The Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-04-01, Page 2Page A2 - Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, April 1, 2009
• •••
Goderich lining up infrastructure projects for province
albrarldi Crs01101
signal -star staff
With the provincial govern-
ment announcing $27.5 billion
dollars for infrastructure proj-
ects in Qntario in the March 26
budget, Goderich stands poised
to take full advantage as de-
tails from Queen's Park become
available.
"Like every announcement,
it takes time to analyze what
programs are there and what
programs council wants to con-
sider their priorities," said God-
erich clerk -administrator, Larry
• McCabe.
However, the message is clear
from the municipal level.
"We'll be ready"
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As Ontario follows the federal
lead in running a infrastructure -
induced deficit with its budget,
local projects such as the har-
bour expansion may have the
added benefit of more govern-
ment dollars to draw on.
Mayor Deb Shewfelt said al-
though the infrastructure fund-
ing may go into the red with the
budget, it's necessary spending
in an. economically uncertain
time. -
McCabe said the harbour is
Goderich's top priority, and
this week ' work is being done
to digitally map the area for the
applications thanks to another
provincial initiative - Commu-
nities in Transition.
The federal government will
be topping up the province's
contribution another $5 billion,
and because of previous ap-
plications to both CIT and the
Build Canada fund, Goderich
already has a head start in get-
ting its property shovel -ready.
"Goderich is ready," said Mc-
Cabe. "We'll be ready, we'll
have (funding for) projects ei-
ther through reserve funds or
allocations to have our share
ready to go without impacting
on the tax rate in any way shape
or form." .
Council is also spending
$100,000 for pre -engineering
on road allotments so that when
money is announced they are
ready to begin work . immedi-
ately.
As for the harbour, McCabe
said the town, the Port Manage-
ment Corporation and the har-
bour itself are ready and wait-
ing to see what the next level of
announcements will bring.
"Funds are being analyzed,"
he said. "The local portion is
already there and available."
He added should other proj-
ects under consideration by the
town fall within the yet -to -be -
announced funding guidelines,
they will certainly pursue them
- in order of importance.
"We'll go to the priority list,"
McCabe said. "We do have
shovel -ready projects ready to
go in the harbour area."
Meanwhile, a move to a
single harmonized sales tax in
Ontario will increase the price
of everything from fast food to
electricity.
McCabe said the potential ef-
fects will not be made apparent
to Goderich Hydro customers
for some time, as the energy in-
dustry needs time to adjust rates
accordingly.
"A lot of those things are
controlled . by energy board," he
said. "It's such a regulated busi-
ness that we'll determine how
to proceed in the future."
Shewfelt added the HST
would raise the cost of doing
business for local hospitality
industries, adding he's already
heard concerns from the tour-
ism sector in particular.
However, he added there is
much time before the change
actually occurs - time that could
be spent finding ways to cush-
ion the blow.
"Yes, there are drawbacks to
it, especially in tourism," he
said. "But there are some things
that could negate that."
However, he added overall it
is a good budget for municipali-
ties, given the amount of infra-
structure money.
Mitchell pleased with riding's funding
oxdic&itch
Centre
•169 Bayfield Rd,
Goderich
519.524.7832
It is with mixed feeling that I have decided to leave Goderich.This is not a decision
that I have taken lightly, however I have been presented with an opportunity to move
much closer to family. Those of you with small children who are lucky enough to
have family close by to lend a hand can attest that having mothers, fathers, brothers
+ & sisters around your children enriches their life experience. Over the past 6 years, I
have met many wonderful people & 1 am certainly going to miss living & working in
Goderich.
I hove come to team that Goderich is a strong -knit community, built on decency &
good values. It was certainly my privilege to have met all of you & 1" would like to
thunk you on your confidence in me over the years.
l am pleased to announce that Dr. Jose Cabral will continue your dental core & will
provide you with the same professional excellence that 1 have strived for.
Cabral is a "1985 graduate of the University of Western Ontario. Dr. Cabral is
married & plans to relocate to Goderich in the near future.1 airs confident that you
will find him to be a congenial & capable person.
All patients records will remain with the practice.The phone number will remain the
some. Ail staff will be continuing at the office. Cheryl will be happy to receive your
calls & will ensure that your ongoing dental care is maintained.
I know that I am leaving my patients & my practice in good hands & extend my best
wishes for your health & happiness.
Dc. $'cele fi s._
From MITCHELL, Page 1
vide increased funding for health care and
municipalities will be able to meet infra-
structure needs and commitments. Mitchell
believes the budget is a balanced document
that provides well for her constituents.
"My main concern is how well my people
will be taken cane of. It is a balanced bud-
get and people want accountability and they
want transparency from their government,"
she said. "A budget is essentially a plan. It's
a blueprint for the future."
The federal government has provided $4.3
billion to ease the burden of the implementa-
tion of the harmonized tax next year. Four
other provinces have already blended the
two taxes.
Mitchell is pleased with funding for rural
jurisdictions like Huron-Biuce, citing the
:-i 1•110u
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We admowledge the financial support of the Government of
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Canad1
$270 million set aside for rural initiatives
and $290 million earmarked for green infra-
structure.
Hospitals will receive their anticipated and
much-needed 2.1 per cent funding increase
for the fiscal year and money slated for the
creation of 50 new family -health team clin-
ics will assist Exeter and Kincardine com-
munities.
Also, Ontario food products will benefit
from an $8 million development strategy, a
program through Ontario Ministry of Agri-
culture and Food (OMAFRA) that will pro-
mote Ontario food products.
More funding will also be made available
to provide summer jobs for students.
Admitting that the whole budget package
is complex, Mitchell pointed out that 93 per
cent of Ontarians would realize a tax break
or be eligible for increased child tax benefits
as a result of the budget.
"This is a balanced budget and it positions
ourselves well for the future," she said. "The
premier has taken a bold step and introduced
measures that are in the best interests of the
province. It was what was needed. He could
have taken an easier route."
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