Loading...
The Citizen, 2002-10-09, Page 6Honoured Maitland Valley Conservation Authority recently received an award from the Ontario Professional Planners Institute. From left: Chris Lee, chair of the Terrestrial Service Team, representing the Huron Stewardship Council; Alison Lobb, chair of MVCA and Brian Wretham, chair of the Water Action Team, representing the Town of North Perth. (Photo submitted) "Owning your own business means the opportunity to benefit from your own initiative." There's really nothing like having your own business. And the Ontario government is committed to helping small businesses thrive. There have been 955,000 jobs created in Ontario since 1995. Nearly half were created by small business. We've worked hard to build the ideal business climate for growth, innovation, and success. We truly value the entrepreneur and that's why we're reducing red tape, cutting taxes and providing support and information. If you've got questions, or need information simply visit a Small Business Enterprise Centre, or a Government Information Centre. Or you'll find lots of information at www.ontario-canada.com or by calling the Canada-Ontario Business Service Centre at: 1-800-567-2345. Julian Bow run Feature Factory PAGE 6 rHE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2002. MVCA gets Award of Excellence for Planning On Friday, Sept. 27 the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) received an Award of Excellence for Planning from the Ontario Professional Planners Institute of Ontario at their annual conference in London. The award was given to MVCA for establishing the Maitland Watershed Partnerships (MWPs). The MWPs is an alliance of 20 organizations in the By David Blaney Special to The Citizen Huron East council received a lesson in Daycare Economics 101 at its Oct. 1 council meeting. Supervisor Cheryl Nuhn appeared before council at its request to discuss ways in which the Tuckersmith Day Nursery might reduce its deficit. The first problem that needed to be overcome was determining the exact amount of the deficit. Over the past few months figures as high as $75,000 had been mentioned in council. However, in the end, the 2001 deficit proved to be slightly less than $23.000. Nuhn began her presentation by providing council with a brief history of the nursery, which has been in operation 27 years. She detailed her staff's experience in early childhood education amounting to over 100 years. Nuhn also read to council some of the letters from parents praising the operation. Deputy Mayor Bernie MacLellan commented at this point, "I don't want to be blunt and I don't doubt you have satisfied customers but I thought what we wanted was a report about possible efficiencies." Nuhn replied that the regulations concerning staff/child ratios made cost reduction very difficult, as 80 per cent of her budget is salaries. She added that of the remaining 20 per cent half went to pay the rent at the Vanastra Recreation Centre, leaving just 10 per cent of the budget for everything else. She also said that all the toys at the nursery were financed through fundraising. Nuhn did suggest that more watershed which have an interest in forest and river conservation in the Maitland watershed. - This partnership was formed to co-ordinate efforts for promoting river and forest health in the watershed. Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) provided seed funding in January of 1999 to initiate the project. This funding was used to provide co-operation with the Huron East recreation department might lead to some efficiencies. She mentioned that when other groups use the kitchen during the evenings she is required to bring in her cook an hour early u' sterilize the equipment because of health regulations. This adds to the salary budget although it is not caused by the nursery's operations. Nuhn also commented that the use of the nursery had been down this summer because of competition from the recreation day camp, which was offered from the same building. She said, " All in all the day camp costs the nursery money." Council requested that Nuhn and Facilities Director Graham Nesbitt meet to see if anything can be done to limit these problems. Councillor Joe Seili wanted to know how many of the users are residents of Huron East. The answer, according to Nuhn, is that approximately half the users are from inside the municipality's boundaries. This information caused Councillor Greg Wilson to say, "As a councillor for the north we get no benefit and our taxpayers subsidize the nursery, and that's all right. But, if 50 per cent of the kids aren't from Huron East we should ask other municipalities to contribute." Councillor Larry McGrath agreed saying, "Maybe now is the time to send the letters to Bluewater and Central Huron for financial assistance. Don't wait for January (budget discussions.)" Nuhn suggested that one way to save money might be to close the nursery for two weeks at Christmas. She said facilitators and technical support staff. Several local organizations and businesses are members of the MWPs: Huron Stewardship Council, B.M. Ross and Associates Ltd., County of Huron, Huron Business Centre, Huron Farm . Environmental Coalition, OMAF and the MNR. The partnership is based on the premise that if organizations that share an that the usage is very low at that time and there would be savings in the salary budget. She also requested updated monthly budgets, "...so that I know where I am." A significant amount of the daycare budget is provided by Huron County in sudsidies to parents. These have been reduced by new eligibility rules although councillors appeared unsure as to whether the new rules should be laid at the doorstep of the county or the provincial government. Councillor Bill Teall asked, "Did the county get less or are they putting the money elsewhere?" MacLellan suggested, "We probably need to look into the accounting, or at least understand it better." Mayor Lin Steffler ended the discussion saying, "I think we have a lot of food for thought and this council has some decisions to make." interest in conservation, are willing to pool their resources and work together, more effective services and projects can be developed. As with the Maitland watershed, rural areas have their own unique challenges because of their small population and large land base to cover. Building partnerships and working together is one of the major strengths of rural communities. The MWPs have developed a strategy for helping landowners, businesses and municipalities to protect forests, rivers and groundwater for future generations. If interested in learning more about the Maitland Watershed Partnerships L.a11 MVCA at 519-335-3557 or check the website at www.mvca.orhca Huron East council gets daycare economics lesson Reeve sees North Huron as 'one, big family' Continued from page 1 identities. There are things Morris-Turnberry. unique to Blyth that will Layton said council needs always be Blyth's and to East to educate the public Wawanosh that will always be regarding this. "I like to feel East Wawanosh. that I am now as much a part "Citing such things as the of East Wawanosh and Blyth Communities in Bloom as I am of Wingham. Only competition for Blyth and minutes separate one end Wingham, as well as the name from the other. We are one big change of the Wingham family and council has to lead Museum to the North Huron the way in this. I believe we District Museum as just some have done a good job so far." of the examples of the "Fortunately, or township having a good start unfortunately, good or bad, in this area, Layton said he is amalgamation is here. We thankful to everyone who has have to look to the future and accepted the changes thus far. accept each other, while "It is a pleasure being reeve of keeping our separate North Huron."