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The Times Advocate, 2006-11-22, Page 2020 TIMES—ADVOCATE Wednesday, November 22, 2006 Elderly man falls prey to renovation scam LAMBTON SHORES — Lambton OPP are investigating a break and enter to a Lambton Shores residence alleged to have occurred sometime between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Nov. 12. Thieves entered the residence through an insecure window on the main floor of the home. Stolen was a quantity of cash hidden in a specific location, a cheque book and a receipt for contractor work done recently to the victim's home. Further investigation by the OPP reveals that two men attended the elderly man's home Nov. 6, informing him the roof to his home was in need of repair. The man declined their offer to repair the roof. The pair then indicated they were able to spray a com- pound on the roof with a 10 year warranty to prevent leaking. The price of this procedure would be far less. The man agreed to have this done. The scammers then went onto his roof with a can of silver spray paint and proceeded to spray a portion of the man's dark coloured shingles with silver spray paint. The victim was billed almost $500 for the work. He also paid the pair a small amount of cash for partially clean- ing the eaves trough of the home. While being paid for the bogus work, the suspects were able to see where the man had his money and cheque book hidden and where he placed the receipt that the scammers had written. Interestingly enough, these are the only items stolen. The cheque written for the work was cashed immediately at a nearby bank. The suspects are described as a "father and son" team with one being older and the other much younger. The victim was unable to provide the type of vehicle and other descriptors. The investigation is continuing. Scammers routinely will attempt to prey on older Business study looking for volunteers EXETER — The SHARE (South Huron Alliance for Retention & Expansion) program is looking for volunteers to help with the Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) program. A structured business survey is uti- lized as a means of beginning a dia- logue with the local businesses with the intent of identifying issues, con- cerns and potential opportunities and taking action where appropri- ate. The SHARE Task Force, compris- ing local community leaders and business owners, has selected area businesses to be part of the South Huron project. They will receive in advance the business survey for their review. The BR+E approach has been used in communities of all sizes and types and the results have been impres- sive: development of a more busi- ness -friendly attitude, increased eco- nomic competitiveness, new local investment, easier access to busi- ness financing, more jobs, saved jobs and fewer barriers to business development. Your business and the jobs it cre- ates are critical components of a strong local economy, supporting the development and growth of our municipality. With a focus on "tak- ing care of, nurturing and support- ing" businesses already existing in the community, you cannot afford not to be involved in taking care of your existing business. This is the opportunity to be heard; have your ideas, concerns, and suggestions voiced. Do not let the future direc- tion taken by the business communi- ty reflect the choice of others with- out your input. Impart your perspec- tive on the needs to grow and posi- tively impact your business. Be a part of the process. Do not be left in the past because you would not presently invest a bit of time to participate in creating our future economic development. To volunteer to for an interview, please contact the South Huron Chamber of Commerce at 519-235- 4520 or office@shcc. on. ca Board reacts to retroactive funding By Stew Slater SPECIAL TO THE TIMES -ADVOCATE SEAFORTH — Trustees of the Avon Maitland District School Board had two distinct reactions to news the provincial government will provide funding for a retroactive pay increase dating back to Sept. 1, 2005: surprise that any money was made available; and anger that it wasn't as much as some hoped. "We were promised (an increase from the $5,000 annual honorarium) two -and -a -half years ago," claimed Perth East representative Tina Traschel at a regular meeting Oct. 24. "If (the government) had done it then, it would not even have had to be retroactive." In September, the nine -member board approved an approximate two -fold increase in trustee remuneration going forward from the Nov. 13 municipal election — the maximum allowed under an Education Ministry memorandum (the limit was much higher in some areas, including about $25,000 annually in Toronto). This was done after word the funding for that increase would be made available by the government. At the time, the government also gave the go-ahead for boards to award themselves retroactive pay raises dat- Calling for nominations OTTAWA - The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) is calling for nominations for the 2007 Award for Excellence in Health Promotion. The CMA's Award for Excellence in Health Promotion was intro- duced in 2003 to recognize those outside the health sector who have made a significant contribution towards a healthy population and a healthy communi- ty. Past winners are: in 2003 the Federation of Canadian Municipalities; in 2004 the Halifax Chamber of Commerce; in 2005 the Blue Nose International Marathon Organizing Committee and in 2006 MADD Canada. Residents of Canada who are not health profession- als or employed in the health sector as well as organi- zations that operate outside of the health sector are eligible for this prestigious award. We welcome nomi- nations from individual Canadians and organizations. The nomination form can be found at www.cma.ca/healthaward.htm. The deadline for nominations for the 2007 Award is Nov. 30. Further information on the award can be found at www.cma.ca/healthaward.htm or by calling 1 800 663-7336 ext. 2329. ing back to September, 2005. But no funding for that was made available immediately. More recently, funding was announced, but only for a portion of the retroactive pay. For the Avon Maitland board, that translates into $2,725 per trustee, as opposed to the government's limit of $5,450. "Over 85 per cent of the other boards have taken the full retroactive amount, even without knowing about the funding from the government," Traschel said when the issue came before the board Oct. 24. She labelled it an issue of respect, arguing the board should take the full retroactive amount — and cover the difference out of its existing budget — in order to avoid sending a message to the government that it's OK to back down on commitments. Veteran North Huron representative Colleen Schenk, a regional vice-president with the Ontario Public School Boards Association, agreed with Traschel. But they cast the only two votes in favour of Traschel's proposed amendment to increase the retroactive pay to the full limit. Instead, trustees eventually chose to accept $2,725. South Huron trustee Randy Wagler noted the board already voted in September to take the retroactive pay only if the government provided funding, so they should- n't now accept more than what's covered by the fund- ing. And board chairperson Meg Westley of Stratford expressed surprise that any money at all was provided for retroactive pay. vqank V4ank 4�oi flan Jou Thank you to everyone for their support and to those who worked on my behalf. jim Dietrich, Councillor Ward 1 South Huron LIFE CAN BE COMPLICATED BUT YOUR RETIREMENT SAVINGS SHOULDN'T BE MARK R. HARTMAN 436 Main St., Exeter 519-235-3881 Fax: 519-235-1505 1-866-264-3011 www.edwardjones.com Member CIPF To Learn why consolidating your retirement accounts to Edward Jones makes sense, call today. Edward Jones MAKING SENSE OF INVESTING property owners. They are usually very persuasive and in some cases intimidating when it comes to influencing victims into having unnecessary work done. The Lambton County OPP are reminding citizens: • Do not agree to have work done by any person who simply comes to your door. Do not let them into your home; • If you feel repairs are needed, be sure to first obtain information on the company, proper identification and a written estimate; • Send them on their way and advise them you will be in touch; • Do not be intimidated into accepting their estimate on the spot; • Note the descriptors of the persons, the type of vehi- cle and licence plate number; • Obtain estimates from other companies to perform the repairs; • Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if the contractors are credible and respected for their work; • Arrange to have a trusted family member assist you in your financial affairs. A second signature on your per- sonal cheques is recommended so that they are aware of what you are spending and for what service. A pre- caution such as this does not take away your indepen- dence, but does help in preventing scammers from using you. Lambton OPP need the assistance of the public. If you have any information that can assist the police with this investigation call the OPP or CRIME STOPPERS anony- mously at 1-800-222-8477 (1 -800 -222 -TIPS). Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display or trace calls. IN CIP lIfY [] NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING CONCERNING A PROPOSED ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT AFFECTING THE MUNICIPALITY OF SOUTH HURON TO REGULATE WIND ENERGY FACILITIES TAKE NOTICE that Council of the Corporation of the Municipality of South Huron will hold a public meeting on Monday, December 18, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. in the Olde Town Hall Council Chambers, 322 Main St., Exeter to consider a proposed zoning by-law amendment under Section 34 of the Planning Act. ANY PERSON may attend the public meeting and/or make written or verbal representation either in support or in opposition to the pro- posed zoning by-law amendment. IF A PERSON or public body that files an appeal of a decision of the Corporation of the Municipality of South Huron in respect to the pro- posed zoning by-law amendment does not make oral submissions at a public meeting or make written submissions to the Corporation of the Municipality of South Huron before the proposed zoning by-law amendment is adopted, the Ontario Municipal Board may dismiss all or part of the appeal. INFORMATION relating to the proposed zoning by-law amendment is available for inspection during regular office hours at the Municipality of South Huron Municipal Office (322 Main St., Exeter) (519) 235- 0310. Dated at the Municipality of South Huron this 17th day of November, 2006 Sandra Strang, Clerk, Municipality of South Huron 322 Main St., P.O. Box 759, Exeter, Ontario, NOM 1S6 PURPOSE AND EFFECT The purpose of the proposed zoning by-law amendment is to intro- duce regulations governing the siting of wind energy facilities (wind turbines) within the Municipality. The types of facilities are defined and the setbacks are established. Setbacks are also established for the construction of sensitive land uses in proximity to wind energy facilities. Commercial scale wind energy facilities (capacity greater than 500kW) are permitted in agricultural zones, subject to a rezoning and site plan control application. Commercial scale wind energy facilities are required to be setback a minimum of 600 metres from urban, recreational and institutional land uses. Small scale wind energy facilities (capacity of 500kW or less) are permitted in the agricultural zones as an accessory use, subject to siting requirements. Small scale wind energy facilities (capacity of 50kW or less) are permitted in defined urban zones as an accessory use, subject to siting require- ments. This by-law amends the following three zoning by-laws: 1. By-law 30-1978 of the former Town of Exeter 2. By-law 12-1984 of the former Township of Stephen 3. By-law 13-1984 of the former Township of Usborne All of these former municipalities are now Wards of the Corporation of the Municipality of South Huron. This by-law applies to all lands within the Municipality of South Huron. Schedule A- Location Map Municipality of South Huron