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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 1999-11-17, Page 1Medicine Community Entertainment 7 Breast health in Listowel Threshers get big boost from Blyth Lions •D ’ "T ( Festival stirs See page 6 See page 26 See page 27 East group of 5 keeps talking The Report shows savings with PUC merger CitizenNorthHuron Though withdrawals and the Wingham police force have upset some North Huron restructuring plans, one group continues to press forward. The committee representing the Town of Seaforth. Village of Brussels and Twps. of Grey, McKillop and Tuckersmith met Nov. 10 in Seaforth. On discussion was the public meeting to be held Nov. 24. the first opportunity for ratepay ers to learn more about the proposal for amalgamating the five munici palities. The group looked at how- to pres ent the information and considered some of the questions that might arise. It was decided that summaries of the background reports should be prepared and presented at the meet ing. Questions will be answered by elected officials. Brussels Clerk-Treasurer Donna White presented a report on the restructuring of the Brussels and Seaforth PUCs. It outlined current staffing and assets. As stipulated in Bill 35. all municipal elec tric utilities must incorporate by Nov. 1.2000. Initially all utilities in Huron and Perth Counties had looked at amalgamat ing to comply with this legislation, but with Goderich and Exeter drop ping out, the option was no longer open. White said it seems two options are available. The first would incor porate each utility to comply with the legislation or jointly incorporate both utilities. The second is to sell the utilities through a competitive bid process, which could include, but not be limited to, the Stratford PUC, Ontario Hydro Services and the gas companies. The report showed slight savings with incorporation. It is also antici pated that the joint utility could pro vide water and sewer services. The committee agreed that regard less of which scenario was pursued, the accessibility to the service, and quite likely the level of service, would be less. Concerns were also raised that even if the two incorporated jointly, the utility may not be large enough to operate given the new require ments. More information will be available early in the new year to assist with the decision process. Jack McLachlan, clerk-treasurer of Seaforth, McKillop and Tuckersmith, presented a draft restructuring proposal of the five for review. He noted that sections would need revision, but could be forward ed to the county and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs for initial review and comment. Questions were raised with the section proposing a transition board comprised of all members of the par ticipating councils. McLachlan said that the full board would likely meet two or three times in the next year with most of the work being allocat ed to committees which would report to the boards. Following, concerns that this would be cumbersome an amendment was made changing it to two members of each council. McLachlin suggested the proposal be held until after the public meeting before being sent to the county. He noted it would likely not be approved until January. A shortlist was prepared from the 46 ‘name the munici pality’ contest entries. This will be represent ed at the public meet ing in a ballot form allowing those in attendance to vote. McLachlin advised that the com mittee should establish the required working reserve contributions from each municipality as required by the proposal He said the five had com bined tax arrears at the end of 1998 of $818,000 and that 25 per cent of their own purposes taxation amount ed to $554,000 with the total of both amounts being $1,372,000. It was noted all five municipalities could presently meet a requirement of three per cent per $1,000 of their weighted assessment which could generate a total of approximately $ 1,200,000. McLachlin presented existing tax and assessment data and projected the impact on individual municipali ties once urban service charges were removed. The net impact ranged from 6.2 per cent increase for Grey Twp. to 8.2 per cent decrease for Brussels. However, he stressed, the numbers were very preliminary and based on existing tax levies. The committee was advised that Tuckersmith was holding a public meeting Dec. 1, in Brucefield to dis cuss restructuring. The committee will meet again Dec. 15, with councils asked to sub mit approvals for the draft restructur ing proposal. Vol. 15 No. 45 Wednesday, Nov. 17, 1999 70c + 5C GST 75® In memory Veterans were among the many taking part in this year’s annual Remembrance Day service at the Brussels cenotaph, the last of the century. Members of the Legion, Ladies Auxiliary, Cadets, Scouts and Guiding movements, local dignitaries, as well as a number of citizens par ticipated in the two-minute wave of silence during the service. Blyth dresses up for Christmas Break-in at Walton nets thieves $2,000 OPP are investigating a break-in at the Walton Country Store, Nov. 10. At approximately 7:45 a.m. the owner of the business reported the crime. Entry had been gained through a side window. Missing was 45 cartons of cigarettes, $500 in cash and a number of scratch tickets. The cash register was found a short dis tance away. It had sustained exten sive damage. The value of the theft is $2,000. Neighbours told police thatp a black vehicle was seen hanging about in the late evening. Anyone with information is asked to call the police or Crimestoppers at 1-800- 222-8477. “It’s beginning to look at lot like Christmas ...” and the Blyth Skating Club invites you to participate in its “99 Christmas Home Tour”. On Friday, Nov. 19, from-7 - 9 p.m. and on Saturday, Nov. 20, from l - 5 p.m., ticket holders can tour four fesitvely decorated homes and afterwards, visit the decorated Blyth Memorial Hall for refreshments and stroll through a variety of home party vendor booths. They may tour all of the homes on one day or spread the viewing over two days. The tour is being held in conjunc tion with the Blyth Business Association. Participating merchants will be extending their hours to be open in the evening on Friday, open as usual on Saturday and open on Sunday. The featured homes are all in Blyth. Rick and Laurie VanWyk’s home, circa 1968, features split level living with a staircase that always catches people’s attention. Newly decorated, the house meets the needs of this family. Laurie is known for her extensive collection of Christmas memorabilia and she will be featured as the decorator of her own home. John and Bev Elliott's vintage Victorian era home built in the early 1900s, will also be featured. The home has lovely woodwork, stained glass windows, spacious rooms and newer additions which act as the per fect backdrop for the creative deco rating ideas of Olde Village Accents and Remember When both of Blyth. As a special added attraction, there will be one room decorated by a mystery designer, which is sure to be an “antique Christmas surprise!” Lawrence and Jean Plaetzer’s home was built in 1992. Tasteful decor and spacious living are some of the highlights of this newer, one level house, which was designed by the homeowners to include a view of the country. Unique Designs by Linda Wilson. Goderich and K.C. Cooke Florist. Clinton will showcase their creative Christmas decorating ideas here. Built in I9I3, the home of Rick and Anne Elliott is the final offering. The porches and interior woodwork and floors offer a remembrance of days gone by. The 1991 addition to the home, which includes reproduc tion woodwork by the homeowner, blends with the Victorian era but also captures a country atmosphere. Luann's Country Flowers of Blyth will be featuring special selections for this home. Margie’s Specialty Shop of Lucknow will decorate Blyth Memorial Hall. Known for her extensive work with receptions of all kinds she will transform the basemen into a banquet hall suitable for Christmas entertaining. As well, refreshments will be available, your name will be put in on a draw for a basket full of won derful surprises and many home party vendor booths will be present to order/purchase merchandise from. Tickets for the Home Tour are $ 10 each and are available from any Blyth Skating member or by calling 523-9704 or 523-9725. There are also various outlet where tickets can be purchased: Blyth - Luann’s Country Flowers, Olde Village Accents, Black Creek Clothing; Clinton - K. C. Cooke Florist; Goderich — Quilters by the Square; Wingham - Sewing Galore; Londesboro Co-op. The tickets include a map, which you use to find the various stops while on the tour. Come and make it a weekend in Blyth, Nov. 19 and 20 at the '99 Christmas Home Tour and receive some wonderful ideas for the upcoming Christmas season.