Loading...
The Citizen, 2005-07-21, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2005. Midget girls have busy week, playing three games rhe Brussels Midget girls played three games in the past week, losing a pair, including a one-run setback to Goderich and winning by a shutout in the third game. The Midgets hosted Hibbert on July 11. Julie Brown was on the mound for Brussels. In the top of the first, the Brussels defence yielded two outs. \\ ith Brown adding a strikeout. The Brussels bats were alive in the bottom of the inning. Singles by Brown and Sara McDonald and a homerun by Coral Nicholson scored three. Hibbert scored a run in the second on three hits. Brown recorded a strikeout. Ashley Warwick singled in the bottom ol the second, but was stranded on base. Hibbert took the lead in the third on four hits, including a homerun and three errors. Brown recorded three strikeouts. Brussels tied the game in the bottom of the fourth on triples b\ Emily Elston and Candice McLellan and a single bv Lacey McCall. Hibbert scored two runs in each of the remaining three innings on seven hits and four errors. Brown recorded a pair of strikeouts. Brussels had runners in scoring position in each inning, yet were unable to bring them home. The final score was Hibbert I I. Brussels 5. Brussels was on the road on July I J as they travelled to Holmesville. The game was a real nail-biter as neither team scored a run lor the first six innings. Brown was the Brussels hurler and she allowed no runs on four hits and a walk and had two strikeouts. The Brussels bats came alive in the top of the seventh Candice Ross walked and singles by Brown and McDonald loaded the bases. Nicholson doubled followed by a homerun by Elston. The Brussels defence shut down Holmesville in the bottom of the seventh. The final score was Brussels 5. Holmesville 0. Brussels travelled to Goderich on Sunday. Batting in the first. Brussels loaded the bases on walks to Katie Aitchison. Elston and McCall but the three would be stranded. Goderich’s first batter reached base on an error and would score two singles later. Brown struck out two Goderich batters to end the inning. Brussels got on the scoreboard w-hen Catrina Josling singled. Warwick walked and Mary Aitchison stretched a double on an overthrow. Goderich left runners at first and second on a pair of singles. Brown recorded two strikeouts. Brussels rallied in the third with doubles from Nicholson, Elston. McCall and Jenna Fischer and singles from Josling and Warwick, to score four runs. Goderich answered with two runs on one hit and three errors. Brussels left runners in scoring position with singles from Nicholson and Elston. The Goderich bats were hot in the fourth, scoring five runs on three singles, a double, a triple and a hit batter. Brussels regained the lead when Fischer, Josling. Rachel Speers. M. Aitchison and Brown all had singles to score three runs. A pair ol strikeouts by Brown and an unassisted play by Fischer shut Goderichdown In top of the seventh inning. Brussels was unable to add any more runs to their total With a pair of singles and a triple. Goderich scored two runs to win the game 10-9. Brussels is at home on Sunday against Shakespeare, beginning at 8 p.m.. and then host St. Marys on Monday beginning at 9 p.m. Turn cottage into a home Hit A Walton Brewer batter makes contact with the ball during Friday evening’s Huron County Fastball League contest against the Brussels Tigers. The game was played in Ethel. (Jim Brown photo) Community mental health services expanded in Huron-Bruce The McGuinty government is investing more than $800,000 so that people with mental illness in Huron County and Bruce County will have better access to quality care in their communities, Carol Mitchell, MPP announced July 14 on behalf of Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman. "People with mental illness need quality services, as close to home as possible." said Mitchell. "This funding will make a real difference in the lives ol many people in Huron and Bruce Counties, because they will now be able to Iind the mental health services they need in their own community.” the Alexandra Marine and General Hospital in Goderich will have an ■ ncrea.se of $17,433 foi a total of $101,439. The Huron Addiction Services vs ill receive $3,978 and Women’s Shelter Second Stage Housing will receive $ 721. Grey-Bruce Health Services will receive $458,537 and the Grey Bruce Community Health Corporation will receive $ 233,879. The funding announced today is part of an overall government investment ol $58.3 million in 2005/06 so that 34.000 more Ontarians can have better access to community-based mental health services. These services include expanded case management, crisis response and early intervention, addiction treatment programs, as well as improved support for families and caregivers. Turning your collage into a retirement haven may seem like a good plan, but there are important issues to consider before you decide to go ahead and make it your permanent home. "This decision affects your finances and your lifestyle, so plan ahead and get advice." advises chartered accountant Karen Yuli of Toronto. "Selling your home and moving to your cottage is not a straightforward decision, as it involves complex tax issues and planning." says chartered accountant Martin Kretzschmann of Midland. Ontario. What are these issues? "Many people don’t realize that they may have to pay capital gains tax on one of their properties when they sell it." explains Yuli. "The tax legislation was changed in 1981 to allow only one property to be designated a principal residence each year, per family unit. Now. when you sell the property and it is not designated as your principal residence for all years after 1981, there is a complex calculation to determine the capital gains tax you may have to pay.” So what can you do? "A common strategy is to determine which property has risen most in value since 1981. Given the jump in cottage prices. it may be advantageous to designate your cottage as your principal residence for some or all of those years, so have a valuation done by a real estate appraiser," says Kretzschmann. "If you took advantage of the special one-time capital-gains-tax election in 1994. which allowed property owners to increase the cost of the property for tax purposes, then this must also be considered in determining which property to designate as your principal residence. "However, it is difficult to generalize, and this calculation can be very complex.” continues Yuli. "If you conducted major renovations to convert your cottage into your home, you may be eligible to receive back a portion of the GST paid on the renovation costs, under the GST New Housing Rebate.” Kretzschmann advises. Estate-planning issues are another consideration. Even though ’you decide to . make your cottage your permanent home,’you may still want to leavp t0 your children as a recreational cottage. According to Yuli it can be tricky to deal equitably with all of your children based on unknown future values. “Some children may live nearby, some may not want the cottage. If you leave it to one child, how do you make sure your other children are provided for equally?” “One strategy to keep the cottage as a family asset is to set up a trust. If you or your spouse are over 65, putting the cottage in an alter-ego or joint spousal trust helps avoid probate tees that, in Ontario, are among the highest in the country.” Is there anything else you should think about? “Yes.” says Kretzschmann. “snow." Consider the costs of winterizing your summer home, updating your utilities and heating systems. Find out if the road is accessible in winter. Deal with a reliable contractor who knows the local building codes and conditions. Renovations may fall under newer building codes than those in place when the cottage was originally built. resulting in unanticipated costs, such as moving a septic bed or well. Both Yuli and Kretzschmann offer one final piece of advice. Spending time at the cottage in the winter is very different from spending time there in the summer, and living there year-round will mean a change in lifestyle. Where is the nearest hospital? How close are your neighbours? What will you do for entertainment? Before you make the decision to turn your cottage into your home, consider all the issues and, most importantly. seek professional financial advice. For further information, contact a Chartered Accountant. - Brought to you by The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario. Check out The Citizen website at: www.northhuron.on.ca