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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1996-06-19, Page 12Times -Advocate, June 19, 1996 Snowbirds visit Captain Dan Robinson and Corporal Danlele De Luca answer questions of McCurdy Public School children last Wednesday morning in preparation for their free air show at Huron Park that night. Council updated on amalgamation Administrator Rick Hundey outlined a staff report advocating four principles including representation by population EXETER - Town Administrator Rick Hundey brought Exeter Council up to date on the amalgamation talks at its regular meeting Monday night. The Town of Bosanquet has become a full partner in the discussions, agreeing last week to pay a share of the costs for continued deliberations. Hundey also presented the essence of the staff report that stressed three guide -lines. The first was the advocacy of four prin- ciples: i) councillors would be elected from watentilic titikrould. . beeldcted atigtrn';c ii) wards would be defined by constituency while adhering as closely as possible to representation by population iii) at least one member, besides the mayor, would be elected at large iv) the optimum size of the new council would be nine. The second guide -line defined constituency: i) a 'community of interest' ii) a settlement or common economic, social and activity patterns iii) village, small urban, resort, agricultural and rural -mixed. The third guideline looked at developing and reviewing the ward system in Light of the four principles: i) target is zero variance from representation by population ii) variance would be allowed to meet other principles if repre- sentation by population is the primary goal iii) a ward can be created to reflect a constituency: if numbers warrant, strength of representation is in proportion to constituency size and representation by population is maintained as nearly as possible. Aft:,r considerable discussion, the 27 representatives agreed on the following motion: The following basis principles shall be em- ployed in defining the system of electoral distribution a) representation by population b) the mayor shall be elected at large c) there shall be an odd number of council d) there shall be an even number of wards e) constituency shall be considered as an important part of the equation. Fire department will have access to dry hydrants • EXETER - Exeter Council learned of something called 'dry fire hydrants' at its regular meeting Monday. The Exeter and Area Fire Board has always been concerned about fire protection in the east end of Usborne Township particu- larly during the winter months. The board learned the Granton Fire Department will be taking over a portion of the area normally served by the Mitchell Fire Depart- ment and will be installing a jt trent at the conservation po .10 pposipitre Kirkton m- munrty Centre.'Exeter Fire thief John Morgan has been advise4his department will have access to that hydrant when fighting fires in the township. Council was told a dry hydrant is, in effect, a direct line to a reser- voir of water that is deep enough to supply a water in the winter in an emergency. A tanker would attach a pump to the hydrant and draw the water directly from the pond, in this case. The tanker would be filled in just a few minutes and would avoid the need to return to Exeter for more water or venture out on the ice. The Fire Board agreed to spend approximately $5,000 to purchase a new pump and hose. Buses damaged LUCAN - Police report damage was done to seven buses parked in a lot on William Street on June 10. According to Lucan OPP, win- dows and headlights of the vehicles were smashed. Classic Billiards Employees of Acne Aaopill ExetCr *Pare to hoist a sign over a new Ilccensed establishment in Exeter bri ay. The upstairs level of the Centre Mall has reopened under new ownership as a lounge and pool hall called Classic Billiards. The first-class billiards room, which has been open since Saturday, features five new pool tables, darts, a high-tech sound system and a lounge overlooking Main street. What is the future of the Zurich Community Centre? Does the business section bene- fit from the presence of a recrea- tion facility? Dear Editor: Fact One: In the last three years the operating def- icits for the Zurich Community Centre have been $30.052 (1993), $29,675 (1994) and $33,400 (1995) and Zurich taxpayers are paying for these deficits through their property taxation. In 1995 $33,400.00 represents 33.15 per cent of the total taxes levied for general purposes. Fact Two: Compared to Zurich, a survey was con- ducted with other municipalities, asking what per- centage of their taxes levied for general purposes fund Recreation Purposes? Township of Usborne 18.90 per cent, Township of Stephen 10.20 per cent Village of Hensali 16.66 per cent Township of Hay 5.67 per cent. Fact Three: The Village obtained from the fol- lowing groups that take registration, a number of the users and which municipality they reside in. (ZMAA hockey and ball, Figure Skating, Adult Hockey Teams, Volleyball Teams and Adult Ball teams). Findings: 33.74 per cent of these users reside in the Village of Zurich and 44.32 per cent of the users reside in the Township of Hay. Fact Four: Using 1995 year, a property assessed at 85,000 if located in the Village of Zurich would contribute $138.55 in taxes for recreation, and in the Township of Hay, the same property would contrib- ute $17.00 for recreation. Fact Five: All the above findings were presented in a report to the Council of the Township of Hay by the Village of Zurich Council in an effort to obtain more funding for recreation. The Council of the Township of Hay declined our request. Summary: When 33.15 per cent of the taxes the village raise goes into funding operation costs only of the Zurich Community Center and does not take into consideration the on going capital costs and projects that must be funded to keep this facility functional, it is evident that the Council needs to hear from its ratepayers and the users (especially those who live in the Township of Hay) on the fu- ture of the Zurich Community Centre. Your presence and opinions are hereby requested at a public meeting to be held at the Zurich Commu- nity Centre in September. Food for thought: What would Zurich be like without a community facility? Does the business section benefit from the pres- ence of a recreation facility? Do direct users (either all or those who reside out- side of Zurich) wish to pay higher rental rates in or- der to have a facility closer to them? The Council of the Village of Zurich heeds some direction. The Village of Zurich Donations not acknowledged "Did they lose interest once they got our money?" Dear Editor: Almost a year ago, together with about sixty other people, I made a donation to our town park. Up to the time of writing this letter, no bricks have been engraved with our names or whatever. This is not encouraging to us who gave to the project and sug- gests a lack of interest on the part of the park com- mittee for not following up the donations last year. • Did they have enough money without our contri- butions? Did they lose interest once they got our money? If by any small chance the bricks are en- graved before you receive this letter, that still does not excuse the long delay. I for one will have to wonder whether future Lions projects are worthy of our participation. Yours sincerely, John Sanderson Not all magic at -town hall ia0 10(n / the developers in Exeter." Dear Editor: On June 13, 1996 I watched the final coat of as- phalt pavement being laid on Pryde Blvd. I felt compelled to comment, mainly for my own satisfac- tion, but also to inform the tax paying residents of the Town of Exeter what transpires to develop a street. This was the last act (final paving) of a four year endeavour to develop the Pryde Blvd. exten- sion. After two years of negotiations and hassle with Town of Exeter officials, County officials, Government officials, Ausable Bayfield Conserva- tion, Engineers, P.U.C. Saving the Environment, Looking for Artifacts, and last but not least we ne- gotiated and received a temporary reprieve on build- ing a 150 ft. x 150 ft. 6 ft. deep dry lake to accom- modate the 100 year flood. This would have been nothing but a breeding ground for mosquitoes, built at the end of Motz Blvd. We are now ready to construct our road. June 1, 1994, start construction. Three months lat- er September 1994 we have our new Pryde Blvd. Extension. Installed are the storm sewers, oversized sanitary sewers (to service the undeveloped south portion of town), water mains, street lights, curbs d utters and, rst Layer of av me a gaiters Juidi OSA fail ire 01der') � i.e4yitw 160 year probation is over. The street actually works to their specifications. They need more money fNr the final layer of pavement. The party is over. It is last call. Just three things left to do. 1. Pay for the final paving. 2. Give the Pryde Blvd. Extension to the Town of Exeter. 3. I now have the pleasure of paying taxes on 14 fully service Tots fronting on the Town of Exeter's new Pryde Blvd. extension. Note: At this point in time there is absolutely no cost to the Town of Exeter or any taxpayer. You may say 'why does he do it?' What can I say. This is what I do. Experience is the best teacher. People that never do anything can never make a mistake. So when you see headings in the Times Advocate, "Savings of $30,000 on paving" there is no magic at Ye Olde Town Hall. Some of it is donated funds from some (not all) of the developers in Exeter. In closing, until July 1, 1996 Pryde Blvd. Extension is on me. After July I, 1996 everybody pays. Jack Taylor, StoneyRidge Developments Inc. Apology not enough "...there are different strokes for different folks in this town." Dear Editor: In reference to the apology to Mr. Ron Westman, I find it totally inadequate. The Town of Exeter UV* submitted and negotiated many zoning chang- ba and minor variances in the past. • I find it hard to believe that Mr. Westman was in- advertently omitted from this procedure. Out of one hundred plus names that were notified, why was a fnext door neighbor (Mr. Westman) to the "Duplex" in question not notified? I personally think this was an accidentally on purpose omission, to potentially /eliminate a thorn in their side. I agree with Mr. Westman's letter to the editor, but you should have hung in there Ron. You had them on the ropes. As one town father admitted, you would have eventually lost, but you could have in- jected the frustration and time loss to the project that most developers are subjected to when they try to do something for this town. I have always believed that there are different strokes for different folks in this town. This issue .0 proves it! i� I echo Mr. Westman's statement. Beware of the slippery side of politics. It is alive and well in Exet- er! Jack Taylor Exeter Council formed alt was encouraging to see new faces and to hear positive suggestions for the success of the S.A.C." Dear Editor. I would like to thank all the participants, parents, trustee, staff at the recent School Advisory Council (S.A.C.) formation meeting. It was encouraging to see new fades and to heat positive suggestions for the success of the S.A.C. A phair was selected at this meeting on lune 11. The S.A.C. remains open to all interested individuals. In the fall the S.A.C. plans to concentrate on en- couraging parents and the community to become more involved in their school simply through partic- ipation in various projects and activities. Active fundraising will be avoided by the S.A.C. and meet- ings will be kept to the minimum required. Hopefully these considerations will eliminate fi- nancial and time commitment concerns for many. y , Sincerely, • 1 Jayne Pragiskatos, S.A.C. Chair at H.P.S. • J It • -t