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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