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The Times Advocate, 2008-07-16, Page 66 Times–Advocate Wednesday, July 16, 2008 Opinion Forum News Demo Day another success Exi-Plast's South Huron 3rd Annual Demo Day held July 5, was again, a great success. The generous donations of supplies and sorship received from businesses, mem- bers of the community, members of the Huron Industrial Park Association as well as our Exi-plast team members, helped to make the day possible. This was a free day for businesses and organizations to display their product or service to network with each other and to show visitors to our community what we have to offer. We would have liked to see more participation from the county, municipality, and Chamber, although it was nice to see former Wardens Deb Shewfelt and Rob Morley. We've created a way to entice visitors to come to our community for a fun day. Support is the only way we have to do this. Thanks to everyone that attended Demo Day and Free Family Fishing Weekend. (No fish were caught.) FRANK ZAWALSKY AND MARIANNE BENSON EXI-PLAST spon- dation under this price range. Now, imagine paying an average of $66.92 / month just for water and waste water which is what the proposed rates suggest. Does that not seem out of proportion? Rational economics would dictate that one utility should not exceed 15 per cent of total shelter costs. Those who do work and live in apartment buildings, although will make more money and be better off, would still suffer a massive injustice based on proposed rates. Already "Across the province, just over 300,000 tenant households pay 50 per cent or more of their income in rent, or 22 per cent of all tenants." This quote was taken directly from an article from the Toronto Star and based on Canadian Mortgage and Housing Statistics. http://www. ontariotenant s. ca/arti- cles/1999/ts-99c23. phtml These truths are sad but are still truths. Imagine if your mortgage payments coupled with utilities approached half of your pre -taxed income. Scary, isn't it? As a whole, it is not our position to be unruly and diffi- cult. Paying for the capital costs associated with this necessity should be expressed on the basis of relative income much like property tax or as an alternative, a pay per use system. While complete and utter fairness is impossible and subject to individual situations and opin- ions, something we realize, we ask that you at least try to consider what we have laid out and to put yourself in the position of a person who makes less than $20,000 per year...a reality that is all too common. May your heart guide your decision. Letters to the Editor Rethink water rates To members of the Municipality of South Huron town council It's been a while since council first discussed potential water and waste water rates. Together with many other tenants, like myself, we felt it was important for you to understand how the low and fixed income individuals of Exeter will be affected by your decision. Do not take this decision lightly. While this may be a difficult decision in your political career, it will have a far greater impact on those who already bear the largest financial hardship in our community. With the use of a billing system that our neighbors use, the Municipality of Lambton Shores, we can see what they recognize as fair. While their variable rate is slightly higher, their system of assessing fixed rates dif- fers from our own. http://www.lambtonshores.ca/Docs/WATER- RATES2008_00.1pdf You will also see that commercial buildings do pay more than residential users in terms of the fixed costs and variable costs. The size of the water meter system is based on the theory that those buildings that use more water will pay a marginally increased fixed rate amount, a system which I hope you can agree allows for greater equality among its users. Believe me, most tenants understand the problem here. Tenants are not upset that they need to pay more money for a utility that has always been relatively inexpensive for them to use, but want a system that treats them fairly. As well, we would like to point out that we understand you could not possibly know all the income variations between different citizens in this community. But to help you understand how we live we would also like to direct your attention to the following website: http://www.isthatlegal. ca/index. php?name=incsupport. o dsp_law#Renters%20and%20Home %20 Here you will find the information set out in the follow- ing pages. It shows that an individual who lives on a dis- ability has only $445 to spend on shelter accommoda- tions. It is very specific in terms of what is covered. Try to find a suitable home for $445 including all utilities and other luxuries such as parking and garbage disposal. This water rate makes an almost impossible task much harder Challenge yourself and try to find an accommo- KEVIN NEER, Exeter 1 00th Anniversary For anyone who has been ill and required health care in the home, or simply aging and requiring Community Support Services, they know that for years they have been able to depend upon our local branch of the Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) to provide them with the quality care that they required, when they required it, and where they required it. Now, in 2008, we have an opportunity to recognize the valuable contribution this organization has made to the lives of many individuals, young and old across Huron and Perth counties. This year marks the 100th anniversary of VON Perth -Huron. To celebrate this significant achievement VON Perth - Huron will be holding a reunion of all past and present volunteers, staff and board members. All of these indi- viduals have played a vital role in ensuring that compas- sionate and caring services have been provided in a timely and efficient manner. Volunteers are and have always been the cornerstone of VON. Appropriately trained and qualified staff ensure that services meet the needs of the individual. And of course, the volunteer board members have provided the direction and wisdom required to sustain a health care agency within this rapidly changing health care environment. For everyone the focus has been you, the client. On Aug. 24, from 1 to 4 p.m., we invite all of these individuals to join us in the Upper Queens Park in Stratford as we reconnect, reminisce, and enjoy a hot dog or hamburger barbecue from the Union Gas Community Connections Great Barbecue. In today's mobile society it's impossible to keep track of everyone, so if you happen to be one of these treasured individuals please know you are wanted. We would love to know that you too will be joining us. Just call the local VON office in Stratford, by Aug. 15, and let them know. We know that you have worked in all kinds of weather, and this celebration will be held rain or shine. DAVID MACKENZIE, chairperson 100th Anniversary Committee VON Perth -Huron Heading to Bingemans EXETER — `In motion' was a rockin' week! The kids were involved with many fun and exciting activities including our talent show which was a huge hit. The talents ranged from biking, scootering, skateboarding and skipping to tae kwon do, singing, guitar and drama. We even had one child show us how to make pipe cleaner men. It was amazing to see the variety and ability that the youngsters had to show. We also played silly string tag where the 'it' person was to tag people by spraying the oth- ers with silly string. During our trip to New Orleans Pizza the children watched and helped in the process of making a pizza. This week is `Splish Splash' and the kids have been having an awesome time getting wet and wacky. The highlight this week is our trip to Bingemans. We leave for Kitchener Thursday morning at 9 a.m. sharp and plan to return to Playground by 5 p.m. Don't forget your bathing suit and towel, sunscreen, a hat and a labeled bagged lunch. The trip has been filLing fast so if you are planning to come you will need to get both your permission form and payment in as soon as possible! Remember there will not be any supervised activities at Playground for the chil- dren not attending the trip. Can't wait to race down the waterslides with you! Remember to bring your bathing suit and towel everyday. We attend the Exeter pool every Wednesday and Thursday afternoon. However since it is water week we have water games and relays planned and we may choose to attend the pool an additional afternoon. Last Monday the kids were hot and sweaty so we decided to take them to the pool for a nice afternoon cool off. It was a perfect day and all the children were prepared for a swim. Way to go, everybody! Please feel free to e-mail any questions to exeter- playground@gmail.com or give us a call at 235-2361. JESS BICKE EXETER PLAYGRO LL UND The `Odd Job Squad' EXETER — Need help from the Odd Job Squad? If you need temporary help with tasks you don't have time for, or simply aren't able to perform yourself then look no further than the Odd Job Squad! The Service Canada Centre for Youth (SCCY) in Exeter will host its annual Odd Job Week from July 14 - 18. The Odd Job Squad Week promotes youth employ- ment by linking young people seeking casual labour employ- ment and employers or home- owners seeking help. Young people can sign up with the Odd Job Squad at their local SCCY, indicating their experience and availability. They are then notified when a suit- able job is available. Examples of odd jobs include: farm work, moving, babysitting, painting and flyer distribution. The duration of each job can vary from a few hours to a few weeks. It's great for homeowners and employers needing assistance, while allowing youth to earn money, gain skills and build their resume. Employers, homeowners and youths interested in more information concerning odd job services can contact the Exeter SCCY at 235-1711 or visit the office Tuesdays and Thursdays at 349 Main St. For more information on the government of Canada's programs and services, call the Youth Info Line at 1-800-935-5555 or the touch-tone phone or teletypewriter line (TTY) at 1-800-926-9105, or visit servicecanada.gc. ca ASHLEY BLAKE YOUTH SERVICES OFFICER "Coupledom"comedy hits HC Playhouse GRAND BEND — Theatregoers will be doubled over in laughter as the hit off-Broadway musical "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" hits the stage at the Playhouse II July 16 (tonight) running until Aug. 30. "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" is a musical comedy guar- anteed to put a smile on your face," Drayton Entertainment artistic director Alex Mustakas, adding, "Its relatable characters, memorable music and hilarious sub- ject matter make for an entertaining production that you won't want to miss." The road to coupledom — and all of its trials and tribulations, are explored in this musical celebration of the mod- ern-day mating game. "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" is a romp through the jun- gle of dating, romance, marriage, lovers, hus- bands, wives and in-laws with a cast of four por- traying over 60 roles in a collection of delightful scenes and songs. The cast takes audi- ences through the comi- cal ups and downs of the crazed, hopeless single scene, speed dating, wedding jitters and mar- riage. The laughs continue as the rest of life is con- densed through a whirl- wind of hilarity with coo- ing new parents, the frenzied family car ride and an endearing sketch about wooing seniors when neither party is guaranteed to survive to the next date. "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" is the longest running musical in off-Broadway history. Tickets can be booked by calling the Huron Country Playhouse box office at 238-6000 or toll free at 1-888-449-4463. For more information visit www. huroncountry- playhouse. com Communities in Bloom Ticket sales Look for our booth by the BIA Parkette during Exeter's Sidewalk Sale days - Thurs., July 24 until Sat., July 26. We will be selling tickets on a quilt (donated by Deb Roy), a Schwinn Bike (donated by Tim Horton's) and a Big Mac Meal once a month for a year for two (donated by McDonalds). Tickets are $2 each or Communities �Ith ,,tr three for $5, for sale during the U� Bloom ' Sidewalk Sale days. They are also available at Seasonals, the Rec Be/ Part Of rt1 Centre or any committee member. We look forward to seeing you there!