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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1986-11-19, Page 1No, 47 121 YEARS WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1986 50 CENTS 01 Objective is to "bring down tax rate" Federal Minister of Finance Michael Wilson, promoting his .government'''s pro- posed tax reform initiatives, made a visit to Huron County last Friday. The minister spoke to about 65 area citizens, mostly members of the business community, at a dinner meeting at the Candlelight Restaurant in Goderich. Wilson said the "broad objective," of the tax reforms which the government began in their March 1985 budget is to "reduce in- dividual tax loopholes and broaden the tax base so we can bring down the basic tax rates". He also said the government wants to reduce the incidence of "wide disparity" between the amount of taxes paid by peo- ple in the same income bracket. "Fairness is first and foremost in the guidlines," for tax reform, he said. Wilson promised to reduce the percen- tage of personal income tax as a percen- tage of overall taxes and "spread the load," between other- elements -of the tax--. system, such as corporate and sales taxes. The intended result of the reforms, said Wilson, is to "leave more money in the pockets of Canadians," so they can spend it in areas that will get the economy moving. "We've had a pretty bouyant economy over the last while, which has provided a basis for continuing projects," Wilson said. • One of the government's, objectives is to remove government from the decison- making process in industry. "So far, the private sector has respond- ed very productively," said Wilson, who ' pointed out roughly 600,000 private sector jobs have been created over the past year. "We make it quite clear that we (the federal government) know we didn't create these jobs. They were created by the private sector," he added. Tax reform is a potentially volatile pro- cedure and the minister emphasized it must be handled carefully, "It's important to find the smoothest way possible to change from our present tax system, to whatever system we even- tually choose," he said. During a question period following his address, Wilson was asked if the govern- ment had any plans to change the current $3,500 annual limit on Registered Retire- ment Savings Plan (RRSP) contributions? Sorry, no Federal Minister of Finance Michael Wilson (left) discussed proposed tax reform measures with approximately 65 Huron County residents who attended a luncheon meeting in Goderich on Friday, Nov. 14, as MP Murray Cardiff and Huron County Warden Leona Armstrong look on. (photo by Patrick Raftis) "I'm afraid I'm going to have to disap- point you there," he replied. While "there has been an awful lot done on pension reform," there are no plans to change the current RRSP limits, he explained. Questioned on problems with capital gains taxes, Wilson said a capital gains ex - "r emption for qualifying sellers currently in effect is the best way to handle the situation. "I am confident the capital gains exemp- tion is the right way to goand provides an incentive to encourage new businesses. It's something we're pleased with and will stay with," he said. Bruce Sully, chief executive officer of Champion Road Machinery, Goderich, asked the minister if research and development tax creditswould be as ac- cessible to smaller manufacturers like Champion, as to "glamor high tech industries ? "We're gambling (by doing R and D work) but we don't know if we're going to get credit for it," said Sully. "We did broaden the definition of research and development w the '85 . budget, making the application more generous as far as small companies are concerned," replied Wilson. Paul Klopp, of the Huron chapter of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, made a plea fora four or five j cent interest rate reduction program ,fattfatiners, to help them recover fromia rough y ear. "We need eightrper cent money across the board for every farmer," stated Klopp. Wilson replied that the national deficit must be lowered in order to make interest rates fall -naturally. "If we have programs for everyone, we're not going, to get that deficent down," he said. leaf vacuum for awhile By Anne Narejko CLINTON - Town council here has decid- ed there is not enough money to purchase a $20,340 leaf vacuum this year, but may place it on their "1987 wish list." At, ,. council's first November meeting, members discussed leaf burning and how it disturbs others. It was at that time Deputy - Reeve Rosemary Armstrong suggested looking into the purchase of a leaf vacuum. "That would make so many people hap- py," she said, adding that raking the leaves wasn't bad, but bagging them was a nuisance. Council agreed with the deputy -reeve and the possibility of purchasing a leaf vacuum was 'investigated and the results brought to council's November 17 meeting. Reeve Bee Cooke told council one estimate put a leaf vacuum at $20,340.66. With this announcement, Mayor John Balfour said, "I told them to put it on their wish list for 1987." Councillor Case Buffinga agreed with the mayor, saying, "The priority should be on streets and sidewalks." As well as the initial outlay, the town would also have to provide two people to work on the vacuum, and council doesn't feel they have the manpower. "It's a case of ,bag it," said Mayor Balfour. y November 15 tie Kioette Club o:"Clinton held a special appreciation night in honor of, Dorothy Boughen (centre) as she won the Bill Reid National Kinette Junior Bulletin Award. The theme for her bulletin that won the national award was Mickey (left) and Minnie Mouse. (David Emslie photo) Bayfield Town Hall's future is stillin limbo By Shelley McPhee Haist BAYFIELD - The state of the old town hall here remains in limbo ..Three . restoration alternatives have been briefly discussed amongst villagers and Reeve Dave Johnston has stressed that immediate ac- tion is needed if there are hopes of obtaining governinent funding . At a recent meeting of the Bayfield Local Architectural Conservancy Advisory Com.- mittee (LACAC) the reeve noted that despite optimistic predictions as to funding for the possible restoration work, there is in fact limited money available from govern- ment agencies. The LACAC and town hall supporters are still hopeful that a renovation scheme can be established. In that vein, the local ratepayers' association hired Blyth ar- chitect Chris Borgal to prepare a report. That report has suggested three alter- natives for work on the old town hall. The town hall was officially closed several years ago after fire inspectors determined Oat the century -old structure did not meet AN safety regulations to be used as a; public facility. Borgal's plan suggested three alternative usage schemes for the town hall, the least expensive being a plan to bring the building up to the required standard for private use, for rent as a retail outlet, for example. The estimated cost figure on this project. has been put at $25,000. It has been sug- gested that the costs for this work would be borne by the lessees. However, the general opinion of those attending the LACAC meeting was that the lessees would not want to invest money on such a project. Freda Snieder was out early sweeping the snow front the sidewalk 'the three centimeters of 'snow ,marked the first substantial on November12 while the town sent the sweeper around io help. snowfall of the season for area residents: (Anne Narejko photos) eamitiotad An other alternative use for the town hall would be as a satellite museum. Council further discussed the town hall's use at present. Councillor Cliff Freeman asked how the building could be in use when it was officially deemed closed. Clerk Pat Graham suggested that the fire department has stated that the present fire safety standards would allow a maximum of 10 people to use the facility. Currently it is used by a half-dozen pottery students and as a meeting place for a Boy Scout group of some 10 members. Reeve Johnston said that he was of the opinion that the fire officials had not given sufficient guidance and the usage and numbers of people allowable was left as a village council decision. He said that while no specific numbers had been placed on the old struture, the village insurance liability adequately covers its usage. In the meantime, the future of the town hall remains uncertain, until the time that a renovation scheme can be established and adequate funding secured. In other tACAC`lidifiess; ~final app oval was given to Harry Isreal to make im- provements to The Red Pump. The Main Street Bayfield restaurant comes under LACAC protection as a designtated heritage building. Mr. Israel has proposed exterior changes to the building, with board and batten siding and the inclusion of three dormer windows along the front side. As well, plans call for an addition to the west side of the restaurant. This addition will be .used to house a gift shop. Snowmobilers beware CLINTON - People operating snowmobiles this year should use extra cau- tion when driving along the former Cana- dian National Railway (CNR) track west of Erie Street. In an attempt to correct water problems along Erie and Mary Streets, the town made an open cut to get to the Mary Street ditch. When doing so, they were forced to make a "V" shaped cut in the ground that supported the track (by Optimist Park), leaving a slope. As a precaution, signs have been posted and barricades erected, warning those using the track. "It should be pretty safe, but we want to be sure they know about it," said Clinton Clerk, Marie Jefferson. The town has also had the King Street ditch cleaned out and caution anyone using the street allowance to be careful as it is also open. Raceway contract is still to be settled By David Emslie • CLINTON - The issue of rates and con- tract length for the Clinton Raceway was once again under debate at the Clinton Recreation Committee meeting on November 13. Clinton Council, the recreation committee and the raceway have been trying to settle the contract since the beginning of°the race season, but a settlement may be in sight. After the meeting, only one issue remains unsettled, that of the rates. At the meeting, the committee discussed a motion passed by council to extend the con- tract to three years, rather then the two previously mentioned. This motion also deleted an insurance clause from the con- tract that would allow the recreation com- mittee to charge a higher rental rate if in- surance (firefly related to the raceway rose. Currently the rates stand at $2,450 for 1986, $2,800 for 1987 and $3,150 for 19+ Clinton Mayor John Balfour arrived at the meeting to explain why the motion was passed, and whether or not it is law because it was passed. He said they stretched the agreement to three years because that is the term of coun- cil now in office. He added that they deleted the insurance clause because the insurance rates would be there whether the races were held or not. Recreation Committee Chairman Ron McKay disagreed with this statementtn noting, "If they are not there, we could take down the judges stand and we could take down the barns, and we wouldn't have to in- sure them." On whether or not the motion passed makes it law, Mayor Balfour stated, "Coun- cil agreed in principle, but they didn't pass a law. lied they not wanted your ifipitt, they would have signed it then and there. That is not the Way they want it, you people are the ones that have to administer it." Later in the meeting, Mr. McKay noted, "The point I was trying to make is that if our insurance rises more than $350, we're losing money" "I'd agree to the three years, but I would like to see the insurance back," Steve Gibb- ings said. The committee decided to agree with the three year contract, but planned on approaching council on November 17 to discuss leaving in the insurance consideration. In other business, Clinton Recreation Director Steve Campbell informed the com- mittee that the installation of the solar heating for the Clinton Pool is completed. Mr. Campbell was in touch with the Ministry of Energy to find out how Clinton can get their grant for 50 per cent of the cost of the heating. He was told to send a copy of the bill to the government, and the commit- tee will receive half the cost, or $7,000. However, they decided to hold back on 10 per cent of the payment until the pool is tested on advice from the ministry. An investigation into installing lights at the tennis courts at Central Huron Secon- dary School is also being carried out the recreation committee. Mr. Campbell has contacted-epresentatives for Harvey Hub- bell Caned Inc., and was in turn told to con- tact a coral . ny that sells the lights, as Hub- bell is :the supplier. They are awaiting fur- ther news on the subject. Another project recently completed for the committee was the placing of new steel doors in the Clinton Arena. There are three new doors at the.front of the arena and two that go out to the seating area. • Following `a suggestion from the recrea- tion committee, the Bingo Committee has pledged $1,560 towards purchasing a new fountain for the Arena Park.