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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2003-04-30, Page 24PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2003. NorthHuron taxes increase by 6.7% By Mark Nonkes Wingham Advance-Times Residents of North Huron will receive an average 6.70 per cent municipal tax hike over last year’s tax levy as council officially passed the 2003 budget. The biggest tax jumps will come to the East Wawanosh ward as » average taxes will jump by 11.08 per cent. In Wingham the average tax increase is 2.47 per cent while in Blyth it is 3.94 per cent. Treasurer Donna White explained that farmland and rural homes took the biggest hit because of an increase in property assessments. In a budget of $8,085,833.86 projected in expenditures, almost $3 million needs to be raised through taxation. What is confusing about this year’s budget, White said, is that homes in different wards will pay different tax rates because of the re assessment. A couple of East Wawanosh ratepayers in attendance expressed frustration with the jump in taxes. “Nothing has changed on my farm,” said Niel Edgar of East Wawanosh. Edgar said a lot of vacant buildings will be torn down so property owners won’t have to pay taxes on places sitting empty. “That’s already happening,” agreed Councillor Jim Campbell. Other ratepayers expressed frustration with great expenses incurred by on the North Huron- Wescast Community Complex. “We simply can’t afford that type of facility and we never could,” John Gaunt of East Wawanosh said. Budgeted deficits of $37(1,251 for the complex and $36,563 (after grants from neighbouring municipalities are received) for the newly-renovated Blyth'Community Centre are predicted for 2003. The re'creation. department had the •- biggest budget this year, with $*1,416,318 in expenditures. Capital projects for the recreation department total $204,325. Among the more expensive items are plans for the complex at $67,750. Those projects include $50,000 for paving, $5,000 for repairs for the roof heat loss problem, $4,500 for shower renovations, $4,000 for architect service fee, $3,000 for table replacements and $2,500 for protective netting in front of stands. The airport will receive capital grants of $13,500, parks operation $14,900 and renovations to the washrooms at the old Centennial Pool in Wingham of $20,000. Water expenditures were budgeted at $1,324,055 while roads expenses were budgeted for $1,017,106. Capital roads projects of a budgeted $602,500 for 2003 are: MacGowan votes for grant Continued from page 11 project like this,” Councillor Archie MacGowan said. “I don’t know how you can put a price tag on the people who come into the area.” MacGowan, who was involved with Pumpkinfest in Port Elgin, said it takes time to create a successful event. “It’s not a large investment,” MacGowan said. “These volunteers are working very hard to put us on the map,” said Reeve Doug Layton. The grant application was. turned down by all councillors except for MacGowan. Park Drive from Albert to Josephine in Wingham which is expected to cost $45,000. Albert Street from Josephine to Shuter, expected expense at $96,000. Park Drive from Shuter to Glenn Road at $131,000 and the North Huron share of Auburn main street at $21,000. Road improvements in East Wawanosh are expected to cost $40,000. New roads equipment are a loader tractor at $63,000, a plow truck for East Wawanosh at $155,000, a one- ton truck in Blyth at $45,000, a lawn mower for Blyth at $1,500 and a trailer in Blyth at $5,000. For the plow truck $80,000 was taken from a reserve. The Wingham Police Service is expected to cost $703,049 plus $50,000 for station renovations. Blyth is expected to pay $74,422 for OPP service while East Wawanosh is budgeted at $68,716. Those expenses, plus streetlighting, sanitation and recycling are all area rated costs. Council expenses are expected at $99,250 while municipal administration is expected to cost $485,490. Day care expenses are calculated to be about $382,335 and after some costs are offset by revenue it is left for a $90,003.13 deficit. Council will pay a second of three $10,000 installments to the Wingham hospital digital imaging campaign. An $1,800 donation will be given to the physician recruitment campaign, Wheels Away will be allotted $14,000 with $10,000 directed to a special reserve account for a new van, Communities in Bloom in Blyth received $5,000 even though they are not competing this year while Communities in Bloom in Wingham $6,000 for their national effort. The Blyth Festival was granted $1,500. Ten other groups were granted donations under $1,000. Despite the grants, Councillor Arnold Taylor said he continued to Vv lived down from me and her increase in taxes,” Taylor said. The budget passed in a five to one decision, with only Councillor Archie MacGowan turning it down. have difficulties asking the taxpayers for donations. “What does that do to the 90-year-old lady that WeH done A team of University of Guelph students won top honours in the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) student marketing competition in San Diego recently. In back, from left: Blair Cressman, Dave Kikkert, Karl McLaren, Matt Innes. Front: Denise Stoter, Kerry Alexander, Alison Besley, Chris Graham, Karen Terpstra of Brussels, Amanda Brander. (Photo submitted) Local woman on winning team A Brussels area woman was among a group of University of Guelph students who earned the honour of being the first Canadian team to win the National Agri Marketing Association (NAMA) student marketing competition. Karen Terpstra was a member of one of only two Canada teams. The UofG chapter portrayed the Ontario Apple Co-operative. The marketed a product they called Apple Dunks - a fresh, nutritious apple snack convenient for children’s lunches. More than 35 university teams from across North America participated in the competition which was held in San Diego, California, the middle of April. Each team was // z Come and visit us at the Bayfield Home & Garden Show May 2, 3 & 4 Watch for FREE Gardening Workshop with Anna Marie Dalton-Needles landscape designer on May 16th. Call to register. "'OPEN I From Dusk to Dawn! Choose from our large selection of Hanging Baskets Flowering Bags Wk Nursery Stock Terra Gardens Located 500 yds. West of Londesboro on County Road 15 519-523-9781 required to develop and present a complete marketing plan for an agricultural produce, service or commodity marketed to fanners or by a farmer co-operative. The Guelph students worked with the university’s food scientists, who were developing a mineral and vitamin solution that prevents browning in apples. After being processed into slices, the apples are preserved in the solution and packaged. For greater appeal to children, the team proposed including a flavoured dipping sauce. They -also showed how apple growers in the co-operative would receive a dividend of $20,000 after three years. Perennials Annuals Planters And More / Seaforth ___ -7n Sn Centre / / &lyy' -i~~~^yth I I * / CM / I "O I f Q: / Along wit-h the prestige and distinction of winning, the team also received a plaque engraved with each of their names and a travelling trophy they can showcase at the university. The team is sponsored by a number of organizations including the founding sponsor, Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show. “We have believed in supporting the student agri-marketing team from day one,” said Ginty Jocius, president of the farm show. “They work very hard preparing and learn so much from the experience. Supporting these future agricultural leaders is supporting the future of agriculture.