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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2019-02-28, Page 1CitizenTh e $1.25 GST included Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Thursday, February 28, 2019 Volume 35 No. 9 BRIDAL - Pg. 13 ‘The Citizen’ presents its annual wedding guide PRODUCTION - Pg. 31 Teeswater-based company produces ‘Shrek’ in Blyth RECREATION - Pg. 2 Councillor suggests staff restructuring in Huron East Publications Mail Agreement No. 40050141 Return Undeliverable Items to North Huron Publishing Company Inc., P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, ON N0G 1H0 INSIDE THIS WEEK: Huron East budget process begins with $1.5 mil. hole Fire hall moves to north end The Huron East budget process is beginning with a shortfall of approximately $1.49 million and a suggested seven per cent increase to the general municipal levy. Treasurer Paula Michiels told council at its Feb. 19 meeting that she is assuming that Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) money will decrease again by an estimated $224,940. However, Ontario Minister of Finance Vic Fedeli has said that OMPF levels will be maintained, which could result in unexpected revenue for Huron East. Michiels introduced councillors to the first draft of the budget that night, saying that there will have to be significant cuts to the budget before it can be balanced. One topic that sparked conversation among councillors was the recreation centre budgets and where they were anticipated to end up at the end of 2019. The Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre was able to significantly chip away at its accumulated deficit last year, bringing it down from $81,079 to $37,688. With a proposed deficit reduction levy of $28,839, the centre is anticipated to end 2019 with a deficit of over $126,000. The centre’s budget for the year also includes two capital projects. The first is the recently-approved feasibility study being conducted by Campaign Coaches and the second is the replacement of two dehumidifiers. Huron East is projecting a slight reduction in the Seaforth and District Community Centre accumulated deficit by the end of the year. It began the year with a deficit of $126,062 and ended 2018 with a deficit of $130,039. Huron East is budgeting for a slight decrease in the deficit by the end of the year, with the centre ending the year $124,142 in the hole. In addition to the debt reduction levy, the centres will also be receiving a 2.5 per cent increase to their levies, which is in step with the rest of the municipality. Deputy-Mayor Bob Fisher, however, was blunt in saying that he felt it was time the community centres pulled themselves up by the boot straps. “Why don’t we not give them any increase and tell them to raise more money?” Fisher asked, adding that every year the municipality gives more and more to the centres and the revenue continues to decrease. Brussels Councillor John Lowe, however, stood up to Fisher, saying At North Huron Council’s Feb. 19 meeting, council approved the purchase of two parcels of land at the north end of Queen Street for a new fire hall and public works building. Reeve Bernie Bailey explained that council heard the concerns of both the fire department and the public when deciding the North Street location and Gypsy Lane location, the Radford Memorial Baseball Diamond, were unsuitable for the new structure. Thanks were offered to former Councillor Brock Vodden who presented a petition against the Gypsy Lane location during last night’s meeting, as well as all the members of the public who helped council come to the decision. The township purchased the lands from Philip George Hubbard, Susan E. Hubbard and Catherine McNichol for a grand total of $130,000 split evenly between the two properties. The sites are identified as Con. 2 Pt. Lot 42 AS RP;22R4447 Part 3 and Part 4. The purchase agreement completes on April 1 of this year. The decision comes after the previous North Huron Township Council penned a deal with Blyth Cowbell Brewing Company Ltd. to sell the current fire hall and As the hockey season nears its end, several local teams find themselves with something to play for in this season’s playoffs. BLYTH BRUSSELS For the Blyth Brussels Crusaders, the Novice Rep Squad posted a 2-1 series win over the BCH Ice Dogs and, next weekend, will be facing off against the West Grey Warriors on March 2 at 9 a.m. in Blyth and then take on the Arthur Vipers at 6:30 p.m. on March 6 at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre. The Atom Local League Black squad is set to face off against the Huron-Bruce Blizzard on home ice in Brussels on March 2 at 10 a.m., then take on the Zurich Thunder on the road on March 8. Atom Local League Burgundy recently played against the BCH Ice Dogs 2 in Hensall, but a score was unavailable at press time. The squad will face off against the Mitchell Meteors in Brussels on March 2 at 11 a.m., the BCH Ice Dogs 1 squad in Hensall on March 4 and the Mitchell Meteors on March 9. The Atom Rep squad has had a series of wins in its postseason, besting the Mount Forest Rams and taking two games from the Drayton Defenders since the start of the month. The squad next faces off against the Central Perth Predators with games in Blyth on March 1 at 7 p.m. and Milverton on March 4. The PeeWee Local League team Hockey, broomball playoffs now underway Coming in hot The sun was out and the snow was cool on Saturday as the Blyth Lions Club held its annual snow volleyball tournament, bringing out 16 teams. The Lions awarded cash prizes to the winning teams, but all had a great time at one of the best tournaments in the event’s history, according to some members of the club. It was certainly an improvement over last year’s tournament, which took place in a mud pit thanks to unseasonably warm temperatures and a massive rain event leading up to that weekend, making for some messy games. (Hannah Dickie photo) By Denny Scott The Citizen Continued on page 11 By Denny Scott The Citizen Continued on page 12 Continued on page 32 By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen