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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1995-08-30, Page 2Per2 Times -Advocate, August 30, 1995 Transfer payments for municipalities could be cut by as much as 20 per cent Mlckle's final address as president Continued from front page of the province, but at times there are genuine difficulties for them in- dividually to carry out the policies of the Govemment, and that's where we step in to provide as- sistance, in some cases, real sup- port and in others, mediation. It's the old story: together we're strong; individually, we're weak. TA: What, for instance, have you done for municipalities during your one year in office? Mickle: Long term care is an is- egional wrap up Abandoned CPR line ideal for trail BLYTH - The abandoned CPR rail line which runs along the Blyth Creek is an ideal site for hiking trails, fishing and pic- nic areas, reported the North Hu- ron Citizen. Councilors agreed to a draft plan after an Aug. 16 tour of the property. According to Council- lor Doug Scrimgeour, the pro- ject would be one of the biggest improvements for the communi- ty• The Ministry of Natural Re- sources, the Huron County Plan- ning Department and the Mait- land Valley Conservation Authority took part in the tour. Courthouse workers exposed to fumes GODERICH - Courthouse workers returned to work last Tuesday after being forced to leave the building the previous Wednesday because of exposure to chemical fumes, reported the Goderich Signal -Star. The fumes were a result of the ehemkal compound RestorX, which was sprayed to seal the smell of smoke into the concrete in the mechanical penthouse of the courthouse. Smoke damage occurred to this area during a small fire on the roof and third floor on Aug. 13. Because exhaust fans on the third floor were set in reverse, the fumes were circulated throughout the building instead of being vented. Staff members complaining of dizziness, headaches, sore throats and nausea, were evacu- ated. Vehicle vandalized BXETER - A vehicle's hood was apparently scratched while it was parked in the lot of a Main Street gas bar. The owner of the vehicle believes the damage was done be- tween Aug. 23 and 26. sue that is complex, but it seems that it will evolve in one of two di- rections. One stresses the Govern- ment's involvement, and the other provides for local contribution and the role of private enterprise. The demise of the Multiple Service Agencies with the arrival of the Tory Government, for instance, was something we fought for during the last days of the previous administra- tion. We, as an association, have a role to play in the future of child care. We have to ensure that there is adequate funding for homes for the aged. We are involved in the opera- tion of the blue box program and especially in securing the maximum return to qp< individual municipal- ities. We were involved with the Residence Rights Act or "grannie flats". We're working on a new fire services act. We've lobbied hard to ensure that the government will provide guide -lines for arbitrators of collective agreements. We' ve been actively involved in nego- tiations to amend the Police Ser- vices Act to guarantee that councils have budgetary control over police boards. We're striving to see that the recommendations of the fair tax commission are implemented (for instance, the removal of education taxes from the property tax). Four- teen of 20 amendments we pro- posed to the new planning act were accepted. We fought successfully the previous government's attempt to introduce a disclosure of interest act for councillors which would have been more strict than that for MPP's. Last, and certainly not least, we want a new municipal mandate that defines exactly what our roles are so that needless du- plication of services can be reduced - some have estimated that the sav- ings could be up to one billion dol- lars. TA: What's the future of mu- nicipalities? Mickle: The Common Sense Rev- olution states that there will be few- er municipalities, just as there will be fewer MPP's. With what the Government has done thus far, I see no reason to doubt that it will do as it plans. Most people would agree that we need to have less govern- ment, and conceivably there could be a reduction of over 200 local governing bodies. We were told by the NDP, and it has been implied by the Conservatives, that if "we" don't take charge of the in- struments of change, they will, and they will impose that change on us. And I agree; if we can't stop bick- ering among ourselves and reduce the tiers of government around us, the Province should impose its will. There's no money to conduct "business as usual". TA: Alright then, what is the fu- ture of Huron County? Mickle: As I see it, there are two options for us: i) one, and only one central county governing body with representatives from specific re- gions of the county meeting at the county seat, dealing with the mat- ters that now, by and large, are the concerns of both local and county administrations; or ii) amalgama- tion of all municipalities into four or five bodies, linked geo- graphically to each other. This would be a reduction from 26 - quite a change! But a positive one. There are just no more dollars left to run our many separate mu- nicipalities; conceivably there will come a time_ when there will be no more transfer payments from the province. To give you an idea, Ex- eter receives almost $600,000 from the province in any given year. If we try to do in the future what we do now without Government as- sistance, taxes would increase by a whopping 20 per cent. At this mo- ment, there is still flexibility to Lucan defers decision on funding LUCAN - At a recent meeting, councillors agreed to hold a deci- sion on how to spend $2,500 until a September 19 meeting with the Lucan Business Association. Reeve Tom McLaughlin argued for putting the full $2,500 into a reserve fund for the library - museum building which is being proposed. In opposition, councillor Rose- mary Gahlinger-Beaune wanted to put $1,000 towards the library - museum project and $500 each for economic development, communi- ty co-ordination and parks and rec- reation. Gahlinger-Beaune said she would like to get a full report from a public committee on economic development for sometime in Jan- uary before the 1996 budget is struck. In suggesting the reserve fund of $2,500 McLaughlin said, "It would be for capital cost for a building and when its in a reserve fund we can't touch it for anything else. It may not be much but it is a start and indicates council wants the library -museum project to get going. The other $700 could go as seed money for next year's 125th celebration." In reply, Gahlinger-Beaune said. "There is no provincial money for economic development. A reserve fund does not replace seed money. I would caution that council should he thinking of the whole village in regard to economic de- velopment and community co- ordination.. There is much hap- pening let's give these committees money for promotion. I still be- lieve it should be split up." Councillor Rob Brady's com- ment was, "If•we put $2,000 into reserve and leave $500 for the oth- er committees it would give them some money to work with." Heritage museum chairman Mike Anderson telt a I,sser amount for the library -museum i would get service clubs and other groups working on the project and he added, " We don't want to be the greedy kids on the block." Bikers raise money for youth or Continued from front page matically included as members of the organization. "About 98 per cent of us are family oriented," said Bob Snell, a chapter member. A.B.A.T.E was formed in Ontario in 1989 and in- corporated the following year. The organization aims to promote freedom of the road by insuring mo- torcyclist's views are presented to legislators and also by advocating motorcycle safety, rider education and awareness. "We are nu, an 'Out -Law Motorcycle Gang': rather a Not -for Profit Corporation" reads an information let- ter about A.B.A.T.E. "We're tired of being branded with 'Bad' images by movies, radio, T.V., and news- papers." The organization has been involved in benefit danc- es for the needy as well as toy and poker runs, such as last week's Cure In Motion Poker Run for the Mus- cular Dystrophy Association. "It's time we had some positive press," said Snell.; "Especially after the gangs in Montreal and Toronto. We're not like the hikers in the city." A.B.A.T.E. members raised funds for Brendan Steele's mobility bike. Back row, from left to right: Brent Schenck, Shane Elliot, Al Doiron, Bob Snell Middle row: Jim Bouato, Jack Aikenheed At front: Brendan Steele At right, Brendan Steele with his new Junior Freedex bike. shape our own future, but in my opinion, we had better act soon. TA: Without these Government grants that you talk about, how can we expect to provide most of the services that we do now? Mickle: We can't do it without doing things "smarter". We will have to impose user fees, reduce the size and number of councils, ra- tionalize our staffs so that there is a re -definition of both our ad- ministrative role and employee job functions. As I've said before, amalgamation is absolutely es- sential for our survival. I believe people will be expected to vol- unteer in even greater numbers. We will definitely be looking at 'contracting out'; we are no longer 'subsidize' operations of many of the services we currently provide. I think that new technology will re- duce or even eliminate the amount of paper we generate and handle. TA: What personal gains have there been for you this year, Bill? Mickle: I haven't looked upon this year as personal gains for me; I've thought that Exeter and its council have gained with my pre- siding over AMO. There have been real benefits to the community; doors have been opened; more con- tacts have been made with de- cision -makers; we've been aware, at very early stages, what was looming ahead so that we could be pro -active and meet the challenges before we were backed into a cor- ner. Personally, however, it was an experience I will never forget. I've learned a great deal about the prov- ince and what's going on in aU its corners; I've learned that there are many ways to solve problems; and I've been able to see what works and what doesn't. TA: What were some of the high- lights of your term as President? Mickle: I served at a unique pe- riod: two elections- one municipal that affected the composition of our board and the other provincial that saw us dealing with two sets of cabinet ministers. Our theme this year was 'better government at lower cost'. We worked hard to put together a conference that reflected , that theme, and I'm delighted to see that we were successful. I met with all three party leaders, including the two premiers. We came from deal- ing with a party which represented the far left to one that now repre- sents the far right. I wish we had more immediate success with what we once called the 'Municipal Charter' (the new municipal man- date) so that the roles and re- sponsibilities of municipal govern- ment could be spelled out now, but I'm positive that the next AMO ex- ecutive will see that document completed. One really positive step is that we've moved from reacting and confrontation to seeing what we might do in partnership with the province in preparing for the future. You know, I've talked a lot of of fi- nancial plight, but people should know that of the one trillion dollars in collective capital debt only three billion is municipal; we are good managers. Child found in cornfield or Continued from front page unteers present. They were able to stand shoulder to shoulder while conducting a systematic search of the cornfield. "I suspected we would find him sleeping. It was a fantastic end- ing," Huntley said. "[t was a big relief for us when we found him. We were praying really hard, I can't believe he showed up unhurt," said Nancy Martin clutching her son in her grins amid a crowd of well- wishers wanting to catch a glimpse of the child. Indeed, Aaron was not crying after the ordeal but looked like he was enjoying the attention he was getting. Martin figured his son may have followed a cat into the cornfield and become lost when he and his wife were working on their new home. He said the sit- uation was especially hard to deal with when Aaron was not found before it got dark. "I'm extremely thankful," said Martin about the efforts of the volunteers. "I can't believe the how many people came here to help us find him. We don't move in until Wednesday but this is quite a welcome -to -the - neighborhood party." THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SCHOOL OPENING & BUS ROUTES SCHOOL YEAR 1995-1996 Middlesex County Public Elementary and Secondary schools open on Tuesday, September 5, 1995 on the same time schedules as last year. (Parents of new students should consult neighboring bus students for times.) Route changes have been made at the following schools; Leesboro Central School Plover Mills School Oxbow Public School - Routes 1 & 2 Medway High School - Routes 10 & 22 These routes will be published in the London Pennysaver. All other bus routes will remain the same, however, some adjustments to bus routes may be necessary after the start of the school y ear. Questions regarding transportation matters should be directed to Mr. Keith Grigg Supervisor of Transportation at 471-3510 Donna M. Mcllmoyle E.D. Anderson Chair Director of Education introducing Your CREDIT UNION AUTO CLUB CLINTON COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION LTD. Now Offers RES/CUTM Roadside Emergency Services from your Credit Union PROVIDING Emergency Towing, Roadside Assistance plus other AUTO CLUB services including Travel Routing and Maps Now enjoy WORRY FREE DRIVING for just $39.95 per year (plus G.S.T.) Talk to us and JOIN TODAY! 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