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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2003-04-09, Page 28PAGE 28. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2003. Policing costs raise debate at Huron East council By David Blaney Special to The Citizen The strain of the original deals necessary to make amalgamation work in Huron East began to show during council’s most recent attempt to finalize the municipal budget. Under the pressure of an impending public meeting scheduled for April 8 councillors held a special 9 p.m. meeting on April 1. Ninety minutes later, amid a welter of competing paperwork, accusations that Seaforth councillors were trying to renege on a deal, or conversely, Seaforth ratepayers were getting taxed for services they weren’t receiving, and with talk of conciliation, arbitration and lawyers, the 2003 police budget was passed. The irony of the situation is that the amount, the usual subject of contention at budget time, was never in question as it is set by the OPP. As Mayor Lin Steffler succinctly pointed out, “The OPP don't care how we collect the money - all they want is a cheque for $1,009,000.” Unfortunately for the council the 'how' proved to be a rather awkward issue subject to various recollections and interpretations. Huron East currently has contracted for a service expanded beyond that, which is automatically provided by provincial legislation if a municipality asks for OPP policing. Only Seaforth had such enhanced services prior to amalgamation. During the discussions about amalgamation it became apparent that Seaforth wished to keep its enhanced service while the other municipalities Homes administrator updates county council on SAKS By Bonnie Gropp Citizen editor At this point, administration at Huronlea and Huronview, county homes for the aged, is monitoring the situation with regards to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Kathy Springall, homes administrator said that an infection control group is in place and that they are hearing updates almost hourly. At the Thursday meeting of county council, Springall said that the homes were not at that point mandated to be closed. “Visitors coming in are washing their hands in an alcohol solution.” With the homes’ 10th anniversary celebrations planned for this week, Springall said the public would be notified promptly of any changes. “We are continuing to follow the advice of the public health department.” Medical Officer of Health Dr. Beth Henning updated councillors on the outbreak. As of Thursday there were no cases in Huron. Every case that has been identified in Canada has been a result of close contact with a family member or health care provider. “There is no evidence of general spread.” SARS is spread through droplets, fluids from the nose, mouth and eyes. The cause is currently under debate said Henning. “Until it is clear treatment is supportive to maintain oxygenization.” The MOH called the “SARS story extremely interesting”. In November, in an area of China there was what was believed to be an outbreak of atypical pneumonia. By December this was considered over. The first case of SARS was reported Feb. 26 in Hanoi, Vietnam. “The victim had travelled prior to were happy with the lower level of policing. As split-levels of service were not allowed in one municipality at the time a compromise was necessary to enable amalgamation to proceed. A decision was made that since Seaforth was the only area wanting enhanced service, Seaforth ratepayers would be charged what they had previously paid plus the added cost of enhanced service over the whole of Huron East. This has left Seaforth ratepayers with approximately 46 per cent of the total bill for Huron East policing. Clerk Jack McLachlan commented that while there was no written agreement he feels that the original Huron East budget documents and the discussions surrounding it provide “ample evidence to infer” that councillors were aware of exactly what it was they were agreeing too. The apportioning of costs has been the subject of peripheral discussions during the last year but the subject came to a head at the April 1 meeting when Treasurer Brad Knight presented a document containing a list of alternate methods of allocating costs. Seaforth Councillor Dick Burgess took strong exception to Knight’s ideas saying, “I am prepared to debate at length the premises in this document. He went on to say, “I disagree with the manner of presentation which I think is unclear.” Burgess then proceeded to present to council a proposal to apportion the costs of the 2003 OPP contract solely on the number of households in each that to Shangai City.” The hospital workers who had been in contact with the victim also took ill. On Feb. 13 a Canadian woman returned from the trip to Hong Kong. She was later admitted to Scarborough Grace Hospital and died March 5. One of her children has also since died and four other family members developed SARS. Health workers at the hospital also began to report symptoms. As of April 2, the deaths, all of which have been in the Greater Toronto Area numbered seven (since risen to nine). “All have been close family contact and the health workers who cared for them,” reiterated Henning. It is believed that SARS may originally have been transmitted by animals and could be two viruses working in concert. Henning said that locally the health unit is tele-conferencing with the 37 units for input and have sent physician alerts. April 2, Henning spent the day with four of the five hospitals going over directives. Also the communicable disease team meets daily. “It is most important that every case is identified. Close contacts must be found.” Henning added, “The feeling is that we’ve been behind on this. It’s jumped along. We have to protect those not affected.” Even if successful with this, Henning said there will continue to be new cases for the next few days because of the incubation period, but a drop should follow if the directives work. “The health unit is ready. People are keeping informed. The directives are changing minute to minute. We are all working together and the most important thing is how to get this under control.” looks like out of the ward. As Councillor Larry McGrath pointed out later, “...with this everyone is going up but Seaforth.” Prior to Burgess’s comments Councillor Sharon McClure had asked after the treasurer’s five alternatives, “What’s wrong with the status quo?” It turned out to be a question that was echoed in one way or another by almost every non­ Seaforth councillor. Burgess’s proposal obviously did not sit well with Councillor Joe Seili. Visibly annoyed, he said, “We all went to enhanced service to satisfy Seaforth and now it Seaforth wants to back deal.” McGrath remembered conversation at the time they wanted enhanced service they would pay the difference.” Deputy-Mayor Bemie MacLellan pointed out that it was now possible to have a ‘split-contract’ and that the municipality could opt out of the present contract on one year’s notice. He suggested, “Give the notice and then each ward could decide what they wanted.” Councillor Alvin McLellan agreed saying, “If you want to change the rules, change them for next year.” Burgess saying he would like to get the issue resolved that night sensed, “...we had quite a distinct split.” He then directed councillors’ attention to the provincial regulations, which authorized and regulated amalgamation. He suggested that under restructuring order Seaforth recourse to a dispute resolution mechanism because they were paying 46 per cent of the police contract and not receiving 46 per cent of the service. the the had The Municipality of Central Huron is pleased to announce the 2nd annual Central Huron Donation Fund. The Municipality will again set aside funds to assist and promote community-based non-profit organizations. Funding is also available for whose programs demonstrate a direct benefit fornational and international non-profit organizations the residents of our municipality. Budget: The total 2003 Donation Fund budget has been set at $40,000.00. Ninety percent (90%) of the budget will be considered for distribution through the Phase I application process. The Phase II balance of funds will be distributed on a “first come first served” basis. Funding may be in the form of a cash or in-kind donation. To Qualify: Organizations must be non-profit. Proposed programs or events must clearly demonstrate a direct social or economic benefit for residents of Central Huron. Successful organizations will be required to submit a post project report identifying the use of the funds. Application: Applications for funding should include: 4- Description of program or event 4* Date of program or event ❖ Organization budget for proposed program or event 4* Targeted resident group, if appropriate ❖ Supporting information including statistics for previous similar projects Amount of funding requested, specifying whether a cash or in-kind donation is required Phase I Deadline for applications must be received by 12:00 noon May 15th, 2003. Phase II Applications will be received throughout the calendar year. If your organization has questions or comments they should be directed to the Municipal office at 482-3997. Applications are to be addressed as follows: “Central Huron Donation Fund” Attention: Richard Harding, Clerk Administrator Municipality of Central Huron P.O. Box 400, 23 Albert Street Clinton, Ontario N0M 1L0 The Municipality reserves the right to fund only programs or events as deemed appropriate. The deputy-mayor was quick to state, “I don’t think this is a dispute (in the sense of the restructuring order). Seaforth knew it wasn’t going to get 46 per cent of the service.” Burgess shot back, “I stand by my opinion and would be prepared to seek legal advice. I believe Seaforth is entitled to mediation.” In an obvious attempt to defuse the situation Knight then introduced some figures concerning provincial grants to the municipality. The figures show that the presence of Grey and McKillop within Huron East has generated considerable extra money from provincial contributions designed to keep the tax rate on farmland at 25 per cent of that on urban property. He said he felt the argument about the cost of police services was not addressing the whole issue of the tax positions of the various former municipalities. He provided councillors with figures, which indicated all wards had improved their tax position compared to other municipalities in Huron County. He finished by saying, “I don’t think we amalgamated for financial reasons.” At this point it was moved by C INSURANCE PREMIUMS TOO HIGH? A fZJOmni Ji Insurance Brokers Save 20-40% on your auto insurance and more on other insurance services * Free No Obligation Quote Paul Hallahan R.R. #3 Blyth (519) 523-9110 Fax: (519) 523-9278 Clinton Office: (519) 482-3434 \^email:phallahan@odyssey.on.ca * MacLellan and seconded by Graeme MacDonald that the OPP contract be allocated on the basis of the status quo. This was passed with only the Seaforth councillors in opposition. Burgess said, “I will serve notice that Seaforth councillors will be making use of the dispute resolution mechanism as is our right.” In a later conversation Burgess expanded on the reasons he took the actions he did. He indicated he had only reluctantly agreed to the original deal and had voted against the 2002 budget because of dissatisfaction with the distribution of policing costs. “As the year went on in 2002 Seaforth didn’t get what it paid for,” he explained. “I want to make Huron East work,” he said, “but at the same time this isn’t a little thing. In 2002 if we went strictly by the status quo Seaforth ratepayers were over-charged $150,000 on the police contract.” Burgess indicated he hoped the situation could be resolved relatively quickly through mediation rather than having to resort to arbitration although that was allowed in the restructuring order establishing Huron East. Offering Insurance & Financial Services Farm/Commercial/ Residential/Auto Accident/Sickness