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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times-Advocate, 2002-11-20, Page 21Wednesday, November 20, 2002 21Exeter Times–Advocate Josh and Vernon Dean stacked some of the 897 shoebox gifts collected by busi- nesses,churches and schools for Operation Christmas Child at the Exeter Pentecostal Tabernacle depot Nov.16.The shoeboxes were packed into larger boxes on Monday and trucked to London.They will be forwarded to needy chil- dren in Central and South American countries.(photo/Sandra Forster) SSttaacckkss ooff sshhooeebbooxxeess South Huron says ‘no’request By Scott Nixon TIMES-ADVOCATE STAFF SOUTH HURON — Council is will- ing to give the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) a three per cent increase over last year, but doesn’t want to pony up the seven per cent the ABCA wants. Council discussed the issue at Monday night’s council meeting. As previously reported, the ABCA’s draft 2003 budget proposes a levy of $93,877 for South Huron, up from 2002’s $88,449. Overall, the ABCA is proposing to collect $445,573, in its general levy from its 12 member municipalities, an increase of $30,000. At over 21 per cent, South Huron pays the largest chunk of the ABCA’s municipal levy, followed by Bluewater. Council eventually decided it could live with a three per cent increase in its general levy, but not the proposed seven per cent. Coun. Joe Hogan wondered if South Huron could delay its deci- sion until January or February when the municipality will have a better idea of what its finances are. Mayor Rob Morley said the ABCA wants to vote on the budget by the end of November and needs South Huron’s answer. Deputy Mayor Dave Urlin said he was concerned about a seven per cent increase to the ABCA. Hogan added the seven per cent “seems rich.” Coun. Ken Oke said a three per cent increase is close to the cost of living. He said after two consecutive years of the ABCA raising South Huron’s levy by 10 per cent, three per cent is adequate. He said if the ABCA wants more than that from South Huron, it will have to wait until January or February when the municipality will know what it can afford. Council also passed a motion to recommend to the ABCA’s board of directors that all recorded votes at ABCA meetings be done according to weighted assessment. In other words, municipalities with a higher assessment would have more votes. South Huron has the most assess- ment of the ABCA’s member municipalities. Coun. Harvey Ratz said Huron County council previously used such a system to success. Other notes from the meeting: Grand opening The new South Huron ambulance base on Thames Rd. W. will be unveiled in its grand opening this Saturday at 1 p.m. Morley said the event is open to the public and will feature a short ceremony and a tour of the base. Dental office Building and development man- ager Wayne Dale informed council of construction at 466 Main St. S. to change a residential building into a dentist office. Work to the building includes removal of a single storey addition and detached garage and construction of a new single storey at the back of the building. Skateboard policy Responding to recent complaints about skateboarders, council passed a bylaw concerning the restriction of skateboards, scooters and roller blades. Those activities are prohibited at: The Olde Town Hall, Cenotaph and South Huron Library complex; par- kettes at 379 Main St. and 406 Main St.; on Main Street and its sidewalks between Huron and Wellington streets; and the Stephen Arena in Huron Park. The bylaw states skateboards, scooters and roller blades are not to be used on municipal-owned property, other than in parks desig- nate for their use, that will cause damage to the property. Recognition time Council decided on its new appre- ciation/recognition policy. For a South Huron team, group or orga- nization winning a championship at a provincial, national or interna- tional level or for an individual who has won a gold medal in a provin- cial, national or international com- petition, council may place a brass title bar on the municipal plaque at the rec centre and/or give a gift of a South Huron coffee mug or lapel pin. Lucan considers smoking,weeds By Sandra Forster TIMES-ADVOCATE STAFF LUCAN – How to make bylaws fair to everyone was the theme of Lucan Biddulph’s council meeting Nov. 18. Up for discussion were home occupa- tion businesses, zoning, weed control, smoking and road maintenance. Dennis Daubs of B&B Auto Supply asked council not to attack businesses, but to encourage business to establish or expand in the municipality. The bylaw enforcement officer ordered K &K Towing & Auto Services to apply for a zoning change for its business on a farm. Administrator Ron Reymer said Lucan Biddulph wants businesses but they must all operate under the prop- er zoning bylaws. Mary Hutchings said the business is in the process of filling out the zoning application. Mayor Earl French said council will consider the application fairly and Reymer will help in the application process. Weed control According to the Weed Control Act, it is only to protect agricultural land from noxious weeds, not residential lots. Reymer said a clear yard bylaw would be needed for urban areas to prevent weeds and junk from accumu- lating. The weed inspector would have no authority on urban property unless it was adjacent to farmland. Weed control has not been an issue in Lucan Biddulph’s urban areas, Reymer said. No Smoking In a 4-1 vote, council supported Middlesex County’s Draft No Smoking Bylaw for all public buildings. Councillors asked how the Legion, Booster Club bingo, bars and restau- rants will be affected, who would pay for No Smoking signs and who will enforce the bylaw. French speculated the Ministry of Health would be involved, since it would be a county-wide bylaw. A majority of municipalities must consent for the bylaw to proceed. Coun. Doug Anderson said restricting a person’s right to smoke “smacks of ‘Big Brother’.” Road maintenance Reymer asked for input at the next council meeting on a draft road main- tenance bylaw the same as the coun- ty’s. It categorizes roads by speed limit and traffic volume and specifies snow clearing, sanding and salting time guidelines. Granton development A public meeting will be held Dec. 3 about proposed development charge rates for Granton’s sewer and water services. French said lowering the recom- mended rates may encourage growth. Coun. Andy Van Geel wants to keep development costs low but warned the municipality’s infrastructure costs must be covered. Council will decide on rates after the public meeting. Tenders Three tenders out of five re-tenders were received to rent the 78 acres of land around the sewage treatment plant. All were re-tendered after two identical bids were received. Highest tender was $199.99 per acre per year by Jeff Horn of Centralia Several landowners have called Reymer questioning their property assessment notices. Generally, farm- land assessment is up 10 per cent or more and residential two per cent. Reymer urges homeowners to read their notices carefully, compare it to previous years and check for errors as the assessment affects the tax bill. Hydro costs The Ontario government freeze on hydro rates of 4.3 cents allowed some sorely- needed breathing room for the municipality. Reymer said in theory, all hydro users will get a rebate, but no details are available yet. Deputy Mayor Bev Bumstead said the hydro announcement made the com- munity centre/arena’s job of forecast- ing its costs a lot easier. Flu shot time RN Beth Jean administers a flu shot at the Grand Bend Medical Centre Nov.14.Medical services co- ordinator Heather Klopp says numbers of people get- ting flu shots are up from last year.The next clinic will be Nov.23 9 a.m.to noon at Stephen Central School. (photo/Sandra Forster) The Huron Perth District 12 I.O.O.F.honoured the Grand Master of Ontario Grand Lodge at a dinner Nov.12 catered by the Hensall United Church men.L-R: District Deputy Grand Patriarch Dan Smith,I.O.O.F.District Deputy Cecil Pepper, Ontario Grand Lodge Grand Master Terry Switzer of Cobourg,Rebeccan Assembly District President Helen Coates,District Deputy Grand Warden Bev Skinner.(photo/submitted) PPrroovviinncciiaall GGrraanndd MMaasstteerr