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Clinton News-Record, 1983-02-16, Page 3SOC l se ices antieip e lfby Stephanie Levesque Increased caseloads and costs are ex- pected for Huron County social services in 1983. Social services aduuntstrator John MacKinnon presented his annual report at the February 3 session of county council. Payouts under the department's various programs increased by about 42 per cent in 1982 over 1981. In 1982 1,180 applicants received assistance compared to ,:',2 ap- plicants receiving assistance in 1981. "In 1983, we will probably receive more applications from unemployment in- surance exhaustees as their' numbers in - cease each month. anyone laid off in late 1981 or early 1982 will now be exhausting his -her unemployment insurance benefits and could be looking to the county for assistance unless job opportunities in the area increase in 1983," Mr. MacKinnon in- formed county council. This fact was proven in part when Mr. MacKinnon presented his monthly report noting there were 839 people receiving assistance in the month of January, up from the December 1' a' figure -of 750. "It wasn't long ago that 250 was the average number receiving assistance. Where it will end, nobody knows," com- mented Mr. MacKinnon. The department experienced an over ex - pen Imre in 1982 of ':;.;17,323 of which the county's share was $4,530 with the pro- vince picking up the rest of the over- expenditure. Social services total expen- diture in 1982 was $874,191. In anticipation of higher costs this year, the 1983. budget reflects a 28.46 per cent in- crease over 1982 expenditures. "1t almost becomes a nightmare to prepare the budget," said social services committee chairman Tuckersmith Reeve Robert Bell. "We don't know how to predict when we don't know what the caseload is going to be." The proposed 19 budget tops the $1 million mark at $1,122,952. The county's share will be $284,941, up from the 1982 ac- tual cost of $213,32.5. The province will con - re ",, trtbute ;1 :!1,,011, up from 5 t,a:0,:ta,. In 1982. General assistance is a mandatory pro- gram based on the number of applications received and will account for approx- imately 79 per cent of the proposed budget. Under the general assistance portion of the budget; basic needs, fuel and excess shelter take the largest chunks. Basic needs represents $900,900 of t.tte budget up from $732,1<17 actually spent in 198.2. Fuel Is budgeted at $60, t l t up from $51,018 spent in 1982 and excess shelter costs are budgeted for $30,1111 up from the actual cost of $21,687 in 1982. The total proposed for general assistance is $886,500, up from $689,309 In 1982. The recipients' outside income I received from such sources as child sup- port payments or part-time jobs) of $135,000 is subtracted from the actual total to receive the above figure. Basic needs represents $900,000 of the budget up from $732,1.17 actually spent in 1' 1'2. Fuel is budgeted at $60,000 up from $51;018 spent in 1982 and excess shelter costs are budgeted for $30,000 up from the h her costs actual cost of $21,t 17 to 1982. Administration costs are up from $133,311 spent m 1'1e to $1:„1,352. Salaries and employee benefits represent the rgest portion of this part of the budget. Mr. Mackinnon notes that the 1982 budget included salary for one new worker for a nine month period, but the worker didn't actually start until September. This new worker, who works half time dealing with family court cases, brings the depart- ment's field worker staff up to three. Social services salaries for 1983 are budgeted at $113,.111, up from $90,813 in 1982. Benefits increased from $14,753 in 1982 to $20,600 reflecting the increased unemployment insurance costs. Homemakers and nurses services have been budgeted at $43, 1:1, up from $35,419 actually spent in 1982. Supplementary aid has been budgeted at $14,000, up from $7,810 spent in 1982. Special assistance is budgeted at $10,500 up from $8,297 spent in the previous year. Under other programs - non -subsidy - $100 has been set aside in the budget, up from $45 in 1982. Education trustees prefer complaint dao A five-§.ep policy on how trustees deal with complaints from parents and ratepayers was approved by the Huron County Board of Education. The five-step policy was called a "much more satisfactory policy” than the previous one by Trustee Joan Van den Broeck. She commended the personnel committee which prepared the policy and presented it at the board's Feb. 7 meeting. Personnel committee chairman John Elliott said the former policy had trustees requesting complaint forms from ratepayers or parents once the trustee was initially notified. The new policy is as follows: - The trustee will ask if the person with the complaint talked about the problem or mentioned their dissatisfaction with the principal. If they haven't, the trustee will advise the person this is the first step to take. - If the person making the complaint is not satisfied after speaking with the principal, t s n souve from a:c:ge 1 The province covered $35,342 of the cost, leaving a deficit of $8,834. As in past years area municipalities with local children attending the Day Care Centre have been asked to help recover the loss. Last year 13 Clinton children were registered at the centre and the town has been asked ' to contribute $573. I l . The portion of payment is down from the previous year when Clinton paid $835.61. Financial aid has been given in the past with some reservation and opposition by Clinton council members. Mayor Archibald explained, "I've ...'ways argued that single parent families should be supported, but the laws prevent discrimination and we must pay for all." Councillor Armstrong suggested that two parent families could pay more to send their children to the centre, but Councillor John Deeves noted, "We're lucky to have it there." ! Councillor. Carter added, "We pay more for children to use the arena, but there are never any complaints against that." Council agreed to pay the town's share of the trustee may refer the matter to the director of education or suggest the person with the complaint contact the director. - The director or his designate shall at- tempt to get all the facts and reach a satisfactory conclusion. - If the person with the complaint is still not satisfied with the solving of the pro- blem at this point, they will be asked by the trustee to present the concern in writing to the secretary of the board. - The concern will then be placed on the agenda of the board's next meeting. The director will present a report and the per - Son with the complaint will be given the op- portunity to make a presentation to the board. "The board's decision shall be final and binding on all parties concerned," con- cludes the policy. Director of education John Cochrane said the complaint form becomes "ob- solete" with this new policy. Trustees Murray Mulvey and Frank the deficit. 5000 Lookil fora million Clinton has submitted a $1 million grant application to the Ontario Neighborhood Improvement Program (ONIP). The government funded program helps to finance community projects. The province contributes 50 per cent to the cost, and while Clerk Cam Proctor noted that town wild apply fof- close to $1 million assistance, he re.liistically noted, "receiving $200,000 would be greatly ap- preciated." He said that application is made by, .'making a shopping list of deficiences in the community." Priorities are listed and costs are estimated. Clerk Proctor said that receiving funds involves a lengthly process. Once the application is approved, the town must supply a detailed report six months later. i le said that many munici;.,,,lities set-up study groups to do this work, but he hopes that present staff will be able to complete the study. Consultation with engineering and planning firms will likely be needed. Mayor Chester Archibald noted, "We're not committing ourselves to do any of these jobs." n t' sp ec©alsf Boys' Football. F•locle®y ASS RTED JERSEYS Complete stock o4 men's -boys' Iae91®s'-®Iris' WINTER SWEATERS h'. LADIES' PURSES, WINTER SKIRTS, CC .RDUROY SLACK, DRESSES COATS Men's -Ladles' -Boys' -fable' ALL WINTER JACKETS SPEC! L LOT - Mi'l's, 11Oy5' FLANNEL SPURTS SPFCI A L LOT - LA©IES' BLAZERS Men's -Boys' OUTER QUILTED VESTS mew§ SUITS OR /1 SPRT JACKET 31/ off Mee°i DRESS PANTS Co plete stock 2 off s3 Groom-Fd®g. Peo °49.98 WORK PARKAS 4 MEN'S JOGGING SUITS Aliso'9 1 rail®w°n-Reg. 33.W �99pri. LEVI°S CORDUROYS $10 Limited amount grey %aclth trim SPECIAL LOT pp� MEN'S SHIRTS /A m Boys' LEVI'S Reg 29.91i CORDUROYS Reg. 25.98 .12 99 BOYS' -GIRL'S' JOGGING SUITS Limited amount $13.99 Ladles'-OIrte' HEADWEAR, GLOVES, MITTS pile* SPECIAL LOT LADIES' BLOUSES Regular Po 34.98 EVERT ITEM IN THE STORE INCLUDING NEW SPRING AND SUMMER ARRIVflLStO.LQFF, Falconer wondered if the board would start receiving a lot of letters. "Do you think we might get a whole flood of letters?" asked Mr. Mulvey. "The letter comes only after the trustee, principal of the school, and the director have been involved, and everybody has had their say. If the person still isn't hap- py, it comes to board," said Mr. Cochrane cy adding that if the matter involved person- nel or is of a personal nature it will be dealt with in committee -of -the -whole. Mr. Falconer asked if a letter of com- plaint presented to the board first, would the letter be placed on the agenda of the next meeting. Mr. Cochrane advised that all the other steps would be exhausted first. PD days are questioned The need for professional development days was questioned as trustees of the Huron -Perth Separate School Board learn- ed of the changes to the school year calen- dar at its Jan. 24 meeting. A memorandum from the Ministry of Education outlined that the board has the authority to designate up to nine profes- sional activity days each school year. "Does the administration feel nine pro- fessional activity days are needed?" asked Trustee Ernie Vanderschot of RR 7 St. Marys. Acting director of education John Mc- Cauley stated that most of the days are us- ed for curriculum. "A board committee prepares board curriculum...in order to implement the curriculum, it requires time," stated Mr. McCauley noting that professional activity days allow administration to gather all teachers together at one time. rom The acting director of education noted the school system has gone past the days of handing curriculum material to the teacher without any in-service training. Mr. McCauley added that professional ac- tivity days are also used for parent inter- views and activities of the identification, placement and review committee relating to special education. "It's a question on everybody's mind who isn't involved in PA i!..:ys," said board chairman Ronald Murray of RR 1 Dublin noting that the Ministry has now requested evaluations of the days. Changes in the school year calendar which are effective Sept. 1, 1983 affecting the 1 i uron-Perth Separate School Board in- clude: two complete weeks for Christmas vacation, mid -winter break is moved up one week, and Remembrance ,lay is discontinued as a holiday. ton council A study is being carried out at the London Airport to determine whether there is a need for improved air carrier services for industry and business. Council turned down a request for financing the study and Mayor Archibald. said, "I don't feel that industries here would use the London Airport to any great extent." Councillor Hunter said that local businesses would be more inclined to use the Goderich airport and a study should be made to determine whether services should be upgraded there. The St. John Ambulance has asked for financial support from the town. Coun- cillor Hunter said that he would rather see money go towards the fund raising drive for a new St. John mobile unit for the area. The Walkerton Rotary Club is looking for financial support for their second annual music festival. Mayor Archibald said, "Somewhere we have to draw and line," and Councillor Armstrong added, "Some worthy projects have to be turned down." The Huron County Historical Society has requested a donation. In the past $25 has been given, and this decision will be left until the budget is set. Council wishes that their financial subsidy from the ministry of tran- sportation and communication was higher this year. Clinton will receive $107,400, representing a one per cent increase from last year's subsidy. Construction costs have been estimated at $50,500 and maintenance at $56,900, but funds may be transferred and council anticipates that more will be used on street construction, particularly the Matilda Street project. �� ry THREE INTERIOR PRODUCTS FEATURING PRATT & LAMBERT'S ALL NEW LATEX TECHNOLOGY UNSURPASSED IN HIDING POWER AND SCRUBBABILITY, FEATURING NO SPATTER/NO MESS APPLICATION 1\11111.1 77 I Sala cohI W _ Sate • to P,nr +Arne l- I�n----moi VAPEX LATEX FLAT WALL FINISH *Distinctively Hal Reg '26 45 $22.50 AQUA SATIN LATEX SATIN ENAMEL • ;at '' IUStPr RPg '35 45 $29.95 i t OtImate, satLratt,on1sT 4 bell yuaranaeed. this product's -a quaXtµ /:( 9� I�r A Crentarra--- -a _e ACCOLADE *Ow finest vPIvPty in between Sheen nnt a flat nota satin Reg '35 15 $28.95 Armstrong floor fashion o ®■CD ■�J DECORATING CENTRE 34 King 1Steil-Of. "Clinton (Just opposite the Post Offlc 482-3528 SAI f f Nfl'; r F Rn11Any 76 x961 CLINTON NEWS -RECO WE NESDAY,FE:.idUARY 16, 1983—PAGE 3 The Wesley Willis United Street Church choir under the direction of Mary Hearn, harrnornized hi South Pacific style last Wednesday night at a special evening tour of the tropical islands. (Shelley McPhee photo) Co ty council supports waste disposal opposition y Stephanie Levesque Huron County council supports opposi- tion to the regulations being put on small rural waste disposal sites. Council, at its February 3 session, agreed with a letter from Grey Township opposing the ministry of environment's regulations regarding burning, compac- tion, covering and water quality criteria at small rural waste disposal sites. Grey Township Reeve Leona Armstrong said there shouldn't be a blanket policy for the disposal sites in southwestern Ontario. She has said in the past that the costs relating to covering cord compacting the garbage, such as equipment purchases, would be exorbitant for the rural townships. The possibility of having the small sites closed and one large site made, also doesn't enthuse Mrs. Armstrong, as she visualizes people dumping garbage in their own woodlots and fence corners. The water quality cri 1 ria enforced by the ministry is considered to be too high, as Mrs. Armstrong notes there hasn't been any complaints in her township. "We ask that the ministry of the environ- ment review the intent of these policies and reconsider their recently stated en- forcement approach to allow less restric- tive operation procedures and water quali- ty control criteria on more of a case-by- case basis for small rural waste disposal sites," states Grey's letter. Howick Township Reeve Bill Newton noted his township will be presenting a resolution at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association meeting this week. He added that the ministry is passing off as regula- tion what is actually policy. "As far as we're concerned, they ( ministry) would like us to agree to something we can't agree to," commented Reeve Newton. The Howick reeve added that letters from the ministry indicate that if municipalities don't comply with the regulations they will be charged and fined $300. Turnberry Township Reeve Brian McBurney noted that while the regulations may not affect all of the county's municipalities now, "wait until you have to obtain a new site". Turnberry is going through that process now and the reeve said just to plan a site will cost the township $40 per resident. Mr. McBurney said he had asked a represen .: tive of the ministry if it is logical to have the sami regulations for the Township of Turnberry as the City of Kitchener. His answer said Mr. McBurney was, "it isn't fair to ask if it is logical, it's policy". 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