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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1997-05-14, Page 3I1ILTHE NEWS • Tina's-Advofate, May ,14, 1997 • Page 3 Spring concert Precious Blood School held its Spring Concert last Wednesday. Fairy Tale Theater featured three acts "The Three Little Pigs" presented by the grade 4/5 students, "The Frog Prince" presented • by grades 5/6 students and `Snow White in the 90's". presented by the grade 7/8 stu- dents. Above, The Stepmother played by Ashley Rasenberg scolds Snow White played by Mary Gregus during a dress rehearsal. Huron - Bruce candidates ' EXETER Soon after Prime . Minister' Jean Chreticn called an election for . June 2. candidates be- gan opening headquarters across the riding of Huron -Bruce. The T -A will provide readers with -weekly information weekly the candidates and their platforms: Running for the Literal party is • Paul Steckle. current MP for Hu- ron:Bruce from'Stanley Township. Colleen Schenck.' front Wingham. is a trustee with the Huron County .• Board of Education al.d will be rep-. resenting •the Progressive l on servative Party Jan Johnstone. from Ripleyl is running for' the \)ew Democratic Party .and ,Doug • , Fines: from Godcrich. represents Reform. - , . The T -A will also attempt to give , arca readers information about can- didates •running in neighboring Middlesex. Perth and Lambton eountics , CHP Dave Joslin Liberal Paul Steckle PC Colleen Schenk' t� t1 NDP Jan Johnstone Reform Doug Fines Residents wary of amalgamation Although positive aspects of potential restructuring are discussed, most public feedback remains cautious By Brenda Burke T-A Reporter BAYFIELD - The Municipal Re- form'Commiuee keeps hearing the sante type of feedback from the• public - `no' to amalgamation. At a public meeting held at the Bayfield Arena on Saturday, the an- swer was the same. but perhaps more strongly so, as two thirds of an estimated I00participants (the MRC's largest public meeting turn- out to date) left during the coffee break. The committee has completed a restructuring report based .On 1995 figures in an effort to examine op- tions of amalgamation, sharing of services and status quo for six area municipalities - Hay. Zurich, Hen- sall, Bayfield, Tuckcrsmith and Stanley... Although the committee re- peatedly stresses it docs not favor one option over the others, public mcmhers seem to focus on hashing out the possibility •of amalgant.ation only. They even asked committee members-, who. insisted on main- taining a neutral stance, whether or not they personally support anial- garnation. With questions ranging from po— tential tax increases, to the fare of Council well-positioned financially 'EXETER Dan Daum from Kinic, Mill<. Dunlop Chartered Ac- countants•prescnted the 1996 Aud- ited Statements for the Operations' of • the, Town al Monday night's council meeting. "The town is well-positioned to inert the financial obligations that are being forced 011 it. You- have been able to increase vour'rescrves and reserve funds by . oyer $200.000 'Yon d011'1 ha%C to utilize ,Iior1 It 1,r .1)01.11)%11111V and mem the le:ulung inicresl .osis 1 hue now WItiilcssed - ,auothi r • municipality joui site.-athe outiIr1tlilig taxes. are ..(1 lo\\ i OU- nOY. ha\e . excess •debt capacity of over $600,(X1), which'means Mat you could borrow up iv $3.million over . 10 years , "Council • mcmhers *ere,-, very pleased with both •themselves and Clerk -Treasurer I:hz:ahcth Bell. -You Ii. done a good• job," re- , marked Reeve Bill Micklc. "The accounts receivable. are down as well, Thanks. Liz. You dcsel \c to he congr.itulated. . Keep a Strong Voice... RE-ELECT John i Richardson • Promotes Job Creation • Knows Small 'Business • Makes People a Priority • Supports a Balanced Budget • Stands up for Agriculture PERTII-MIDDIJ* FX STRATFORD ONTARIO 104 Onwto Street 271.1101 1-eooser262e 2. LISTOWEL 102 Mean Street W 291.1324 ST.MARTS 29 Wellington Street S 2M-06611 LUCAN 169 Mean Street 221.0400 E•Mear lnchardson@cyp nM M:,iwww tpw cyg nev-irlcheson Perth Middlesex John Richardson ...Dedicating himself to helping people II#Liheial PERTH -MIDDLESEX Authorized by Hugh McDonald. Onlaal Agent employees, to the naming of a new municipality. it's clear many .would like to keep things just as they are "Ove have an awfully lot 10 .be proud of right now," said a woman who fears amalgamation will mean deterioration • of t:voluntecrism and sense of community. 'I feel very threatened," said an- other w -imam -'All I've heard about is money." - - What about sense of cornniunity. she enquired. Why would farmers and -people in Hensall care about Bayfcld,.for example'! "No one is ever going to con- vince mc•that bigger is better.'.` said .a titan in the audience.. • • • "We've been told .the status quo is no• good," claimed Committee member and. 'Tuckcrsmith Town - shin Reeve Bill Carnochan. • . Residents were especially con- cerned •about. potential tax changes under restructuring. "What are my taxes and what am 1 going-io pay'.'" enquired a meeting participant who believe's anial- gamation will create potential lit tore savings yet result in immediate tax -increases. "It's hard to say what the figure -is going to he,"• replied the com- mittee's. consultant. Glenn Tun - nock: "You're going to be better off collectively than • in- dependently." -Some. disagreed. suggesting with live months left • in council terns. the issue of restructuring should he left to the next council to deal with: Besides. n meeting member pointed out. "this isn't worth doing from a dollars and • cents point - of vicw....lt's Tess than 10 per cent (savings) and it's theoretical." - "I realize there is skepticism and apprehension` about . the ways the numbers have been put together (in the report). ye may he asking you to talcs a leap of faith." said Tun - nock... adding. "It's quite evident that one can save money." With more detailed study, he ex- plained. further savings could he found Overall. hr- stressed mai- ti gamation results in less money be- ing spent. less government' • and maintained services He described the committee's re - pori as a "very mature...very, very forthright exercise.' that has been Ian. honest and taken the steps to include all municipalities involved in the study. In fact, be admits it's one of the better reports',he's • worked with. Other amalgamation• doubts ex- pressed at the meeting included one man's belief that assets and li- abilities would -not stay in in dependent nnticipalities.following a restructuring. Sonie public meeting participants were also disillusioned upon hear- ing area cottagers-are not factored into report figures that include only permanent population number.. "This is really just an imposition by the government and we're just- reacting ust`reacting to it," said oneman. The committee was also/ques- tioned about current government legislation. - - There arc some moving targets-. that are very dangerous," warned a man who offered the committee further information about the rapid- ly changing information. The committee will take its time to consider public feedback before considering-a•'dccision. Tunnock pointed • out the group didn't meet the minister's 1998 deadline -he- 'cause it wants to examine the issue Carefully. .1 • Although most. members of the public shunned amalgamation. sup • portixe' feedback was expressed au the meeting.. - • ' "Somewhere • we'xc got to start living within our rncans.' pointed out one roan who admitted arnal- gamation is amen in the right direc- tion.' Others commended the com- mittee and supported the theory. of amalgamation. pointing out ex- amples of other communities that have thrived and maintained their individuality. Although a man claimed. (:uiihridge people felt overgoverned and unhappy due to arnalgamation, a couple pointed out it's a different story in Tavistock "I- want 10 leave you with one happy thought," concluded com- mittee member and Bayfield Coun- cillor Doug Grant. . Under amalgamation, he joked, the public would do away with many politicians. .The MRC's next public streeting. will he held on May 24 at I p.m. at the Zurich' Arena. • Colleen Schenk • Resident of Winghilm log \r,il • \1 if( • mother of 3 t, en. • tluron County School &)mrd I aCc f tit Ih,ryli.' gm( q.aIJD • (.,,rnraunity Volunteer • fotinicllor for women in di;trc' • Lr,cchin rciiMember ((tleen saes Jean Chhats,'st as a -true leader with a vision tor. our country. She is proud to be the person 'chosen to carry this message to the people of the Huron -Bruce riding. 4uthorized O) RUSSELL TAYLOF C-41 :IGEN( OR COLLEFK , ..r•..• u - 0,: 30% Discount on DIAMOND - ENGAGEMENT RINGS and ANNIVERSARY DIAMOND RINGS Over $2000.00 with Cash or Cheque 25% Discount on DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RINGS, ANNIVERSARY - DIAMONDS and WEDDING RINGS with Credit Card or Layaway Pian from May 1 to May .31 BAMCELAAR JEWELLEItS LTD. -' Main Street EMter . (519) 235-2720,1l.x WWI