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The Citizen, 2006-11-02, Page 7Dressed for fun Blyth Legion held its Halloween meat draw on Friday night. The Branch was decorated for the season and Comrades in costume made the look complete. The judges selected Brad and Maureen Montgomery as best dressed and April Cook and Derek Cook also took home prizes. (Photo submitted) Conservation Bureau The poorer of tomervalron ORR REBATE PROGRAM SAVE MONEY AND ENERGY by taking advantage of 3 hot deals from Ontario's Conservation Bureau. SAVEZ$675.°° when undertaking the following work: i • nstalling an ECM equipped furnace • installing a new programmable thermostat • replacing an existing central air conditioner with an ENERGY STAR® qualified system. Just contact a qualified participating contractor by visiting www.conservationbureau.on.ca or calling 1.866.859.9898. By participating in the Hot Savings Rebate Program, you are not only saving yourself money, you are helping to develop a culture of conservation in Ontario. Program ends March 31, 2007. let There are more than 340,000 small enterprises doing business in Ontario today. Together, they employ more than half the province's workforce and generate over $120 billion annually. Ontario's Business Advisory Service and Small Business Enterprise Centres connect these companies with the people, information and tools they need to prosper and grow. After all, what's good for small business is good for all of us. For more information on starting and growing a small business, visit www.sbe.gov.on.ca/smallbusiness Paid forAritie Government of Ontario THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2006. PAGE 7. Public expresses few concerns in Brussels By Bonnie Gropp Citizen staff There were few questions and even less controversy as some 75 people came out to hear their candidates at the Huron East all- candidates meeting in Brussels Thursday night. Mayoral candidates, ittcuipbent Joe Seili and current Seaforth councillor Lou Maloney, delivered pretty much the same message they had been sharing at three earlier meetings held in McKillop, Grey and Tuckersmith. Both expressed pride in the accomplishments of council to date. Seili listed highlights that included keeping taxes and the deficit under control. He donated funding for the tourist booth in Brussels which accounted for summer employment for two local youths. Huron East was the first in the county to comply with the official plan and the zoning bylaw under the current council, he said. They supported agriculture with the farm tax deferral program and Huron East was the first Canadian jurisdiction to introduce a bylaw against child pornography on the Internet. Maloney backs the farm tax deferral program and hopes to see it continued. Saying that the Brussels councillors and Seili have done a "good job" representing their ratepayers, Maloney added, "I can only say that I would do more of the same." Maloney listed the Family Health Team as a big achievement. The situtation with the lack of physicians will be greatly improved when the team is up and running. Four doctors have already signed on and a clinic will be opened in Brussels. "The future of health care in Huron East looks good," said Maloney. Incumbent councillor Frank Stretton said he has enjoyed the past term. "It has been a learning experience. There are vast needs and bigger challenges now than there were in the 70s." "I am also proud to have served on a council that got rid of the deficit," said Stretton. However, noting the $94,000 shortfall in provincial funding, added, "As a council we will have some tough decisions." "With a shortfall we will have to do business in a different way. My position is not to raise taxes so we are going to have to set priorities. You may not get something every year, but it will be equal through the ward over three or four years. That's working together as a community." He spoke of pressuring the government to do something for farm organizations and said he supported the beef plant project. "I support progress, but progress within our means. I believe in a balanced approach." Newcomer John Harrison said when asked why he was running the answer was "plain and simple. Because I care." He recognized the excellent services within Brussels, giving particular notice to a fire department that is "second to none." In summation, he said, "I love to work with people to help them, and as a councillor I hope I can help them more." Incumbent David Blaney said that the accomplishments of a council are never the work of one person, but the co-operative efforts of all. He listed those of this council noting that they had been achieved while maintaining "a tax rate that is the envy of some of our neighbours." He noted that the fact that the industrial park in Brussels is full, is a good indication there is a need. "It's time to develop a second industrial park." During question period, he explained that they were looking at land east of Turnberry and north of the current park, as well as the old fairgrounds to do this. Blaney also said it was time to "take a serious look at downtown" and at the very least repair the sidewalks. A "big supporter of the local library", Blaney noted that council has been wrestling with the requirements of the county board to provide a larger facility and better access. "It will be a priority issue for the new council. It might be nice to build the Taj Mahal, but we need a library to be proud of not one that we have difficulty paying for." The library came up again in the question and answer period. Seili said that the concrete building to the west of the current building had been purchased for a possible expansion. However, what will happen will not be determined until costs are presented. Blaney added that it was unfair to ask for opinion when there was no dollar value for any of the scenarios. However, he assured, "There will be another meeting with you before any decision is made." The fact that a call to Seaforth hospital is long distance was mentioned by Pat Langlois. Seili explained "I was told (by Bell) we are on the next conglomerate. They said, 'Once the greater Ottawa area is done then we'll look at the bottom part of Ontario.' It's what they said. But we are looking at an 800- number for the hospital." Former employee Dave Hastings asked if the Elizabeth Street sewer and water was still going to proceed next year. Blaney said that they got the certificate of approval and it would "probably be the priority project for Brussels". He noted, however, that it was a budget issue but the intention is to get it done before the certificate of approval runs out. Avid angler George Adams expressed frustration at the number of anglers coming into the area and taking "big fish" from the local rivers. "Apparantly Lands and Forests gives them permission, so the municipality has to pass a bylaw. Seili said a bylaw has been passed but there's no way to enforce it. Maloney said people need to contact the municipality if they see someone in contravention of the bylaw. Ralph Watson offered his congratulations and thanks to council for a job well done. Hank Ten Pas concurred, adding, "I think we've been served well irvBrussels." The advance polls are Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Brussels arena for Grey and Brussels residents and in Seaforth for McKillop.