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The Citizen, 1996-03-27, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 1996 Considering the options Reeves, councillors, clerk-treasurers and road superintendents from across the county gathered at Central Huron Secondary School, March 23, to discuss options available on the question of amalgamation. Blyth Councillor Doug Scrimgeour takes his turn speaking as a representative of one of the 10 discussion groups. `Doing nothing not an option' Machan Wlt The news from a on Compiled by Patty Banks Phone 887-6156 K. Hoegy greets at Duff's SHARP DEALS ON QUALITY - CLEAN READY-TO-GO USED CARS Great Savings on These Used Cars & Trucks. Some One Owner Low Mileage. 1994 Ford Tempo • 4 door with air 1992 Buick Regal Ltd., 4 door loaded 1991 Mercury Grand Marquis LS • loaded 1991 Olds Cutless Supreme SL • 4 door, many extras 1990 Dodge Grand Caravan SE • cruise, tilt, AM/FM Stereo, cassette 1989 Cougar LS • loaded 1' ; ; Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham • loaded 1987 GMC half Ton • V8, automatic 1986 Bonneville • 4 door, V8 1982 Ford 1/2 Ton • 6 cyl., standard transmission, low mileage HAMM'S BLYTH PHONE 523-4342 " IT'S NOT WHAT YOU MAKE, BUT WHAT YOU KEEP!" Are you paying too much money in taxes? If you think you are then we should talk! Consider the following: Canada was voted to be the best place to live in the world by the United Nations, yet Canada is also one of the heaviest taxed countrys in the world. Despite claims of no tax increases, the recent budget does increase the tax liability of many Canadians. We have solutions to your tax problems. We are Associated Financial Planners, a firm specializing in tax, investment & insurance planning. We provide independent financial planning which allows us to offer you unbiased professional advice. All consultations are offered without fee or obligation & are held in the strictest of confidence. So if you are seriously interested in saving taxes & becoming financially independent, please call: Helen M. Hetherington Financial Planning Consultant 887-9964 or 1-800-869-8922 Competitive GIC rates also offered! Mackenzie Building Financial Independence INDEPENDENT BROKERS Life Inuirititer P lir Of feliaala Associated Financial Planners GREY TOWNSHIP (1856-1996) 140 Years in Canada ANNIVERSARY PARADE Saturday, June 29 at 1:00 p.m. -1 Entry No Parade Entry Form NAME OF ORGANIZATION WITH BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ENTRY - eg. Size, length of float Number of People in Float Entry Head Contact Person Phone # Return this form to one of the following: Contact Committee: Mr. John Saxon - 887-9287, Cranbrook (Phone or Fax) Mr. Alvin McLellan - 887-9456, R.R. #3, Brussels Mrs. Joanne Stafford - 887-6016, R.R. #1, Ethel Mrs. Jane Stewart - 887-9234, Ethel db Continued from page 1 tion. In the area of how municipalities should respond to amalgamation, some suggestions included a county facilitator to co-ordinate restructur- ing, completing a study to deter- mine standards for service, the cost of such services, the role of the county in a restructured Huron and consideration of the urban-rural balance. Wingham Reeve Bruce Machan said, "Doing nothing (about amal- gamation) is not an option. We must clean our own houses first and cut costs by internal restructuring and the sharing of services." The role of the county and the political structure of Huron was discussed. Though there was some consensus on maintaining a two- tiered political system in the coun- ty, there was also talk of having just the 26 municipalities, having just the county or a reworked municipal structure which might see only five or six units. By retaining the municipal and county systems, it was stated that it might be beneficial to have the province deal strictly with the county, in terms of money and local concerns, to „create a unified voice on behalf of all of Huron. If amalgamation were to be con- sidered, delegates stated present partnership agreements should be studied to look at what is already working. It was suggested the county should also look at a part- nership with the province for road maintenance. In looking at a direction for restructuring, representatives agreed an acceptable level of ser- vices, at a reasonable cost, had to be maintained, whether this was achieved through municipal part- nerships and/or combining and altering county services. The role of the county was inte- gral in all discussions as dlegates said the county had to approve of the process the municipalities were exploring as well as acting as co- ordinators and resource personnel. "The county could co-ordinate, but - not get involved at the local," says Machan. Everyone agreed that whatever was done in terms of amalgama- tion, restructuring or contemplating the next move, improvements to cost and service efficiency would come from Huron residents. It would be 'Made in Huron' solu- tions. Delegates did not want changes suggested from the provin- cial level. There should be public participation and input on decisions which effect the municipalities, some stated. Bigger is not always better said several representatives. Amalgama- tion should not be done just because of a provincial suggestion. It should be done only if there will be a cost savings, said one delegate, and it may not be the solution for all municipalities. "Do we want to amalgamate or save money," asked Norm Fairies, reeve of Howick Twp., "because they don't always go together." When considering amalgamation, the representatives realized they must also consider the effect on the sense of community and the volun- teer groups which now play such a large role in the municipalities. There was a sense that this commit- ment to volunteerism must be pro- tected. - One representative said planning meetings such as this are "benefi- cial if just to look at making improvements to services." To be able to achieve satisfactory amalgamation or restructuring results, without conflict, attendees agreed that regular group meetings should continue as further informa- tion is received regarding Bill 26, opening lines of communications needed to be maintained and, under all circumstances, egos should be left at the door. Warden Bill Clifford, Goderich, told delegates the county staff would put together a set of draft principles and guidelines (deter- mined by the strategic planning committee) to be ready by late spring. It is possible another meet- ing would be scheduled at that time. Karen Hoegy greeted wor- shippers attending Duff's United Church on March 24. The service began with the choir singing the introit, I Am There. Geoffrey Banks lit the Christ candle and Rev. Randy Banks led the congregation in the Call to Worship. Rev. Banks reminded everyone about the UCW noon luncheon on Wednesday, March 27. He also mentioned the upcoming services for observing Holy Week starting next Sunday, which is Palm Sunday, and then with a Maundy Thursday service on April 4. He acknowledged the flowers from the Roy Williamson family that were placed in the church in his memory. It has been a year since his death. After the singing of the children's hymn Rev. Banks called the young worshippers forward and asked for a volunteer to place the next Lenten symbol on the banner. Jennifer McClure got the job of putting the symbol of the wind up. The symbol was taken from the Ezekiel passage where the wind blew through the dry bones. Rev. Banks then asked them what a friend was. After several Cranbrook 4-H By Sara McLellan On Monday, March 18, the Cranbrook Funky Fashions held a planning meeting to discuss what we are going to dolor achieve- ment. All members are remindedto be. at the Cranbrook Hall at 6 p.m. on April- 1 for achievement day. ,The program begins at 6:30 p.m. On Saturday, March 23, the Cranbrook 4-H club held its sixth meeting of Wearable Art. This meeting was held to paint our t-shirts. The 4-H group was split, with the younger people going in the morning, and the older people in the afternoon. Some interesting ideas were a moon wearing a nightcap, happy faces, and little animals. answers he asked if they thought that Jesds had friends. They agreed that he did and Rev. Banks told them about Mary and Martha and Lazarus, who were his friends and how sad and upset Jesus was when he learned of Lazarus's death. He went on to tell them how Jesus brought his friend back to life. The sermon was called, "Now Lazarus, about this death thing." Rev. Banks did a one man dialogue with him playing both the 20th century spokesperson and the voice of Lazarus. Next week's Lenten collection will be, "adding the digits in your telephone number and multiplying it by three cents."