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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2004-04-14, Page 22 -THE HURON AXPOSITOR, APRIL 14, 2004 News Council considers paying capital costs at arenas, daycare Budgeting change would leave recreation boards and daycare responsible for operating costs By Susan Hundsrtmark Expositor Editor Structuring the budgets of the three recreation facilities and 'Fuckersmith Day Nursery so that they only pay operating costs - leaving any capital costs to council - was suggested by Deputy -Mayor Bernie MacLellan during 2004 budget discussions at last Tuesday's council meeting. "If they can't cover the operating costs, there's not enough demand for it and it shouldn't be there," said MacLellan. MacLellan's suggestion will be forwarded to the three recreation boards and the daycare centre for a suggested definition of what items belong under capital and what belong under operating expenses. It arose from complaints by Tuckersmith Coun. Larry McGrath, who sits on the Seaforth recreation board, that there's a growing list of repairs that need to be made to local recreation facilities and no reserve in place to fund them. "There's a red brick building in Vanastra that's falling down because the roof was let go. We don't let the work sheds fall IRWIN PHY OTHERAPY PIt'stialh.4ap4 04 44: • Reduce Pain • Strengthen Problem Areas • Improve Mobility • Prevent Injury • Restore Maximum Function Craig Irwin, PT CALL: 527-1551 Or visit us at the Seaforth Community Health Centre 28 Centennial Drive, Seaforth Most Services covered by WSIB, Auto Insurance or Extended Health Benefits. apart or the town hall fall down but we don't set aside money for the recreation facilities, even though they've owned by us as well. We're lacking a designated reserve and that's my argument," said McGrath. McGrath added that the Seaforth arena has far fewer sources of revenue than it has in the past with the loss of the Dave McLlwain Hockey S, pool and bingo as a fundraising source. MacLellan said that since arena boards and the daycare centre are not able to meet their budgets,, a new philosophy is needed. "Who here, if given a new car, wouldn't be willing to pay for the tires and the oil changes?" he asked. But, Seaforth Coun. Joe Steffler said he hoped the new philosophy would not mean closing down facilities that can't meet their operating costs. "If it comes to that point in time, I don't want to be the guy who turns the key in the door and say it's closed. We need recreation in small towns," he said. Steffler argued that cities like London already have cheaper registration costs for minor hockey because of a larger population. But, Grey Coun. Mark Beaven said that if arena boards and the daycare don't meet their operating costs under the new proposal, they could close. "We have to have courage. That's what could happen," he said. "Do you not think it will give them an incentive to meet the budget because it puts the facility at risk if they don't?" While MacLellan wanted to know if council could implement the new policy for the 2004 budget, other councillors said the change would be impossible to make before passing this year's budget. "We've had a lot of heated debate on daycare. Will we have another year of major deficits?" said MacLellan. "There's no way we can apply what we've talked about tonight to this year's budget," answered Brussels Coun. David Blaney, who added councillors haven't had time to think over the suggestion yet. Laviolette hopes for action on survey From Page 1 Also, desire was expressed for more shops on Main Street, Seaforth such as a shoe store and expectations about a high level of customer service downtown were communicated. "When customer service is high, it's well appreciated but in some instances, shopkeepers are going to learn there's a gap between what people want and what they're getting," says Laviolette. The 12 -page survey, which Laviolette hopes Huron East council will use as a planning document, asked 85 questions about business, recreation, seniors, youth, agriculture, the environment and tourism. "We'll see how quickly council or local business groups respond to the concerns. We'll need leadership and vision to address the issue. In some cases, the mindset is going to have to change," he says. While 3,000 surveys were distributed - 2,500 through local newspapers and 500 through local stores and restaurants, 199 completed surveys were returned. Laviolette says he was expecting a 10 per cent return and "that's what it came down to.". He adds he'd like to see the survey become a regular exercise locally with local residents asked to participate every couple of years. Roll up your Sleeves, Canada! What if someone in Seaforth needed blood... Please dive at the donor clinic in Seaforth. Thursday, April 22, 2004 1:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Seaforth Community Centre 122 Duke Street Sheena. 9 donations. challenge., r.n"worker t;t'nft 1 Moot) tlonatiorl so fat. what about you? WH ITN EY.RIBEY FUNERAL HOME For clinic Information call: 1 888 236-6283 Nigel re ri rots pm www.bloodservices.ca RIEHL'` ADVERTISING LTD. HWY. 8 WEST SEAFORTH 87 Goderich St. W. 527-1390 Seaforth 5 Main St., S. Seaforth 527-2220 Licensed by LLB() ARCHIE'S 5�wce � 24 Goderich St. E. SEAFORTH 527-0881 Seaforth Agricultural Society 527-1321 i11 IMcKILLOP 91 Main St. S. MUTUAL SEAFORTH I INSURANCE 527-0400 COMPANY KELLY AUTO SERVICE 527-2210 26 Birch St. Seaforth The Municipality of HURON EAST 527-0160 14 Birch St., Seaforth 527-1122 137 Wast William St., Seaforth 627-1080 Tucker's Meat Shop 27 Main St., Seaforth 527-0036 McLaughlin Chev-Olds Ltd. 13 Main St., Seaforth - 527-1140 23 Mein St. 827-1660 DESIGN CONCRETE SYSTEMS/ PROMAT LTD. 527-0397 "I was happy with 10 per cent and the quality of the responses. The respondents explained their thoughts very well," he says. On Thursday at 7 p.m., market researcher Arnold Tester will give a half-hour presentation about the results, followed by presentations by Huron County Planning and Development and the Huron Business and Development Corporation, which will both share information about their services and programs. From 4-8 p.m. the same evening, a mini trade show of local businesses and organizations will also be included. Councillors criticize county's actual 20% tax increase From Paget increase in Seaforth, an 18.97 per cent increase in Tuckersmith, a 19.65 per cent increase in Brussels and a 23. 35 per cent increase in Grey. Beaven said he was disappointed most of all that not all areas of Huron County supported Huron East's protest against high budget increases at the county level. "This is not peanuts when we've got farmers in crisis. That's a lot of money," he said. MacLellan said thc had news is that a 20 per cent increase is expected at the county level for the next three years. "If we'd got up by 25 per cent this year and 25 per cent next year, wc'd be out of the hole. The mote we did this year, thc easier it would have been," he said. MacLellan blamed provincial downloading for the big county budget increases. "The only way this is going to change is if the province takes hack some of the stuff they downloaded. It may have helped the province's hooks but it's hurting the whole province and they need to be aware of that," he said. kyr ��y r .1� '� j