The Citizen, 2005-05-12, Page 1Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County
Volume 21 No. 19 Thursday, May 12, 2005 $1 (93c + 7c GST)
County
passes
17%
tax hike
Huron County councillors
approved the 2005 budget at their
May 3 meeting including an increase
of 17.4 per cent.
The budget hike was finally
approved after several motions were
defeated over the. past few months
that would have shaved the size of
the increase but at the expense of
reserve funds that were already
depleted in reducing the size of the
increase last year or by cutting
programs including road
expenditures.
Treasurer David Carey explained
to council at various times during the
lengthy approval process that 14.25
per cent of the increase was for
expenses beyond their control.
The budget was earlier approved
by the committee of the whole at its
April 19 meeting by an 11-7 margin
in a recorded vote.
The initial budget had proposed a
20 per cent increase this year
followed by another 20 per cent
increase next year allowing increases
at the cost of living going forward
from then.
The budget was reduced from the
20 per cent level by withdrawing a
proposal to put $641,000 back into
reserves to make up for money
removed to help lower last year’s
budget increase.
In his notes to the committee of the
whole, Carey warned the current
levels in the county’s reserve funds
do not meet the target levels set by
council in its reserve fund policy
adopted in July 2003. As well, he
said, the county has a large stock of
buildings, as well as public housing
units, that will require repairs that
can’t be paid from the depleted
reserves. As well council has
approved a 10-year asphalt
management plan for the roads
department which must be funded.
The final budget totals $29 million
in expenditures.
Follow the white pawprint road
With weather finally co-operating Huron East rec department employee Abi Corbett was able
on Friday to finish up the walking routes in Brussels. Three pawprint-marked paths take
walkers on one, three and five kilometre routes through the village to encourage active living.
The initiative was done by the municipality in conjunction with Take Heart Huron. (Bonnie Gropp)
Painted paths a unique way
to get people out and active
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen editor
The Municipality of Huron East in
conjunction with Take Heart Huron
have come up with a unique way to
get people active.
Three paths of painted footprints
in Brussels lead residents on a tour
of town encouraging them to get out
and get moving, as well as to
explore their community.
Following the bear pawprints
leads you on a one kilometre route
that begins at the arena and leads
you onto the soccer field behind the
facility.
The three-km route is designated
by cougar prints. According to
Brussels rec department employee
Abi Corbett, who painted the paths,
the starting point is again from the
arena, then moves down Sports
Drive up to Turnberry, then across
the bridge to Dunedin. From there
the prints go east to Burgess where
they turn right and cross the dam.
Walkers will then follow them to
the school, through the yard, before
coming back up Catherine, crossing
Turnberry and turning right on
Ainley Drive back towards the
arena.
For the more ambitious there is a
five-kilometre route. Marked by
deer prints, this follows the three-km
walk onto Dunedin. However, once
coming to Albert Street, the prints
move north to the fire hall, then west
towards the trailer park, before
circling back across the bridge to
JR’s.
From there it’s down to Elizabeth
Street, taking it south all the way to
Smith Lane. Turn left, cross
Tumberry, then take a left on Ainley
Dr. to the arena. To complete the
five km. walk to the back of the
arena and do one tour around each of
the soccer fields.
Corbett said that there will be
signage where they were not
allowed to or able to paint prints,
such as through the conservation
area.
The routes are depicted on the
new Huron East brochure. There are
also walks in Seaforth and Vanastra.
Funding was assisted by a grant
received by Take Heart Huron.
HE okays
loan for
Ethel
ball park
By Jim Brown
Citizen staff
Huron East council eagerly
approved a $15,000 interest free
loan for the Ethel minor ball
committee.
The group wants to install a new
set of playground equipment, and
would like to do it this year.
Some councillors felt that the
group should apply for a Trillium
grant for the project, but that would
mean they would not be able to do
any of the work until next year.
Brenda Boyer of the committee
said they were hoping to have the
work complete next year by the time
the community celebrates its 150th
anniversary.
She indicated the playground
equipment at the park gets used on a
regular basis, with visitors even
stopping to use the equipment as
they have a picnic.
Jane Stewart said the money
would be used to install a new set of
playground equipment to
complement the equipment that is
already in place. They were also
planning on putting an addition
onto the pavilion.
“We are just looking for some
assistance,” she said.
The group indicated they had
looked at two playground sets - one
for $13,000 and another was on sale
this year for just over $12,300.
Boyer said the one for just over
$12,300 was ideal for their park as it
fit right in where they would like it
to go, with some minor work being
done.
The other equipment would
require more work to be done in
order to get it installed in place.
The group enclosed a history of
the work done at the ball park since
the early 1970s.
The Ethel ball park had been
basically unused and neglected since
the last ball teams existed in the
early 1970s. A neighbour kept the
grass cut and planted some trees on
a volunteer basis until 1994 when a
group of parents decided to fix up
the park to have a place for the
community to use.
The Brussels Lions and Optimist
Clubs were approached for some
assistance. Volunteers built a new
backstop, players cages and
protective fencing at the diamond as
well as a small open air booth.
The Ethel minor ball committee
was formed in 1995 and the first
annual three-pitch tournament was
held to begin fundraising for further
improvements.
In 1996, the booth/pavilion
facility was built at a total cost of
$33,322 which was split 50-50
between the committee and Grey
Twp. The labour was all volunteer.
As well, the Brussels Lions and
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