Huron Expositor, 2006-04-19, Page 7News
Errors in Grey budget figures
make deamalgamation
organizer start over
From Page 1
centralized control of Socialist -Marxist ideals.
"Government closest to the people is most
responsive. Amalgamation contradicts that -
it moves government one step further from
the people," he said.
Howling's presentation of a budget for Grey
was disputed by several members of Huron
East council in attendance.
While both Mayor Joe Seili and Deputy
Mayor Bernie MacLellan were told to sit
down since they did not live in Grey by the
meeting's chairperson John Gillis, members of
the audience expressed that they wanted to
hear both sides of the story.
"What happened to democracy here folks?"
asked Grey resident Murray Bray. "You're
saying we can't get information from our own
council members?"
"I think we deserve to hear from both
sides," said a woman in the audience.
Seili reminded Howling that he has been
welcomed to speak at Huron East council
meetings, even when he has not asked to be
on the agenda.
"This meeting is for Grey residents and
we're going to make the decisions," responded
Gillis.
MacLellan said the budget is a very convo-
luted document that takes "a lot to under-
stand."
"We have no intention of talking anyone out
of deamalgamation," he said, adding that the
way Grey's budget had been figured out by
Howling, the township would be $700,000 in
the hole.
Howling's budget was based on a total levy
of $1.8 million in Grey, when the Huron East
levy is only $500,000. The rest of the $1.8 mil-
lion goes to the county and. the education levy.
Grey Coun. Mark Beaven, who recently
moved from Grey, was eventually allowed to
make a presentation showing Huron East's
budget figures.
Beaven showed how four of Huron East's
wards have the lowest taxes in Huron County,
comparing that to Howick and Morris-
Turnberry, whose taxes have gone up.
"They're paying $350 more in Morris than
in Grey for a house with a $100,000 assess-
ment. We have excellent taxation in Grey," he
said.
Beaven also showed that Huron East is
operating council at a cheaper rate than
Howick and Morris-Turnberry, with a provin-
cial performance measure of 10.8 per cent
compared to Howick's 19.2 per cent and
Morris-'turnberry's 19.4 per cent.
"Huron East councillors are the best buy in
Huron County. It's because we're prudent
with your tax dollars," he said.
Beaven offered to sit down with Howling
and anyone else from Grey to help them come
up with an accurate budget for an incorporat-
ed Grey Zbwnship but stressed that he hoped
he'd convinced ratepayers that deamalgama-
tion was not the way to go.
Susan Hundertmark photo
Glen Howling, of Ethel makes
a presentation about the pos-
sible deamalgamation of Grey
from Huron East.
"If you can show me Grey
is better off without Huron
East, I'll make the
motion," agreed
MacLellan.
One woman in the audi-
ence pointed out that while
Howick may have higher
taxes than Grey, its money
stays within Howick.
"I'd be willing to spend
higher taxes if the money
stays in Grey," she said.
Beaven responded that
not all ratepayers agree.
"I've also had people tell
me they don't want to
spend another dime on
their taxes," he said.
Another woman said the
biggest concern in Grey is
a loss of a community feel-
ing since amalgamation.
Beaven said that's why
Huron East is working to
organize a 150th anniver-
sary celebration with fire-
works this year in Grey.
"We're trying to keep the
community identity alive,"
he said.
The Huron Expositor •
ril.19, 2006 Pae 7
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