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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1999-06-30, Page 9Wednesday, June 23', 1999 Exeter Times—Advocate 9 Opinion&Forum Remember when... On June 30 to July 2, 2000, South Huron District High School will celebrate its 50th Anniversary. The Exeter Times Advocate would like to join in the celebrations by sharing articles or pictures which have appeared over the y BMW Pre.1411 .4012.11....-410e.S„ 2000 i ears. YEARS 1954-1958 - HI HIGHLIGHTS Select Posture Queen at Graduation Dance Robin Smith, tall, pretty, 15 year-old grade 11 student, was chosen "Posture Queen" at Sout,lip Huron District High School during the graduation dance last week. Judges picked her from among 17 candidates nominated by students for the honor. The winner, daughter of Mr. and ,Mrs. Jack Smith, Exeter, received a jewellery gift from the - Athletic Society following the final competition. It Was presented by Mrs. Andrew Dixon, commercial teacher. The contest, first of its kind held in the school, was promoted . by the physical education depart- ment to encourage better posture among girls at the school. Miss Lauretta Siegner conducted the competition. Each class in the school entered a candidate. -For the final competition, the girls had to demon- strate their posture by standing, sitting and walk- ing before a group of three teachers whoacted as judges. bliss Smith represented 11A. Other competitors included: Doreen Brock, spe- cial commercial; Julija Gulens, grade 13; Ruth Ann McBride, 12B; Mirdza Gulens, 12A; Grace Routly, 11C; Marlene McBride,. 11B; Jean Anderson, 10D; Joan Guenther, 10C; Marlene Sne,.;1OB; Diane Rennie, 10A; Dorothy Heyw -- - 9F; Arlene Love, 9E; Dianne Delbridge,,9f); Kathryn Love, 9C; Bonnie Doerr, 9B' Ann Grayer, 9A. A large crowd attended the dance, sponsored by the Athletic Society, following the graduation ban- quet. Desjardine's orchestra provided the music. PrepareVariey Show - Four of the girls in one of the dance numbers for the high school show this week prepare for the two -night per- formance. In front are ShirleyMorley and Elaine Grenier; back, Marjorie Sararas and Judy Willer. Miss Lauretta Seigner directs the dancing num- bers WANTED%. • Individual to co-ordinate memorabilia rooms: Please phone KENDRA ARTHUR 23S-4006 (H) OR 235-4587 (W) OR PAT ROWE 236-7167 _) FOR MORE IN1•()ItMA J JON ABOUT THE SHDHS "AIi.-YI:AItti REUNION" CONTACT KENDRA ARTIIUIt 235-4006 (11) OR 235-4587 (W) 011 PAT !tows: 236-7167 OPINIONS • LETTERS • OPINIONS • LETTERS • OPINIONS • LETTERS • OPINIONS B e aware t ate Yers Continued from page 8 What has been distributed to municipal councils or local restructuring committees from the one -tier group is an anonymously authored handout on the benefits of a one -tier system. If this group is so con- fident and convinced the people of Huron should be governed by -a one -tier system, why has no one put their name to this document? It could be a strong indication of what things would be like under a one - tier system: few people making decisions for the future of the county with little chance of input from the public. ft creates an environment that makes it difficult for a taxpayer to be heard. ' In the anonymously authored handout, it. states _one of the major areas for cost savings under a one - tier system would be road services and that "a county study suggested potential significant sav- ings. That study is the Hans Munz Report thatewas critically ripped to shreds by road superintendents when Huron held an all councillors and municipal staff meeting in Clinton last year. The report con- tained so many inaccuracies and misinformation that 'no one took it seriously. (It might vvdrk if a super plow is invented that travels at 60 mph). If the county wants to. look at making the road system more efficient, why not look to people yin the. front lines, who are involved everyday? The road super- intendents are outdriving, sanding, grading and plowing the roads of the county. Dont exclude their input from the process. Another reason for considering a one -tier system from the anonymous letter is that "thea Provincial government has withdrawn substantial resources from local government." Does this group honestly think that if there is only one local government for all of Huron that these grants will increase or even stay the same? Its highly doubtful. • From the number of references to the province in this anonymous letter, it -makes one suspicious that instead of ' this being a grassroots movement,.: the: real drive and thrust of the one -tier group may be coming from the provincial. government. At the present time more than 20 of Hurons 26 municipalities are in serious t'estructuring tames. Each group is looking at a More efficient way to deliver services and a reduction of politicians. Tuckersmith, McKillop and Seaforth now have one administrative office and one administrator. The restructuring committee is looking at reducing the number of local politicians by more than_ half for the next municipal elections (from the existing 17 to' eight). And Grey and Brussels have asked to join. our group. This is being discussed by the three councils. Despite the perception of the one -tier group, there IS progress being made, considerable progress.. Yes, Huron sometimes doesnt move at the same speed as the rest of the province - definitely not the speed of Toronto - but. then thats what makes us unique. We,. in Huron, mightmarch to the beat of a differ- ent drummer ,- but at least its to music we compose.. I have no desire to be told what to do and when by civil servants or politicians from Toronto who would probably have to dig out a map to find where Huron is. You can't compare our county to Chatham -Kent and its forced one -tier amalgamation. We have no cities within our boundaries. We, have more in com- mon with Perth, which, recently restructured to a two-tier system. If Huron wants to look at bigger savings, it should seriously consider amalgamating. with a neighbouring county; one with which we already share administration for our education sys- tem -- both public and separate boards -- and which our hospitals and health care are involved with. If that's what might eventually happen, then would it not make more sense to have a compatible two-tier system? Why does this group not ask its neighbours in Perth why it went two-tier? - This group should be careful of what it wishes for - because it might just happen. And once Huron went one -tier, it would very unlikely ever change back. What would follow shortly would be the closing of hospitals, schools and arenas which Would be easi- er to justify if Huron was one big municipality. I urge this one -tier group in Huron and the ratepayers to trust your local politicians, whom you elected, to do' what is in your best interest. Please attend your local restructuring meetings to both listen and participate in the decision making process. It will be better for the future of Huron to have decisions made locally, rather than dictated to us. Sincerely, DAVID Scow Mayor, Town of Seaforth • Reply to `beware to ratepayers' letter Dear fldi r: This letter is offered to correct misinformation and redress a number of errors presented in a very emo- tional letter published in some of the local newspa- pers last week on the topic of single tier government. The group "Concerned Citizens for the Promotion and Implementation of a Single Tier Government in Huron" is a fast growing public, representative and multi -partisan group of about 50 members from across the County, who have recently come together for several reasons. First, we are concerned about the division being created among municipalities and citizen groups within communities as the 'two tier' system of amalgamation is being explored. Second, we believe that restructuring studies must also include a thoughtful, rather than emotional, analysis of the `single tier' option - which many of us believe will protect the traditions in our local community groupings, will avoid pitting one group against anoth- er, will ensure representative and democratic repre- sentation across. the County, and, above all, will pro- vide the simplest and most cost efficient municipal -government. Yes, it will reduce the number of elected officials dramatically, and it will. minimize the num- ber of municipal administrators and staff. But our concerns about higher property tax bills can only be addressed by creating maximum efficiencies in the cost of local government. We feel that we have to .explbre all options and decide on the one that saves the most money, while maintaining our services, style and standard of living. There will be no impact - as suggested in last week's letter - on schools and hospi- tals which can hardly be considered as part of munic- ipal goverment. Coordinated economic development for job growth across Huron County will be enhanced with a single tier government. Recently, our group asked to be heard as a public delegation at the Huron County Council on July 8, 1999. The Administration, , Finance and Personnel Committee for the County requested that we make a special presentation to that group at a public commit- teemeeting so they might be better prepared. for our July appearance. The last meeting of the concerned citizens group, included much welcome debate, both about the single tier approach and the manner of proceeding with our quest. It is clear • to us that- there is widespread sup- port for further study of the 'single- tier' option. At a recent meeting hosted by Colborne -Township- —one good example of a divided community because of two tier restructuring talks -a large majority of those in attendance indicated a desire to conduct further study of the `'single tier' option.. In any restructuring effort, the citizens of Huron deserve, and have a right to expect a full and com- prehensive study, .of all options for their local govern- `ment. Taxpayers who, are not elected officials, nor employees of a municipality have a right to be heard now that deadline has been imposed by Huron County Council. The present round of visits to local councils is to ensure that all locally elected representatives, as well as County delegates are aware: of our request. We are not circulating a `study'; we are asking that one be completed. Local government restructuring will have a pro- found impact on all of us. It is the most difficult deci- sion our elected officials will ever be required to make. Whatever solution is finally decided .must address concerns about bureaucracy, Iocal input, costs, and access to services. Solutions must not divide our communities - in fact,; they should preserve existing community tradition. As Huron County reaches its decision point in September 1999, for municipal restructuring, it must look long and hard at the governance conventions that have been established in other jurisdictions - including places like Brant County - where consider- able success has been achieved. Our elected officials are accountable to all of their ratepayers. In the study of . local government restruc- turing, they have an obligation to study all options in, depth. The `single tier' alternative must have the same consideration as the 'two tier' choices presently being pursued. There is no comprehensive and accu- rate study of this option at this time. It should be completed. It requires the support of County Council to do so. It is precisely that support we are seeking. Interested persons are invited to attend our next meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, July 6, 8 p.m. to' be held at the Clinton Town Hall auditorium. KEN CAMPBELL, Seaforth Ontario For the Concerned Citizens for the Promotion and Implementation of a Single Tier Government in Huron.