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The Citizen, 2002-04-17, Page 1F e Citizen Riding high Johnny Toronto rose above the others as he performed his routine for the Huron United Way's Comedy Comes to Town at Blyth Memorial Hall on Saturday night. (vIcky Bremner photo) Pg. 15 Pg. 16 Anglican bishop visits area Woman takes trip to rainforest Johns named agriculture minister By Bonnie Gropp Citizen editor NORTH HURON PUBLISHING COMPANY INC Inside this week Rec director gets rg. certified .7 Students lose Pg• semestering fight 26 Students learn Pg. about film industry Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Volume 18 No. 15 Wednesday, April 17, 2002 75 Cents (70c + 5c GST) HE short $185,000 for balanced budget For the first time in many years, the province's rural ministry is headed by a Huron representative. Huron-Bruce MPP Helen Johns was sworn in as Minister of Agriculture and Food this week, in the new cabinet of Ontario Premier Ernie Eves. For the county's Federation of Agriculture President Charles Regele the move is a positive one for the farm community. Saying first that the Federation wants to congratulate Johns on her appointment, Regele added, "Her understanding of agriculture has certainly increased over the years." He spoke highly of Johns' co- operation with those involved in agriculture saying "She was always willing to meet with us. I hope the Federation and all farm groups can continue to work with her." For Huron, as well as the surrounding counties, Johns' appointment should be a benefit, said Regele. "I think this is a positive move for the area." Actually, three other female members of the cabinet, Deputy Premier and Education Minister Elizabeth Witmer, Finance Minister Janet Ecker and Brenda Elliott, minister of community, family and children's services, have roots in Huron. According to a report in The London Free Press for Johns, the first female agriculture minister, a made-in-Ontario safety net for producers is at the top of a must-do list. Johns also prioritized the need to pass the long-delayed nutrient management bill. If it passes, she said, money will be needed for infrastructure and enforcement." She therefore expects more money for agriculture despite the loss of rural development to municipal affairs. By Bonnie Gropp Citizen editor North Huron council's decision to maintain the status quo for policing in the municipality met with resounding applause from the packed gallery in attendance at the Monday night meeting. The decision came as a result of a statement from the Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services (OCCOPS) in which they rejected the proposal for an OPP contract for North Huron. "Accordingly we regretfully do not consent to the termination of members of the Wingham Police Service for the purpose of abolishing that force," it stated. Reeve Doug Layton offered some background to those present Monday night as to why the choice had been made for OPP. He explained that two years ago when amalgamation was being discussed, municipalities were told that they could not have two separate forces (the OPP in East Wawanosh and Blyth wards and Wingham's force in that ward) policing them. Layton said that after a decision was made to contract with the OPP the proposal was sent to OCCOPS in the fall. Since then it has now been decided that hybrid police forces' would be permitted within municipalities. The OCCOPS decision now "opens the doors for council," said Layton. "The ball is back in our own court." This, he said, left council with two options - to keep the status quo or appeal the decision and let the OPP and OCCOPS battle in court. At the April 9 meeting of the police services board a resolution asking for the status quo was passed, Layton said. It is a recommendation that council would consider, he added. The dozens crowding the gallery, as well as the overflow which extended down the hallway and out the front of the building, made it clear they wanted Wingham policed by the local force. In an eloquent, but brief presentation Richard Gibbons said that OCCOPS' decision "should end a nearly four year odyssey." Stating that it was his understanding council wanted to knOw the Wingham ratepayers' preference, he told of the 900 signatures collected over three days on a petition asking that the Wingham police force remain. "It is our hope council will act according to the wishes of its By David Blaney Citizen publisher The realities of budget time were brought home to Huron East councillors with a crunch at their April 9 meeting. Despite a suggested increase of seven per cent in the municipal portion of the property tax rate the municipality was $185,000 short of a balanced budget. The ensuing discussion was complicated at times, by the fact that several councillors appeared unclear about whether they were discussing the total property tax bill or only the municipal portion. Property taxes are currently composed of the rates for education and the county and municipality levies. The current draft budget was developed with the assumption that the county rate would increase by three per cent and the education portion would remain the same. This coupled with an increase of seven per cent in the municipal rate would result in an overall increase of three per cent. The effect of a rate increase at the municipal level is less severe because it forms the smallest part of the total property tax bill. Treasurer Brad Knight's announcement that a balanced budget would require a 20 per cent increase in the municipal portion of the property tax bill, sent councillors scrambling for explanations and then for cuts. The discussion that followed among councillors made it apparent that the explanations were easier to come by than the cuts. Inflation has added two and a half per cent to the budget and government downloading has also placed pressure on the municipal budget according to Knight. He said electorate," said Gibbons. Asking for an open and recorded vote, Gibbons said it was a "golden opportunity to prove democracy is alive and well in Wingham. Bruce McFadden, head of the Wingham Chamber of Commerce also made a clear statement in favour of the Wingham force saying that its loss would be a great one to the community. He spoke of the level of service currently received by Wingham residents adding his belief that this would not be maintained with the OPP. Chief Jim Dore thanked those present for their "overwhelming support". He talked openly about up- The Citizen took first place for Best Editorial in the Ontario Community Newspapers Association competition. Publisher Keith Roulston's editorial on downloading the tax burden from May 9, 2001 was chosen the winner from 88 entries. The judges praised the work for its "balanced analytical look at downloaded provincial services." Saying that Roulston "lays out the changes in the way daycare is funded by the province and more restrictive subsidy regulations on the part of Huron County have resulted in a projected deficit of $75,000 for the Vanastra Daycare Centre. The new police contract will also add $65,000. Council decisions are also responsible for some of the problem. The creation of a water and sewer department has added about $60,000. Council also allocated $75,000 for economic development earlier in the year. • Mayor Lin Steffler pointed out that part of the problem also stems from the history of amalgamation. She told council, "What we are facing is a result of the previous municipalities not spending to maintain services and reserves because they knew they were facing amalgamation." Council seemed less sure of where to cut to produce a balanced budget. Steffler suggested looking at council honorariums and convention expenses. Councillor Larry McGrath suggested looking for savings in administration. Others appeared to set their sights on economic developmerft funds. Later in the discussion McGrath commented, "We have to realize that amalgamation is not going to save any money. The provincial government always intended to use the larger size and the increased number of ratepayers in the new municipalities to say that since you have more ratepayers to pay the costs we don't have to give you any money." Options for raising funds without raising taxes were explored without - Continued on page 23 front costs it would take to bring the municipal force up to speed. But also talked about savings. Dore said that under the OPP contract he would have been eligible for retirement in 2.5 years with a severance of $75,000. With the Wingham force he could retire in two. "When I leave I may get a handshake, but I won't get any cash." He asked that the money saved from the municipal officers' - severance had they gone OPP he used towards such things as a new station. In conclusion, listing statistical information regarding arrests, Continued on page 28 planks of the argument" without Harris bashing, the judges called the editorial a "brilliant piece". The Walter Brehner Award for best editorial was presented at the annual OCNA convention banquet last Saturday night. Editorial cartoonist. Nespolon, whose work is featured on page 4 of The Ctit:en also received a first place from OCNA as Cartoonist of the Year. Wingham maintains local police force Editorial wins first