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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1995-12-20, Page 3News and Views Seaforth council Steffler takes exception to clerk's comments The • Chair of Seaforth's Police Acrvtoe Baird (PSB), Lin Steiner, hos taken excep- tion to recent comments in council by Clerk/Administrator Jim Crocker drat regardless of recent provincial cutbacks taxes in town might have to go up about five percent in 1996 just to cover the increased costs of OPP policing. Deputy -Reeve William Teall, council's representative on the local police board, said the PSB is "an organiiation that has policy and direction". He then handed -out a budget breakdown and statement from Steffler at last Tuesday night's council meeting, in which she presented facts and figures indicating the costs of policing arc anticipated to actually go down slightly next year in Scaforth, in the PSB's proposed but yet unapproved budget. Chair Stefflcr said she "would appreciate an explanation" why an increase in taxes is being laid on the doorstep of the police board and OPP when next year's projected PSB budget is $9,250 less than this year's, $357,188 for 1996 compared to this year's figure of $366,438. In general discussion at coun- cil's Dec. 4 sitting, Crocker said "one thing we cannot control is the $70,((X) increase in policing costs, zinc! when that is coupled with the anticipated $30,000 grant reduction from the province he thinks that it may be unrealistic• 10 expect a zero per cent increase in 1996", according to the minutes of that council meeting. Among other comments in Chair Stefllcr's statement last Tuesday night: • "It is expected we will come in approximately $40,000 under budget for 1995 - a definite advantage to thc finan- cial picture for tlx: town in 1995. • "1 have determined today through the contract policing office that our 1996 contract has been set at $387,803. Added to this is a reserve fund of $12,000 to cover the radio communications severance package, which may or may not be required in 1996. • "The responsibility for the provision of the new police facility restS with the Town, not the Police Services Board or the OPP. We were informed labour costs for the new facility were subsidized by jobsOntario. The remaining costs of the renovations should have no influence on the 1996 budget, since the work was done, and presumably ex- pensed, in 1995." Chair Stefflcr further noted the benefits of going OPP for this community: increased police coverage; inandatory foot patrols; a new, more readily accessible and visible Main Street office; two new cruisers; more RIDE and liquor checks; and, more consistent enforcement of parking by- laws. Animal officer granted power to shoot .22 rifle in Seaforth Recently -hired animal control officer Robert Trick has been granted the power to discharge a .22 long rifle in Seaforth, in specific circumstances under strict control, by virtue of an agreement by the town, police service board and provincial police that is consistent with federal germ regult ons. Tl rifle roar be used to destroy a dog or other animal that in the opinion of that officer "is injured, diseased or dangerous to public safety to the point that it should be destroyed immediately." Before firing, unless dispatched by the Ontario Provincial Police, the animal control officer must advise the OPP he will be doing so, un- less the procedure is not prac- tical in the situation; in which case, immediately alter dischar- ging the firearm. The officer must also report the circumstance and details to -the. town .administrator within one week. Recent incidents with rabid skunks to the west of town near Scaforth's public and pre- schools made the guidelines and policy more pressing, in the context of Canada's stricter new firearms law. Food bank to be running soon Continued from page 1 Rev. Bruce Cook of Northside United Church spoke for the local Christians when they made their formal request to the municipality earlier this month. He said the Scaforth food bank, might be open two or two -and -a -half days a week and they would like to have the service going by the end of January or early February. in the new year on the long- term uses of Seaforth's 101 - year -old Town Hall, which is insured for a replacement value of about $1.3 -million, so com- mitted most of thc vacated municipal police premises near the back of the building for only a year. The town will continue to use former police chief Ilal Claus' office when it needs it, and if the food bank requires a telephone the charity will be responsible for it. • Huron rabies program in U.S. Ontario's Ministry of Natural resources has been awarded a two-year contract to drop 2.5 - million baits over more than 100,000 square kilometres of Texas to help the fight against coyote and fox rabies in Texas. Much of the program and technique were developed and refined here in Huron County. The fox rabies . control project, started in 1989, is expected to eliminate the strain of thc disease by the year 2001. Last fall the ministry dropped 1.8 -million fox rabies vaccine baits in southern On- tario, and also provided aircraft, baiting machines and staff for similar, smaller -scale, bait -dropping projects in areas of New York State and Quebec. When the holidays get hectic, call... GODFATHER PIZZA for help. Cthelattamia Fd 111 I 1 to m • 2 large 4 item pizzas v (� • ZJ Itre Pepsi 0 1 ‘-""--e Caesar Salad • Garlic Stops & Cheese • PLUS 1 ORDER OF Dont Drink & Drive We Deliver! "Rural routes . not a problem" 527-0222 100 MAIN ST. (REAR) SEAFORTH THE HUNON EXPOSITOR, D.10a*u 1110, 11115-2 g. a _ re. rpt; '� HEALTH ON THE HILL A Review of activities at SEAFORTH COMMUNITY HOSPITAL As the jubilant season of Christmas and the promise of another year approaches, we wish to extend to the community our warmest good wishes. At this time of year it is good to reflect on the activities of the past months while appreciating the holiday Season. Indeed, we thank everyone for -the warmth and spirit shown to our hospital and together look forward to a new year of peace, goodwill and happiness. Merry Christmas to one and all. PAY N 0 GST DAVID SCOTT PHOTO SANTA JOINS THE NHL - The Grade 4 class at Walton Public School performed a humourous skit entitled Santa Joins the NHL at the recent Christmas concert. A Perfect Christmas Tree Once upon a time there was a girl named Mallery. She lived with her mother, father, her two sisters, and her baby brother. They all lived together in an old log house. Since her dad was a woodcutter every year they hiked through the woods and tried to find the perfect tree. Not to tall; not to short, and nice and bushy. But this year her father didn't want to go out to the woods and get a tree. Mallery said, `But what is the fun of that?' with a said look on her face. Mallery was so disappointed when she heard that her parents wanted to get a fake tree. When her father went to the store to get a tree he looked at them very carefully. Then turned around and left. That night they set off to get the perfect tree. It was the best tree ever. The End. 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