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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2005-06-22, Page 3Wednesday,June 22, 2005 Exeter Times -Advocate 3 Consultation meetings show local concerns By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — A series of community consultations are bringing to light the biggest issues of concern in the county. The Huron United Way, partnering with the County of Huron and the local Training Board (Grey -Bruce -Huron -Perth - Georgian Triangle) held six such meetings, most recently in Grand Bend Tuesday night after the Times -Advocate went to press. Other meetings were held in Seaforth, Wingham, Clinton, Goderich and Exeter. Exeter's meeting was held June 15 at South Huron District High School, where invited members of the communi- ty discussed various issues. Some of the ques- tions asked of participants were: • what are your commu- nity's most pressing issues and what are the factors driving those issues? • what's working well in your community? • what needs to be added or improved to make a difference? Huron United Way exec- utive director Kim Payne said the top issue of con- cern identified by the Exeter group was commu- nication among organiza- tions about what services and programs are avail- able in the county. "If you have an issue, where would you go to get help?" Payne asked. "People just don't know how to access that infor- mation easily." The second issue of con- cern was affordable hous- ing, which included topics like poverty, the working poor and food banks. "Affordable housing has come up in several communi- ties," Payne said. "These issues are trending across the communi- ties." A lack of mental health ser- vices was another concern identified in Exeter. For the mental health services that do exist, Payne said "the waiting lists are horrendous to access," and there are waiting lists as long as nine months. "When you're in crisis ... you need help today. To access that in Huron County is almost impossi- ble." Among other smaller issues iden- tified was a need for Exeter to promote itself more. "They (the participants) feel they need a hook , " Payne said. "Something to attract people to come to town, and they need to promote themselves bet- ter." Volunteerism, the need for a more proactive media and support ser- vices for youth were other concerns. "People clearly love their "There's a lot of action around this consultation. It's not just going to sit on a shelf." KIM PAYNE HURON UNITED WAY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR community," Payne said, adding the issue of com- munity standards and civic pride was also dis- cussed. "We were challenged as a consultation to look at the glass as being half full instead of half empty and that Exeter is a wonderful town. They just love their town. It was really nice to hear that." Reports from the meet- ings will go back to the community, the partici- pants, the United Way board of directors, the county and the Training Board. Payne says she's hoping strategies will develop as a result of the issues dis- cussed at the meeting. A steering committee will be formed to look at the issues brought up. "There's a lot of action Pitch from grain growers By Stephanie Mandziuk TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF AILSA CRAIG — Ontario's grain and oilseed producers proposed a new insurance program Monday to help farmers survive a deep slump in grain prices, but their plan is getting the kibosh from the provincial government. Currently, American and Quebec farmers rely on generous government sub- sidies but that isn't the case in Ontario. According to Brian Doidge, general manager of the Ontario Corn Producers Association, the province's corn crop has shrunk from 2 1 million acres to 1.45 million over the last 20 years because of foreign competition. Farmers have been ask- ing for a level playing field for quite some time. The new Risk Management Program (RMP) would replace an already cancelled provin- vial price support pro- gram. Under RPM, farm- ers would specify a target price for their crop that would cover the cost. If grain prices fall below the target, producers would still get paid the dif- ference. Farmers would pay an insurance premium that would cover about 30 per cent of the cost of payouts. They would also have to take marketing/ fmancial management programs. A similar federal pro- gram already exists but producers say it's flawed. Agriculture Minister Steve Peters says the cost of this new program would be prohibitive, any- where between $300 to $450 million a year, which would double the min- istry's operating budget. Peters says he has appointed his own com- mittee to study and review agriculture support pro- grams. Bluewater budget passed By Pat Bolen TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF VARNA — The Municipality of Bluewater approved its 2005 budget of $3,789,307 June 13. The budget sees a 1.94 percent increase from the 2004 levy collected through taxation of $3,716,869. For a residential prop- erty with a $100,000 current value assess- ment, the amount of taxes paid for 2005 will be $477.28, an $8.12 increase from 2004, or 1.73 per cent. The increase from the 2004 CVA to the 2005 CVA is .002634 percent. The 2005 county taxes ANNOUNCEMENT In an announcement on September 1, 2004, Dr. Helen Frye advised the readers of this paper that she would not be establishing a medical practice in Exeter. With respect to the reasons given therein Dr. Frye wishes to clarify that she and the hospital were not able to agree on the interpretation of her contract and therefore it was not implemented. She apologizes for any adverse impressions of the hospital that may have been created by her comments. S4tetec4 4 7/4eaocre Is Moving! Beginning July 1st the new location will be at: 306 Huron Street West, Exeter • Same great service • More convenient parking • upgraded & improved facility • quiet & private atmosphere • still using only professional products frt utecc ed $20 Pedieuned $35 Relaxatiact 9aceafd $45 revuyl& ziee2 /9 //4 $45/$25 7-Uaxiot9 (aaniaud fveeeed) ReOexalagcy $35 P44a4 7neat#ueorxd Sr 44a4 & Stow 74ttioc y $14/$99 For the month of July come in for an appointment & receive 10% off of your service! By Appointment 519-235-3131 Take Huron Street west at Main Street, across the tracks, on the NW corner of Huron & Snider. paid on a residential property with a $100,000 CVA is $686.28, an increase of $99.02 over the $587.26 from 2004, or 16.86 per- cent. 2005 school board taxes will be $296, unchanged from 2004. The total Bluewater, county and school board taxes to be paid is $1,459.56, an increase of $107.14 over the 2004 amount of $1,352.42, or a 7.92 per cent increase. Some of the items in the 2005 budget include $159,370 for members of council; $618,399 for administration; $407,860 for fire protection and $1,808,010 for roads. Other items include $1,065,588 for parks and recreation facilities and $818,132 for protec- tion to persons and prop- erty. around this consultation," Payne said. "It's not just going to sit on a shelf." "We're committed at the United Way to really look- ing at what the communi- ty is telling us and it may impact how we fund." She added the partici- pants loved having the opportunity to offer their voices. "There's a real sense of empowerment," Payne said. The meetings were funded through the Ontario Trillium Foundation with assis- tance from Huron County and the Training Board. BIKINI BOB'S Restaurant and Beach Club WIN $1,00000 ONE `K' GIVEAWAY GOLF TOURNAMENT Thurs., July 7/05 Sign Up Today! Limited Space Available 85perperson Includes: Golf, Cart, Steak Dinner, Refreshments, Entertainment featuring: Donna & Miz Vicky '1,000 Giveaway by random draw Main St., Grand Bend 238-2235 "We'll work for your Business" 011 CAI(ADA! AINT SALE Celebrate Canada Day with a colourful new look for your home! Choose from our top-of-the-line 'Ultra', affordable 'Premium' or finest 'Ceiling' paints. But hurry, Para's `Oh Canada!' Paint Sale ends soon. L AT F X SAVE 1 PER 3.78 LITRE CAN See dealer for details PARA CEI LI • Excellent performance at the perfect price Our finest interior and exterior paint PARA para.com Our finest acrylic ceiling paint PROUDLY CANADIAN SINCE 1915 EXETER DECOR CENTRE 15 GIDLEY ST., EXETER, (Behind Scotiabank) June 27 -July 9 235-1010