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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1994-04-06, Page 1Contest Government Entertainment v The Citizen announces the winners of the Easter Colouring Draw County voting structure to be re-examined during Benmiller retreat Lampoon Puppettheatre brings its act to Blyth Memorial Hall See page 2 See page 6 See page 19 CitizenTheNorthHuron Blyth Fest, names new Gen. Manager The Blyth Festival board of directors has confirmed the appointment of Susan Moffat as general manager effective April 25. During the past 15 years, Ms Moffat has held a variety of positions in Canadian theatre, giving her a comprehensive view of the arts in Canada. An experienced theatre administrator, she has most recently been the general manager of Northern Lights Theatre in Edmonton. She also brings to Blyth her considerable experience gained during six seasons as the assistant to Stratford producer Colleen Blake, and as an administrator for the Canadian Actors' Equity Association. Ms Moffat is a graduate of the University of Windsor School of Dramatic Art, and a long-time resident of the Stratford area. She is currently in Ottawa completing work on her B.Ed. degree. "I'm very much looking forward to returning to the area," Ms Moffat said during her recent two-week orientation visit to the Blyth Festival. "Especially during the upcoming 20th Anniversary Season. It is an exciting time in the history of the Blyth Festival and I am eager to be part of its success." The 1994 playlist includes two world premieres (Bouncing Back by Suzanne Finlay, Glengarry School Days by Anne Chislett), a W.O. Mitchell favourite (The Black Bonspiel of Wullie MacCrimmon) and the return of a Blyth classic (Ted Johns' He Won't Come In From The Barn). Tickets go on sale b members April 5, and to the general public on April 18. Discount priced Voucher Packs, and this season's new super­ discount Adventure Pack (all four plays for only $44), are available now by phoning the Box Office at 523-9300. No questions asked on county budget HCBE sees low tax increase By Janice Becker If the HCBE can base the expect­ ed provincial grants on the 1993 level, the taxpayers of Huron Coun­ ty should see very little or no increase in their education lax level, says Director of Education Paul Carroll. Mr. Carroll presented a 1994 budget projection to the trustees at the April 4 board meeting. "From the initial predictions of a 15 per cent increase, the work of the committees has brought the rale of increase down to .426 percent," says Mr. Carroll. These estimations will be sent to the municipalities to inform them of the situation which the board now sees. The municipalities will be warned that the figures staled are only projections until the board receives final word from the province regarding grants, <it the end of April. The information submitted to the municipalities will allow the board to requisition 25 per cent of the levy at this time, he says. Any changes to the grant monies and the resulting increase in mill rate will be determined by the provincial government, says Mr. Carroll. Trustees grapple with decision By Janice Becker Since the announced retirement of Superintendent of Program, Arnold Mathers from the Huron County Board of Education, the trustees have been grappling with the problem of filling the position or reallocating the duties. The board's management com­ mittee brought forward a recom­ mendation to replace the retiring supervisory officer at the April 4 meeting. Trustee Joan Van Den Broeck, representing the townships of Col- borne and Goderich, said the replacement should be delayed until further budget talks had been held to determine the financial position of the board. "We need more information regarding the duties of the officer and the possible reconfiguration of the responsibilities before we can make a decision," she said. Stephen Twp. Trustee Bob Hey­ wood said the guidelines for super - Continued on page 8 The 1994 budget document for the County of Huron totals 142 pages, but county councillors passed it Thursday without a single question being asked. The lack of questions was aided by the fact that the budget will require no tax increase in 1994 to meet the county's needs. There is even a contingency fund of $308,346 put aside to deal with unpleasant surprises that may come through pay equity, or changes in the conditional grants given by the provincial government. The budget won praise for staff from councillors. "I’d like to pay tribute to the staff for their commit­ ment in bringing the budget in with a zero per cent tax increase," said Dave Gower, acting chair of the Administration, Finance and Per­ sonnel Committee. Council came into the year with a $75,888 surplus, despite the cut­ backs necessitated under the provincial government's expendi­ ture control and social contract policies. Those cuts cost the county $225,020 in provincial grants last year. As well, the county carried a deficit of $131,852 from 1992 into the 1993 year. Social contract cuts will cost the county a further $31,333 in 1994 as they take effect for a full year. It meant that department heads, trying to meet the zero-increase goal had to actually cut costs. The budget document says that each of the departments met the goal within their own budget except for the Agriculture Committee which, because it is hiring a replacement for retiring weed inspector Joe Gib­ son required an extra $9,500 to pay for a new employee to learn on the job with Mr. Gibson. The Social Services committee is counting on the new Municipal Employment Program to bring down welfare costs enough to meet the goal. If welfare levels stayed the same as last year, the cost of the county's 20 per cent share would be t an extra $80,400. The hiring of a job placement councillor under the new program, however, will match welfare recipients wilh job opportu­ nities and result in a reduction in the number of welfare recipients, the department hopes. The contin­ gency fund will help cover any shortfall in these projections. Council also expects that the County's pay equity plan for non- unionized employees will finally be approved by the Pay Equity Com­ mission. This will mean substantial payouts to affected employees. This is also accounted for in the Continued on page 6 Falconer gets 5 months in jail A Kitchener woman found guilty of over 80 mg of alcohol, was sen­ tenced to five months in jail in Goderich court March 29. Kathleen Falconer, was charged with impaired driving causing death in February 1993 following an accident which claimed the life of 27-year-old Sherry Souch of Brussels. In February of this year Judge McCart found Ms Falconer guilty of the over 80 charge. In addition to the jail term, she is also under a one-year driving pro­ hibition.