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Huron Expositor, 2007-03-28, Page 2• Page 2 March 28, 2007 • The Huron Expositor Hope Blooms! April is Daffodil Month. Join the Canadian Cancer Society in the fight against cancer. Daffodil Days: $6 a bunch or two bunches for $10.00 Buy yours in Seaforth: Friday, March 30 at CIBC, TD or Seaforth Foodland or Saturday, March 31 at Seaforth Foodland. Daffodil Month door-to-door canvass: Please give generously when a Canadian Cancer Society volunteer knocks on your door. Money raised funds the most promising cancer research and community services for people living with cancer, Rievant Rspectd ckirl As a respected member of our community, we reach out to you — reporting the relevant issues, news and events. Our desire to bring you the best newspaper possible allows us to announce that we are proud to be a Com/etition �irra�si IN THE OCNA BETTER NEWSPAPER COMPETITION 0 Cna Ontario Community Newspapers Assodadon News Huron East contemplating 13 per cent budget increase Councillors battling need to increase equipment reserves and keep up with necessary road work Susan Hundertmar'k Battling with the need to increase equip- ment reserves and not fall behind with road work,\Huron East council debated last Tuesday if a 13 per cent increase in the levy might be necessary this year. "Ten per cent might not sound friendly but there is so much stuff we have to put money towards. We need to accept that we might have to go at 13 per cent," said Deputy -Mayor Bernie MacLellan, adding that even at 13 per cent, the increase "still doesn't pay for all the stuff we want." Initial budget figures presented to council showed a deficit of $768,046, with a big part of the increase being the need to include an annual budget of $260,000 to keep road and fire equipment, such as firetrucks and road graders up to date. Until now, Huron East had been budgeting $100,000 to go into equipment reserves each year. And this year, the municipality plans to buy a $300,000 grader to replace its 1988 model and a new fire pumper ranging from $300,000 to $350,000. Other increases include an additional $50,000 towards legal fees, an increase of $50,000 to trunk water main and major storm drain work with a $114,000 project on Elizabeth Street in Brussels and $406,000 in committed roadwork projects in Seaforth. 1ST AFFORDABLE PERMANENT ROOF The Seaforth projects include $335,000 for Coleman and Crombie Streets, $45,000 for Louisa and Ord Streets and $26,000 for North Main. Road reconstruction projects are planned for $135,000 on Moncrieff Road and $150,000 on Oak Road. Repaving projects on Hullett- McKillop for $180,000 and Hydro Line Road for $180,000. McKillop Coun. Bill Siemon argued to keep the Hydro Line Road project in the budget and drop the Oak Road project. "I haven't seen a lot of enthusiasm for Oak Road by the Tuckersmith councillors and I'm afraid if we put off Hydro Line Road, we're going to lose it," he said, adding that there's a lot of additional traffic on Hydro Line because of the bad condition of Highway 8. Public Works Coordinator Barry Mills argued against making it easier for heavy traffic on Hydro Line Road. "We want truck traffic to stay on the main roads. We don't have engineered roads and trucks break down our roads," he said. Deputy -Clerk Brad Knight suggested defer- ring the Hydro Line project until 2008. As well, Knight said the municipality's bud- get is increasing because of pressure from healthcare projects. "We're up $300,000 from 2004 but we weren't into funding healthcare then the way we are now," he said. Knight told council that a 10 pet cent increase in the budget wouldn't affect how Huron East's wards rank within the county, leaving McKillop, Grey and Tuckersmith still with the lowest taxes in the county. However, he said he was wor- ried about ratepayers in rural areas that were also facing increases in water and sewer rates in the coming year. Council decided to hold a spe- cial budget meeting last night (Tuesday, March 27). "You've got some big, major decisions to make. We need to do some trading on some of these capi- tal projects," Mayor Joe Seili told council. 5 Homes Wanted!! ti ‘,1pecial Of aor Seali)rth and Area I IotiicoNN nurs On l y Homes in this locale will be selected for installation of a revolutionary New Lifetime roofing system! These homes will be used for advertising and will be done at a promotional rate! You are under NQ obligation to call unless you wish to see If your home will qualify. Homes will be selected on the basis of location, visibility, curb appeal and style. if you have every considered permanent roofing for your home and Never having another roof repair Don't miss out on this unique opportunity Call now; Call Ontario Shake N Tile Toll -Free -1-888-271-7119 TD Canada Trust 5.99% 1 year No Payments OAC. Welder stolen A welder, valued at $1,5000 was stolen from an unlocked garage on Jarvis Street in Seaforth sometime during the night of March 26, reports the Huron OPP. A Lincoln portable Mig Welder Model 175 amp, red in colour with an Argo tank and hoses was stolen. Anyone with related information is asked to call the Huron OPP or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. (1 -800 -222 -TIPS).