The Times Advocate, 2008-02-13, Page 22
Times—Advocate
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Warden wants public input
into Huron county budget
Continued from front page
to us, it sounds great, we get behind it...then
we look at a budget increase that is out of
this world.
"We have to stop doing things one thing at
a time."
Bezaire said finding out what ratepayers
want will be part of the process. "Part of
our decision making process...there will be
a tremendous amount of public consulta-
tion. 'What do you as ratepayers want to
see?"
Bezaire said the process will also be valu-
able to educate people about what they are
getting for their taxes.
"A lot of things that they're getting aren't
necessarily things they see or use every day.
Some of them are things they may use only
once in their lifetime, like ambulances."
Bezaire said while the provincial and fed-
eral levels of government play a role in the
funding of the county, he added it is impor-
tant for Huron County to show it has done
everything it can to strengthen its own
financial position.
"We have to do everything in our own
power first. So that when we go to them, we
are going to them with an educated, knowl-
edgeable position where we can show them
we've taken everything as far as we can
take it and say 'Now we have challenges
that we can't overcome on our own. We
need your assistance."
Within the next month, Bezaire said terms
of reference should be ready for council
"which will identify what we want to
accomplish and how we're going to do it."
What is making the process more accept-
able, said Bezaire, is the province changed
the way counties do their budgets and
finances with the Public Sector Accounting
Board (PSAB) plan.
A concern Bezaire said he has is that the
PSAB changes are the provincial way of cut-
ting off its funding of counties altogether.
"If you take a look at it, logic would say
they're trying to get us to the point where
we could borrow our own money. Right
now, they borrow money and incur huge
deficits and debt and then they pass the
money on to us.
"My concern is, they're going to say, 'With
the new way of accounting for assets, you
can borrow your own money.' So it will
make it even more important to get a han-
dle on things...I want to be out ahead of the
curve."
Bezaire said while there is a lot of support
on council for the process, "my concern,
where the opposition will come, is when
there are hard decisions to be
made...They're going to be faced with two
choices -cut service or raise taxes."
Bezaire said a choice will have to be made
either way, "because right now, we're run-
ning thin, too thin, so I want to force them
into making the conscious choice."
The draft county budget will be available
for public discussion Saturday in
Holmesville at 10 a.m. and Bezaire said he
hopes for a good turnout.
"We'll be open for questions and sugges-
tions. I would love a full hall," said Bezaire
who added while the meeting is scheduled
to go until noon, "If there is input and
involvement, we'll stay as long as it takes."
Exeter residents express concerns
Continued from front page
When Coun. Cathy Seip asked if the street
can be repaired without being widened,
Betties said it could, but he doesn't recom-
mend it.
According to O'Toole's presentation, resi-
dents "have no concerns with the present
road width as far as traffic movement is con-
cerned," and the majority say parking on the
street is not a problem.
Another issue of contention is that the
widening of the east side of the street would
also see the removal of the boulevard and all
the trees. Ninety per cent of the residents are
in favour of keeping the trees,
O'Toole said.
"New residents on the street
noted that the abundance of trees
was a major reason why they
decided to settle in the neighbour-
hood." Residents say the trees
improve the look of the area, are
a benefit to the environment, help
with property values and "our
white squirrels enjoy the trees."
Bettles wrote in his report to
council that the trees "are near-
ing the end of their lifespan; the
installation of storm sewers will
significantly damage root sys-
tem(s) which will affect trees in
the near future and increase the
potential additional cost for future
repairs."
Residents also would like to
keep the sidewalk on the east side
of the street, citing safety as a
main reason.
The municipality received a let-
ter from Sheila Vanderlaan of
Sheila's Home Childcare, who
wrote in favour of keeping the
sidewalk on the east side of the
street. Taking care of three chil-
dren in her home for four days a
week, in addition to her own two
children, Vanderlaan said
removal of the east sidewalk
would mean she and the children
would have to cross the street at
least two times and perhaps four
times when they go on their regu-
lar walks.
"Please, for the kids' sake, let us
keep our sidewalk," she wrote.
Andrew Street residents also have concerns
about grading and proper drainage on the
street.
Mayor Ken Oke said he is appreciative of
the comments given by the Albert Street resi-
dents and the January open house was held
to keep residents informed. He said construc-
tion plans are in draft form, but pointed out
there are certain minimum standards munic-
ipalities have to strive for when building a
new road. He said the idea of installing curbs
is to channel the water to sewers and without
the curbs, drainage won't work properly.
NOTICE OF
ANNUAL MEETING
The 131St Annual Meeting of the Members
will be held in the
OFFICE BUILDING OF
McKillop Mutual
Insurance Company
91 Main Street South, SEAFORTH, Ontario
on
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
at 1:30 p.m.
• To receive and approve the 2007 financial statement and
auditor's report:
• To appoint Auditors;
• To elect three qualified Directors for a term of three years;
• To transact any other business that may properly come
before the meeting;
• The retiring Directors are Brad Carnochan, Jeff Campbell
and Bill Millson who are eligible for re-election.
• Any qualifying policyholder wishing to seek election must
file their intention to stand for election in writing with the
Secretary of the Company at least seven days in advance of
the Annual Meeting.
(By -Law No. 21 (d) ).
By order of the Board of Directors
McKillop Mutual Insurance Company
Seaforth, Ontario
Ken Jones
Secretary -Treasurer -Manager
• REGIONAL WRAP UP •
Homicide remains unsolved
HOWICK — After five years, investigators are continuing to follow up on
information related to the February 2003 murder of 24 -year-old Howick
Township man Felix Barufe.
On Feb. 6, 2003, Barufe was found dead in his Spencetown Road home
near Fordwich. Barufe was the victim of a brutal beating.
An investigation lead by the Ontario Provincial Police, Criminal
Investigations Branch has been active since that time.
Investigators have followed up numerous tips, however the case
remains unsolved.
A compelling piece of evidence in this case is a large-sized, gold men's
wedding ring discovered at the crime scene. Investigators believe the ring
belongs to a person involved in the murder.
Investigators are also asking for the public's assistance in locating two
pieces of stereo equipment, removed from Barufe's home at the time of
the murder.
They are a: Panasonic RX-DS18PC-K, portable CD player/cassette
recorder — serial number GM8CA04493 and a Pioneer PDR -609
Compact Disc Digital Recorder — serial number UINN000156CC.
A $50,000 reward has been offered by the Province of Ontario for infor-
mation leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons
responsible for the murder.
Garden Festival
STRATFORD — The eighth annual Stratford Garden Festival is Feb. 28
through March 2, hosted by The Lung Association.
The 2008 theme, "Down to Earth," reflecting the simple pleasure that
comes with getting our hands dirty in the garden.
The Stratford Garden Festival will be held at the Stratford Rotary
Complex.
For more information visit www. stratfordgardenfestival.com
Funds raised from this event support The Lung Association in its med-
ical research commitments, its promotion of better management of asth-
ma and working to help those living with chronic lung disease.
MusicuRide l corringi
Continued from front page
attendance will have the chance to visit with the horses and meet the
RCMP officers Sept. 10-12.
The Musical Ride is performed by a full troop of 32 RCMP officers and
horses and features a variety of intricate figures and cavalry drill choreo-
graphed to music. According to the official RCMP website, the highlight of
the Ride is "the charge, when lances, with their red and white pennons,
are lowered and the riders and their mounts launch into the gallop."
Finch said the day is all about involving the youth and different groups
from the community. The Exeter Lions are hosting the event and other
local service clubs have been invited to take part.
As the shows take place Sept. 11, organizers will commemorate 9-11 by
declaring it "Canadians in Uniform Day."
Anyone interested in helping with the Musical Ride can call Finch at
235-2099 or Jo -Anne Fields at the Rec Centre at 235-2833.
6/1eW
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Saturday, February 16th
Visit the Huron County Museum to discover
and explore our County's history and
celebrate our heritage.
Extended Saturday Hours 10 am to 4:30 pm.
Complimentary Admission
II
Come in out of the cold this winter and
visit our County Museum.
Regular Museum Winter Hours
Monday to Friday 10 am to 4:30 pin
Saturday 1 pm to 4:30 pin
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 dating from
1840 to the present.
Group Tours welcome.
For more information contact the Huron
County Museum at 519-524-2686.
110 North St., Goderich
ItlI1,l il+ ' II J';;I III