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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2003-06-04, Page 6AGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2003. Opinion Political solution eludes Huron E. council By David Blaney Special to The Citizen Huron East council held its regularly scheduled meeting May 27 in an informal manner in an effort to find some common ground on the distribution of policing costs among the wards. Although the level of rhetoric was reduced and several proposals suggested, the politicians of Huron East found that at the end of the meeting a political solution had still eluded them. Positions held at the first of the meeting were to all intents and purposes the ones held at the end. The distribution of costs and services within the municipality is but one of the many challenges facing Huron East as the life of its first council winds down. Growing from a community of 1000 or 2500 to one of 10,000 may not seem like a large change, but as Huron Learning the program Brussels Public School was one of two where over 50 students from across the Avon Maitland District School Board gathered last week to learn more about the HyperStudio computer program. (Sarah Mann photo) Students learn HyperStudio The fifth Annual HyperStudio Festival for Grades 4 to 8 students from the Avon Maitland District School Board was held May 27 and May 29. Over 50 students representing 15 schools came together to share and learn about a popular software program called HyperStudio. HyperStudio is licensed by the Ontario Ministry of Education for use by teachers and students. It incorporates East council is discovering amalgamation, down-loading and a host of new and expensive provincial regulations are forcing change on small municipalities. Instead of one fire department there are three. Instead of one water system there are four. Instead of one recreation centre there are three. Instead of confined and compatible geographic limits councillors are faced with municipal boundaries stretching from Molesworth on Hwy 86 to Hensall on Hwy 8. But it is not quantity alone that causes problems. Rural municipalities, which formerly concentrated on roads and to a lesser extent on the other elements of infrastructure, are now faced with competing demands ranging from economic development to municipality­ wide disaster planning. The changing government the use of text, graphics, movies and sound to create exciting multimedia presentations. This is the fifth time for this event. It was held at two schools - Arthur Meighen and Brussels Public School. Students were given the opportunity to share their experiences and meet other students from across the board. Morning activities consisted of sharing projects regulations have resulted in dramatic increases in the cost of water and sewage services to urban residents as capital improvements are required and increased monitoring becomes a fact of life. The municipality has gone from no employees specifically dedicated to this area to a department with three employees making it their principle concern. The recent appointment of Marty Bedard as the overall administrator of the three fire departments and emergency management co-ordinator is example of expanded responsibility thrust on the local municipality. The volunteer fire chiefs were finding too much of their time occupied with paperwork. The emergency planning requirement was a directive from the provincial government. The subject of economic development has been the focus of considerable previously created in their home schools while the afternoon involved some exciting hyperchallenges. This included creating animations, learning how to use special techniques in their artwork and using special effects in their presentations. After the Festival the students were able to share what they learned and how to apply these techniques to other projects in their classrooms. discussion at council as councillors wrestled with the idea of professionalizing a function, which had previously been done by volunteers. After a one-year experiment with the position of economic development officer, Huron East has been asked by the economic development committee to take another look at the requirements for business promotion in the municipality. With funding provided for this year a committee representing the whole of Huron East has been meeting to plan the next steps in bringing business to the town. Recreation is another area where change has occurred. Previously each recreation centre had its manager whose principle job was booking space and the maintenance of physical plant. The appointment of an overall recreation director led to the Letter to the editor CPS changes upset writer DEAR EDITOR, I was disappointed in the recent announcement to restructure the Community Psychiatric Services of Huron County. Last year the Exeter Community Psychiatric Services was closed due to lack of funding. This year, some counsellors and staff in the other Community Psychiatric Services (Seaforth, Goderich, Wingham and Clinton) have been laid off and programs will have to be reduced. Eligibility criteria to enter the counselling program will be tightened and a number of individuals who might benefit from treatment will not receive service. This is a direct result of no increase to the base budget of the programs for over 10 years. The cutback of service BUYING FOR A MINOR IS A MAJOR OFFENCE Supply alcohol to a minor and you're risking their health and safety. You also risk up to one year in jail and up to $200,000 in fines. If you’re old enough to buy alcohol legally, be responsible. Be responsible. Don't buy for minors. creation of more programs and increased the usage of the buildings but also led to more staff and increased costs. Recreation has traditionally been largely the preserve of volunteers and the council is struggling to determine the extent of the municipality’s place in the mix. The state cf daycare in Huron East provides an interesting glimpse into the conflict between councillors’ ideas about municipal responsibility. Walton Little School is private. Seaforth uses a co-operative model. Vanastra has a municipal daycare program. Vanastra has recently been running a deficit of approximately $60,000, which is covered by the municipality. Seaforth Co­ operative was recently given a grant of $10,000 to help them move their facilities. Walton Little School because of its status as private enterprise is not eligible for municipal aid. Most councillors have makes little sense from either an epidemiological or economic perspective. Mental health problems in society are increasing. The impact of psychiatric disability on individuals and families is profound. Even in strictly financial terms, the cost of treating mental health problems is far less than the cost of not treating them, given the inevitable loss of productivity, increase in disability claims and pressures on social service agencies. The Community Psychiatric Services in Huron County have provided comprehensive, efficient and compassionate treatment for almost 30 years. It is a travesty to see them now wither on the vine. Patrick Conlon, MD Goderich. expressed their support for the idea of daycare but every delivery model has been the subject of debate. In the near future councillors are scheduled to have a special meeting to resolve the situation. If previous discussions are any indication the result could be anything from dropping daycare altogether to some form of support for individual families. Council’s previous discussions would seem to make it unlikely that the status quo will be maintained. As Huron East’s first council nears the end of its term many of the major problems facing the new municipality have been identified. Councillors are still wrestling with the major decisions, which will address these problems and determine the future direction of Huron East. Keep bloomin’ THE EDITOR, Even though we aren’t entering the Communities in Bloom competition this year, we are still maintaining our national status and continuing to make improvements in our village. Last year we challenged the village to be proud and fly the Canadian flag. An approximate count after this event was 300 flags. This year our planters and hanging baskets on the main street have the Canadian theme of red and white. We are putting out the challenge again to businesses, industry, churches and private individuals to be proud and fly our beautiful Canadian flag. Sincerely, The Communities in Bloom Committee. (-------------\ Can’t see a way out? If you are'concerned about your own, or someone else’s use of alcohol or drugs, the Drug and Alcohol Registry of Treatment (DART) can guide you to the help you need. Call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Drogue el alcool • Repertoire des traitements 1-800-565-8603 www.dart.on.ca The Drug and Alcohol Registry of Treatment (DART) acknowledges the financial support of the Government of Ontario, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.