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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-11-10, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2005. The Word on the Street Thoughts on observing two minutes silenee Nov. 11 RON RITCHIE AUBURN “Most everybody I know pays attention. Everybody at work stops what they’re doing, which is good.’’ GAIL TULLY BRUSSELS “We always close down and go BOB HULLEY LONDESBOROUGHJACQUELYN EDWARDS BLYTH “I think it’s a good idea (to stop for two minutes) just because it shows respect...it’s a sign of respect. I do it personally.” down to the Legion. It’s their decision (the people who don’t stop) but...two minutes out of their life is not a big deal.” MERVIN BRUBACHER ETHEL “I don’t mind taking time out on Remembrance Day. I don’t believe in war but it happened and we are thankful for our freedom.” “It’s only two minutes out of life which is not asking a big deal out of a person. If you’re not willing to do that then what does that say about the veterans?” County approves changes for day care consultants By Bonnie Gropp Citizen editor Despite strong opposition from the two Huron East councillors, county council accepted a recommendation at the Nov. 3 meeting that would see day care resource consultants for special needs relocated to a central county office. The move would see $60,000 the county allocated to day cares for the consultants, returned to the county. At last month’s council meeting John McKinnon, social services administrator, had argued that the consultants’ resources were not being best used by assigning them to specific day cares. With a central office County battle for payment gets turned up a notch By Bonnie Gropp Citizen editor County councillors were told at the Nov. 3 meeting that it was time to send a strong message to the province regarding the bill for land ambulance services. When land ambulance services were downloaded to the municipalities it was to be funded 50 per cent by the province and 50 per cent by property taxpayers. As the province has yet to pay its portion of the bill, which the municipalities have already covered, property taxpayers are picking up closer to 70 per cent of the costs. Nov. 1, the Eastern Ontario and Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucuses issued a press release calling on the provincial government to pay its share. Michael Raymond, head of the Western Ontario Wardens’ caucus said after a joint meeting, “We can't put up with the province’s delaying tactics any longer. They owe municipalities, including the 28 counties and single-tier municipalities we represent, $312 million. Because they have short­ changed us, our property taxpayers are paying more they would travel to where they were needed. However, several councillors, including warden Doug Layton who had not supported the move at committee level, were not sure that the change would be cost-efficient. McKinnon also said then that local day care centres may have been using money they got for administrating the special needs program to help pay for other costs which would hurt them when the program was centralized. When the recommendation came forward at Thursday’s meeting Huron East councillor Bernie MacLellan said he was surprised to see this still going ahead. “I know for a fact if this goes ahead than they should.” Larry Adams chief administrative officer, said that with an election looming, the time was right to make noise. South Huron councillor Rob Morley agreed, saying that even the local MPP was saying to “really stand up and yell.” “Don’t be passive,” he said. “The squeaking wheels are getting the response.” His counterpart on council, Ken Oke said there is a tendency for rural people to be too quiet. “We do not demand so we don’t get our fair share. It’s time we did.” Huron East councillor Bemie MacLellan wondered what action needed to be taken. Warden Doug Layton said numbers are important and with the two caucuses, representing four million rural ratepayers banding together they were stronger. “The more we keep yelling,” said Adams, “we will hopefully get through. We will hammer away at every opportunity and hit them between the eyes every time we see them.” Bluewater councillor Paul Klopp added his view that the you’re going to shut down (the Tuckersmith) day care. Are we trying to do something we hope is going to fix our county budget when all it will do is shut down our services?” Evy McDonagh, children’s services manager, said that the service was meant to help all “fragile” children in the county, not just those who can get to a day care. She explained that the north resource consultant will not use any more travel time than previously and that salaries are not differing to what council had been seeing. McDonagh also noted that she felt the move would mean enough extra money to hire an additional part-time consultant. “The numbers don’t add up election will play a part in resolving this. “I know it’s frustrating but this is an election issue. And we are sending a clear signal to the minister that this has been turned up a notch.” Caldwell named OPPI president An East Wawanosh native will be leading the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI). Scott Tousaw of the Huron County planning department told county councillors at the Nov. 3 meeting that senior planner Dr. Wayne Caldwell has been 'elected president elect of OPPI. The position will be held for two years followed by two years as the president of the institute. “I think this is good news for us, as Wayne’s profile with OPPI will heighten the importance of agriculture in Ontario,” said Tousaw. for me,” said MacLellan, adding that rather than driving to three centres, the consultants would be travelling to more places to work with a smaller group of children at each. “We will still service those in the day cares, but not every family can put their child into day care,” said McDonagh.“We are looking at a service for the whole ocunty. When the program was put in place it wasn’t to support (a municipality’s) day care.” Asked by MacLellan if it isn’t better to have the children brought to the centre, McDonagh agreed, but added again, that not every family has to means to get to a licensed facility. “Who services those children?” MacLellan was still We proudly honour the valour and sacrifice of Ontario’s own wi! REMEMBER THAT THE NEXT TIME YOU SEE THEM DRIVE THROUGH ONTARIO. THEY DROVE THROUGH MUDDY uic veierajis *oppy licence rictte, /wanaDie omy to veteruns, so please show your respect when you see our heroes on the road. Visit www.mto.gov.on.ca for more information. 1 ©Ontario.. unconvinced. “From lower- tier on I said I would argue this tooth and nail. It’s detrimental to our entire system.” Councillor Deb Shewfelt stated that he had changed his mind regarding the recommendation. “At the time I had the same thoughts as councillor MacLellan, but I worked through it. It’s about better service. It’s unfortunate you set that money to your operation. If $20,000 is going to shut down a day care in [East Huron] that’s short­ sighted on your part.” “I keep hearing people call us East Huron, we are Huron East,” countered councillor Joe Seifi. “But if you continue to rob us we just might become East Huron.” “Second, I am going to fight this hook, line and sinker. I do not agree with this. You’ll have to add staff and you have not added those figures into this recommendation.” Bluewater councillor Bill Dowson said he had first believed that the $60,000 was to spread across the county. “But it ended up being spent on the people who came to day care. Until someone shows me differently I have to stick to my decision Io support this recommendation.” North Huron councillor Murray Scott also spoke for the recommendation. “Initially I had concerns, but the program is about the children.” The recommendatic n was accepted in a recorded vote, with Seili and MacLellan being the only ones to vote against it.