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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1998-02-11, Page 6Heating with electricity or oil... why? Natural gas saves you at least 50%* over electric ity d 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. © Union Gas Limited 1998 1 800 860-2223 0 unongas energy for you Natural gas heating PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1998. County sets goal for amalgamation plan Huron County councillors have set Jan. I, 1999 as the goal to have an amalgamation plan in place to start seeking approval. Councillors adopted the recom- mendation of the administration, finance and personnel committee which resulted after two county strategic planning sessions. Coun- cillors felt it necessary for county council to take a leadership role in amalgamation since the various local efforts to reorganize munici- pal boundaries had been flounder- ing. It was noted that only Huron County and Victoria County in eastern Ontario have not undertak- en some form of restructuring. The strategic planning committee will develop several models of potential restructuring options, looking at having only one govern- ment for the county, or at retaining two tiers of government, a local municipal council and the county council. If councillors come up with a proposal by Jan. 1, it would have to undergo a triple-majority process with a majority of the municipalities representing a majority of the population and a majority of county representatives. While councillors agreed the county should take a lead in amal- gamation planning, they disagreed on how much should be left to the committee and how much should be done by county council. Brian McBumey, reeve of Tumberry, and Robin Dunbar, reeve of Grey, made a motion that there be another full- council strategic planning day before it was left to the committee to develop options. They were sup- ported by Goderich Reeve John Doherty. "I don't think one more meeting would be too difficult to make sure we have everything in place." Mason Bailey, reeve of Blyth, suggested the whole council should meet again to decide whether they were interested in a one-tier or two- tier system before the committee spends time developing proposals. He was supported by Jim Love of Hay Twp. But Stephen Twp. Reeve Harvey Ratz said his municipality, part of the south Huron group that was the first to begin amalgamation talks in 1996, had spent more time and money on negotiations and it was time to move forward. Warden Jack Coleman felt the Letter Continued from page 4 injustice be corrected. The Better Roads Coalition is a Coalition of road users dedicated to the maintenance and expansion of the total road system. Yours sincerely, Harold F. Gilbert Chairman Better Roads Coalition. direction from council was for the committee to develop three or four options each for a one-tier or two- tier plan. After a vote, the motion for another meeting of the entire coun- cil was defeated. It will now be up to the strategic planing committee to develop the proposals. Show her how much you care with a Teddy Bear and Flower Arrangement $35.95 Luann's Country Flowers 523-4440 County pays $149,288 for exp L ocal enses,salaries, It cost $149,288.76 in salaries and expenses to pay the cost of county councillors and appointees to various boards in 1997, it was revealed at the February meeting of Huron County council. The amount is down neatly $30,000 from 1996, $15,000 of that coming from a reduction in salary and per diems for Warden Murray Keyes who was ill for part of the year and could not take part in as many meetings as his predecessor, Bill Clifford of Goderich. Conven- tion expenses also dropped $10,000. Remuneration ranged from a low of $2,140 for Patricia Carrier, reeve of Bayfield to a high of $8,102 for Jack Coleman, reeve of Stanley Twp. Continued from page 1 many more who very much want to be part of this." What the group is hoping to accomplish is first, McQuail said, to establish the very real sense that "we aren't prepared to give up on our kids' education without a strug- gle." To that end the coalition is asking all concerned to document the "damage" they see in the school. Also, McQuail said, "We want to work with others in the community to look at all the services which are being threatened and eroded by this government's attitude," The coali- tion will be asking people from other public service areas like health care and libraries to make presentations at future meetings and share concerns. Meetings of the Huron Coalition for Quality Education will be held on the first Thursday of every month in the cafeteria at CHSS. For the March 5 meeting reports will be submitted outlining the amount of money that parents have given back to education in Huron from the child care payout. Other members will be looking at the possibility of legal challenges regarding the transfer of money from Huron education to Queen's Park and also money lost through amalgamation. While McQuail said parents at the eleinentary level tend to be in the schools more and can see what and expenses for the year (convention expenses in brackets) are: Leona Armstrong, Grey, $3,270, ($1,500); Mason Bailey, Blyth, $2,645, (1293); Tom Cunningham, Hullett, $4,617, ($1,385); Norm Fairies, Howick, $3,825, ($1,356); Bob Hallam, West Wawanosh, $$3,954 ($0); Brian McBurney, Turnberry, $3,136, ($0); Ron Murray, McKil- lop, $2,776, ($0); Don Schultz, East Wawanosh, $2,918, ($0); Bill Vanstone, Colborne, $1,739, ($0); Gordon Workman, Brussels, $3,051, ($1,500). Not included in these figures are some of the councillors elected in last year's municipal elections who served for only one month on coun- ty council. the changes are first-hand, those at the secondary level are noticing it as well, primarily in their pocket- books. "Certainly parents can talk to their kids to find out what they see is happening in their school. But parents can tell already by the many things they have to pay for now. We are seeing already what a charade this is," said McQuail. "We are told by the government that everything is going to save money. Maybe (corporations) will save, but the rest of us are paying for lost services and education programs. It's really a rip-off of the people of Ontario." While the coalition hopes to keep building in numbers, McQuail also stressed that people do not need to attend meetings to help. "What we're hoping is that when we're to the point where we need action we have people to call on, who can tell us what is helping in their kids' schools. Just to let us know would certainly be appreciated." McQuail said anyone interested in supporting the coalition's effort can contact Chair Nancy Fisher Voisin, at 482-9445. The coalition's secretary is Linda Easton. "Our hope is to provide a forum where parents, teachers, and even students can share their observa- tions. There will be far more effect with numbers. Anyone can attend the meetings, anyone can get involved. We are all in this togeth- er," said McQuail. Coalition to meet monthly at CHSS