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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1994-03-16, Page 10Page 10 Times -Advocate, March 16, 1994 LT\TTHFNFWS THE Province told Huron County can't handle any more cutbacks in funding, tax base isn't large enough By Catherine O'Brien T -A staff CLINTON - Within the next month and a half, the Ontario government should be releasing details of its 1994 budget. But before this happens a number of pre -budget consultations will have taken place throughout the province so the government can get a feel for the concerns of Ontarians. On Thursday two of such consultations were held. One in Goderich and the other in Clinton. Although attendance at the Goderich meeting was sparse, more than 50 people attended the by -invitation -only, meeting in Clinton. Many raised concerns over the lack of understanding by the province to rural needs especially in the areas of education and hospital funding. As well, people voiced their frustration regarding the Social Contract Act_and how it has become an administrative nightmare. "It's important to hear the needs of rural communities," said Huron MPP Paul Klopp. "We do have a voice, and we should be heard," he said. The key speaker was Brad Ward, Qntario Minister without Portfolio, Ministry of Finance, who gave a brief overview of the government's progress towards economic recovery. Referring to a guidebook released by the finance ministry, Ward said that the government has three priorities: supporting job creation, main- taining and improving services and controlling the deficit. Ward said if the government had not brought down a tough budget last year, the deficit would stand at $16.7 billion rather than the $9.5 billion it's at today. "The federal government sees Ontario as a fat cat," he said. "Ontario is not being treated in a fair fashion." Ward said his government hoped the Federal Liberals would have under- stood Ontario's difficulties and increased transfer payments. But this didn't happen, he said. This year, he said, the Ontario government doesn't expect to add new I Grand Bend looks to take over Port Blake for recreational use 1 GRAND BEND - A recom- mendation from Grand Bend's Recreation Committee could see the village leasing recreational property outside of the commu- nity's boundaries. Monday night, John Schndt of the Ausable Bayfield er- vation Authority came to cotin- cil and stated that the ABCA who currently leases the land from the provincial government, may be willing to give up Port Blake. The park is in Stephen Town- ship and currently maintained by a local resident who maintains the property and collects a fee frc};tn day users. "We offer other individuals to contract it out or take over the lease," said Schwindt. He said the 20 -year lease with the government expires on De- cemb:.r 31 and so far there has been no further discussion as to the future of the property. "If Grand Bend is interested, they can pick up the lease," said Schwindt. He said in the past, grants have been made available for the development of the park but not for the maintenance. Most of the maintenance is done in the spring when picnic tables have to be set up, barbecues cleaned and water turned on. In the fall it is prepared for winter. "We (ABCA) find it's more efficient to operate parks local- Iy.\The only ones we find efft- cient are the ones we staff full- time.'' While it was decided the ABCA and the village would .'6vork together to see if they can take over the lease, it is apparent Grand Bend needs additional • recreation space. "I know the need is there for the village," said councillor Bill Uniac. "We've got two new hardball teams and that adds pressure to our facility." taxes, but that will mean addressing the expenditure side of thebudget for further reductions needed to keep the deficit under control. The thought of further reductions led many in the audience to voice their frustrations during the discussion portion of the meeting. One representative from the Clinton hospital said the province is spin- ning its wheels by pumping money into job creation programs on the one hand, yet reducing revenue available - which results in layoffs. Another hospital representative said the Social Contract Act is a disaster. He said it would have been easier and cheaper if the government just im- posed an across-the-board wage cut. Paul Carroll, director of the Huron County Board of Education, was one of many to speak on behalf of ed- ucators in the county. He said Huron County has taken many positive steps to cope with budget shortfalls, yet Carroll said he is frustrated with the provincial bu- reaucracy. Carroll went on to list government policies that have taken money out of education budgets, including the So- cial Contract Act, and the imposition of new standards for education which require the board to upgrade services, such as Junior Kindergarten. Carroll told Ward the board has had to hold hundreds of meetings since July to try and deal with new government policies and this costs money that the board doesn't have. "I'm pleading with you for some help. We are just on the edge," he said. One teacher began to cry when talking about the possibility of job losses. The bottom line, she said, is that the children will be the ones hurt by further cuts. "All sectors are saying to you 'we need help' because we can't handle the cutbacks," said Huron board trus- tee Doug Garniss. "'We don't have the property tax base to handle these cuts. The way school boards are funded needs to change. The bu- reaucrats in Toronto fail to grasp this," Garniss said. Minister without portfolio Brad Ward listens to an audi- ence in Clinton tell him how Huron County can't tolerate any further grant cuts. User pay for fire calls? ZURICH - Will having a house fire not only be a personal tragedy, but also an additional out-of-pocket expense? The Zurich Fire Board is considering making the cost of fighting a fire a user -pay situation. The key to the proposal is wheth- er or not insurance companies will r, include such costs in their coverage. Zurich reeve Bob Fisher asked the village clerk to write a letter to the province asking its position on insu- rance covering such costs. Fisher said there are apparently a few mu- nicipalities doing such billing. The Zurich Fire Board is also pre- senting to its member municipalities a budget 6.5 percent higher than Zurich long way from needing traffic light, says council ZURICH - Although the Zurich Chamber of Commerce is keen on seeing a traffic Tight regulating the village's main intersection, council agreed Zurich has a long way to go before qualifying for a light. The Ministry of Transportation responded to council's inquiry on behalf of the Chamber, and noted that to qualify for a traffic light, thc number of vehicles at the intersec- tion would have to be quite high. "The flow needs to be there...5,(XX) cars in an eight-hour period," said clerk -treasurer Mau- reen Simmons. Council agreed that Zurich's traf- fic would not be near that level at this time. They also noted the min- istry won't allow a traffic light, even if paid for by the municipality. Zurich reeve Bob Fisher pointed out that if a traffic Tight was in- stalled at the Main and Goshen in- tersection, some parking spaces would have to be sacrificed as well as several nearby trees. Those parking near that intersec- tion will also have cause to observe the newer parking regulations for the village. A deputy parking by- law enforcement officer has been appointed by thc village. Chris Littlechild will take on the duties, and will be paid $5 for each ticket written. Another traffic issue under con- sideration by village council is a re- quest from St. Boniface Separate School principal Laurie Kraftcheck, who is asking that the property in front of the school be designated a school bus loading zone. Under the designation, school bus- es would not have to use their flash- ing lights to unload and load stu- dents, allowing street traffic to pass by. "The only thing is if you designate it you have to buy signs," Simmons told council. "We'll designate it if they buy the signs," said Fisher. If the response is favourable from both St. Boniface and Zurich Public School, a bylaw might come up at council next month. 1993's. The increased costs come from utilities, repairs, and insurance premiums. The board has also approved a 25¢ an hour wage increase for sen- ior officers and the firemen. Ward assured audience members that their concerns would be heard by the government and issues raised would be an important contribution to the government's 1994 budget plans, due late April or May. .. HURON COUNTY.. KABLE In recent years, the advanced technology has a allowed cable TV subscriptions to be delivered to town and country residences anywhere via a wireless personal cable system. The expenses of running cable lines or installing new fibreoptic lines to each resident in the county is not feasible. 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