HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2007-12-05, Page 3Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Times–Advocate
3
ABCA budget presented at board of directors meeting
By Pat Bolen
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF
EXETER — Local municipal councils will be looking at
a project levy increase of $58,250 for the 2008 Ausable
Bayfield Conservation Authority after the proposed
ABCA budget was approved Nov. 22 at the board of
directors meeting.
The proposed ABCA budget for 2008 is $2,669,954
with a project value of $2,752,954 and a project levy of
$276,545. The general levy for 2008 will be $653, 300,
an increase of $80,800 over 2007 which was $572,500.
Some of the budget increases for 2008 include $25,600
for pay equity; $10,500 for a three per cent wage
increase; $18,600 for the ABCA technology strategy;
$20,600 for education and $2,750 each for environmen-
tal monitoring and corporate services.
The project levy increase was cut from $111,750 after
Bluewater director George Irvin said he couldn't accept
a project levy increase of 30.8 per cent and a general
levy increase of 14 per cent.
"Neither can we come close to accepting," said Irvin
who added municipalities are trying to keep tax increas-
es to three or four per cent.
North Middlesex director Lawrence McLachlan said
that more than one year's numbers should be looked at
when assessing the levy.
Chairperson Bill Weber noted that some of the increas-
es, such as a proposed $15,000 for the Capital Assets
Management Strategy are provincially mandated and
the ABCA doesn't have a choice in carrying them out.
The board was also told by staff members that some of
the projects are based on grants that may not be avail-
able in a year or are tied to partnership funding.
Irvin replied that the municipal councils face the same
challenges and that cuts have to be made elsewhere.
In response to Irvin's statement that he would like to
see the increase held to $60,000, several projects were
reduced or deferred until next year's budget.
Among the eliminated projects were $5,000 for
upgrades to the administration centre boardroom and
$6,000 for waterfowl inventory and monitoring.
Other reductions were a proposed $5,000 for bound-
ary marking of ABCA land that Stewardship and
Conservation Lands Supervisor Kate Monk said was to
let the public know when it was leaving ABCA land.
Weber noted that if private landowners beside ABCA
land wish to let people know they were coming onto pri-
vate land, "shouldn't they mark it themselves?"
Projects reduced included a flood forecasting and
warning system assessment that was cut from $15,000
to $7,500; conservation area developments that were
cut from $18,400 to $10,900 and core dataset upgrades
(aerial photography) that was cut from $15,000 to
Women's
vigil
STRATHROY — A
Candlelight Vigil will be
held tomorrow night at 7
p.m., honouring Canada's
National Day of
Remembrance & Action on
Violence Against Women.
The vigil is presented by
the Women's Rural
Resource Centre and
Westmount Christian
Reformed Church, being
held at the church.
There is also a
Neighbours, Friends and
Families Workshop which
focuses on recognizing the
signs of an abusive rela-
tionship, while giving sug-
gestions on how to support
those people involved in
the situation. For more
information on the event
contact the Westmount
Christian Reformed Church
at 519-246-1526 ext. 236.
Giving — The ARC Angels Thrift Shop operated by Community Living South
Huron Auxiliary presented the 88 members from South Huron Community
Living with a $17,600 cheque Nov. 30. Each member receives $200 each for an
early Christmas present. Front from left are Theresa Market,
Anne Fydenchuk, Steve Monteith and Richard Meier; back row
are Rob McCann,ARC Angels representative Ann Klungel, Bruce
Stubbs, Kym Forster and Eloise Klungel. Since January 2005,
$65,000 has been given to the members of South Huron
Community Living by the ARC Angels Thrift Shop. Community
Living South Huron is hosting a holiday lunch Dec. 20 from
11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. It is open to the public. Meals are $5 each
and include a tour of Community Living in Dashwood.
(photo/Nina Van Lieshout)
Wishing you a Merry Christmas
& a safe and Happy New Year
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$7,500.
The budget will now be presented to local councils for
discussion before coming back to the board for final
approval.
In other business, it was discussed whether ongoing
items in the project levy should be transferred into the
general levy. Weber said while it wouldn't make any dif-
ference dollar wise, it would be clearer about what is
being done. "There are items in the project levy that
started out as projects but they've become things we do
every year."
Irvin agreed with the proposal, saying "council will
appreciate there is a rationale."
Huron East director Bob Norris disagreed saying, "if
we don't do it, we don't have to justify what we're
doing," and North Middlesex director Lawrence
McLachlan said he'd rather "smoke and mirrors than
clarity."
Weber noted there was more interest in the municipal-
ities that are paying 20 per cent than (the ones paying)
five per cent."
It was agreed that a report will be brought to the
December board meeting.
Tree planting
Forestry and Land Stewardship Specialist Ian Jean
briefed the board on the 2007 fall tree planting program
and said ABCA staff planted six windbreak projects
totalling 1,343 trees in Huron East, Bluewater,
Middlesex Centre and Goderich.
Jean said landowners purchased and picked up 708
trees and 2,051 evergreens were distributed, which is
up from 408 in 2006.
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• Aveda Hair Salon • Aveda Facials
• Manicures • Pedicures
• Body Treatments • Waxing
• Hot Stone Massage • Reflexology
• Relaxation Massage
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Fr.�..., The H„rte., County From Huron County Museum
Huron County Museum Holiday Hours
Open Monday to Saturday 10 am to 4:30 pm; Sunday 1 pm to 4:30 pm
CLOSED December 25 & 26 and January 1
A Stitch In Time: Quilts from the
Huron, County Museum Collection
Continues to March 31, 2008
Enjoy a special exhibit of almost 70 quilts from across Huron County.
Each quilt holds our memories, tells our stories and still
has the ability to keep us warm. Education programmes available for
schools and youth groups. Group Tours welcome.
Seasonal Children's Programmes
For ages 5 to 10 Pre -registration required
Christmas Crackers...Saturday, December 15, 1 pm to 4 pm, $10 per child
Winter Wonders...Thursday, January 3, 9 am to 4 pm, $20 per child
A Winter Blast... Saturday, January 5
Avoid the ice and snow and enjoy a warm winter visit to the Museum
with friends and family. Have a blast exploring the Museum
decorated for the season, visit our special exhibit "A Stitch in Time",
search for hidden surprises, and make a craft to take home!
Special Admission Day — free for children ages 16 and under when
accompanied by an adult. Regular adult admission rates apply.
Christmas Gift Ideas
Give a Museum Membership Individual $25, Family $50
Benefits include free admission to Museum & Historic Gaol,
discounts on programmes and invitations to openings and events.
1984 Huron County Historical Atlas
On Sale Dec. 1 to 31, 2007 Reg. $59.95 Sale Price $25
Huron County Museum, 110 North St., Goderich
519-524-2686
www.huroncounty.ca/museum