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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1981-06-18, Page 1HISTORY SOCIETY MEETS --- The Mennonite Historical Society of Ontario met in Zurich Saturday. Shown are (from left) society president Sam Steiner, Waterloo, and Zurich area residents Clarence Gascho, Seleda Steckle and Gordon Erb. Mennonites discuss Zurich area The Zurich Mennonite Church was filled to capaci- ty Saturday as the Men- nonite Historical Society of Ontario held its annual meeting. This year's theme was the early Mennonite and Amish settlements in the Zurich area. Seleda Steckle, Zurich, presented a resume of the history of the Zurich Men- nonite congregation, and Gordon Erb, RR 2, Zurich, presented a resume on the Blake Amish -Mennonite con- greation. In open discussion after each presentation people in the audience spoke out with questions and comments. With each new division of congregations, new ideas and styles were introduced. The discussions attempted to sort out the problems in establishing new churches, dress styles of church groups, languages - used both in Bible translations and in teaching the faith (Penn- sylvania Dutch, High Ger- man, English) and lineage of various families The society's president, Sam Steiner, of Waterloo, said the society's purpose was -to promote study and preserve Mennonite culture, history and faith. He said that trying to sort out and define the meanings of differences between con- gregations was just an in- teresting sideline to the study of 'the Mennonite culture. Following. the presen- tations a lunch was served ,Y>•% . r /-/Iii%fi j:�r: F,. fi and those in attendance toured historical sites per- taining to the early Men- nonite and Amish settlements in the Zurich area. Taxes up, but not Public school supporters in Hensall are faced with an increase of 27.98 mills after council approved its 1981 budget at a Monday evening meeting. The increase brings the total mill assesstnent to 186.90. The increase to separate schoolsu ters is 21.77 bringingthe mill rate to f4.25. The mill increase for a public school supporter means, for an . average assessment of 12,000, there is a tax increase of $55.96 bringing the overall tax to 1374. For a separate school supporter, the mill hike will cost an extra $43.54for a total tax of $368.50 on a $2,000 assessment. The main culprit in the increase, noted reeve Paul Neilands, was education. The breakdown in the mill rate increase to a public school supporter includes an additional levy of 10.33 trills to the village, 6.17 to tike county, 9.17 to elementary public schools and for high schools, 2.31. The educational increase for a separate school sup- porter is 2.96 mills. The commercial increase for public school supporter is 32.90, bringing the total mill rate to 219.87, while for separate school the hike is 25.6 mills, for a total of 216.76. The cost breakdown for the village includes $138,720 for municipal purposes, $50,344 for county purposes and $186,395 for school board purposes, which totals $375,459. Taxes will supply $134,671 for general municipal ex- penses, 149,031 for the county and $180,840 for school boards, for a total of $364,542. The difference between the two figures is made up by telephone payment of close to $11,000. No help off.r.d Two separate one-man delegations appeared before Hensall council Monday seeking a solution to runoff and flooding problems on their properties, but they'll have to wait at least a year before anything is done. Council told its guests, Dr. John Goddard and Jim Sangster, that all subsidies from the Ministry of Transportation and Com- munication (MTC) were Used up and no additional funds had been allocated foal improvements. The source of the problem is that the roadway sits higher than the sidewalks. Goddard said, in his case, if he rebuilds his driveway, as he hopes to do, the change will divert water to his neighbour's yard. Sangster, who lives adjacent to God- dard on Nelson and Rich - Price per Copy 25 Cents for water problem mond Street, told council his basement floods with each heavy downpour. "I'm getting damn sick," said Sangster. "I just want what the other people get. I don't think you should run water through my cellar and I have to pump it out. When it MEDIEVAL DANCERS -- Morris dancers from London put on display in Bayfield and Ex- eter, Saturday. The dances are highly structured folk dances originating from the Cottswold region of south England. Plan corp. for housing John Doherty discussed the features of private, non- profit, rental housing at a public meeting on senior citizens housing in Hensel!, Wednesday. Doherty, a program of- ficer of Canada Mortgage and Housing (CMHC), ad- dressed the Hensall United Church senior citizens housing committee and interested community members. The committee plans to form a non-profit cor- poration to begin work on a senior's housing project in the village. Doherty explained the CMHC sponsors these types of projects to assist people who can't find suitable, affordable housing. The project must be ad- ministered by a community group which is incorporated as a charitable organization. CMHC arranges a mor- tgage subsidy to construct the building and assists rents. Doherty stressed the CMHC must approve the location of the project and its economic viability. He said the group should now be conducting a needs and demand study, as the CMHC is ready to consider the project if the need and demand is shown. The survey would question the person's income and sources, the person's assets and mortgage, if any, on the place they are now living, and what is required in terms of housing and what rent could be afforded. Doherty said the forms should be filled out honestly and openly to determine the actual needs. He said that the CMHC does not check on data like bank account balances unless the person is requesting rent assistance. Doherty noted it was crucial to the success of the project that the majority of the people renting could afford market rates. Since the project would be to provide a modest housing program, Doherty said the CMHC limits the size and type of apartment housing. In a 25 unit building, Doherty said, only 10 percent of the units may be two bedroom, and the CMHC will not consider single bedroom units much larger then 500 square feet. CMHC also approves a maximum unit cost for the Please turn to page .5 rains, it is three inches Monday, for a donation to the deep." Hastings County flood relief He said he felt a catch fund, set up after flooding of the Moira and Skootamatta left $800,000 in damage, this spring. Council pointed out Hensall is only a small municipality and added it had not donated money to the Woodstock fund after a tornado swept through there two years ago The Hensel! fire engine, adorned with signs promoting the village's centenial. will participate in the parade at the 125th anniversary celebration in Z urich in July, council decided. Building inspector Her- man Van Wieren told council three building permits totalling 122,000, were issued in the village in May. Council accepted with regret, the resignation of Roy Bell from the Hensall basin would control the water, and added he has had the problem since he moved to his Richmond Street home three years ago. "If it keeps up, I'm' going to have to get money to fix my foundation," he con- tinued. "I'd sure appreciate it if you could do something about it." Goddard challenged council's explanation that there were no further funds available this year. "Why don't you increase your budget ten to 15 percent every year?" he asked. "Pretty soon you won't be doing anything." Goddard and Sangster left before council discussed the matter further. As he left Goddard said: "I'll be back next month, then you can tell me what you're going to do." "There was no problem Parks Board and passed a until they put in the storm by-law to appoint Tom sewers," reeve Paul Neilands to the post. Neilands told council. "We The parks board also can't do anything this year. reported final arrangements The subsidies are all used are being made for a ball up•" game set for July 7, between Two options are available the California Cuties and the to solve the problem. Hensel! Legionaires. Game Councillor Cecil Pepper time is 7:30. estimated the cost of in- Council instructed Van stalling a catch basin would Wieren to get estimates for be about 12,000. repairs, including hot sur - The second alternative, facing, for the roof of the adding a new sidewalk, town hall. Following his would cost about the same investigation, tenders will be amount. called. Hensall council rejected a Council accepted a request at its June meeting, Please turn to page 5 Meekto entertain BILLY MEEK Billy Meek "The Jovial Scot" will be entertaining at the anniversary dinner July 4, during Z.urich's 125th anniversary celebration. Meek gathered thousands of fans from coast to coast for several years on the "Pig 'n Whistle" TV show, and although television in- troduced Billy Meek to a vast audience, the majority of viewers are unaware of his many talents. Meek is a comedian, song and dance man, and plays a variety of musical in- struments. Appearing with Meek will be Nick Brown. Also providing music at the dinner will be Mrs. Doris McKinley of Zurich.