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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1985-11-06, Page 24wfY�+"(1'�1 1,a,! DR. JIM PETERS A former town councillor and commis- sion member for nine years, Dr. Jim Peters is also seeking a fifth term on the PUC. Dr. Peters has been one of the commis- sion members dealing with the PUC's big- gest constrcution in recent years, the ex- pansion of the water storage and distribu- tion system, from the ground level. While the project proceeded "much too slow" and literally put a stop to any major development in town, the wait has proven to be much more cost effective. "There was no water for development or industry but the interest rates were too high," he explained. "We reached a com- promise with the surcharge and invested the money at high interest rates." Dr. Peters said that the $45,000 mor- tgage on one of the pumping stations will be paid off and that the utility's philosophy is to set water rates as a result of ex- penses. "As expenses go down, the rates will go down," he said. "We have to strike a budget and set the rates." With respect to the commission's role in the negotiation of a contract with its employees, Dr. Peters was satisfied with the end result. "It was negotiated to a suc- cessful completion. We took a stand and the union took a stand and we reached a (happy settlement." The three-year term requires a "big commitment" from candidates and a "priority of lifestyle" for Dr. Peters. The next commission will have to turn its attention to a few problem areas, Dr. Peters said, including the upgrading of some mains and powerlines. He added that billing, business and computing pro- ' cedures will have to be streamlined to makethe-utilitymore cost efficient. Dr. Peters has also been' active in the district municipal hydro association and has served on the board of directors of the Ontario Municipal Electric Association, (OMEA) a politicial entity that represents Ontario utilities and formulates policy for 70 per cent of the municipal customers. A man who works with tenacity and determination, Dr. Peters said he would like to pursue his involvement with the provincial association one day citing a definite interest in the broad picture of the distribution of electricity. He suggests the commission is working on behalf of the customer and while "85 per cent of the budget goes to uncon- trollables" that utility rates will increase less than the inflation rate this year. BEN SHEARDOWN The longest standing member of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC),Ben Sheardown was first elected in 1972 and has served on the utility board ever since. A native of Goderich and a retired businessman, Sheardown thought careful- ly about seeking re-election in November. "I would like to see younger guys com- ing along and learning the business," he said. "If other had run I would have drop- ped out. We need younger poeple and should be bringing one or two along." Over the past three-year term, the com- mission has tackled one its biggest capital projects, the upgrading of the water storage and distribution system. The cost of the project will exceed $2 million and Sheardown is satisfied with the commis- sion's work. "I am satisfied with the way the project is coming on stream and it could be in use by the end of the year," he said. "The new system will give us needed fire protection, better pressure and double the capacity of . the system." The first component of the phased pro- ject, the construction of the underground water storage system, is almost complete and in the next year the water filtration plant will undergo extensive modification. The project is funded by a provincial grant covering 45 per cent of the cost and the commission established a surcharge, on the water rates to establish a reserve fund. "Using a reserve of surplus funds is a real asset and evens out the cost so there is no one big capital cost," he said. "You should prepare in advance for these things. Satisfied with the outcome of contract negotiations between the PUC and CUPE, which resulted in a 10 -day strike, Shear - down said employees should vote on con- tracts by secret ballot. The next commission will have to con- cern itself with a continuous program of upgrading over the next three years, in- cluding substations and lines, and Shear - down says the local PUC has a good record of service to the customer. 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TOLL FREE 1-800®265-1913 SHOWROOMS 90 Charterhouse Crescent, London clarke Side Rd., 1 block south of Trafalger 451-8760 Toll Free 1-800-265-1913 • As with all custom made items a small deposit will he required at the time of ordering *This applies to all orders dated on or after Oct. 1, 1985 A resident of Goderich for nearly 30 years, Dr. Tom Melady is seeking a second three-year term on the PUC. Discouraged that the local commission did not have the "authority and scope" that he had hoped, Dr. Melady has enjoyed his initial foray into the municipal politics and hopes to carry out the PUC mandate for another three years. . "Between Ontario Hydro and the Ministry of the Environment the rates are set and only about 15 per cent of the budget is discretionary," he explained. "I have enjoyed the commission work and took a great interest in it." Over the past term, the commission's in- itiatives have been directed towards the water storage and distribution project valued at over $2 million. the underground water storage tank is almost functional and the distribution capabilities will be phased in. "The water system will be functional by the first of the year and the project has moved ahead well in the past three years," he said. "The funding fell in place with the provincial grant covering 45 per cent of the $2.3^million cost." The PUC's share of the project is covered by a surcharge on the water bills but Dr. Melady said he , hopes the sur- charge is removed once the project is paid for. Along with other oytst„ai sleben- tures, he said water bills could be reduced substantially: •• 1' Ultimately, the new storage facility and upgrading of the water filtration plant will double the town's capacity for storage and distribution. "It will satisfy underwriter re- quirements for fire protection and we'll be able to service more people," he said. "The water supply will not run out." Formerly employed as a veterinarian with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Dr. Melady also has one year of post- graduate training in water treatment and communicable disease control and three years of general farming experience. He brings a common sense approach to the commission and suggests that ex- perience and continuity have benefits. *************i( * NEED A FACILITY * FORA DANCE WEDDING * RECEPTION :FAMILY REUNION* ETC? CONTACT: T JOHN GRAHAM * BAYFIELD COMMUNITY CENTRE * 565-2121 4k************* DON MCMILLAN A PUC employee for 17 years, Don McMillan is one of five candidates seeking a seat on the four -member Public Utility Commission. McMillan has extensive experience in dealing with consumer complaints and concerns with respect to hdyro and water service and feels his career at the PUC will stand him in good stead as a commis- sioner. "For 17 years I was office manager and secretary to the commission," he explain- ed., "During that time I did minutes and observed the commission. I know the work invlolved and acted as a resource person to the commission." The expansion of the water storage and distribution system has been in the works for "a long time" McMillan said adding that water meters are the fairest method of administering costs. Over the next term, he said the commission will have to meet the demand for new lines whil eupgrading existing lines. McMillan has been in retirement for one year and a three-year commitment poses "no problem." "I have the background and the time and I am a native of the town which is an asset. I am well acquainted with the residents and hM'e handled consumer complaints,on the job, so I know the concerns of the tax- payer," he explained. "The , role of the commission never changes. It's role is as policy maker only and not to perform the manager's job or make managerial deci- sions." The former PUC employee says com- mission members have to be honest and people have to know what they're paying for. McMillan, whose family has travelled extensively as a musical group, is involved with the Goderich Laketown Band, is a member of the Foghorns musical group, he serves on the board of directors of MacKay Centre for Seniors and is chair- man of the board of North Street United Church. CALL SALTFORD VALLEY HALL FOR RENT 524-2443 CLIP AND $AVE FREE 4F c'oG4rs MF AT LAS VEGAS BILLIARDS Double your Money! 59.00 plus this coupon Is worth 52.00 In Video Games (1 coupon per day per customer) LAS VEGAS BILLIARDS 68 WEST ST., GODERICH Make it special.. ,Make it the Candlelight! LIVE...THIS FRIDAY & SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8 & 9 The Candlelight is proud to present COUNTRY & WESTERN RECORDING STAR. The vcoit4EtirG. CIC1 RESTAURANT NIP4 Si TAVERN Bayfield Rd. 524-7711 Goderich A veteran of nine years service to the PUC, Herb Murphy is seeking a fifth term on the Public Utility Commission. First elected to the commission in 1976, he has served as chairman three times. Reflecting on the accomplishments of the commission over the past nine years, Mur- phy has seen plans for the expansion of the water storage and distribution system come to fruition. "The storage system will be complete and filled in January or February but there's still work to do at the treatment plant. I feel quite good about it. It's taken a long time and we've had to wait for provin- cial grants, which was frustrating, and (then we had to move quickly," he said. The next phases call for improvements at the water filtration plant and a new main line from the plant. The project was designed to be phased over three to four years with no long-term borrowing. A surcharge on water rates is "open end- ed" and could be eliminated from ratepayer's bill unless new demands or projects require major funding by the PUC. "We're trying to look to the future and it's nice to have a reserve." With respect to the strike by PUC employees, Murphy said it was difficult to understand why it came about in the first place addling that the settlement was not far off the commission's offer. The three-year term off office is getting mixed reviews and Murphy suggests it has advantages and disadvantages. "It worked well in that it gives you an op- portunity to see things to completion but it is also a bit long," he said. "I almost decid- ed not to run because it is a bit more con- straining, It requires a -candidate to make more of a commitment." The next term will be one of maintenance for the commission Murphy suggests making sure some needed underground work is completed, upgrading services and equipment and keeping an eye on the water distribution project. The principal of Goderich and District Collegiate feels he brings organizational talents to the commission along with the ability to comprehend and understand technical and people questions. He sees the commissioner's role as one of setting policy and delegating. Murphy and his wife, Linda, have three g►lildren. MUSIC IN GOLD SWING AND SWAY TO THE GOLDEN OLDIES FOR A GALA EVENING OF THE MOST ENJOYABLE AND DANCEABLE MUSIC OF YOUR LIFE, IN SUPER STEREO, OR THE EVER POPULAR BOOZY BALLADS FOR THE BIGGEST PUB PARTY 1N TOWN. BRUNO VERMANDER (DJ. & M.C.) TEL: 524-2832 02E12 ealloalE (tiff & ft'atG Si0G67.0c4 50t1; 'WWddiny c74nniuEtiaey CIQtU iday, G' YoCrErnLE4 16 7:30 p.m, C 1rondEi/o4o gnititaE', /1' a.££ J2(E0dS and cRefatil,Ei 'YV[ corm 93Eit '-i4//;L1 ad£y HAPPY BIRTHDAY (TRACY MICKEY)