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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 1998-05-27, Page 6MOORGARD LATEX HOUSE PAINT • High hiding, low lustre finish • Lasting durability and colour retention 103-01 MOORGLO ACRYLIC LATEX HOUSE PAINT • High hiding, soft gloss finish • Lasting durability and colour retention 96-01 FRESH START • Super adherent • Interior/exterior • 100% Acrylic Latex • High hiding 23-00 SIR01.1, 01, BRII I Clerk-treasurers discuss municipal issues in Blyth PAGE 6 THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1998. Exploring the past With the 54th anniversary of D-Day on June 6, Bob Potter of Londesboro has put his extensive display of war memorabilia on display. Located along Hwy. 4 in Londesboro, Potter invites everyone to visit his exhibit between now and June 6. This year his focus is on the contribution of women to the war effort. To ensure he is home to show off his collection, Potter asks that visitors call 523-4738 to set a time. Blyth council briefs Policing costs increase By Janice Becker Citizen staff The gathering of 130 Zone 2 clerks and treasurers in Blyth, May 21, provided them the opportunity to hear more about the new munici- pal act as well as voice their opin- ions on several current topics. Bill Naturkach, vice-president with the Association of Municipal Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario outlined the primary concerns AMCTO has regarding the submis- sions for changes to the act. "Primarily, there is a lack of time for a detailed review of the pro- posed act, and the act itself lacks consistency throughout," he said. AMCTO representative Ken Cousineau added that a meeting with Ministry of Municipal Affairs personnel allowed them to clarify issues such as license and user fees as well as point out that ministry objectives could be achieved in other ways which would be easier on the municipalities. "The new act started as a good idea," said Janet Andrews of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, "with the government getting out of your face, but it has now gone the other way with too many regula- tions." The legislation was flexible, she added, until interest groups got involved. There was the impression from businesses that municipalities would use license and user fees in negative ways, but municipalities would not chase businesses out of their area." Several questions arose when membership in AMCTO was dis- cussed as the association is consid- ering opening the ranks to other municipal employees which would result in a name change. There was concern expressed that clerks and treasurers had worked hard to gain their credentials and others were being offered the same benefits through AMCTO. Cousineau replied that 40 per cent of the current membership is not clerks or treasurers and expan- sion will allow the association to grow as the number of clerk-trea- surers dwindle with municipal amalgamations. Glen Henry, Zone 2 representa- tive on AMCTO said broadening the base would provide more edu- cational and networking opportuni- ties. In an interview following the meeting, Blyth Clerk-Treasurer John Stewart said this issue is one which promises to be controversial at the summer meeting as those on • both sides of the issue expressed strong opinions. Attendees were also warned of the coming "millennium bug" as municipal computers try to deal with the year 2000. A ministry representative said everything from the sewage treat- ment system to village walkie talkies, time clocks, fax machines, timed street lights, bank vaults and security systems could be affected. "The financial magnitude will be great as companies and municipali- ties spend huge sums of money to correct the problem:" It was suggested municipalities make this a top priority to ensure all services are protected. Everyone should get involved. The planning should begin now with the purchase of any new equipment certified Y2K, year 2000 compatible. There will be no provincial money provided to protect munici- pal systems to prepare for the new millennium. Also discussed were new meth- ods of election balloting including phone and mail-in votes; new fire standards which might affect amal- gamated municipalities with full- time or a mix of full-time and volunteer departments and tax assessment for business owners. Stewart said the meeting was very well attended with representa- tives from Huron, Perth, Welling- ton, Bruce, Grey, Dufferin and Simcoe Counties. The day-long conference was well supported by the community, Legion Ladies Auxiliary and Lions Club, he said. With some North Huron munici- palities opting out of enlisting the Wingham police force, Blyth coun- cillors heard, May 19, that the cost per household would rise. The price is now set at $170 per household, up from the $154 _ nal quote. Clerk-Treasurer John Stewart said, however, that the -vil- lage would only be responsible Or $90 for the next two years as the Community Reinvestment Fund would cover additional costs. The current OPP quote is $209 per household. *** Bills and accounts totalling $72,866.27, were approved for pay- ment. After a request from Harvey Snell of the Horticultural Society, council had no objections to the shrubs being replaced at the south- ern village sign. Permission to construct a retain- ing wall should be sought from Huron Tractor as the sign sits on their property. No additional funds beyond the $500 annual donation will be grant- ed to the project. *** Frank Szusz was appointed as Blyth-Hullett landfill site supervi- sor. *** Councillor Jeff Howson was appointed to sit on the court of revision for the Cummings drain, June 2. Help protect the environment Reduce Reuse Recycle Hotvsorts ready to build Continued from page 1 plans to run a commercial opera- tion, Howson said, "Who knows what the future will bring?" The property is presently zoned highway commercial. The hours of operation will main- Continued from page 2 follows: high lady, Viola Adams; high man, Doug Hemingway; low lady, Isabelle Craig; low man, Edgar Howatt, Ruby Steiss; most lone hands, lady, Marie Stute, Adah Kits available Continued from page 4 Saturday, May 30 and pick up your copy of the "Smoke-Free Homes Kit" during the Firefighter's Breakfast. The kit contains suggestions on how to make your home smoke-free, a "Step Into Our Smoke-Free Home" static sticker and information about the Smoke- Free Homes Contest. The contest is open to all residents of Huron County, smokers and 'non-smokers who have agreed to make their home completely smoke-free. Some prizes include a family trip for four to Niagara Falls, a gas BBQ and tank, and a $115 gift certificate for The Little Inn of ly be during the day. Howson said it was hoped▪ build- ing could be underway soon with completion by September. Council had no objections to the proposed severance. The plan must go before the county for approval. Smith, man, Stewart Musgrove; lucky tallies, Helen Gallop, Bill Craig, Ferne Howatt. The next euchre will be June 2 at 8 p.m. at breakfast Bayheld. Thank you for the overwhelming community response for prizes. People unable to stop by the Firefighter's Breakfast are encouraged to call the Huron County Health Unit at 482- 3416 or 1-800-265-5184 to get a "Smoke- Free Homes Kit." This campaign is made possible by Take Heart Huron, a project of the Huron Hearth Health Network. We would like to challenge everyone to help make Huron heart healthy by making their homes smoke-free. Helen Southgate, Trish MacGregor, Angela Poppe, Josh Cayer and Tricia Wilkereson Smoke-Free Committee Next euchre set for June 2