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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1996-03-27, Page 2Council briefed on amalgamation EXETER - The amalgamation of South Huron and North Lambton mu- nicipalities was the main topic at the March 18 Exeter Council meeting. As an update, the political representatives and staff of Stephen, Usborne, Grand Bend and Exeter have been meeting the past few months. The latest staff report , presented to council by Administrator Rick Hun- dey, stated "servicing issues were technical and relatively straightforward. The committee (political) might benefit, and the study process might be unproved by issuing in parallel: services, policy and structural issues. The services analysis could be brought to committee at a single meeting. The committee agreed with the staff view and endorsed, with commitment, a revised work plan." Hundey, who is a staff member of the committee, added much discus- sion among the two groups centred on relations with the county but also talked of delivering local services such as recreation, protection and roads. The new work plan, provided by the staff, is expected to make better use of the Amalgamation Committee's time. Review of services will carry on with regular updates conducted by the staff and at the same time the com- mittee will look at study areas, capacity for growth, the Grand Bend boun- dary, municipal representation, personnel and other issues. As well, reported Hundey, a detailed plan was prepared including items of discussion at all meetings from now until October. A final report will be prepared for the Minister of Municipal Affairs after public meetings are held. Reeve Bill Mickle asked how the discussions and studies related to costs will provide specific savings to the taxpayers. "It's difficult to be specific at the moment, but details will emerge as the discussion and research progresses," Hundey replied. Mickle also asked if the comments on staffing are not a little premature. Hundey said he thought the issue should be raised now, but more details will he fleshed out as policies, such as retirement plans, are developed. Councillor Bob Speers wanted to know if the financial plan doesn't emerge until June, but activity is going on now, "wouldn't it be better to advance the plan so we know early where we are going?" "This is always the dilemma as to what we should do first. In fact we are thinking on a couple of styles at the same time: the financing as we go and the eventual services which will be provided," replied Hundey adding, "In- terim financial reports will be given to the committee on a regular basis, but the services report will go to the ministry early. This plan simply alters the priority of the activity." Councillor Roy Triebner added the committee is having trouble with numbers and doesn't have the staff and resources to examine the small de- tail. "We'll have to look at the big picture," he said. Mickle stressed the importance of keeping accurate minutes and estab- lishing boundaries. "Discussion surrounding this issue should be recorded," he stressed. The Exeter, Grand Bend, Stephen, Usborne Amalgamation Committee has been meeting for several months and as the study process unfolds, it is inevitable questions will arise. In order to answer these questions in a public forum, the communication sub-committee'will submit a regular response to a "question of the week." Will we lose our identity? The Amalgamation Committee believes that our local identity is very important to all of us. in fact, one of the six priorities of amalgamation identified in the news release announcing our discussions, is: "enhancing localism by promoting the identity of all the local hamlets, and villages, as well as the townships and town". When we amalgamate, it -will be the melding of our municipal corporations into a single corporation. We will not be amalgamating our identities. Crediton will always be Crediton, and Kirkton will always be Kirkton, just as Stephen, Usborne, Exeter and Grand Bend will continue with proud distinction. Such rich heritages must be fostered and not allowed to disappear. Who we are, and who we identify ourselves as, are integral parts of our social history. in the future we want to do everything possible to promote local identity based on whatever definition of "local" one may wish to adopt. As provincial and federal policies change, it will be such "localism" that will result in those services that can make a difference for you and your community. This amalgamation is all about localism, and how we can help ourselves do better locally. Opinion Amalgamation talks could de -rail in an instant Bruce Shaw From off -the record comments I've heard, some people believe the amalgamation talks could de- rail in an instant. People are still trying to protect their interests, and some are fearful of one mu- nicipality or theother....of what they are afraid I cannot imagine. The bottom line, which no one seems to realize is "Ladies and Gentlemen" you are costing us money every ,day you delay sweeping aside the emotional gar- bage and refusing to take action! As you are dithering, Rome is burning! Some townships are "afraid" of Exeter; another coun- cillor is reported to have said "Zu- rich will have to come crawling if it wants to join us." If we, the taxpayers, want ac- tion, we're going to have to get off our stumps and demand ac- tion. Do you, the taxpayers of all South Huron municipalities, real- ize that you are paying probably hundreds of dollars more in taxes than you need to" I don't know if that figure is correct or not- no Page 2 Times -Advocate, March 27, I996 Regional wrap up Weather cooperates for maple syrup HURON COUNTY - Area inaple syrup businesses say it's a great year for the product, ac- cording to the North Huron Citi- zen. With the weather cooperating, the quality good and sales up, tree -tapping in 1996 may be re- membered to be more like tradi- tional maple syrup days. "There has been a steady flow during the day and freezing up at night, so we have been able to get some sleep," Susanne Robin- son, of Robinson's Maple Syrup near Auburn, told the Citizen. Clinton Council gets positive financial news CLINTON - While showing a deficit of about $4,000 for 1995, the town's unconsolidated bal- ance sheet 'also reveals the town was able to place- an additional $98,000 in reserves for the year. According to the Clinton News -Record, $190,000 worth of infrastructure work was com- pleted in the town within budget and an additional $136,000 of construction was carried out. Due to a program set by a previous council, departments who come in under budget arc allowed to put money into re- serves. Restructure discussions go ahead CLINTON - Huron County's 26 municipal councils were in- vited to gather for the second time in three months in hopes of coming up with county -wide guidelines on restructuring, re- ported the Clinton News - Record. The meeting was held on Sat- urday at Central Huron Secon- dary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The county's first planning day, held on Jan. 26, indicated more direction and information is needed from the province. "But (they) also noted the province has been quite clear in indicating they are looking for municipalities to craft local solu- tions and therefore will not be providing prescriptive directions on how to proceed," County Clerk Administrator Lynn Mur- ray told the Record. Chief charged with bodily harp threat MITCHELL - Suspended Mitchell Police Chief Chuck Zehr must confront five charges under the Police Services Act in- cluding a threat to cause bodily harm to Mitchell Constable Rudy Hartfiel, reported the Mitchell Advocate. Zehr was suspended with pay on March 4. The suspension was extended past March 31 until the disposition of the charges, which is expected to take place on April 9. Other charges included keep- ing a jacket illegally, using po- lice money for a personal pur- chase, destroying documentation and receiving double the amount for mileage expenses. one does_ And that's the point! Unless we look carefully at spe- cific scenarios, we will never know; but, i suspect we're paying far too much in property taxes, just as I know we're paying too much in income tax. What do we do? 'We write to our councillors and tell them to look at all the options. We tell them if, as politicians, they can't see the forest for the trees appoint a mediator. Demand they com- prise and see the benefits of change. On a personal note, I am un- easy with people saying "this is Exeter motivated and driven." It's being driven by common sense! We have too many politicians, too many levels of government and too many wasted dollars! • P.S. I plan to write a periodic update on amalgamation and will be eager to include your ideas or answer questions. Please write to me c% to T -A, Box 850, Exeter, NOM ISO and your thoughts will be included in future columns. • Lucan ree vereilgn g iso • LUCAN - At council's March ly, really good insight of how it committees and bpar44. 19 meeting, Lucan Reeve Tom municipalityand how a county "By and large rat pretty' happy McLaughlin announced his intent works. But 1 will miss it most def- with •what happened," be Ion- to resign effective May 1. initely...l think we've ac- eluded.,•• Peop* are •goirt8 to.dis- "I pondered over it for three complished a lot." agree with,you and that's going to weeks and decided it was best," As well as municipal politics, happen because that's a part of said McLaughlin, who recently he has been involved with pro- the democratic process and that's accepted an executive position at vincial and federal politics and OKKtoo. Canada Trust in London where has been. a member of various he's been working as a manager. "Something has to give," he ex- plained, adding he needs to de- vote time to the new job as well as his family. He told council he regrets leav- ing before finishing the term but later explained giving notice in advance would be the least dis- ruptive measure since "there's a lot going on right now." According to McLaughlin, the position will be replaced from within council and that position, in turn, will be filled. "The overall experience has really been a positive one," he said. "It was a real leaming and growing experience....I just thank the staff and the council for the support they've given me over the years...You've got to have all council working together. It's a team effort." McLaughlin was raised in Bid- dulph Township and has lived in Lucan for 11 years. He has spent a total of eight and a half years with Lucan Council including one year with the planning board and more than four years as reeve. Between meetings and calls, he figures he devotes an average of 15 to 20 hours each week to coun- cil. And political careers require more reading than ever before, he said, due to increased legislation and big issues such as amalgama- tion. "We've .got a fair amount of growth going on...You get a real- Lucan Reeve Tom McLaughlin has announced his intent to resign effective May 1 after serving council for more than eight years. ■ Your Letters to the editor Thoughts on the United States "...1 suppose we can expect to see the U.S. seventh fleet sailing up the St. Lawrence..." Dear Editor: With the United States' penchant for sticking their nose into other people's business, i.e. when they can see a way to make a buck, I suppose we can expect to see the U.S. seventh fleet sailing up the St. Law- rence if Quebec decides to separate! Yours sincerely, John Sanderson..;. REGISTERED RECOMMANDE Counfrywide detour •k -c614.4.„ (4. /)t? 56cb v.1/14c, /ye V 66 C REGISTERED RECOMMANDE R! 069 .300 A33 CA RN 069 300 833 CA RZOM-EArI 01116 HIdw• \arE A registered letter mailed from Abbotsford, B.C. to a Vancouver destination was dis- covered in a mall bag at the Times -Advocate last Tuesday. The letter, which was mailed De- cember 7, 1995 has been forwarded to the addressee.