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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1998-01-07, Page 21Times -Advocate, lalumni 7, 1c)(Ir+ jtegiCrizwist The Exeter Times -Advocate surveyed prominent members in our community asking for their forecast of 1998. Will it be a year of development, change or challenges? Or will it be a year of cutbacks, hard decisions or hard work? ORGANIZATION Phil Maguire, Councillor - Viilage of Grand Bend `98 WILL BE AYEAR OF: • Vision, change and co-operation WHY?: There are many changes coming from Phil Maguire illQueen's Park which will force small com- Couisc ' Wye munities to amalgamate into larger centres. of Grand Bend The savings in this.type of restructuring can be enormous if the councils of the day work roger , posi- tive way. It is not about winners and losers, t .. finding - ways to deliver services in a more cost efficieir. vay. THE COMING YEAR'S CHALLENGES AND HOW TO MEET THEM: • Our first challenge will be to start negotiations with our neigh- boring municipalities to address the issue of amalgamation. This should be'settled as quickly as possible to achieve savings. • A committee will have to be put in place to plan for 2001 Canada Summer Games. • Many changes will be needed to beautify and upgrade our Village. - ADDITIONAL COMMENTS; Now that Grand Bend has ownership of all its beaches, planning can take place for harbor upgrades and beach enhancement. We will encourage new residential and commercial development with an open mind. ORGANIZATION: Shirley Andraza Councillor, Village of Grand Bend '98 WILL BE A YEAR OF: Many challenges and changes, both finan- cially and structural/ WHY?: Federal and provincial funding cuts both to the upper tier as well as the lower tier gov- ernments, amalgamation and the 2001 Canada Games being held in Grand Bend. 'THE COMING YEAR'S CHALLENGES AND HOW 'TO MEET THEM: Challenge to reorganize how we do business in dealing with funding cuts to work toward a more efficient budget to lesson the impact on the taxpayer. Continue amalgamation talks and • eventually work toward restructuring to the benefit of the com- munity as a whole. We have improvements in our beach enhancement program as well as overall improvements to our village in getting.ready for the 2001 Canada Games over the next three and a half years. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS; I think we have a strong council and competent office staff. so I am confident we -will achieve our goals that will hopefully enhance -our quality of living in the.Grand Bend areas. Shirley Andraza Councillor Village of Grand Bend ORGANIZATION: Perry Caskanette Lucan Councillor '98 WILL BEA YEAR OF: Filling the cup • WHY?: Any good optimist knows that the cup is half full. Also they know that the cup is getting fuller. In fact it probably is not fuller but appears to be. since the provincial government contin- ues to give us smaller cups. The tea is still there so don't forget to drink. THE COMING YEAR'S CHALLENGES AND HOW TO MEET THEM: Operi and honest discussion of amalgamation. budgeting and economic revitalization will lead to solutions that benefit the community at large. From my short time on council it is already obvious that each member is a valuable member of a team. The team is a strong one with some new moves so don't miss the action ORGANIZATION: Brian Knights Councillor. Village of Grand Bend '98 WILL DE A YEAR OF: Change can be defined as a transformation or modircation. WHY?: In these times as companies are reducing staff and our government is attempting to reduce this province's deficit, let's remem- ber our neighbors. Have you ever noticed how happy and joyous people are at . Christmas as family and friends get together? Smiles and happy faces appear throughout our communities as we bring in the New Year with those same old resolutions of butting out for good or shedding those unwanted pounds. THE COMING YEAR'S CHALLENGES AND HOW TO Come January, the festivities now a thing of the past, we return to our solemn, mundane ways of looking out for ourselves, and forget the needs of others. As we face this upcoming year of belt tightening, and tough decisions, let's remember that we are in this together as a community and a province. Let's do what we can to help those in need, and remember the saying - "tough times never last, but tough people do." Brian Knights Councillor, Village of Grand Bend Copier found BIDDULPH TWP. - You can get photocopiers just about anywhere, but the London OPP thinks finding one in a snowbank is going to far. The copier was found Jan. 2 on Falcon Dr. west of Saintsbury Line, Const. Donna Shulist said. If you have any information on the inci- dent, contact tttp OPP at 681-0300. ATVs damaged AILSA CRAiG - Thieves tried to steal two' ATVs from a George St. home in Ailsa Craig on Jan. 4, London OPP Const. Donna Shulist said. The ATVs were found behind Home Hardware with their igni- tions punched out. �iweakfast plannedat CanitraNs Faith labernacie By Mary Palencia Centralia correspondent CENTRALIA - Several meetings are upcoming for members of Centralia and Zion West. U.C.W. meetings will be held at Zion and Centralia on January 8 at 8 p.m. - The Joint Session will meet on January 15 at 8 p.m. at Zion. All written reports for the annual meetings should he provided to Michelle Hern by January 15. Zion West will hold their annual meeting Januar\ ''9 at 8.p.m. The ane r. meetirie at Centralia will he hese. February 4 at 8 p.m. . Centralia Faith Tabernacle On January 7, Lost and Found resumes at its normal time of 7 p.m. Everyone is invited to partici- pate. All men are invited to attend, a Men's Breakfast at 7 a.m. at the church on January 10. - Also on January 10, the youth will go bowling in London. Anyone interested in going should plan to meet at the church at 7 p.m. The cost is $11 per person. Euchre results The last Monday 'afternoon euchre games in 1997 were held in Crediton recently' with Helen MacDonald and Harvey Latta as High Hand winners. Gen Eagleson and Harry Noels were the Lone Hand winners. The Low Hand win- ners were Esther Hodgins and George Adams. Lucan Council scratching their heads By reviewing these and other departmental procedures, Council may well come in under budget... Dear Editor: In Bradford's article of December 24 re: $59.000 hit in provincial downloading, he brings Lucan tax- payers great (dis)comfort for the Christmas season. Our newly elected Council, who boasted on the cam paign trail than they would be fiscally accountable, have scratchese their heads and come up with Tess 1 -vices and increased taxes in 1998. Winter side- walk clearing is one example of what may be cut - according to Clerk Reymer the article cites. Instead of improving sidewalk conditions in the Wilberforce subdivision due to the hazardous conditions from sump pump installations they' want the snow to cover up the discharge and at the same time impose a lia- bility for the homeowner. And. they want to impose a tax increase. . No where in the article is there even a slight hint that Council may be looking inward for any cost savings. Although not a novel idea to business peo- ple. it appears that Council has not considered per- forming a departmental review. Good management practices generally contain an evaluation component. According to the Village staff their departments have' never been subjected to a thorough evaluation; In 1996 Village Council agreed to conduct personnel • evaluations. Standard questions relating to punctuali- ty, dress, and customer relations were put forth. But. this evaluation did not look at the departments. their . administration or their budget. A sound evaluation. practices by the majority of private and non-profit sectors. produces amazing results.' With a bit more scratching Council may he able to come up with a lot of in-house savings. For example. during the Biddulph-Lucan amalgamation proposal there was much discussion about cost-saving tactors such as the sharing of resources and personnel i e the Lucan Public Works Supervisor would he responsible for the entire arca, where tihrmer1 thea were two senior positions. A saving of one full trite salary! Why is Council not considering .this move despite the outcome of amalgamar,on ' Another exampIL pertains rn the Village ofticc adinhnrslra tion. summer the Office was staffed M twt, rather than the normal three staff The stall reported operations had run smoothly. Should Council not he reviewing this to determine the viabilitN of hours logged versus performance'' A ley, years ago the Village Treasurer was also responsible for conduct- ing the accounting for the Lucan Cominun,t Centro Since then the Centre has hired a person to do the accounting with the' Village Treasurer double --check ing the entries The time it take to check entm hes often equatcs.to the original time required lo docu- ment. The Community Centre has nine paid Board members. Most non-profit organt?ations arc gels. erned by a voluntary. Board. Items such as no fiver time.'no extra -pilling for meetings which arc directk related to the Joh description. 'haring of resources and personnel. a freeze on wage increases or wage rollbacks. and cancellation of the AMC) Membership and conference participation. will absorb this latest cut by the province without loss of service O impo sition Of tax increases. . • By reviewing these and other departmental prcw•c•- dures Council may well come in under budget. man- age the Village more efficiently and he fiscally accountable. "Do your house-cleaning before you come to us for more money'. is the message th:r, we should he sendrrio to C +un,•h' Council u1 tic scratching their heads • i i !part ntal reviL v. arc commonplace everywhere else. . • Rosemary Gahlinger-Beaune, 1.ucan Watchful eye catches MacNaughton light breakers EXETER - A vigilant citizen helped Huron County OPP nab five youths after numerous Christmas lights in MacNaughton Park were damaged last week. The citizen, who Const. John -Marshall declined to name. saw•thc youths lingering in the park at about 8:15 p.m. on Dec. 30. He saw -lights going dim one by one and then called the OPP. When the OPP ar•rived a few minutes lacer they found the teens and, " some smashed lights in the snow near them. Three males. two aged 14 and front Sanders St. and Marlborough Sj. in Exeter, and u 13 -year-old male from Victoria St.. arc all charged with mischief and breach of probation, Two Sanders St. females, both 14. arc charged with mischief. . Find more time for exercise Exercise may be'one of the most'effective activities you can undertake to experience a greater quality of life. Studies have shown that exercise can improve mood. lower blood pressure, control cholesterol, lower your risk of heart disease. reduce stress. boost • creativity, and reduce the risk of cancer: Exercise. along with a ' balanced diet. can help you get to or stay at your ideal weight and will help you took and feel better. Yet, most Canadians do not exercise regularly. • The number one reason? A • perceived lack of time. Yet. a regular exercise program requires an investment of only two hours of your time per week, a half hour four - �w��e>.uh■r� times a week, 40 minutes three days ti.• a week, or 20 minutes every day. This small amount of time pays • multifold in the benefits. • One of the best ways to find time for a consistent routine is to exercise at home with quality fitness equipment. At-home equipment provides the convenience and accessibility of an immediate access to a workout at whatever time you can find, late at night, early in the morning. At-home fitness equipment also provides the security of your own home and Eliminates waiting in lines and drive time. In addition to at home exercise equipment, there are additional ways to fit exercise into your life. • Bring a pair of comfortable walking shoes and at lunch time, walk 10 minutes away from your office or building and 10 minutes back. • Many employees offer a fitness room. Talk to your employer about purchasing some fitness equipment for employee _use. It will pay off in reduced health care costs, increased motivation and employee loyalty • Take the stairs instead of the elevator. • Park your car some distance from the mall entrance or building. • Take a thorough brisk walk around the entire mall before you begin shopping. • Do your own yard work. • Take a walk around the neighbourhood before dinner, or after dinner to aid digestion. • At work, rather than the phone or e-mail, walk to lee co-workers. • Find a time of day that works best for your life (before work, after work, at lunch, early mornings, etc.). • Put your workouts on your daily/weekly calendar and make it a priority. • fixerciae as a family or with friends to take advantage of spending time together while reaping the benefits of physical activity. • Walk the dog everyday. • ,Varna B&E ends in• high speed chase VARNA - A break-in in RR I Varna ended up as a high speed chase - with speeds of 180 km/h by Goderich Police and a stolen ~•chi le flipping into a field. The break-in and the theft of an '86 Lincoln Continental to if home on Stanley. Twp: Cone. BRN (Bayfield River North was reported to pcilicr on Jan. 2 in the evening. Huron County. OPP Const Johrr Marshall, said The stolen vehicle was spotted by Goclerich Police while travelling eastbound on Hwy. 8. When officers flipped ori then light.. the Lin: coin sped away. When the Lincoln came to Huron Ctt Rd 1 going• t Benmiller, it failed to make the turn. rolled over three time: in a field before coming to rest on its wheels. .The two people in the car. a 17 -year-old male tram. High St_ in Clinton. and a 16 -year, -old Stank Twp female. were taker hr ambulance to Alexandra and Marine General.Hospital in Godench with serious injurtes and later transported to a London hospital: is .table - condition,. Marshall said the fact the two were• wearing, seatbelts probabi' saved their lives. • Stolen alcohol. Jewelry and a camcorder were recovered tragi, the trunk of the car. The driver of- the car. the High St. orale. is charged wuh numerous Criminal Code and Highway Traffic Act charges. The Stank.\ female is 'charged with break and enter. upon further investigation, Iwo mire • males were charged with break and enter. a 15 -yew -old from Charles St ' in Vanastra and a I7 -year-old from Ontario St m C'Itton $40,000 B&E in the `Bend , GRAND BEND - Ten inboard/outboard outdrrves ,,nu'tors • were stolen from Southwest Marine located on Hw•s 2I;north of Grand Bend overnight Jan. 5-6. Huron Ctunis OPP Const John Marshall said The motors are together worth between $30,000 .S40.000 Nit, shore details were available at press and the investigation continues • At the rink Onto ralld lawny McCann was picking up pointers from the Exeter Hawks and his grandfather Tom McCann at Friday night's game in Exeter.