HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2013-11-27, Page 7Wednesday, November 27, 2013 • Lakeshore Advance 7
Lambton Shores funding reduced by $188,900
CONTINUED FROM > PAGE 1
unconditional funding provided to
municipalities and revealed a decreas-
ing total allocation from $575 trillion
in 2013 to $500 million in 2016.
"On November 16, 2013 we received
notification from the Ministry of the
2014 allocation for Lambton Shores.
The 2014 allocation for Lambton
Shores is $1,799,700 which is a
$188,900 reduction over the 2013 allo-
cation of $1,988,600.
As you can see in the attached com-
parison Lambton Shores is not the
only municipality receiving a reduc-
tion;' said Ferguson.
Council accepted the treasurer's
report be received and the stated allo-
cation be incorporated in the 2014
udget.
Four — County of Lambton, Petro-
lia, Sarnia and Oil Springs --- are get-
ting a bump in funding. Ferguson told
the Lakeshore Advance that it appears
that the Main item that has some
receiving more is due to the Assess-
ment Stabilization (rant - which
Lambton Shores does not qualify for.
"'this won't he the last word on the
issue," Lambton County Warden Todd
(:ase vowed Wednesday. "We're not
giving up.' Lampton Shores mayor Bill
Weber agreed and will join Case at
Queen's Park.
Ontario uses the fund as its main
transfer payment to municipalities. In
turn, communities can use the uncon-
ditional funding for anything from
roadwork to helping offset their polic-
ing costs.
In 2014, Warwick Township is losing
$140,800 in OMP)' funding, noted
Case, who is also the township's
mayor. Earlier this year, they learned
they had lost $60,000 in provincial
funding after the township had already
set its budget.
In the aftermath, Case attended six
meetings with provincial officials, ask-
ing that the current level of provincial
funding be maintained to help sub-
side rising Ontario Provincial Police
costs.
"It isvery, very evident that we
eweren't heard and it's disheartening to
las here," he said, noting next year's
funding cutback is equivalent to an
11% tax increase in his township.
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Meanwhile, Ontario mnicipal-
ities are bracing for a $25 -million
OPP increase across the province,
he noted.
St. Clair Township Mayor Steve
Arnold said municipal councils
are Left to consider whether to
increase property taxes to make
up for the unexplained cuts.
"We don't have the rationale
(for this decision)," he said, add-
ing his community has slowly lost
$1 million in provincial funding
over the last six years.
111 an email, Ministry of Finance
spokesperson Scott Blodgett said
the province has actually
increased its financial support of
municipalities through its system
of provincial uploads.
In 2008, the province commit-
ted to taking over the costs of
social assistance programs and
court security from
municipalities.
In total, Lambton County is
expected to serve $1(3.2 million
thanks to provincial uploads in
2014, he countered.
"It is important to acknowledge
that 111 two-tier systems, the
removal of these costs off the
property tax base benefits all local
taxpayers including those residing
in lower -tier municipalities," Blod-
gett said.
However, (:ase worries the
OMIT cutbacks may signal the
demise of rural government.
"'the province is trying to bleed
the small municipalities to the
point that they'll try to start push-
ing regional government on us
and 1 can say bigger isn't always
better;" he said.
(:ase plans to bring a delegation
of local municipal leaders to
Queen's Park to speak to all
OPP Report: Impaired drug charge laid
Shortly before 7:00 p.m. on November 20, Huron
County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers
were dispatched to patrol for the driver of a pickup
truck that was observed travelling southbound on
Airport Line in an erratic manner. Officers were
able to locate the Chevrolet pickup truck south of
Exeter on London Road. Officers stopped the driver
and upon speaking with him they observed him to
be displaying several signs that he was under the
influence of drugs.
Officers transported the driver to the Sebringville
OPP Detachment where a Drug Recognition
Evaluation was performed. The driver performed
the required tests and it was determined by an OPP
Drug Recognition Expert that he was Impaired by
drug.
A 37 -year old man, from South Huron has
been charged with impaired Driving and Fail to
Comply with Probation Order. He has a court date
scheduled for the Ontario Court of Justice — Exeter
on January 23, 2014. His motor vehicle was
impounded.
OVER THE IJMIT IN LAMBTON
On November 15, 2013, a Lambton County
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer was
conducting speed enforcement along Lakeshore
Road. At around 10:30 p.m., the officer noted a
GMC truck travelling north in the area of Army
Camp Road that appeared to be speeding. Radar
was used to confirm a speed that was more
than 30 kilometres per hour over the posted 80
kilometre per hour posted speed limit. While
speaking with the driver it was determined that
he had been consuming alcoholic beverages.
Subsequent tests indicated that 34 year ofd man
from Huron East was over the legal limit. He will
appear in a Samia court on December 9, 2013
to answer to the charges of Being Over the Legal
Limit and Speeding.
OPP INVESTIGATE BREAK,
ENTER AND THEFTS
Lambton County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)
officers continue to investigate three break, enter
and theft incidents that occurred in the Port Franks
area sometime over the past week.
On November 12, at around 10:00 a.m., an
alert citizen reported that there were two male
youths wearing dark hoodies in the back yard of
a Sanderson Road address. The youths fled from
political parties about the funding
cutbacks.
'Ihe Losers:
Dawn-Euphemia: $163,80(
Enniskillen: $141,900
Lambton Shores: $188,900
St. Clair: $132,700
Warwick: $140,800
'lite Winners:
County of Lambton: $81,200
011 Springs: $30,800
Petrolia: $5,100
Sarnia: $975,0011
-- With files from barbara.simp-
sOsIc t4nmedia.ca
the area and the OPP Canine Unit and West Region
Emergency Response Team members were called
in to assist. Attempts to locate the two Individuals
were unsuccessful.
Further investigation determined that a residence
on Sanderson Road and two residences on Edward
Street had been broken into. Items reported stolen
include a Samsung TV, a Dell laptop, a Timex
watch, two men's Fossil watches, assorted alcohol,
Canadian cash and assorted men's and women's
Jewelry.
Included in the missing Jewelry are throe men's
commemorative hockey rings. two of them are
gold, one silver. TWo commemorative hockey
watches, a Russian pocket watch, four women's
rings, an antique gold ring and a women's bracelet
have also been reported stolen.
Any person with information regarding the
person(s) responsible for any incident should
immediately contact the Ontario Provincial Police at
1-888-310-1122 or the nearest police authority.
Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may
call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS),
where you may bo eligible to receive a cash reward
of up to $2000.00..
Friday, November 29th • 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
store!
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on sofas & Ioveseats
on leather sofas
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