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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2004-04-07, Page 5• Opinion Reader disagrees with Steckle that federal scandal doesn't have `relevance' From Page 4 executives with no paper work required. For the past year of the farm crisis, why couldn't the farmer just have his MP telephone Ottawa and have the cheque in the mail. It worked for festivals. Are festivals are more important to Mr. Steckle? As for the money! One billion dollars for farm aid is a lot of money. But, per capita and in relation to the extent of the disaster, how does it compare per capita with money given to Liberal friends? Paul Steckle says Canadians must put money away for a rainy day. He might advise the families of the thousands of children living in poverty just how they might do that. For the single mother, working at two or three minimum wage jobs to keep some food on the table and any kind of a roof over her head, every day is a rainy day. When Mr. Steckle loses his job, he will have been able to save for that rainy day; he will also receive a generous pension and a good chance for a patronage position. When a family of the working poor loses one of its minimum wage jobs, it has no generous pension to draw on or rainy day savings. Also, thanks to his government's lack of a realistic housing policy, the family will have to scramble to keep whatever inadequate housing they have. Yes, a few hundred million dollars is relevant to ordinary folks who must pay their bills and work hard to keep their heads up. In their scheme of things, that is. Fred Kirby, Tiverton News County uses reserves to cut budget increase From Page 1 $50 per $100,000 residential assessment — and fund the remaining $2,922,226 with reserves. By doing this, the proposed tax rate decreased to 9.3 per cent from 22.2 per cent. In his April 1 report to council, county treasurer Dave Carey voiced his concern with the depletion of the county's General Reserves for Contingencies. After compensating the 2004 budget increase, the reserve will be reduced to only $264,216 or 1.4 days of the county's operating expenses. "Our general reserves would be scarce to say the least," Carey said. "From what I see it's a very risky venture to pursue. Based on the county's policy of having a minimum reserve level at 15 per cent of total operating expenses, the balance in this reserve should be approximately $10.4 million. Council needs to use caution." And while they welcomed Carey's concerns, all councillors agreed a taxation increase of more than 20 per cent was completely unacceptable. "I'm not in agreement with letting the reserves go down so low, but I would hate to hit taxpayers too hard," Doug Layton (North Huron) said. "Reserves are for a rainy day and it's not raining — it's pouring right now." Jim Fergusson (Bluewater) and Joseph Seili (Huron East) felt there were still more cuts to be made. "I'm still concerned about the level of spending," Fergusson said. "The use of reserves is a short-term solution. We can't ask residents of Huron County to sustain the level of tax increase that would be necessary." Carey agreed that reserves would be a short-term solution and encouraged council to look forward, ensuring that the 2005 budget shows a repayment of the reserves. "Council needs to start looking forward, not just one or two years, but 20 years down the road to create sound reserves." Cuts to the 2004 budget include: • eliminating the benefits coordinator position from their human resources budget • reducing contributions to the waste management and water source protection reserves by $150,000 and $400,000 respectively • eliminating additional contributions to the 'provision for unforeseen' fund • increasing the county portion of planning fees by 15 per cent effective May 1, 2004 • reducing bridge and culvert maintenance costs by $700,000 • eliminating $1.5 million from 10 proposed road projects • eliminating council bus tours, TAC conferences and committee lunches Council agreed to support an enhanced summer ambulance service at a cost of $167,500, subject to 50 per cent funding from the provincial government. Library branch maintenance grants, valued at $91,500 each year and a $27,550 grant for Second Stage Women's Housing and Shelter, also remained in the budget. Options to eliminate the new Howick library and Sunday openings at town libraries were also defeated In a 10-5 recorded vote council approved the 9.3 tax rate increase and utilization of reserves for their 2004 budget, with Warden Bill Dowson (Bluewater), Dorothy Kelly (Morris- Turnberry), Rosemary Rognvaldson (Howick), Rob Morley (South Huron) and Fergusson voting against the resolution. Murray Scott (North Huron), Ken Oke (South Huron), Ben Van Diepenbeek (Ashfield-Colborne- Wawanosh), Bert Dykstra (Central Huron), Dave Urlin (South Huron), Neil Rintoul (Ashfield-Colhorne- Wawanosh), Paul Klopp (Bluewater) Deb Shewfelt (Goderich), Layton, and Seili voted in favour of the proposed budget. Bernie MacLellan (Huron East), Ellen Connelly (Goderich) and John Bezaire (Central Huron) were absent for the April 1 vote. "This year if someone comes in and asks for even $50 we need to say no if it's not in the budget," Klopp commented. "It's really a wake up call for us to remember what we've got to do. We have to be responsible Whether you voted for or against this budget we need to stick it to the back of our seats as a constant reminder." Tr T . AT LOCAL CATHOLIC CHURCHES Holy Thursday, April 8 7:00 pm St. James' Church, Seaforth 7:30 pm St. Columban Church, St. Columban 8:00 pm St. Joseph's Church, Clinton Good Friday, April 9 11:00 am St. Joseph's Church, Clinton 3:00 pm St. James' Church, Seaforth 3:00 pm St. Columban Church, St. Columban Easter Vigil, Saturday, April 10 8:00 pm St. James' Church, Seaforth EASTER SUNDAY, April 11 St. Joseph's Church, Clinton St. Columban Church, St. Columban St. James' Church, Sepforth 9:00 am 10:00 am 11:00 am Wishing you & your families a Joyous Easter! .Stop Dreaming. Start Building. 410,niv.4c "Hurry, don't miss out, offer ends THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2004 Buy a 2005 Medi T or Summtr HM/HM X 1000cc and get': FREE EXCLUSIVE RT 1000 LEATHER JACKET* Buy a 2005 sad chows 9110 X -package amidst (adoring tom(mooed+) theta e 3 options": FREE N6 NE COVERAGE' FREE FREE OR ELECTRIC OR GARMIN' RING START" 120 GPS SYSTEM" Buy an N(widowing iglbta 2005 modal (waing x-t»dtao• s ,, ad t000cc oa1e4) and gat—: YEAR 2wFREE EMG�INE PLUS COVERAGE' FREE ELECTRIC START" OR FREE GARMIN' RINO 120 GPS SYSTEM" SALES & SERVICE 519-263-6142„,/ 72521 Airport Line S , OOe ud RR #2 Hensall THERE'S Iiidl uiit fE • 700. a -_frl �a, r,ei.w w N ......A • - ir7.'.a. a b,rmr. M1IU.reW i. tie a q •rp... M olh walllb lard 1, 47i r4 's AW,M �l�r�M10De'A-'0...� ,t0 ogehy cs!w�w+lbp.M� •N tiw•b, www, Nryf Mb�cPMard�'r1 1l+1�M y�ITI+OM” s.�..Miw .q4 •r' 1 - rd =:: MOD • u.MOnOIMoa 7417..0.0.0. 0f l ' 7aas s. Doo X-�t�. •roeM A�� 0.'11 X I aD11ne0..1 Y•a v~ 0.0 ND•lab r,.,-1 N".� w MA., t....e7r. 7. IpY1DOMp.uDI. AM /aN M100 fILM, Fib`. MM" N W 1 -IMA.. ,r,irqyrr pp�� /7w /bIr-nor. ll..r.bnFl hoitb .,0.1M.rrtr 1a"r. a. M •71NM1'- A�,I0404.W 0 w MRM[ r1 r(*S]Oo[,sI,.0000. P.Ur.A -.baM,•.aM.a ep•.. Aapo.•.M....d N(Mrrr is•o,70 D1'0.. 0LP 77K.b%1M EA. M71o1b o0.0.* M!!►Am p,ub.. 04 wa..o.oa-a•A M r Aa.r,. •.rr ,...o•.+ar e..a..,... • ..e. "00..,. o, o.anr I. s 00 0.,k I..1 wa t0. pW a b�w� .rPp,,.Uw/,Wo,.M1'/I.r.rDeN r.A-M.M FN 40' 00.*aEY M. i. ..wtiw., 00 N.F+.•. sD�o'..•U,H4 t1.1..111 .1 v. -.s.A •WIPP" THE HURON EXpO$ITOR, APRIL 7, 2004-6 HUBBELL TURF MANAGEMENT "For all your lawn maintenance needs" Call now for a free estimate on power lawn sweeping 887-9054 Toll free 1-888-393-3003 Brian Hubbell ANNOUNCEMENT With much regret The Seaforth Medical Clinic announces Dr. Tong's Departure The remaining doctors at the clinic will be available to serve his patients' health needs on a walk-in basis only. Records may be accessed by request from your new family doctor. We have greatly appreciated Dr. Tong's help in this time of limited physician resources. Although he will be missed, we wish him well as he pursues new career opportunities outside of Ontario. We'II be closed on Friday, April 9th., Regular hours and 12 noon deadline on Monday, April 12th. Have a safe & happy Easter! Church Services BEREAN COVENANT CHURCH A CHURCH PLANT OF GRACE TRINITY COMMUNITY CHURCH 527-0029 Fellowship at 7:00 pm Pastoral Team: Pastor Bob Penhearow Pastor Ron Matthews Pastor Royal Hamel St. Thomas Anglican Church A Congregation of the Parish of The Hoy Spirit Jarvis St. Seaforth Fr Michael Atkins Parish Office 527 1522 Sunday April 11 Easter Sunday Worshp at 9:30 am Bethel Bible Church An Associated Gospel Church 126 Main St. Seaforth 527-0982 Sunday School 9:45 am Sunday Worship Hour 11 am Jim Wy1He - Pastor B & G Club Wed. 7 p.m. Youth Group Wed. 7 p.m. You are invited to attend these area churches Catholic Church St. James RC Church 14 Victoria Street, Seaforth 527-0142 Weekend Masses: Sat 5:15 pm Sun. 11:00 am St. Columban RC Church Saturday Mass at 7:30 pm Father Lance Magdziak NORTHSIDE - CAVAN UNITED CHURCHES Cavan 9:30 a m. 11:00 a m Northside Winthrop 54 Goderich St. W. Good Friday Service April 9, 7:30 pm at Cavan Easter Sunrise Service April 11, 7:00 am at Northside with Sunrise Breakfast to follow Easter Services - 9:30 Cavan 11:00 am Northside Egmondvllle United Church Friday Aprli 9th Good Friday Service 11 em Sunday Aprll 11 Sunrise Service 7:30 am at Bill & Gail Prioe's Easter Service 11 am First Presbyterian Church Goderich St. W: Seaforth Minister Rev. Ted Nelson Sunday, April 11 11:15 a.m. Get your tickets for the Roast Beef Supper - April 18 58:30 pm It's back. It's better. It's money in the bank! Get up to $6.50/acre cash back! Once again corn growers can get cash back on their trusted brands, but now soybean growers can experience the Power Acre• too. As an added bonus, growers can also qualify for an enhanced rebate when they include their Roundup TRANSOM- burndownl Power Aar Ass even Amin sxpondeteto *stun,104.9L/iV , MroktI nw' Ffihjpreldb Mvtlr bno.okirg now ovum sekt Owosso c oie*ott( So put the Power Acre in your field again this year and put some money in the bank. For details see your retailer or call O BASF AgSolutions• at 1 -877 -371 -BASF 12273) or visit www.agsolutions.ca MA,•vMr,ff r•ad rd aya. kDai d�rcfan 14A0 CCNOI[St•, rRON1EP' P7NER /Ciba Pi10MA• aro AQuoW7ar• aria I�,•DD aft d £0'7 Ca alan al kaw vis !Arm M {LISP Cana nc PAW D a Igwnd f7Drrwt 0P, CA FAN SvfeP- Aal.rlewa M Maf C M ria lko' Aa0o 0 W$gIOUC. Mamma Carso rc. b.wo MW