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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1998-01-28, Page 6Natural gas saves you at least 50%* over electricity at least 30%* over oil No payments on equipment purchase until October'98 or 0% financing for one year.t Terms and Conditions * Represents heating energy savings when comparing electric baseboard or forced air furnace with a high-efficiency natural gas furnace. Savings over oil is based on a high-efficiency natural gas furnace compared to a new oil furnace. Any applicable taxes are not included in the calculations. Natural gas prices as of June '97 $0.211999/cu.m. The lowest surveyed rate used in calculations for electricity was $0.069 (Jan. '97) and for fuel oil $0.359 (Oct-'97). Rates vary across Southwestern Ontario Union Gas service area. Please call your Union Gas Sales Office to find out what the savings are in your area. t Deferred payment is available to Union Gas residential customers on approved credit and financed through Union Gas. All other offers not applicable. Offer valid from Jan. 19 to March 7, '98. There are no set-up fees or early payment penalties for financing. 0% financing option not available with October '98 deferred payment option, any refinancing of the 0% option will be calculated at our standard interest rate of 13.9% annually. At participating Union Gas Sales Offices only. c Union Gas Limited 1998 1 800 860-2223 0 nongas energy for you Heating with electricity or oil... why? Natural gas heating PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1998. MVCAproposs no change for 1998 assessment By John Greig Advance-Times Staff There will be no change in the total assessment to municipalities from the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority, if the current budget is approved by member councils. A budget of $868,721 is being proposed. The new municipality of North Perth is now the dominant power holder on the board with 20 per cent of the total assessment in the Maitland Valley area. The Town of Goderich is second at 15 per cent. Authority board members will vote according to their municipality's wishes on Feb. 18. At the Authority's annual meeting last week in Wroxeter, Ivan Suggitt, who represents Palmerston, Arthur and Maryborough Twp., was chosen as chairman for a third year. Ken Pike, who represents Minto and Harriston, was chosen as vice- chairman. The current interest in water quality and the tracing of sources of pollution continues to be an issue which is effecting the conservation authority. Manure management and its impact on water quality is one of the priorities of the board, as listed in a letter from the municipalities. Other areas of interest include protection of remaining natural areas, reforestation and naturalization of flood plains, steam corridors and marginal farmland, shoreline erosion, conservation education on watershed issues, and flood safety issues. Suggitt reported to the board and guests that the authority had a busy year in 1997, including implementing a service-sharing agreement with the Ausable- Bayfield Conservation Authority, finding a tenant for the empty space at the authority offices due to cutbacks in recent years reducing the staff by more than half and the selling of old equipment which brought in more money than expected. He also pointed to the increasing use of the Wawanosh Nature Centre and the success of the Maitland Mill Association in attracting people to the Gorrie Mill. NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ENFORCEMENT During its general meeting, the board discussed Town of Goderich and Colborne Twp. member Pat King's visit to Colborne Twp. "There was a misconception that the MVCA is responsible for investigating manure spills," he said. In fact, the investigation of such spills is a responsibility of the province and the MVCA has no such powers. King recommended the board send a letter to the province requesting quicker investigation of such spills, including on weekends and holidays. "There's a growing frustration and anger with spills," he said. The MVCA has applied to the National Soil and Water Conservation Program for funding for three studies, two of which directly relate to manure management. The first is "Understanding ground water in an agriculturally intensive county", and the second, "Effectiveness of nutrient management plans in reducing surface water contamination". A third study would help create a database of all water quality information in the county. All three proposals are in partnership with other conservation authorities, agriculture groups and other levels of government. Help protect the environment Reduce, reuse and recycle Chair says 'Stop finger-pointing' Continued from page 1 mismanagement. "This is not a word I would use to describe this problem. It is not overspending. It is the rate of spending," he said. Stop finger-pointing Later in the meeting, Chairperson Abby Armstrong urged trustees to stop finger-pointing, reminding them the intention of the meeting is finding a solution, not blame, to the shortfall. "I believe the ministry, has made a mistake. I believe they ought to have the opportunity to correct it. If they fail to, we should shake the tree on the political side," said Trustee Bob Allan, agreeing with the plan to have the administrators try to solve the problem before talking to the members of provincial parliament. Marklevitz explained to trustees how the board ended up with a shortfall. She said school boards received 62 per cent of their 1997 budget to cover expenses from Jan. 1 to Aug. 31, 1998. However, the former Perth board Continued from page 4 to cover the cost of items not covered by insurance policies or provincial and federal disaster relief program. To make a contribution to the Ontario Rural Relief Fund, donors can call one of four telephone numbers. To make a $25 donation dial 1-900-630-0025; for $50 donations dial 1-900-630-0050; for $125 donations dial 1-900-630- 0125; and for $250 donations dial 1-900-063-0250. Contributions will be charged to the donor's telephone number. Donations can also be dropped off at local branches of the CIBC or Royal Bank. Cheques can be mailed to the "Ontario Rural Relief Fund," c/o the Foundation for Rural Living, 150 Geddes St., Elora, Ont. NOB ISO. Tax receipts will be issued to all donors, whether they make their contributions through the phone lines or through the foundation. Paul Nairn, Ontario Federation of Agriculture Member Service Representative, Huron/Perth Clinton, Ontario NOM 1L0 482-9642 business 345-2055 home THE EDITOR, The Heart Sr. Stroke Foundation is busy preparing for the annual person-to-person campaign in Huron County:. The campaign runs for the month of February, Heart spent 65 per cent of its budget by Aug. 31, 1997. The three per cent difference contributed $2 million to the shortfall. "Spending in Perth is front-end loaded. Given the benefit of a full year, it would all wash out," she said. Brenda Schultz said during her presentation that capital work is usually done during the summer, pushing up spending during the first eight months of the year. During its calculations of the short-year funding, the province doesn't recognize the over-levies in budget of boards with a 1997 budget increase of more than two per cent, Marklevitz said. The board's $1.7 million over- levy was used in its operating budget. Its 4.3 per cent budget increase was a result of funding cutbacks from the province, assessment growth and assessment equalization factor, she said. The province also would not recognize $2 million the former Perth board took out of its reserves to purchase computers and pay for training last year. Month. This year, the Huron Chapter is hoping to exceed their revenue goal of $56,000. The campaign is a very important part of the fundraising component for the Foundation, as all money raised from the campaign goes toward Heart and Stroke research. Significant results in research have been made because of generous donations by members of this community, like yourself. A recent discovery in gender specific research stating the differences between men and women with regards to heart disease has aided in saving lives. The campaign has coverage in all towns and townships within the county. If you are interested in joining the campaign against Canada's number one killer, as a volunteer canvasser or captain in your area, please contact the Heart and Stroke office at 1-888-287- 7775. Our canvassers will be collecting donations during the month of February, so please give generously. Official tax receipts are given at the time the donation is made. Please help us with the fight against Canada's number killer of Heart Disease. It is because of the generous donations made by people like yourself, that new discoveries in research are made possible. Angela Horbanuik Person to Person Co-ordinator Huron Chapter. Letters to the editor