HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1998-01-14, Page 1Close call
What could have been a tragic accident was narrowly avoided when a 1989 Dodge van slid
into a ditch, Jan. 6. Driver of the van, David T. Wallace, 48, of Belgrave, lost control of the
vehicle at 11:30 a.m., on Huron County Road 25, just west of Scott Line (East Wawanosh
Sideroad 36-37). The van went into the south ditch, struck a tree, and was severely
damaged. Wallace has been charged under the Highway Traffic Act.
Vol. 14'No. 2
Wednesday, Jan, 14 1998
700 GST75tZ
Government
Cost of
inspections will
be user pay
See page 7
Sports
Brussels Novices
win tourney
hardware
See page 9
Farm
Ingenuity pays off
for McKillop Twp.
farmers
See page 15
Community
Local couple
brings Florida idea
to Greenway
See page 19
Restructuring group report
Draft proposal
shows progress
The North Huron
itizen
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen staff
What will law and order cost? Blyth soon to be on-line
It's not as far along as they had
hoped, but the North Huron Munic-
ipal Restructuring Committee pre-
sented its interim draft report at a
meeting in Belgrave on Jan. 8.
In outlining the committee's
work, Secretary Brad Knight, said
the following issues were consid-
ered:
• to retain local autonomy.
• accountable and responsible
local government including fair
representation locally and at the
county level.
• to maintain the local volunteer
base and sense of local communi-
ties.
• to provide council with an
overview of operations both present
and potential.
• fairness and equity in the treat-
ment of all residents and ratepayers
including the principal of area rat-
ing (user pay).
• ability to plan and provide for
the economic, environmental,
social and cultural needs of its resi-
dents.
• fairness and equity in the treat-
ment of municipal staff. -
From the information-compiled
the committee narrowed its focus to
two scenarios.
• one grouping of 10 (the Town
of Wingham, Villages of Blyth and
Brussels, and Townships of Ash-
field, West Wawanosh, East
Wawanosh, Turnberry, Morris,
Grey and Howick)
• two groups of five (Ashfield,
West Wawnosh, East Wawanosh,
Tumberry, Wingham and Morris,
Blyth, Brussels, Grey and Howick)
The General Government and
Administration sub-committee
report noted that presently 52 coun-
cillors represent a total population
of 18,530. "While this representa-
tion may seem excessive," Knight
said, "as local councils are volun-
teer the cost is relatively low and in
general ranges from $10 to $20 per
capita."
However, he added, the province
wants fewer politicians at the local
level. The proposal for two munic-
ipalities would continue to have
one representative on a nine-mem-
ber council, which would include a
mayor and deputy mayor. Repre-
sentation would be by population
with Wingham and Howick having
three, Tumberry, Ashfield, Morris
and Grey having two and West
Wawanosh, East Wawnosh, Brus-
sels and Blyth each having one.
Every attempt will be made to
maintain the present representation
at county council, Knight said.
Any significant savings would
come from aministration.
Although the report does not make
Continued on page 6
By Janice Becker
Citizen staff
The issue of police service fund-
ing can be confusing not only for
residents but municipal officers as
well.
With different figures coming
from the provincial government
every few weeks, the task to dis-
seminate the information is left to
clerk-treasurers.
In the most recent round of infor-
mation sharing, it was determined
that for each household which had
not previously been paying for
police service, as was the case in
most townships and villages, the
cost would be $90 annually.
Some confusion arose when a
subsidized amount of $60 was ban-
tered about, to offset the remainder
of the projected approximate cost
of OPP coverage of $172.
There were questions as to who
would pay the other $22.
However, according to Kenneth
Tufts of the Ministry of the Solici-
tor General, the $60 is not a fixed
rate.
"Each municipality will pay $90
per household per year for policing
while the provincial government
will subsidize the remaining cost
through the Community Reinvest-
ment Fund (CRF)," he said.
In the downloading figures
released in mid-December, each
municipality was allotted several
thousand dollars in the CRF to help
cover costs associated with the
reallocation of service responsibili-
ty, he added.
There is also the possibility that
the overall cost for police service
will be reduced, according to Blyth
Clerk-Treasurer John Stewart, as
the initial number was just an esti-
mate.
While the OPP estimate was
$172, the North Huron Restructur-
ing Committee has received an esti-
mate as low as $154 from the
Wingham police force.
New OPP numbers are expected
later this week, said Tufts.
However, lower total police costs
will not result in a drop in the $90
figure but will mean less used from
the CRF.
Stewart is unsure if those savings
in the CRF could be utilized for
other costs such as decreasing the
provincially-legislated 1.7 per cent
cut in municipal budgets.
At this time, municipalities are
unclear how funding will work
beyond the two-year time frame
now set out by the government,
said Stewart.
The calculations of policing costs
are relevant to only those munici-
palities which had not previously
been paying for the service. Those
communities with contracts for
either OPP or a town force will
continue to pay the same costs.
By Janice Becker
Citizen staff
After hours of meetings, talks
and planning, a small group of
Blyth residents received good news
which could affect all local people.
Funding was announced recently
to help provide intemet access sites
in the village.
One of the last communities in
Huron County to receive approval
for the project, Blyth was amongst
18 to be given Community Access
Program (CAP) funding from the
provincial and federal govern-
ments.
Donna Taylor, Karen Stewart,
Brock Vodden and John Stewart,
chosen by the Blyth Business Asso-
ciation, worked over the past sever-
al months on the application form
Six car owners invited disaster
last week and got a response when
car thieves went on the rampage.
OPP reported six incidents of
vehicle theft from Jan. 7-9, and in
each case, the keys had been left in
the vehicle.
The first stolen vehicle was taken
on the night of Jan. 7 from Lot 14,
Conc. 7, Howick Twp. The 1998
green Ford Taurus had licence
number 040 LME.
The following night, a spree
and plan which could result in the
access site being set up at the
library and council chambers.
Through CAP, 50 per cent fund-
ing is provided for the internet con-
nection, setup and cost of the
equipment. The community is
responsible for raising the other
half.
The committee will be seeking
support from both organizations
and individuals for additional
funds.
"We are hoping to raise enough
funds for two sites," said John
Stewart.
CAP is a one time grant so if
fundraising brings in enough for
one site, that's what the village will
get, he added.
Having worked in partnership
with the Huron County Library for
began with a 1990 Ford Aerostar
being stolen from 111 Goderich
Street East, Seaforth. It was later
located at Lot 6, Conc. 15, Grey
Twp.
Across the road from where the
minivan was found, two vehicles
were taken, though one was ditched
at the end of the driveway.
The 1988 Chevy S10 from that
location was recovered at the rear
of 137 West William Street,
Seaforth.
CAP, it is hoped a government pro-
gram through the library, will con-
tinue into 1998 to provide a student
employee for training and support
to intemet users.
Stewart said there is also the
option of a co-op secondary school
student providing support.
If two sites are created, the
library site would be available dur-
ing library hours and the municipal
office council chambers through
business hours.
Demand may make it possible for
the municipal office site to be open
some evenings and weekends, said
Stewart.
After the two years of support
from CAP, Stewart said the com-
mittee hopes partnerships can be
set up to raise funds to cover the
cost of the internet access.
A 1992 Ford Aerostar van, taken
from 73 Centre St., Seaforth, was
found on Conc. 2/3 Stanley Twp.,
where it had been run off the road,
driven into a tree head on, rolled
onto its side, sustaining extensive
damage.
While still in possession of tne
van, two vehicles were stolen from
Lot 33, Conc. 3, Tuckersmith Twp.
The first car taken was a 1987
Chrysler which had a flat tire. It
Continued on page 7
Keys make job easy for car thieves