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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2001-09-26, Page 6346 Huron Rd., Goderich 524-9381 ° 1-800-338-1134 PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2001. Resident urges Central Huron council to ease up on spending By David Emslie Clinton News-Record Central Huron Council was urged to take it easy on spending in its first year as a new municipality by a local citizen who dropped in to last Monday's meeting. Ward 1 (Goderich Twp.) resident Ed Cornish asked, "How's the new pile of money?" He noted that while commercial taxes may be down in the new municipality that combines Hullett and Goderich Twps. and Clinton, residential taxes have gone up an average of six per cent. Cornish questioned what the Town of Clinton's tax rate was last year, and said that residential ratepayers in Goderich Twp. are seeing a substan- tial increase. Reeve Carol Mitchell replied that while she did not have the tax rates in front of her, the information would be made available for the res- Continued from page 3 questioned whether a business plan was available which would show the usage of the building now. It was decided that the issue was too large to discuss at the council meeting. Talks will begin and ideas brought forward at the committee of the whole meeting set for Sept. 25. *** Council was given information on the new street names, necessary to address overlaps with amalgamation. Blyth's Victoria Street will become Thuell Street. In Wingham, • North Street is now the B Line Road, while the other direction will now be named North Street West. McIntosh Street is now Victoria Street. Residents had been notified asking them to attend the meeting if they had any concerns over the changes. None were present so the bylaw was passed. *** With regards to the rescheduling of a meeting to discuss the property of Wayne Colclough, Councillor Jeff Howson wondered if this was the last time the meeting would be set. He was told Colclough had a legitimate reason for not attending the previous one. *** • A motion passed giving Blyth Legion approval to designate a park- ing space for seniors or veterans. Council did raise questions about how it would be policed, which were expressed in a letter to the Legion. *** Nesbitt said the Road Watch pro- gram will hopefully be launched in May. Council approved a payment to . the committee in the amount of ident if he so wished. "I just wanted to say that council has a lot of money to spend," he said,- adding that ratepayers would like to see the rationale behind the spend- ing, and asking whether the munici- pality is operating under a three year plan or a five-year plan. Council, Mitchell replied, will be revisiting what is a five year plan, but at this time they are striving to bring the policies of the three former municipalities together. "It has been a difficult process," she said. Clerk Richard Harding noted that the municipality is not allowed to have different residential tax rates for the former municipalities, except for items which are area-rated, such as street lights and recycling. At the mention of street lighting, Cornish noted that his costs for that item are going up 30 per cent this year. "I think you should take the street lights out of Holmesville. We don't geed them," he said. $500. *** Council endorsed a resolution from the Twp, of Armour requesting the federal government do every- thing within its power to assist the American people in their hour of cri- sis. In supporting this, Councillor Archie MacGowan asked that it be added they further request the gov- ernment provide assistance to America to end the reign of terror- ism. *** MacGowan reported to the council that the Wingham and Area Fire Board had been told the opportunity for funding through JEPP had been missed. He stated that the board is "highly irritated", as the application had been received and given a tile number. MacGowan said -they are continuing to "gently press". *** Membership in the fitness centre at the complex has reached over 200, MacGowan reported. *** Deputy-Reeve Murray Scott said the Belgrave arena had a new sign. *** Stewart said he had received a let- ter from Morris-Turnberry regard- ing a new water system for Belgrave. A meeting was to be held on Sept. 25. However, as Stewart noted that North Huron should have some input, and that this was a regular council night, he was contacting M- T about possibly changing the date. *** Cheques were issued to the rec department in the amounts of $588 and $408.30 to reserve busing and seats for spring bus trips. He said that both Goderich Twp. and Clinton have been well looked after, but suggested that the munici- pality does not have to pave every- thing, put in new sidewalks every- where and purchase new vehicles. "Just slow down," he concluded. *** The municipality will be making a $500 donation to the Huron United Way campaign. The donation follows a request from the fundraising organization for a donation for the new car6paign. Deputy-Reeve Bert Dykstra asked whether, in the past, the Town of Clinton has supported the campaign. Discussion revealed that no one remembered any of the three former municipalities financially supporting the cause. In response to a question of how Letter to the editor THE EDITOR, Our community sponsors people to stay healthy where they most pre- fer in their homes. And it's time to celebrate. October 2001 is Community Support Month in Ontario. Meals on Wheels Week is Oct. 1 - 7. Town and Country Support Services, a member agency of the Ontario . Community Support Association (OCSA) provides Homemaking/Personal Care, Supportive Housing and Community Support Services to individuals in Huron County. Our services assist individuals in the community to remain in their homes for as long as possible with independence and dig- nity. We attempt to keep "A Good Home Going." Town and Country Support Services in co-operation with other community organizations is hosting the United Way operates, Ward 1 (Goderich Twp.) Councillor Alison Lobb noted that rather than area res- idents making donations to a number of groups, the United Way acts as an umbrella fundraiser, and grants money to a number of different organizations. "The money can only be allocated to Huron County," added Mitchell. "I just want to make sure it is a good 'project...that will stay within the community," said Dykstra. *** _ Council won't be jumping to any declarations. Before council at the Sept. 17 meeting was a request from the Canadian Union of Public Employees asking that Oct. 24 be declared Child Care Worker Appreciation Day. events across the County for the International Year of the Volunteer. TCSS will he hosting an event for Home Support/Personal Support Workers on Oct. 17 at the Betty Cardno Memorial Centre beginning at 6:30 p.m. We also invite the com- munity to an Open House which will be held_ at the Betty Cardno Memorial Centre on Saturday, Oct. 20 from 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Community Support Month is the time to volunteer. If you have time on your hands and are looking for a challenge and a way to share your special skills contact the following community support co-ordinators in your area: South Team, Faye Skinner or Margaret Hayter 519-235-0258; Central Team, Tammy Antaya, Monica Gingerich, Lynne Hildebrand 519-482-9264; North Team, Dianne Weber;- 'Betty Paziewski 519-357-3222. When discussing the request, Lobb said that her concern with making declarations was, "Where do you stop? Is one more important than the other?" Concerns were also expressed that if the municipality was to begin making declarations upon request, they would have to spend money to make the declarations public. "If the vote means we have to declare a day, I would vote against it," Dykstra stated. The" motion to make the declara- tion was defeated. *** Council• received a notice of resig- nation from Bruce Miller, foreperson of the road crew for Ward 1. Miller's resignation was accepted by Council, with regret. Town and Country Support Services offers many volunteer opportunities and we need your help to assist your neighbours in our com- munity. Take the time to inquire.. Town and Country Support Services (TCSS) is a non-profit health and social service agency which works toward supporting indi- viduals and families to remain in their homes and in their communi- ties. TCSS has provided services to Huron County for over two decades. The Ontario Community Support Association (OSCA) of which Town and Country Support Services is a member agency is the voice for not- for-profit health and social services that bring care home to people in communities across Ontario. Mrs. Jean Young, Executive Director, Town and Country Support Services Blyth street renamed Oct. Community Support Month 1 800 0-Canada. Talk to us. Do you have questions about child safety, jobs, parental benefits, passports or pensions? Our information officers can help. Find out about the hundreds of services available from the Government of Canada. Call 1 800 0-Canada during regular business hours and a real person will answer your call. Canad'd For more information on government services: canada.gc.ca Service Canada Access Centres 1 800 0-Canada (1 800 622-6232) TTY / TDD 1 800 465-7735 "