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The Citizen, 1997-04-02, Page 1News ■_____Sports_____J Community ■ Government Jean Charest makes stop in Goderich See page 6 Brussels Bulls get recognition at awards night See page 8,9 Brussels Curling Club holds year- end meeting See page 10 County approves PUC/Hydro amalgamation See page 24 County’s budget shows no increase Despite nearly $1 million in provincial government cuts, Huron County council adopted a budget, March 27, that will result in no tax increase for the county portion of property taxes. The hold-the-line budget comes despite a cut of $123,000 in the province's block grant to the coun­ ty. A $675,000 cut in the grant for roads comes at the same time as the county now has (as of April 1) an extra 70 km of roads because of the downloading of Hwys. 83, 84 and 87 to the county (there is some additional money for capital repairs on these roads but it has been put into a reserve fund for when the upgrading of the highways is undertaken). Other provincial cuts included about $65,000 in the Health Unit's bud­ get, and $45,822 to the libraries, as well as smaller cuts to other depart­ ments. The county was assisted by an increase in assessment that brought Wingham hospital cuts nursing staff Effective May, 1997 Wingham and District Hospital will consolidate its inpatient beds onto one floor for both chronic and active patients. According to hospital CEO Lloyd Koch, this move will provide operating efficiencies and bring the number of beds in operation to 50, close to the number recommended by the District Health Council report. The five rehabilitation beds called for in their report will also be in operation. This move was necessary to achieve the Ministry of Health 7.2 per cent funding cut of $587,000, Koch said. Layoff notices have been given to one nurse manager, four RNs and one RPN with effective dates starting June 6 and thereafter, as requited by union contracts. Koch said that while all the nurses will still be able to do part-time work, the union contracts do not allow any reduction in hours of work for full-time employees without Time to spring ahead There may not be any way to actually find a few more hours in your busy day, but after this weekend there will be more hours of daylight to enjoy — at least for awhile. The time has come to spring ahead to Daylight Saving Time, so don't forget on Saturday night before going to bed to move your clocks ahead one hour. an additional $60,000 in revenues. Efficiencies in the management of the homes for the aged will save the county $44,000. Part of the shortfall was made up by using $700,000 of the $1.25 million per year budget item which had been previously set aside for developing a county landfill site. With the landfill cancelled in favour of two zone landfill sites (the existing Morris Twp and Exeter landfills) this money was no longer required for its former needs. The remainder of the $1.25 million will be set aside as funding for capital building maintenance for the county's $50 million worth of buildings and for completion of the Waste Management Master Plan. The budget passed with no debate, though earlier some coun­ cillors had protested using the $1.25 million, which had been raised for a special purpose, for ongoing expenses. issuing layoff notices, so this route was taken after discussion with the union. Administrative and support services will also have their hours reduced by 11.1 per cent compared to 6.5 per cent in nursing. Savings triggered in 1996 by not filling one management position and sharing another with Listowel Hospital, along with seven early retirements helped reduce the number of layoffs for 1997. The county hospitals' CEOs continue to meet to discuss more areas where administrative and other savings can be made in Huron-Perth Hospitals by co­ operative ventures. Koch said, "These changes will require the patient length of stay to go down by one day from the current average of six days. This will bring us closer to the provincial benchmark. If this happens, we will actually be able to accommodate more admissions next year, and Continued on page 2 Dance kicks off Homecoming What do bellowing voices and long beards have in common? Brussels Homecoming 1997. The kick-off for the summer event occurs April 26, when the village invites friends and neigh­ bours to a dance at the Brussels, Morris & Grey Community Centre. For those with strong voices and expansive lungs, a town crier com­ petition will be held that night. "The contest is for everyone," said Murray Cardiff, Homecoming committee chair. "It is not just for Brussels residents, but for those from the surrounding area as well and for men and women." The committee is trying to get clubs and organizations involved to enter a contestant as well as indi­ viduals who would like to partici­ pate. More than one crier will be selected to cover the duties on Homecoming weekend, July 31 to Aug. 4. The lines to be uttered for the contest will be published soon. Though the weather is warming, men are invited to take part in the beard growing contest. "For those who already have beards, they don't have to shave them off and start again," said Cardiff. "They just go to Murray's Barber Shop and register." Four men have signed up so far and Cardiff encourages more to enter.