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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1994-02-23, Page 1Government______I_________Sports_______ |________Special Board of Education releases stipend total for trustees See page 6 Brussels Bulls’ season ends, Crusaders move on to next round See page 8 Bridal issue offers 9 pages of tips for newly engaged couples See page 13 CitizenTheNorthHuron MVCA’s 94 budget shows drop of 8.5% Vol. 10 No. 8 Wednesday, February 23, 1994 600 GSTincluded The 1994 budget for the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority will drop by approximately 8.5 percent to $2,207,105 from $2,413,990. The directors approved the bud* get which was tabled at the annual meeting on Feb. 18, in Wroxeter. The general levy for the munici­ palities will be $314,243 up $5,253 from the previous year. Marlene Shiell, secretary-treasur­ er says this increase averages 10 cents per person to bring the total to $5.67. The apportionment of levy by local municipalities are as follows: Blyth, $3,875.24; Brussels, $4,091.13; Grey Twp., $9,553.30; Hullett Twp., $9,421.01; McKillop Twp., $9,565.24; Morris Twp., $8,519.76; East Wawanosh Twp., $5095.14 and West Wawanosh Twp., $4,905.65. Contingency plans are still being developed, concerning the budget, because the provincial government has not yet announced the level of funding for the Authority. Communications Coordinator, Paul Weitendorf says the Authority expects further cuts. Mr. Duncan says provincial cuts affect both administration and capi­ tal projects. "With the funding some projects may not get started. One that may be affected is the flood forecasting program." "Grants have continued to decrease and the Authority now has one third the buying power it had in 1971." "The MVCA has done a good job without massive increases in expenditures and adjustments have been made in the budgets to allow for an increase in capital project works," says Mr. Duncan. "We have been able to keep the municipal levy stable; maintaining a constant share, with inflation adjustments." Mr. Duncan says the elimination of the Conservation Land 1 ax Rebate has hit some authorities hard. The MVCA does not hold a great deal of land but, did lose a rebate of $7,580. The Authority is also trying to cut costs by leasing some of the conservation land and by tendering maintenance costs for day use areas. Increases in revenue are being sought through new funding oppor­ tunities, the reforestation assistance program and charging fees for ser­ vice. Mr. Duncan says the authorities in Ontario could expect a cut of $5 million, $2 million from operations and $3 million from capital works. Of this amount, the MVCA may see a decrease of 10 percent or $47,000 in operation funding. Many directors expressed con­ cern about the elimination of the land tax rebate and Chair George Wicke says there are talks under­ way with the Minister of the Trea­ sury Board. Director of the Association of Conservation Authorities of Ontario, Richard Turkheim says he is hoping for a decision soon from the board with regard to the tax and that there may be help rom the MNR to pay the taxes. The directors reinstated Chair George Wicke and Vice-Chair Ivan Suggitt for another term. Certificates of recognition were given to seven directors as they completed their service to the Authority. Those receiving acknowledge­ ment were: Lome Murray of Mary­ borough Twp., 27 years; Carman Kaye of Minto Twp., 15 years; Elmer Trick of Clinton, 10 years; Thomas Kale of Seaforth, seven years; Ron Beecroft of Wingham, six years; Wayne Riley of Morris Twp., five years and Keith McLa- gan of Logan Twp., four years. MVCA says to stay Winter games away from rivers While the Olympic Games were on in Lillehammer, Norway, students from Brussels Public School had their own Winter Games last Thursday. Ryan Mawhinney takes his turn at a rather innovative downhill slalom course. The students were divided into teams representing various countries. The day was hosted by the Grade 8 class. With Ryan are an unidentified teammate and Justin Ruttan. The warm weather experienced on Feb. 18, 19 and 20 has cleared the ice from many smaller water­ courses and severely weakened the ice on larger rivers. The Mailland Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) would like to remind everyone about the hazards posed Wild boars still a problem in area by streams, rivers and drains al this time of year. Parents are urged to warn their children of the dangers of playing along frozen or flooded watercourses. The temperature of water al this time is between 1° and 3° C (34° to 37° F). In waler this cold, Wild boars are still a problem in some western townships of Huron County with animals being spotted recently in Goderich Twp. Ministry of Natural Resources Conservation Officer, Bob Pegg says animals have been seen along the Mailland River, between Forester’s Bridge and Bcnmiller Bridge and on other area farms. "We want them eliminated because they can cause crop dam­ age and there is the possibility of the spread of disease, particularly to the swine population," he says. "OMAF is very concerned about the problem because of its initiative to introduce new domestic species to the area." Disease could threaten the project. Mr. Pegg says the MNR believes the number of animals is nearing zero but is still checking reports from residents. Hunters have been very helpful in hclpmg to eliminate the boars, says Mr. Pegg, but they must respect private properly and obtain the landowner's permission before hunting on the land. Hunters must also abide by the calibre restrictions for this area and yet be sure they have enough fire­ power to drop the animals. A cali­ bre between 243 and 270 or seven millimetre would be adequate and for a shotgun, use buck shot or slugs, says Mr. Pegg. Hunters must also be aware that there are others in the area going after the same boars. The MNR is implementing a bailing program, with the permis­ sion of affected landowners, to draw the boars to specific locations. "Many farmers arc becoming very upset with the number of calls they are receiving from hunters, requesting permission to hunt on their land." "In co-operation with OMAF, landowners and hunters, MNR is taking the initiative to set up the stations so the animals can be elim­ inated to prevent any possible dam­ age to crops or domestic animals," say Mr. Pegg. Mr. Pegg encourages anyone who has sighted a boar to contact the Ministry with the location so action can be taken. hypothermia can occur in just a few minutes. The MVCA suggests everyone stay away from watercourses, both large and small. Clarification The facts in an accident report on the front page of last week's issue of The Citizen were misleading. It should have staled that the vehicle driven by Bryan Bell, was struck by the village truck as the driver Bill Bromley moved onto the road­ way to see past a snowbank. We apologize f any embarrass­ ment ihis may htn caused.