HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1996-03-27, Page 3Varied tax rates
considered by
��mrn Ittee
Municipalities wonder if the rural
community will be subsidizing the
urban under amalgamation
• EXETER - In answer to questions from involved communities,
members ef_the Amalgamation Committee stated at Thursday
riright's meeting local area tax rates are being considered and debt
will stay in the area it was accumulated. However, a blended tax
rate is one of the ways the ministry said restructuring would create
the benefit of reduced tax levels.
Exeter Councillor Roy Triebner challenged the committee to "re-.
consider the tax question" and although a definitivd answer was not
given, the expectation, said Stephen Reeve Bill Weber, is to create
area rates through a user -pay system.
' According to this month's issue of Municipal World, a forced
amalgamation of four municipalities making up the Town of New
Tecumseth resulted in some taxes doubling and "while they are
down in the former town municipality, they have gone up in the vil-
lage and rural areas."
The article continued to say a ministry representative stated "the
1 disparity between the former town and the village and rural areas
could have been compensated for by separate mill rates. • What was
' again ignored was the fact that such rates would have minimized or
eliminated the reduced tax levels cited by the ministry as a benefit
of amalgamation."
1 Amalgamation discussions between Exeter, Grand Bend, Stephen
!Township and Usborne Township were initially driven by the idea
"if we don't do it ourselves, it will be forced upon us." Provincial
1 downloading and transfer payment reductions have also encouraged
amalgamation talks. Although this "bottom up" approach presents
1 the greater community with an opportunity to be the author of its
own destiny, without ministry regulations or hard numbers it is dif-
f licult to establish if amalgamation will save money.
"I caution you to look at the savings very carefully," said Bo-
sunquct Mayor Fred Thomas, adding "1'm beginning to wonder why
you arc doing this."
Beyond the discussion of savings and efficiencies that may be
achieved through amalgamation, concern about maintaining a local
voice, accessible government and a sense of community area was
also raised.
Weather causes accidents
Exeter OPP attended to several
accidents involving vehicles in the
ditch due to poor weather condi-
tions this week. No injuries were
involved.
,�• i i�•1�_. .
A single vehicle roll-over oc-
curred on Highway 83, approxi-
mately 5 miles west of Exeter, on
Friday. No injuries were reported.
Times -Advocate, March 27, 1996 Page 3
County councillors seek answers
GODERICH - Huron County
councillors had the opportunity to
get some answers on March 7 re-
garding the transportation of fuel -
grade plutonium to the Bruce Nu-
clear Development Plant.
Council's main concern was that
of safety; with the truck route pass-
ing directly through Huron to the
lakeshore power plant.
The issue of mixed oxide (MOX)
fuel first came to light in 1995
when Ontario Hydro made a pres- ,
entation to the council regarding its
transportation. Council, at the time,
took no action on the matter and
since Ontario Hydro has asked
council to pass a supporting mo-
tion.
In a report from the county's
planning and development meeting
of February 12, the committee rec-
ommended that the county consider
the input of the public on the trans-
portation of the fuel. In addition,
the county's planning and develop-
ment committee made the recom-
mendation that the county consider
holding a series of public meetings
to gather response from the electo-
rate,
With the exception of the current
laws in Canada regarding the han-
dling and transportation of radioac-
tive materials, bomb -grade plutoni-
um would never leave the United
States, according to Ontario Hy-
dro's Terry Squire.
Squire also assured the council
that the plutonium is no more dan-
gerous than the material being used
presently He said with the plutoni-
um fuel there will essentially be 10
to 15 per cent less waste due to effi-
ciency, which also means less stor-
age demands.
:�
Andrea Rader Laura Young
RMT Reflexologist RMT
Lori Burt
ow)
IIJpi i n �Itu u.i 3i
Sat., March 30, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Exeter Massage
Therapy Clinic
476 Main St. (Corner of Huron & Main)
Lori Burt 235-3722, Andrea Rader 235-4565
REGISTERED MASSAGE THERAIISTS
Welcome Laura Young 235-4565,
Certified Reflexologist
R�f��_`hm°n Iso meet our team of professionals.
Hope to see you there!
(Door
crize,s
Council passed a resolution giv-
ing support for further study on
MOX fuel.
Mixed oxide fuel is derived from
olutonium removed from nuclear
warheads in the United States.
Bomb -grade plutonium is approxi-
mately 95 per cent pure raw materi-
al. However, fuel -grade plutonium
is only approximately two per cent
pure raw material. According to a
1993 Uranium Institute Symposium
Abstract by Melox Chief Executive
Officer Will Fournier, one gram of
plutonium in a mixed oxide fuel as-
sembly can produce as much elec-
tricity as one tonne of oil.
The use of MOX fuel has been
ongoing in Europe for some 20
years, according to Uranium Insti-
tute's publication Core Issues. Fab-
rication of the fuel has been ongo-
ing at plans in Belgium, France,
Germany and the United Kingdon.
The first large scale plant, Melox,
in Marcoule, France, began produc-
tion in February 1995.
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GRAND OPENING
* FRIENDS HAIRSTYLING 235-4874
C
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/** Irene Blais (proprietor), Ken Oke (Usborne*
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* A special thank -you to Mike andDonna Caers and'*
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1 4 .
The Townships of /,3lanshard, Hay and Usborne
and the Villages of f-fensall and 2urich
Lead the Way With One -Stop, High -Tech truck.
The 8luewater Recycling Association Proudly presents The /Jew "One -Stop" Service
Which Makes Recycling and garbage More Convenient
fl new "high-tech" truck will be collecting
your garbage and recyclahles at the
same time. 1is view "one -truck, one-
stop" system saves fuel, which reduces
po/ltuion from vehicles, and is more eco-
nomical to operate. 9t "s wiore conven-
ient for you and better for the environ-
vnent.
6y now you should have already re-
ceived through your regular mail distri-
bution, detailed in/ormatio,i regarding_
your new co -collection prograni.
9n your new program you no longer
have to scrub and remove labels and
you don't have to crush cans anymore.
fllso, you won't have to flatten and bun-
dle cardboard anymore as long as they
are no larger 1 han 3 X3 X3".
This new program can only be a success
iff we all participate. 9J, you have any
questions, call your Recycling Hotline at .
1-800-265,-9799.
Don't let any get away!
rile