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The Times Advocate, 2008-04-30, Page 3Wednesday, April 30, 2008 Times–Advocate 3 Funding announced for water studies Water studies — Huron -Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell and Larry Brown, chairper- son of the Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Source Protection Committee (SPC) last week announced provincial funding for water protection studies. (photo/sub- mitted) TORONTO — On April 10 the province announced funding of $838,000 for technical studies for drinking water source protection planning in the Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Source Protection Region over the next five years. "This funding will enable this region to compile the best technical information possible in order to prepare risk assess- ments and plans that will help safe- guard our municipal drinking water sources," said Larry Brown, chairperson of the Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Source Protection Committee (SPC). "This announcement underlines the provincial government's commitment to keeping our drinking water clean and gives our area the stable funding neces- sary to do our job effectively." It was also announced that the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority will receive $1.6 million in funding for the Saugeen, Grey Sauble and Northern Bruce Peninsula Source Protection Region. "Ontario is taking real steps to protect drinking water sources now and for future generations," said Huron -Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell. "This funding will be instrumental in continuing that work in Huron -Bruce." The local funding announcements are part of an additional $23 million invest- ment by Ontario to assist Source Protection Authorities and municipali- ties complete technical studies neces- sary to prepare Source Protection Plans to minimize risks and add additional protective barriers to local municipal drinking water sources. Source protection is an effort to com- bine technical knowledge and planning by local people to further safeguard drinking water from Ontario lakes and groundwater by adding additional pro- tective barriers to prevent their contam- Province announces fundingPOLICE BRIEF Over 6 000 stolen from cottage HURON — Huron -Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell announced last week $3,420,800 in new funding for hospitals in her riding. This cash flow is part of a $667.2 million provincial increase, or 4.9 per cent, over last year. South Huron Hospital will receive $27,000 in the fund. According to a press release, the funding increase means new beds, more surgeries, lower wait times and improved access to family health care for res- idents in Huron -Bruce. This new investment includes: • Funding to help increase access to hospital services in Ontario's fastest growing communities; • New or expanded ser- vices, including additional beds, in newly renovated or South H Hospital receive $ in the fu developed hospitals; • More surgeries, more MRIs and more CT scans as part of Ontario's Wait Time Strategy; • Sustaining services to meet communities with unique needs, such as geograph- ic isolation and a smaller population base. $30 million in funding will be provided to increase access to hospitals in Ontario's fastest growing communities. The distribu- tion of this funding will be determined by Ontario's 14 Local Health Integration Networks. The funding is broken down as follows: • South Huron Hospital received $27,000; • Clinton Public Hospital received $258,400, which includes $223,500 for the wait time funding; uron will 27,000 nd. • Alexandra Marine and General Hospital received $63,200; • Kincardine Hospital received $58,300; • Grey Bruce Health Service, which includes Southampton Hospital, received $2,941,300; • Seaforth Community Hospital received $26,600; • Wingham and District Hospital received $46,000. An additional $170 million will be allocated to hospitals later in 2008-2009, making the overall increase 6.1 per cent for this fiscal year. "These investments will ensure the citizens of Huron -Bruce are getting the care they deserve," said Mitchell. "The quality and level of care provided at our hospitals ultimately helps to reduce wait times for patients and increase access to family health care." $ 100,000 -plus list grows By Stew Slater SPECIAL TO THE TIMES -ADVOCATE SEAFORTH — Ever since Ontario's Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act was enacted in 1996 requiring the publication of the names of all public servants earning over $100,000 per year, there has been a trend for an increased number of names to be made public every year. And that continues in 2008. "For the first time, principals have started showing up on this list," commented Avon Maitland District School Board director of education Geoff Williams March 31, after the release of the board's $100,000 -plus club for this year. In the case of the Avon Maitland board, the annual Salary Disclosure list has gone from including just one name — that of Williams' predecessor in the director of education post — to including the names of several superintendents. Now, in 2008, it also includes 26 principals and one vice principal. The director of education still tops the payroll, with Williams — who's set to retire effective September 2008 — earning $165,822. Williams noted, however, that the provin- cial government is considering revisiting the $100,000 figure as a threshold for public disclosure. Inflation in the cost of living, particularly in large urban areas but also elsewhere in the province, demands that pay scales must steadily increase. "In a board like Toronto, for instance, you're now getting enormous lists out of the (Salary Disclosure) report," Williams explained. LAMBTON SHORES — Sometime between Dec. 20 and April 12, thieves broke into a locked shed at a seasonal cottage on Cedar View Drive. Stolen from the shed were sever- al pieces of gardening equipment and an ATV. The estimated value of the items stolen is $6,330. ination or depletion. An SPC has been formed locally with broad-based municipal and community membership to prepare Source Protection Plans in accordance with the Clean Water Act of 2006. The technical studies made possible by the funding will provide communities with a clearer picture of their water supply, how it's replenished and what could threaten the quality of their water. The information from these studies will help the committee design plans and actions to reduce or eliminate sig- nificant drinking water threats and risks. SEE THE BEAUTY OF ...11,4' ...,;4, ..,e, (-rw'r 'Ark. AT TE -EM FARM! Thousands of Hanging Baskets, Geraniums, Potted Plants from A to Z including the WAVE Petunias. Also Perennials, Nursery Stock and Water Plants. I Must Stop for the Gardener who Appreciates Top Quality, a Wonderful Selection and Atmosphere. Plus..bring your containers & we will lovingly plant them with the plants you like. As we start our 27th spring season we invite you our annual... 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