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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-07-07, Page 7THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 1999. PAGE 7. Hullett council unveils amalgamation plan By Chris Colboiirne Special to The Citizen One is the loneliest number. But three municipalities and a two-tier system, could be the answer to cutting costs. Hullett council unveiled its plan for amalgamation with about 25 people at the Londesboro hall on June 22. The proposal is for the Twps. of Goderich, Hullett and the Town of Clinton, to join forces with respect to public works, policing, garbage disposal and to reduce the amount of cost the three bodies spend independently. Reeve, Bob Szusz, said, “The province has left us with the bill.” In the event local groups cannot come to an agreement, the brass at Queen’s Park would take over. “We just don’t want that,” said Szusz. As for the new name and status of the three bodies involved, the new municipality will be called, the Municipality of Central Huron. The new body will also form part of the County of Huron. According to Szusz who singularly presented the proposal, with respects to representation of the new municipality, a regular Hullett discusses effect on boards By Chris Colbourne Special to The Citizen Local boards may be affected the most because with restructuring comes change. With the proposal for amalgamation between the Twps. of Goderich, Hullett and the Town of Clinton, a proposal must explain what will become of the local boards that exist within the municipality being affected. These boards can be retained, dissolved or altered. At the Hullett council meeting June 22, Reeve Bob Szusz said with respects to the Blyth and District Fire board, the new municipality of Central Huron would like to retain that service. Szusz also said, originally, Blyth was asked to be part of restructuring with this group but chose to rebuild north with Wingham. “Hullett is very concerned about the Blyth service (not having it) said Szusz. “But, it really is up to Blyth.” “We pushed really hard for them.” Along with the fire board, arena boards, landfill, community centres and recreation boards from Clinton and Seaforth were also in question. Council said it would study the situation and attempt to find a solution for everyone. But the major issue regarding boards affected by restructuring in Huron County, was with respects to the Police Services Board (currently the only one is in Clinton) and the police village of Auburn. Residents of Auburn were asked to vote on four scenarios that would see distribution of the police village. 1. The entire police village becomes part of East Wawanosh Twp. 2. The police village becomes a municipal election will be held in November of 2000 and act as if the three boards have already been restructured. Representatives for county council (beginning Jan. 1, 2001) will also be chosen during the November election. The new council for the Municipality of Central Huron will consist of eight members said Szusz. The Reeve and Deputy Reeve will be elected at large and will be both members of local and county councils. Six members of council will be elected by ward, with two members per ward. According to Hullett’s proposal, the first ward will be the former Twp. of Goderich, the second will be the former Twp. of Hullett and the third ward will be the former Town of Clinton. Szusz did stress, the system will allow all three bodies to keep their names. As for the present system, the wards shall remain in effect for one term of office. As of Jan. 1, 2003, each ward will be adjusted to represent an equal number of electors. The new council will run under six committees. They are: planning, environment, protection of persons part of West Wawanosh. 3. The police village be split at County Rd. 25 with Hullett taking over the portion of the village to that toad (the remainder would stay with East and West Wawanosh). 4. The police village boundaries would stay intact. Local training board says ‘We must work smarter’ The Bruce Grey Huron Perth Georgian Triangle Training Board, the community’s voice on training needs, issues, and barriers, held its annual general meeting in Hanover on Thursday, June 10 with 65 in attendance. Marshall Draper, consultant and retired educator, gave the keynote address, Apprenticeship Reforms - Causes and Directions for Us All. Draper provided an overview of the issues leading up to the challenges faced in education and training today as related to the workplace. He noted the widening gap between society’s need for skills, and the ability of schools, colleges, and other trainers to provide skilled workers. “We have NOT done well to keep the skilled workforce current mostly because of the unwillingness to reform the education system and the training vision,” said Draper. Dropouts, literacy, general track graduates and technical education and training are four issues that governments, institutions, associations and public are currently trying to address. Each need a collaborative approach to get Ontario (especially rural Ontario) on track. Draper said, “Schools have a long way to go in giving integrity to post-secondary goals and options other than university.” and property, recreation, public works and personnel. The committees would be composed of partial council members and partial volunteers said Szusz. As for personnel, the following positions were decided: clerk­ deputy-treasurer, Treasurer/ deputy-clerk, roads manager, tax collector, facility manager, utilities manager and chief building official/ building inspector/property standards and by-law enforcement officer. Szusz also brought forth a proposed tax phase-in as part of restructuring. The proposal implies working funds and surpluses of the former municipalities, will become the working funds and surplus of the new municipality. It was pointed out that reserves other than working funds would be allocated back to the taxpayers of former municipalities through local improvement projects, approved by the new municipality within five years. Szusz also noted, the tax phase-in would take place over the next three years. At the end of the presentation, locals were asked to express opinions about the proposal. The strongest opposition raised The majority of voters chose option three as did Hullett council. Council has also asked East and West Wawanosh for their preference. The new municipality would obtain police services through a contract with the OPP. Too often, technical education is reserved for the less academic. Failing to understand the relevance, applications, and complementary role of technical education for all students, continues to “ghettoize” as many as 70 or 80 per cent of the school graduates, he said. Ken Kelly, business co-chair said, “The Local Training Board measures its success in the past year by its action, involvement and accountability.” After two years of operation, the board has made great strides by developing a solid team of directors, meeting its operational commitments, seeking out partnerships within the community, and giving the community an opportunity to voice their training concerns. Murray Doupe, labour co-chair, thanked the board of directors for their dedication and hard work on behalf of the community. Two new directors were nominated: Greta Kennedy, WRED, as women’s director and Doreen Myers, Allied Signals Canada Inc., Stratford, as business director, bringing the total Board number to 19. Representation is still required from labour (Huron and Perth) and business (Huron) to fully represent the training interests of the community at the board table. was from local, Alan Craig, who was in favour of the proposal, but encouraged council to have all the facts straight. Craig challenged council to look at the possibility of a one-tier system and prove two tier would be better. Szusz responded by saying, Overheated Just before 3 p.m. Monday afternoon, the Blyth Fire Department was called to a grass fire at Treebelt, west of the village on County Rd. 25. A burning pile at spread into the grass and nearby railroad ties. The fire was quickly extinguished with little damage. You deserve better TV Get Bell ExpressVu "today and receive a $200 programming credit Access all the best TV viewing today! • Our new satellite is launched and working You can now use an 18" dish instead of a 24" dish Many new channels available Ask about our new programming packages Financing available on approved credit Taxes and installation not included. “Programming credit applies to the purchase of any ExpressVu system at RadioShack with the All-You-Can-Eat channel package. Credit applied to customer's first invoice. See store for full details. See our in-store display model at Oldfield Pro Hardware © & RadioShack RadioShack Brussels “Bigger isn't always better.” In reference to having a larger, more spread out one tier system. “We have better representation,” said Szusz, with respect to two tier. He did say however, council will look at every option closely, but it looks as if the current proposal will stand. 887-6851