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The Wingham Advance-Times, 1983-02-23, Page 1Blytk Bra nob Library Box 202 Blyth 41rpt o WOM 1110 :an. 4 Kin • • • PUBLIC SPEAKERS--Turnberry Central School held its annual public speaking contest last week for its senior and junior students. Speakers were: in back, Cindy Steckley, Jamie Pickering, Erika Hooftman, Jenny Weber; middle, Kyle Riebeling, Kim Edgar, Scott Beer, Patty Walker; front, Steven Eadie, and Heather Wheeler. Suggests surcharge to build reserves Council accepts new water rates Wingham Town Council has not only approved an increase in water rates requested by the town's Public Utilities Commission, it has strongly urged the PUC to raise the rates even further to set up a reserve fund forreplacement of the water standpipe. At a special meeting last Friday, council approved a new schedule raising rates by an average of seven per cent for residential and commercial customers, and about four per cent for metered industries. However it also passed a second motion recom- mending the utilities com- mission establish a type of reserve fund for water- works, to be funded through a further increase in water rates. The meeting, attended by PUC Manager Ken Saxton, followed council's failure to approve the rate increase at its regular meeting Feb. 7. At that time Councillor James A. Currie raised questions about the discrep- ency between the increase for residential and industrial customers, and also wanted to know why the increase was seven per cent instead of five, which is council's spending target. Mr. Saxton told council the PUC had calculated that the seven per cent increase, added to additional funds it will gain as debentures are paid off during the next few years, will provide the revenue it needs. To the suggestion that seven per cent might not be enough, he agreed that it is not a lot, "We don't want a lot", but it should be enough to meet operating costs and start to rebuild the reserves. "I think if the 'rates I recommended are passed, we will come out next year with more cash (on hand) than we have now." He also explained the- PUC tried to hold down the in- crease in metered rates to soften the impact on local industries. "We can't be chasing industries .out of here." Those rates are set at close to cost, he explained. "I, think on two million gallons we make $5.00. The first million gallons we make $10 and the second million we lose $5.00." In response to questioning by councillors, Mr. Saxton admitted the recent repairs to the standpipe have seriously depleted the water- works' reserves, but said the PUC doesn't aim to ac- cumulate "vast amounts" in reserve anyway. Up until last year it had about $80,000, he said; now that is down to around $15,000. To council's proposal that the PUC should raise the water rates further in order' to build up a reserve, he commented that, "it doesn't look too good to have a couple hundred thousand (dollars) on hand and water rates of $100 a year," and customers would undoubted- ly have something to say about it. "You only have to see these people a couple of dimes a year," he told council. "We see them every month." "You've got to face facts ! " Councillor Currie insisted, and in his opinion the water tower is "done". "You're going to be patch, patch, patching that thing...." Organizers cancel Sunday's Timmy Run for crippled children After a month of hoping for the snow that never came, the organizers of this region's snowmobile Timmy Run for crippled children have been forced to cancel Sunday's event. But even though there is no snow, the need to raise funds for crippled children is greater than ever, said Lloyd Benninger, president of the Wingham and District Snowmobile Association and a run organizer. The Timmy Run is the Easter Seals' biggest fund- raising event of the year and it generates much of the money needed for research and equipment for crippled children. Because the Timmy Run is such an im- portant way to raise dollars for handicapped kids, organizers will be accepting pledge money Sunday from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at the Wingham Legion and the Mildmay Coliseum, Mr. Benninger urges anyone who has made a pledge to come to the Legion Sunday and support this worthwhile cause. He suggested people would much rather , pay a sur- charge now, knowing it will be spent for a capital project, than to pay more later with half of it going to pay interest on borrowed money. 'However Mr. Saxton pointed out that the other side to that coin Is the Ontario Municipal Board's position that people using a thing should 'be the ones to pay for it: "You should debenture everything." By collecting now, you would be asking people to pay for a new standpipe who might not be around to use it. Mr. Currie responded that the government is as much responsible as anyone for what he called "that fiasco up on the hill", and it should pay a share of replacement costs. Earlier in the meeting. Mr. Saxton had responded to some questions from Deputy Reeve Patricia Bailey about the standpipe. She said she had been told the old tower could have lasted another 10 years, which is all this one has lasted, though she declined to say who had told her. Mr. Saxton retorted that the PUC had been told if it kept the old tower it could use it at only 40 per scent of capacity. "We couldn't supply water to the hospital with it only 40 per cent full." He agreed it had been a mistake to opt for a concrete tower instead of steel, but at the time the choice was between spending $100,000 for a concrete tower and $300,000 for a steel one. No one foresaw the problems which have arisen, he said, adding that councils also have made mistakes from time to time. The new water rates as approved by council are $6.00 a month residential, up from $5.60, and $9.40 a month commercial, up from $8.80. The metered rate is $65 for the first 225 cubic metres, $105 for the next 450, and $90 per 450 for the balance. This is up from $62.50, $100 and $87.50. The new rates go into effect with the March 1, 1983, billing. YOUNG MUSIC LOVERSLittleMichelle Irvine and Josh Johnston enjoyed selections played by the Wingham Optimist Band at last Thursday evening's kick- off variety concert for this year's Frostyfest. bie FIRST SECTION barn IttegZinte Wingham, Ontario, Wednesday, Feb. 23, 1983 Single Copy 50e i Nine and five per cent Hospital board approves two-year raises for staff Employees of the Wingham and District Hospital have been awarded pay raises of nine per cent and five per cent respec- tively for the fiscal years 1982-83 and 1983-84, The increase is retroactive to Oct. 1, 1982, and will bring the starting salary for a graduate nurse to $24,852, rising to $26,088 on Oct. 1, 1983. For a nurse with 'Oven years' experience, the salary will rise to $28,308 this. year and $29,724 next year. Salaries for registered nursing assistants areabout two-thirds of those paid to registered nurses, The hospital' board ap- proved the raises. last Week, after hearing they are the maximum permitted under the provincial government's wage and salary.guidelines and reflect the settlements# agreed on by 'the Ontario Nurses' Association and the Canadian Union of Public Employees. In the past, the hospital, although it is non-union, generally has followed the settlementg of those two unions, Finance. Chairman Robert. Pike Iyninled tie board, and his committee proposed followpg '(hem again this year. "So, we're nine and fivers." He also reported the hospital had received a letter from the inflation restraint board, confirming it falls in- to the category in which nine . and five are 'the maximum settlements permitted for this period. "Have ONA and CUPE decided to stay within the rates set by the govern- ment?" Dr. Don Jolly wondered. He was told the unions have settled at those rates. "How about the doctors?" Rev. Ken Innes inquired. "A deal is a deal!" Dr. Jolly responded. "We bargained in good faith, and it's too bad if the government didn't." Mrs." Noreen Gnay asked about the starting rate for nurses here, and how it compares to other hospitals. She was told the rates here should be comparable to Listowel and other hospital: In other financial business, the board agreed with recommendations by the finance committee to in- crease the rates charged for semi -private and private rooms, as wellS the rent charged to other Thealth agencies using hospital facilities and the mileage rate paid to employees using their own cats on hospital business. The rates for rooms were raised by about nine per cent to $48 a day for private rooms and $26 for semi- private rooms. The old rates, set last year, were $44 and $24. These rates are higher than those charged by most other hospitals, the board was told, but do include some "extras" such as free tele- vision and telephone. The hospital even in- vestigated the possibility of renting small color sets instead of the black -and - white TV sets currently offered, Executive Director Norman Hayes reported, but the cost is prohibitive — more than twice that of black -and -white — and there were not enough to go around. "Perhaps somewhere down the road we'll be able to provide color." Mr. Hayes added that, despite the higher cost of the rooms, they are still in demand. Many people have health insurance to cover the additional fee for semi- private or private hospital accommodation, he noted. The new rates will take effect April 1, 1983. The rental fees charged to the Mental Health Resource Centre and the Huron County Health Unit were raised to $330 and $240 a month respectively. The board was told these reflect what the hospital PRINCE AND PRINCESS—Frostyfest '83 got off to a great start last Thursday night at a variety concert held at the town hall. The highlight of the evening though, was the crowning of this year's prince and princess, John MacDonald and Nikki Reavie. John is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond MacDonald of Wingham and Nikki is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gary Reavie. Both children are students at the Wingham Public School. Not very frosty considers is fair market value for the space they use. The fees had not been raised for two years, so the increase of 13.6 per cent works out to 6.8 per cent averaged over the two years, board members were told. The mileage rate was raised to 19 cents per kilo- metre from 17 cents. This works out to about 30.4 cents a mile. council awards contract Town council has once - again awarded the contract for municipal insurance to Miller -Slade Insurance Brokers of Kincardine.- Miller -Slade had the lower of two bids received and, at $18,795, it is about $3,000 less than the. town paid for in- surance last year. The second bid was from the Frank Cowan Company. Councillor Tom Miller (who is not connected with tr`le' :c(mpany); seAnwed..the proposals for Council during a special meeting last Friday, noting the town has actually been able to get increased coverage this year at a lower price. Council also accepted his suggestion to appoint Miller - Slade as its agents for. a two- year term. Councillor Miller noted it is quite a bit of work for agents to prepare competitive bids every year, but said council still could take a look around if premiums go up too much -text year. The total premium for this year could still vary slightly, subject to a committee review of the value of town - owned vehicles and. buildings. Frostyfest is a success in spite of lack of snow In spite of a disappointing lack of snow, organizers of last weekend's Frostyfest '83, termed Wingham's annual winter celebration "an unqualified success", in the words of Chairman Ray Cardy. All of Frostyfest's outdoor, snow -centred activities were canceled, including last Thursday's snow sculpturing contest and Sunday's snowmobile poker rally and cross-country ski run. But past experiences caused the committee not to focus too much emphasis on outdoor events because of recent mild winters. All of the weekend's other activities went off without a hitch. The celebration kicked off last Thursday night with a variety concert in the Wingham Town Hall which was attended by a cepacity crowd. Several local groups and individuals entertained, among them the Wingham Canadettes majorette corp, the Wingham Towne Players Board still pushing for new hospital wing The Wingham and District Hospital continuing to press for a new emergency and outpatient services wing at the south; end of the hospital. Following a dosed session at the end of last week's meeting of the hospital board, board members voted unanimously to proceed with plans for the building program, while awaiting a verdict from the Health Ministry on its support for the project. The estimated cost of the project is $1.4 million, of which the ministry is being asked to contribute $250,000, with the remainder to come from the Vounty, the hospital's own funds and a community fundraising drive. Executive Director Norman Hayes said that while meeting in camera the board reviewed the process of what has been done to date regarding the proposed new wing, and decided to proceed to the point of getting tenders, at which time it will know whether it can afford to go ahead. Meanwhile, it is continuing to wait for an official reply from the ministry on its request for approval of the project. and the Wingham Optimist Band. The highlight of the con- cert was the crowning of the Frostyfest prince and princess. Nikki Reavie, Miss Advance -Times, and John MacDonald, representing Russell Zurbrigg Decorat- ing, were chosen from a group of 15 young . people. Both are students at the Wingham Public School. Friday's main event was the figure skating carnival, "Rainbow on ice", pre- sented by the Wingham Figure Skating Club. Mr. Cardy reported. over 400 people attended the carnival, which was highlighted by performances by champion skaters Curtis and Mark Moore and Debbie Horton. The Wingham Snowmobile Club sponsored, a casino Friday evening and Saturday afternoon at the Wingham Armouries which was successful, according to ' Mr. Cardy'. Friday night's teen dance at the Legion also was well attended, he said. Over 90 breakfasts were served Saturday morning when the Legion sponsored a pancake breakfast from 7-10 a.m. Although that is not as many as have been served during the Western Hoe- down, Mr. Cardy said Legion officials were well satisfied with the turnout. Saturday night's Frosty fest dance was a huge success. Mr. Cardy said people were being turned away from the Legion at 10:30 that evening because the dance was filled to capacity. In addition to Saturday night's dance, the Wingham Optimist Club also sponsored a clown show Sunday af- ternoon at the Wingham Public School, featuring "Clowns Unlimited", a troupe from Owen Sound. The school gymnasium was filled with children and parents, said Mr. Cardy, and the first 40 children were made up like clowns, courtesy of the Wingham Towne Players. Considering the success of this year's celebration, Mr. Cardy said there is likely to be a Frostyfest '84, and he added he hopes to appoint a committee soon to go around to other winter celebrations in the area to get ideas.'Also, he expressed thanks and appreciation to all the groups and individuals who worked so hard to make this year's Frostyfest so suc- cessful