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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2003-12-17, Page 3Susan Hundertmark photo Breakfast with Santa The food was too good for Alyshia Williamson, three, of Blyth,to pay much attention to Santa Claus when he chatted with her during the Seaforth Optimist's Very Merry Breakfast Saturday morning at the arena. Huron East agrees to pay rent to use hydro poles By Susan Hundertmark Expositor Editor Huron East council agreed at its Dec. 9 meeting to pay rent to Hydro One to keep its signs and street lights on hydro poles. But, Seaforth Coun. Joe Steffler wanted to know why Huron East is not charging Hydro One rent for locating its hydro poles on municipal land. "I want to know how much rent they're paying the municipality and when they will be paying it," he said. A report from Public Works Coordinator John Forrest recommended an agreement requested by Hydro One that will see the municipality paying $2.04 per pole a year for the 190 Ontario Hydro poles it uses for street lights in Egmondville, Vanastra, Harpurhey, Winthrop, Walton, Cranbrook, Ethel and Molesworth. The total cost is estimated at $387.60 a year. Steffler said the new charge didn't make sense to him since the municipality has been using the poles free of charge for years. "Are they going to say take your lights down if we don't pay? How many municipalities are signing this thing? We should wait and see what happens. This will be a big item at the municipal convention if enough municipalities band together," he added. Steffler pointed out that an argument could be made that Ontario Hydro is now trespassing by having hydro poles on municipal land. "If they want $2.04, we only want $2 for rent from them," he said "And, at the rate Ontario Hydro spends money, next year it'll be $10.04 ." But, Brussels Coun. David Blaney argued that is wasn't worth getting into a fight with Ontario Hydro for $387. "We've spent almost that much just talking about it," he added. Deputy -Mayor Bernie MacLellan said Huron. East cannot put up its own poles for $2.04 each and Grey Coun. Mark Beaven said Ontario Hydro is trying to repay its debt by charging municipalities. "They're going to get us coming or going when they have a debt to repay," said Beaven. - Forrest said Huron East and its former municipalities before amalgamation have never paid rent for the use of hydro poles before. He added that Festival Hydro, which provides hydro in Seaforth and Brussels is not charging for the use of its hydro poles. "That would be a big dollar figure if they ever did," he said. Steckle questions Cabinet postings From Page 1 someone comes in two days a party member and is parliamentary secretary to one of the highest positions in the cabinet lets put it this way - we're all human and to some degree those kind of things hurt a little bit and I don't say that with tongue in cheek or as sour grapes." Despite the apparent snub from his new boss, Steckle said he's ready to work with the new cabinet and his new leader as a new era of politics is ushered into Ottawa. "There are so many expectations of (Paul Martin) and where he wants to take government in terms of how its democratic deficit and what he wants to do to reform the house," Steckle said. "The measures are being taken and he is absolutely serious and I haven't got one doubt in my mind that this man is going to take us into an era where politics will be done differently and people back at the ridings are going to say wow, this is really different." Huron -Bruce Canadian Alliance federal riding president Gary Haak dismissed any praise being heaped on the new prime minister saying voters mustn't be blinded by the actions of the government over the next six months. "We have to remember that this next round (Paul Martin) has got a very short term to basically make himself saleable and it's just a Liberal tactic to put up a good front prior to an election," Haak said. "1 think this is probably going to be the same thing and I think most people in our constituency already recognize that - what he sells over the next few months is not what you get after the election." Steckle said this new era of politics would vindicate what he has been saying for the last 10 years that MPs should have the right to vote with their conscience and the way their constituents want them to vote. Prior to this party members were often encouraged - if not pressured - to vote along party lines with the prime minister. "I've been telling government this and I have been responding in the House in the way that Paul Martin is directing us to go now for the last 10 years," Steckle said. "I have always voted the way in which I felt issues I was compelled to vote whether it was through conscience or whether it was through the majority view of my constituency and I've never in any case failed my riding in that area. "Now I can go back and it's going to be on terms that I understand because I've been talking about this for so long and I guess maybe more so than any other member for that reason." Steckle, never one to hold back his thoughts about former prime minister Jean Chrrtien, said he was happy to see the images of• his former boss walk off into the sunset as it were last week when he resigned at Rideau Hall. "There comes a time when you have to walk away and should walk away gracefully," Steckle said. "Even though he overstayed his welcome in the minds of many people in the cnd he walked away and he walked away gracefully and I think Canadians will remember that moment even despite all the things that were said in the last number of months and number of years. "I think in the end he was graceful in this departure and he was relaxed as he walked away. Even though we respected each other we had differences but in the end I salute him for the way he left." THE HURON EXPOSITOR, DECEMBER 17, 2003-3 3foCiday CoCCection Schedule ?he BFurwater Recycling Association and attics staff woad lifts to wish everyone a 24erry Christmas aria a 2tapp y New Year. During the hofs a y season. we postpone tfu regular collection of waste andrecyclabCes in order to al ow our stat to savour this joyous holiday season with their famiCy andfriends. .els a result, the regular coffection for Thursday December 25th and?hursday January ist will" 6e on Saturday December 27th and Saturday January 3rd respectively. 'There will6e regular collection on Boxing Day, ,friday December 26th except far goderich and St. Marys.fRtegu(ar collection will'resume the following riiddggy. We apoCogize for any inconvenience. Should you have any questions, pCease feelfree to contact us at 1-80o-265.9799. AO' Men's Shopping Day �:i;;p»�; . DayMen's Men's Shopping D y Sunday, Dec 21 12 Noon - 4:30pm Downtown Seaforth is inviting all shoppers who need to pick-up a few last minute items to drop by for free giftwrapping, specials and friendly service. Not that we're saying men are the only one's shopping late, but... We'II see you guys Sunday. Brought to you by... Seaforth BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION • .. 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