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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2004-04-14, Page 44 -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, April 14, 2004 Your Community Newspaper Since 1860 Tom Williscraft - Publisher Susan Hundertmark - Editor Dianne McGrath - Subscriptions/Classifieds Bernie Pugh - Office/Advertising Anne Roden - Distribution EN) OUEBECOR MEDIA E-mail us at seaforth@bowesnet.com Visit our home page at www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com SUBSCRIPTION RATES: LOCAL - 35.85 a year, in odvance, plus G.S.T. SENIORS: • 33.85 a year, in advance, plus G.S.T. USA & Foreign: 35.85 a year in odvorce, plus S83.20 postage, G.S.T. exempt Published weekly by Sun Media at 11 Main 5t., Seoforth. Advertising is accepted on condition that in the event of a typographical error, the advertising spoor occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable role. In the event of a typographical error, advertising goods or services at a wrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Advertising is merely on offer to sell and may be withdrawn at any time. The Flexon Expositor is not responsible for the loss or damoge of unsolicited monuscripts, photos or other materials used for reproduction purposes. PUBLICATION MAIL AGREEMENT 40029693 PAP REGISTRATION NO. 7605 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO Circulation Department P.O. Box 69 Seaforth, ON., NOK 1 WO email: sea forthebowesnet.com Widn.sday, Aprl l 14. 2004 Editorial sod Beshiess OMRMs - 11 MAIN SkMi.,,ti4alKlr Toioplsono 1819) 827-0240 Rix (810) 1127.2888 M4129.5 Address - P.O. M: 11441114,1%, O dine, 1.011 1 :a Member of the Canadian Community Npw1spper 4‘dation a dee Ontario Community Newspapers Alsodafion' 'We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Cada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing costs.' Huron budget a result of bad planning Huron County has lost its vision. How else could you explain last week's decision to pay off the county's deficit with reserves totalling more than $2.9 million. While the move saved Huron County taxpayers for the time being - they will still see an increase of 9.3 per cent or $50 for a house assessed at $100,000 - the future certainly looks bleak. Using their reserves to pay off the deficit has compromised public safety leaving Huron County with $264,216 in reserves or enough to operate for 1.4 days. Goderich resident Wayne Marshall was right when he said county councillors - especially those sitting around the table for the last decade - should be ashamed of themselves. By dipping into reserves for the last 10 years. they have mortgaged the future. If you thought this year was tough - don't forget about other service increases which seem to be happening on a weekly basis - next year will be unbearable for many when Huron County councillors are left with no choice but to raise taxes by upwards of 50 per cent. Remember, the money taken from reserves must be put back and next year will mark the starting point of that trend While it wouldn't have been a very popular decision councillors should have bit the bullet and raised taxes an additional 10 per cent this year in hopes of lessening the blow in 2005. Throughout the budget process county councillors were forced to find ways to cut the budget while keeping their departments financially viable. In the end they managed to lower the debt to 34 per cent from 54.6 per cent. Everything from council bus tours and committee lunches to the reduction of bridge and culvert maintenance costs by $700,000 and the elimination of a benefits coordinator position helped lower the deficit. However, they eventually chose to 'rob Peter to pay Paul' - a practice that became crystal clear when it was revealed that bylaws can be passed to move money from other designated reserves. What a fine mess we've created for ourselves. While the Impact of provincial and federal downloading can't be forgotten throughout this process the situation wouldn't be as dire had councillors kept taxes in line with the services provided. Instead, the actions of previous county councils - which normally centered around dipping into reserves to help hold the line on taxes - has officially come back to haunt the residents of this county. Brace yourself - we're in for a bumpy ride. Goderich Signal Star Opinion Letters Bolton says thanks for 24 years of help during time as returning officer in Huron -Bruce To the Editor, The boundaries of the federal electoral districts changed on April 1 to prepare for the next general election. The town of Walkerton, the townships of Brant and Carrick and the village of Mildmay have been added to the District of Huron -Bruce. The village of Paisley is now part of the district of Grey Bruce Owen Sound. When the boundary or the name of an electoral district changes the Returning Officer must be reappointed or replaced. Consequently I will not be the Returning Officer for the next federal election. I want to thank all who acted as DRO's, poll clerks and other election officers for federal elections for the past 24 years. During an election the work is challenging, the pace is brutal and I am very thankful that I was able to assemble a great office staff for each event. Much has changed since I was appointed in Dec. 1979. Huron Bruce is now twice as big as it was then, both in terms of physical size and the number of electors. For the first election I needed a staff of four; for the 2000 election I needed 10 on a quiet day and 30 on a busy day. I also want to thank you for your help to keep the elector informed during each event. Art Bolton RR 1 Dublin A trip to the city teaches us about $5o basketballs and homelessness One of the perks of working at a newspaper is the occasional free ticket to a sporting or cultural event and my family benefitted on the weekend with tickets to the Harlem Globetrotters at the John Labatt Centre in London. As basketball fans, it was a great treat to see professional athletes who could thrill and amaze with their ball -handling skills, even if their fancy shooting missed the basket that night more often than not. Even more fun were the crazy trademark antics that dragged kids onto the basketball court to learn how to spin a basketball on one finger, created mock fights between the players and the referee and turned a stolen purse into a dance session between a Globetrotter and a woman from the audience. It was a far glitzier show and showed a little less skill than the Globetrotters of 20 years ago in the heydey of Meadowlark Lemon and Curly Neal, my husband told us. Another change from the past was the high price of Globetrotter memorabilia sold at the show. While it wasn't all that unexpected to learn that a full-sized basketball cost $50, with a smaller version still running as high as $25, what was even more surprising to me was the number of kids getting their $50 basketballs signed by the players at the end of the game. Those $50 basketballs and the willingness to buy them became an enjblem of what's wrong with our world for our family by the end of the evening. As our kids watched somewhat enviously as those balls left the John Labatt Centre with what seemed like every other kid Susan H undertmark but them, their attention was quickly drawn to a young homeless woman sitting outside crying while an older woman stood talking to her. "That poor girl is crying," said my daughter. "That's because she doesn't have anywhere to live," said my son, pointing to the "Hungry and Homeless" cardboard sign she was holding. Because it looked like she was receiving some help from the older woman, we kept on walking to our car. But, as we left Pizza Pizza with a snack later on in the evening, we were met with another "Hungry and Homeless " cardboard sign held by a man crouched in the cold on a plaza sidewalk outside of a grocery store. "There's another homeless person," said my daughter. And, as we opened up the pizza box to have a bite, we realized we couldn't eat it without sharing. "I'll take it," said my son as he grabbed some pizza and whatever money was left in our wallets and jogged over to the man with his donation. As we drove off in our warm vehicle, my daughter worried that we hadn't left the man a drink to go with his pizza. And, she wondered where he would go to stay warm for the night. We spent the ride home discussing how good it felt to help but how helpless we felt to make any meaningful changes in the lives of the homeless people we'd seen that night. Suddenly, those $50 basketballs were seen for what they truly were - a waste of money that could be so much better spent to contribute towards true need. Seaforth PUC customers received 9.6 per cent hydro rate increase in 1979 APRIL 18, 1879 Some parties started plowing in Hullett last week. James Watson's farm on the 8th concession of Hullett has been let to Reihard Brown who will work on shares. Plowing has become general in the vicinity of Seaforth. The snow is nearly all gone from the roads and fields. The mud roads are, however, very bad. Frank Case intends erecting a handsome new brick residence on his property adjoining the corporation. APRIL 22, 1904 Mrs. W. Davidson of Leadbury had a bee sewing carpet rags. James P. McLaughlin of Beechwood has gone to Dakota for the summer. James Wood who left Hensall two weeks ago with a car load of horses has reached Calgary safely, where he has taken up land. Just as people were commencing to congratulate themselves on having emerged from a very severe winter and were looking forward to a beautiful spring, their hopes were somewhat killed by one of the severest blizzards of the season. James Somerville of McKillop finished seeding on April 10 Last years. Geo. Patteron who was so severely injured by falling from a lumber pile is recovering nicely. The debris of the old skating rink and the lot on which the rick stood was sold by auction to James Dick for $190. Years Agone... Messrs. Cardo Bros. are having a metallic ceiling put in their store. Thos. Hill of Londesboro is busy moving from the hotel to the residence occupied by Mr. and Mrs. David Flowly. APRIL 19, 1929 L. Forest, of Brucefield has had a telephone installed in his garage. Over 50 friends and neighbours of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Wooly of Brucefield assembled at their home, the occasion being a kitchen shower for their daughter Mary, the bride of Mr. Pulflen. Rueben Buuck of McKillop has purchased the Frank Welsh farm. In the course of a short times the villages of Kippen as well as the farmers are looking forward to having their homes lighted with hydro. The Jolly Ten of the Mill Road met at the home of Mrs. G.R. McCartney. they spent the afternoon in working a mat. Thos. Daley of town informed the Expositor that 57 years ago on the 9th of April the original dam at Emondville was carried away. At that time, the Van Egmond saw mill and grist mill were situated at the dam. Rev. W. D. McDonald, pastor at Egmondville, United Church has received a call from Knox Church, Agincourt. Alighting system is being installed at the new bowling park. The greens have come through the winter in good shape. APRIL 16, 1954 Rev. H. Douglas Stewart spoke to Seaforth Lions and their farmer guests on the occasion of the club's annual farmers night in St. Thomas Church Hall. The Explorers and CGIT of Northside United Church gathered for their annual mother and duaghters banquet when over 70 partook of a lovely supper. Seaforth firemen were called to fight grass fires on two succeeding afternoons thei week. The brigade answeredan alarm when fire northeast of the residence of Ken Carter was thought to be in danger of spreading. A grass fire adjacent to the residence of Alvin Dale also resulted in an alarm. A new industry, Seaforth Concrete Products, owned by Peter Christensen is being established in Seaforth. Mr.Christensen who came from Denmark two years ago has had 23 years of experience in the cement industry. Geo. Ferguson, a former well known Seaforth businessman died Thursday morming. In his 71st year, he had been in poor health for some time. Victoria Street from Goderich St. to the former sub station was given a new look when PUC employees removed the massive 60 -foot hydro poles. The annual meeting of the Seaforth W.I. attracted a large attendance and Mrs. Alex Pepper presided. Mrs. Gordon Papple conducted the election of officers and the installation was conducted by Mrs. Pearl Doig. Mrs. Elmer Cameron was named the new president. APRIL 19, 1979 Hydro consumers in Seaforth face an average increase of 9.6 per cent in hydro rates on all bills issued after May 1. Tom Phillips, Seaforth manager of the Public Utilities Commission, said the increase was based on a 9.8 per cent incease to the utility by Ontario Hydro on Jan. 1. Although professionals arc more aware and working together to prevent and report cases of child abuse, there's still a great need for support and help for all Huron County parents, concluded a meeting by Huron's Family and Ch ildren's Services at Seaforth Public School. The Huron County board of edcation approved its 1979-80 budget last week increasing mill rates for public school supporters by an average 8.4 per cent. Seaforth will have tubs of flowers on Main St. this summer, but if town council has its way, hanging flower potsthat weren't put up last year, will he hanging from Main St. lamp posts again as well. t r. Ron & Dave 1 It says here that by the time Mozart was your age hemas already an accomplished composer. ....and Edward VI was the King of 1 England when he was a year younger than you are now so what have dons t , • • ? by bavid Lacey I can tie my own shoelace. Whoal..Watch out world ...here comes Davel