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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-08-19, Page 2Page A2 - 3oderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, August 19, 2009 41 Council members to meet with Agriculture Minister PARK THEATRE 30 The Square GODERICH 524-7811 Aug. 21 - 27 hac►aH McAdams FM & Sat Eric Bans 6:45 8 9:15 -llx'IiiilC Sun _Thur Traveler's Wife www.rnovielinks.ca 1-800-265-3438 Cheryl Heath sun media County councillors want to en- sure the province's agriculture minister sees the forest and not just the trees. That was a decision meted out at Huron County Council's Aug. 11 committee -of -the -whole sugges- tion. While councillors had origi- nally passed a motion to request a meeting with Agriculture Ministqr Leona Dombrowsky in light of the economic crisis impacting the beef and hog industries at an earlier meeting, Coun. Bert Dykstra (Cen- tral Huron), who is a chicken farm- er, thought the best route would be to highlight how important agri- culture is as an industry rather than focusing on ailing sectors. "We need to approach it from an economic aspect similar to what manufacturing has done," says Dykstra. "We need to go through the facts and figures on what agri- culture has done for the county." The key, says Dykstra, is to en- courage the minister to look at long-term solutions. "Bailouts don't always work," says Dykstra, adding he would like to know what the province has done so far to aid the ailing hog and beef sectors. Dykstra's take on the presenta- tion proved to have many support- ers, including Coun. Bill Dowson (Bluewater), who is a hog produc- er. "We need to reinforce how im- portant agriculture is to this coun- ty," says Dowson. "If we lose (ag- riculture), we'll think Volvo was a walk in the park." Coun. Neil Vincent (North Hu- ron), a farmer, added his voice to the chorus of those chiming in to support the initiative. Vincent notes the industry is facing a number of critical situations, including a lack of new blood coming into the field since there isn't a comfortable stan- dard of living to be made. He adds Canadian products are more expensive than imports but a large reason for that is the high cost of doing business in Canada because of its strong safety net and vast number of pricey regulations. A delegation of county repre- sentatives, including Chief Ad- ministrative Officer Larry Adams, Warden Ken Oke, Dykstra and Dowson, are scheduled to meet with Dombrowsky during the As- sociation of Municipalities of On- tario conference being held in To- ronto this week. Maple Tree project receives funding WHEN YOU'RE WASHING YOUR CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY, U' fR E N O T JUST WASHING YOUR CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY Storm drains run directly in lakes and rivers. When you wash your car in your drive way, the soap can go down the storm drain and puitute our waters Use a car wash instead where the wastewater is sent to the sanitary sewer for treatment. Don't feed SO II) to the Storm Wash your car right. Cheryl Heath sun media Councillors approved a cash injection of up to $200,000 for Goderich's Maple Tree Community Housing Corporation after some debate. In a report to the committee deliv- ered by Social Services administrator Dave Overboe, councillors learned that problems with the development's roof and plumbing mean at least $175,000 more will be needed to complete the project. "It's still a viable proj- ect," he says, noting that the infusion will make the county a one-third part- ner with federal and pro- vincial governments that pushed the development forward to be- gin with. Coun. ' Bernie MacLellan (Huron East) was among the councillors ex- pressing frustration with the fact the development was pushed through in spite of a number of lingering concerns by the county itself. Overboe notes those concerns have been delivered to the provincial and federal counterparts, along with a sug- gestion that local matters be left to lower -tier governments in the future. "They need to put a little more faith in our ability," he says. While Coun. Deb Shewfelt (God- erich) notes the per unit cost works out to be about $120,000, which is in line with federal -provincial afford- able housing program funding, Chief Administrative Officer Larry Adams questioned whether this is the last time the county will be asked to ante up with more cash. Overboe notes the answer to that is maybe. HOUSING NEEDS The Ontario Works roll continues to grow in Huron County. That news was deliv- ered to . Huron County's Aug. • 11 committee -of - the -whole session by ' Social -Services admin - "The waiting list for social housing is climbing, while the percentage of gear d -to - income housing has increased to 3.84 per cent, a figure that usually stands at about two per cent" '• : St rat lord : 551 Huron St. Cinemas273-6780 Show Schedule for August 21 - 27 IInglowious &adds Nightly at 7:00, s.tl$u&T U. matinee at 2pm lr I OJ. ,los Nightly at 6:46 & 4:16, Sat/Sun/Tim matinee M 2p'. fa The Time Traveler's WIh Nightly at 700 a 4:16, SMISu&1Uaa matinee at 2pm Simile it 700 & 916, Bet uN1Uas matinee at .. GB Julia & Julle u;+ at 0:46 a 4:16, SadSu,JTwa matinee at .. GI .,.... or -of l l N,! r . R,IS (QR, 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 istrator David Overboe. "It's not huge growth but it is growth," he says. In related news, Overboe notes the waiting list for social housing is also climbing while the percentage of geared -to -income housing has in- creased to 3.84 per cent, a figure that usually stands at about two_- �per cent. CONTRACT OK'D • Committee members approved the bid of Smith -Peat Roofing at $28,323.15, to move forward with roof repairs at a county -operated nine -unit apartment building in Wingham. LUBE - OIL - FILTER All Gas Powered Cars and Light Trucks oo• Plus Tax Includes: EHE (Environmental handling charge), up to 5L of oil, Fluid Top Ups, Exterior Car Wash. No Disposal Fees. Shuttle Service, McGEE Motors Ltd. Your Full Line GM Dealer 180 Suncoast Drive E. 519-5244391