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The Citizen, 1997-12-17, Page 1News I____Sports_______I_____Entertainment Wingham Hospital board renews contract of CEO Koch See page 6 Blyth Bantams continue their winning ways See page 8 With budget goals reached Blyth Festival in high spirits See page 23 CitizenTheNorthHuron Downloading still a puzzle By Janice Becker Citizen staff At first glance, the cost of the province’s downloading of ser­ vices, announced Friday, appears to be revenue neutral, but local coun­ cils are still questioning how some numbers were determined. “The government has done a wonderful job of confusing the release (of the numbers),” said Grey Twp. Clerk-Treasurer Brad Knight. “My initial reaction was that it didn’t appear too bad.” However, upon further examina­ tion Knight said he found that the government had included loss of municipal support grants thereby making it appear as if the township was only short $25,000. Each municipality under 100,000 in population was expected to find savings of 1.7 per cent. This was calculated into the “neutral” fund­ ing. Knight also points out that the township's ability to raise taxes to cover the $25,000 savings is severely limited by the 25 per cent tax rate on farm land assessment. In the past, farm land had been taxed al a higher rate, then rebated by the province. The land is now to be taxed at only 25 per cent, limit­ ing the revenue for rural townships. The township currently raises $352,000 for township lax purposes on a full assessment base and will now require an additional $25,000 with downloading, said Knight. He questions how that will be accom­ plished when over half the town­ ship’s tax base will only be paying $.25 on the dollar. Knight foresees a property tax increase of anywhere from zero to 40 per cent. This could mean municipal and county t^xes totaling $914, for 1998, on a $100,000 house. This is up from the current $517.73. Some balancing of these figures, Knight hopes is in the $77 million dollar fund for municipalities in special circumstances. Knight said municipalities “should monitor the criteria for this fund very closely.” Though the story is much the same for other rural municipalities, with the loss of the farm tax base, villages may not be hit quit so hard. Each will have to find the approximately 1.7 per cent in sav­ ing, though Donna White, clerk­ treasurer for Brussels and Bev Shaddick, clerk-treasurer for Hul- lett Twp. said there are still a lot of questions about the numbers used by the government. “I still would like to determine where some of the figures came from,” said White. As for Blyth, Clerk-Treasurer John Stewart said he was pleasantly surprised by the $19,000 in savings the village will have to find. “We had been talking (a short­ fall) of $143,000. This is manage­ able now.” The savings figure required for Morris Twp. is $22,000; $18,000 for Hullett Twp. and $16,000 for East Wawanosh. Though there are still many ques­ tions left to be answered, Grey Reeve Robin Dunbar said he is glad they have some figures to work with, but he is waiting for more clarification. Further discussions were planned for a clerk-treasurers' meeting in Goderich later this week. Areas still split on restructuring Most merchants report busy selling season With nine shopping days left until Christmas many local busi­ nesses are Ending a slight increase in sales an are selling lots of prod­ ucts. Oldfield's Pro Hardware and Radio Shack in Brussels is very busy. Max Oldfield said, "The toys are moving well and we are very busy with (satellite) dish installa­ tions. We have seen a slight rise in sales since last year and are quite pleased." "The tougher laws on drinking and driving and ride checks all over are affecting sales, which is a good thing," said Bill Stephenson from the LCBO in Brussels.He remarked that the "business's sales are no dif­ ferent than last ye^r." Brussels Country Inn has many small parties booked for the Christmas season and is finding business good. Bookings have also been good at the Blyth Inn with the Sunday meal crowd filling the establishment. The Brussels Pharmacy has found business a little slower this year. Most items being sold are the regular items and the drugs. The Festival Theatre in Blyth has noticed a rise in ticket sales, and many gift packages have sold also. Luann Taylor, at Luann’s Country Flowers, in Blyth, says, "Business is going great, and things have been generally better all year round. The main items that are sell­ ing are pointsettia, fresh flowers and the gift line is selling good also." Just for You in Brussels has had slow sales, says Agnus Ten Pas, but "that is normal until the last few days." Olde Village Accents' Bev Elliott says she can't complain about sales to date. Nan Gore of Gore's Home Hardware, Blyth, said, "Sales are a little slower than it used to be but are still good. Most items that are selling are appliances, tools and giftware." For those looking to fill the refrigerator and freezer with good­ ies, business is just starting to pick up at local grocery stores with bak­ ing supplies a hot item. By Janice Becker Citizen staff With the word coming down from the provincial government late last week with respect to the expected cost savings to be found by each municipality, restructuring and if it can improve efficiency is going to continue to be studied. Though several municipalities in North Huron have been meeting regularly for months to discuss options, Morris and Turnberry Twps. have, until now, refrained from discussions. Earlier this month, Morris and Turnberry called a meeting between themselves as well as Wingham and Howick Twp. The two municipalities had refused to join discussions as they felt it was a waste of money until more information was known as to what was expected of restructuring. However, at the Dec. 4 meeting, called by Morris Twp., there was talk that neither option currently being discussed by the North Huron group was satisfactory to the two holdouts. One option would result in one municipality north of Cty. Rd. 25 and the second would split that in two. Morris, Grey and Howick Twps. along with Brussels and Blyth could be one area, with a Continued on page 18 ‘Citizen’ staff home for a holiday The offices of The North Huron Citizen will be closed during the Christ­ mas holidays. As there will be no issue of the paper the week of Dec. 31, anyone want­ ing to advertise an event to be held prior to then, may wish to do so in the Dec. 24 "Season's Greetings". Copy must be submitted to the Brussels office by 2 p.m., Monday, Dec. 22 for inclusion. The office will re-open at 10 a.m., Jan. 5. Deadline for advertising and editorial at the Blyth office will be Monday, Dec. 22 at 4 p.m. It will be back to business there at 9 a.m., Jan. 5. The staff would like to take this opportunity to wish our readers, advertis­ ers and their families a "Joyous Christmas" and a 1998 of good news.