for the program as indicated in surveys schools sent out requesting parent's opinions on the program. "Parents are adamant that they want this program," said Twp. of Stanley Trustee, Bob Burton. "They will cut anything but this program. We can't axe it." Board Chair Bea Dawson agreed. "I believe this is one of the last pro- grams we should cut." She explained it was a program not only enjoyed by top-achievers but by other students as well who greatly benefitted from the life skills taught in the program. But Doug Garniss, trustee for Morris and Turnberry Townships said "We have to remember that some programs are going to have to go if things (the economy) don't improve." If the Family Studies and Design and Technology programs were cut, it would save the board approximately $168,300 in 1993 and $420,586 in 1994. The largest cost of the programs are teacher salaries and transporta- tion. Following a discussion on the merits of the program, Goderich Twp. Trustee Joan Van den Broeck interrupted to say trustees should stop "beating their chests" about making cuts. "We have to stop being so masochistic," she said. "We haven't been frivolous and we've never over extended in the good times. I think we're wrong to beat our chests. We're not the bad guys." She urged trustees not to make any drastic cuts saying that though a 6.5 per cent increase sounded bad, it only worked out to approxi- Continued on page 8 Brussels council increases budget by 2% Helped out by a $38,031 surplus from 1992, Brussels village council has adopted a budget for local pur- poses which will increase the mill rate by two per cent in 1993. Council will hold the line on most expenses but will purchase three special fire suits at a cost of $1,000 each, a purchase required by new provincial regulations. Council has also voted to spend $1,000 for lapel pins to promote the village. The modest increase comes despite council's undertaking two large projects this year, the comple- tion of the Elizabeth St. extension to the Huronlea home for the aged, which will be paved at a cost of $20,000, and a storm sewer along Church, John and Market streets to the river at a cost of $77,125. These projects are funded by a 50 per cent grant under the province's Pride program. As well as the tax increase, how- ever, householders will be faced with an increased garbage pick-up fee of $145, up from $69 last year. The amount covers the one-time additional cost of monitoring wells being installed, at the insistence of the Ministry of the Environment, at the Morris Township Landfill site which Brussels shares with the township. Overall, garbage collec- tion charges will soar to $73,733 from $34,843 to cover the costs of the monitoring of the site. Both cuts and increases are gen- erally small. The budget expects $300 less in rents from trailers in the trailer park while the salaries for councillors are budgeted to be down $500 for the year. Revenue from building permits is budgeted to drop from $6,654.20 to $5,700. The budget sees a saving in insur- ance costs, but projects the possi- bility of higher tax write-offs as a result of the current recession. The one large increase is in recreation expenses which are projected to be $24,105, up from $15,120. The Brussels Morris and Grey Recreation Board saw a $16,826 surplus at the end of 1991 turn into a $4,651 deficit at the end of 1992. The board did manage to start a reserve for capital works, however, tucking away $10,000 for future needs. The biggest losses came in revenue from the booth, which had been projected at $36,200 but was only $27,272 and from auditorium rentals which dropped to $30,563 from the budgeted amount of $35,586. The community centre's catering group had a shortfall in the busi- ness it had expected in 1992 but still managed to donate its usual $10,000 to the recreation commit- tee. The Medical-Dental Centre also recorded a small deficit of $1,190 in 1992 but remains in the black with an accumulated surplus. The cemetery board rang up a $4,780 surplus for the year, up from $598 in 1991. The Brussels, Morris and Grey Industrial Commission was in a deficit position of $706 for 1991 but remains in the black by nearly $1,000. The $38,031 surplus on village operation in 1992 came about mostly from cost cutting. Nearly $20,000 of that came in savings in general operations. General govern- ment was more than $7,000 under budget while the fire budget was nearly $1,500 less than planned. Road maintenance and public works cost $5,000 less than had been budgeted. Thanks to $15,000 in fundraising parks and recreation was $11,500 under the amount in the budget. On the other hand garbage disposal and collection and the sanitary sewer system all cost more than had been budgeted. The Elizabeth St. paving was postponed for a year meaning the $25,000 in the budget was put into a reserve for the work to be done this year. In addition, however, road construction was $5,000 under budget. Several projects undertaken under the Pride program all came in under budget. Blyth merchant reports mischief A Blyth businessperson reported' an act of mischief which had occurred in the village during the evening of Friday, April 9. A spokesperson from the Wing- ham OPP said Ruth Webster of Websters' Clothing and Footwear reported Saturday morning that the shrubs at the side of the building had been driven through and there was damage to the siding. Police have no suspects.