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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1995-12-06, Page 3LIV_TF[E_NFI'VS Times Advocate, December 6, 1995 Page 3 ' Winter road clearing reduced in Huron County Ed Centre and J.K. on chopping block Trustees passed recommendations to meet cost reduction target Heather Mir T- A staff CLINTON - Despite concern some of the recommendations proposed by the Director's Action Report compromise quality of ed- ucation, trustees carried motions to meet a cost reduction target of a minimum of S3 million for each of the next two fiscal years (1996 and 1997). The measures for meeting this target in- clude recommendations to appeal to the Min- ister of Education for special consideration, adopt a cost management model and to devise a plan to reduce the size of senior administration by one academic supervisory officer position. This re- duction will be enacted by attrition or re- assignment where pos- sible. Trustees Norm Pickell and Joan Van den Broeck voiced concern this action will stretch an al- ready tight administration too far. Van den Broeck said administration, already dealing with the complexity of delivering education services and funding cutbacks, should not be overloaded. "1 see it as shooting ourselves in the foot doing this. We are already lean," said Pickell. Trustee Doug Garniss said although he un- derstands concerns of members, he feels the board is faced with little choice. "At this point in time) don't think we have any choice but to follow through and devise a plan." Other recommendations accepted by the board include encouraging revenue generation from alternate sources through entrepreneurial activity, preparation of an impact study to an- alyze the financial effect on the local ratepayer of the removal of the junior kindergarten pro- gram and listing the Education Centre from sale, rental or lease, subject to review by the Management Committee. The HCBE also carried a rec- ommendation to establish an early retirement incentive pro- gram in an effort to avoid man- datory layoffs for staff in the "It's quite a nightmare we're about to embark on. At least the government has had the courage to make the decisions." coming year. The report gave Huron Board of Education trustees the background for the next steps in preparation of 1996 budget estimates. Ac- cording to Director Paul Carroll, last week's mini -budget announcements appear to confirm an estimated $3 million transfer payment re- duction for 1996. This reduction does not in - elude the impact of measures already in progress that will raise local property tax re- quirements to support the cost of education in Huron County for the public education sys- tem. Combining the impact of the assessment equalization factor adjustment of 22.7 per cern to be phased in over a five year period and the continuation of the current general legislative grants funding system, the mill rate has the po- tential to rise by an estimated 10 per cent. The action report indicates although it is not know yet how transfer payments will be withdrawn, Carroll believes there is every indication as- sessment -poor boards with higher -than - average ministry grants will be more adversely affect. "We should, yet again, appeal for spe- cial relief. We are at the bottom of the heap in respect of spending on a per public basis," stated Carroll's report. Earlier in the week Carroll told the T -A the economic statement will mean a challenging year for the board. It's quite a nightmare we're about to embark on. At least the government has had the cou- rage to make the decisions," said Carroll. A special board meeting has been called for Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. to explore alternatives and decisions required for immediate action to en- act cost savings. Exeter councillors debate how fast to move EXETER - Exeter councillors de- bated Monday night the speed with which they should tackle the issues raised by the amalgamation of Ex- eter and Stephen. Reeve Bill Mickle said the pro- cess of negotiations should begin immediately following a thorough analysis of Exeter's position. "Everything should be on the ta- ble. Sixty five per cent of present budgets are collected and passed on to other bodies (the county and the Board of Education); that means any savings we can attain will • come from the balance. When all municipalities realize how much the reduction in transfer payments is this year - 33 per cent - they will recognize there isn't a lot of time to waste," said Mickle. Councillor Robert Drummond re- marked, "There's no point in rush- ing our fool heads off before Christmas, a season when little is done in Toronto and when we won't have the specific figures un- til the new year. We could leave this until next Council meeting and stare serious meetings with Stephen in January." Councillor Wendy Boyle asked, .. "What if we start something and someone else wants to be a partner; do we start all over again?" Mickle replied, "The door is open. Others can join, but we can't go back to square one each time. When every- one knows his specific financial picture in January, others may want to talk with us." It was decided to' drttinue the discussion, in camera, after council. Council meets in Olde Town Hall EXETER- Council had a dry -run Monday night as it met in the Olde Town.Hall for the first time in over 20 years. As Mayor Ben Hoogenboom noted, "This is an historic meeting." The chambers were not finished, but the meeting room was hastily con- verted to accommodate council, staff, delegations and the press. The offi- cial opening this Friday at 4 p.m. will see the entire building completed with the exception of a few minor alterations that will be undertaken in the next few weeks. Councillor Joe Rider provided an up -date on the progress of renovations and advised council the modifications to the front entrance will be complet- ed within the next two days. Santa visits Grand Bend -_ Above, Santa hands out candy canes and gifts to the children who attended the fourth annual Southcott Pines Children's Christmas Party on Saturday. Over twenty children participated in crafts and enjoyed a hay ride with Santa. Below, Santa walks with six year-old Benjarnen Wood- house, left, and three year old Kevin Zahn during a jingle bell walk in Grand Bend Friday night. The walk was designed to raise non-perishable canned food and childrens winter coats for needy families in the area. GODERICH - Road conditions in Huron County may not he like they once were, but as engineer Denis Merrall told•country council last Thursday, they never will be again. In light of the provincial reduc- tions and consistent downloading, county budgets are stretched to the limit. This means that Huron roads, while once being clear of snow 24 hours a day: seven days a week. will suffer. The roads department proposed that winter snow plowing. be stopped at midnight and resumed each morning at 5 a.m. if neces- sary. Merrall said this was the only viable alternative this year while maintaining as close to a zero per cent budget increases as possible. Staff reduction in the roads depart- ment have also enabled the county to maintain their level of spending under difficult economic condi- tions. "Everything we have been doing for the past three years fits into (the November 29) provincial bud- get," Merrall told council. "We can still deliver reasonable service, hut it will never be as good as it was. We are wetI positioned to de- liver a budget that reflects (the No- vember 29 economic statement) that meets service needs of resi- dents." The county engineer also had some advice for council when they are faced with complaints about the level of service in light of the economic reductions and public complaints on county taxation. "Look at how much money is paid to support roads versus what people pay for theip phone hill and cable bill. It's time to start getting the message across." People are used to the conven- ience of an ultra -mobile lifestyle and may now have to stop and ex- amine their priorities when con- fronted with foul winter weather in the late evening and early morning hours. Merrrall said he always felt that as an adult the priority should be getting to work and earning a wage: something that will not be affected for the majority of resi- dents by the reduction in snow plowing service. "We do the best we can with the resources we have. There are some things that we have to walk away from. People are going to have to use good judgement if they are go- ing to be on the roads after mid- night. It puts more responsibility on the individual to look after their own safety. In response to some concerns about staffing, Merrall said the roads foremen preferred the reduc- tion in hours of plowing. Merrall said .,to plow in the daytime and have to continue plowing through the night, when traffic is substan- tially reduced, creates health and workplace safety concerns. "I'd rather see a mile of road construction cut hack than see peo- ple dead in the ditch," Bill Van - stone, Reeve of Colborne Town- ship said. "We have no more control over the weather than a duck does of its bowels." Merrall responded that if council was to examine the economics, they would see that the combined roads grants in 1995 will be cut in half by 1997. "We will do anything you will give us the money for," Merrall told Vanstone. "But remember that you will have another 76 kilome- tres of highway by 1997." Council must decide what servic- es they want and the roads depart- ment will try to deliver them. "It's a tough decision today. hut it's training for the future", he said alluding to more significant eco- nomic cuts expected in the years to come. Council did agree to reduce plowing service after midnight, passing a motion that states plows will only travel after that time to escort emergency vehicles. Following his report on winter maintenance, Merrall officially ten- dered his resignation from Huron County. Effective the first week of January. the seven-year county en- gineer, will assume a similar posi- tion with Middlesex County. Merrall said he does expect to de- liver the roads budget prior to his departure. R� OKlG1\ H EVERT( STITCH CANADIAN Chrisfmas 25°'° " 50%off All Inventory (Excluding new arrivals) ;nay 1/011 NMI tiOOtdr s 483 Main St. Exeter 235-2273