Loading...
The Times Advocate, 2008-08-20, Page 22 Times -Advocate Wednesday, August 20, 2008 A special visitor attends Exeter Playground Coundil discusses REGIONAL WRAP UP Goderich rates rise GODERICH — Water and sewer rates will rise in Goderich following a vote at a recent meeting, says the Goderich Signal -Star. The water and sewer rates will increase by 14.9 per cent and 14.2 per cent respectively and are intended to pay for replacements to the water and sewage systems. The increases will mean customers will pay about an extra $50 a year on both their water and sewage bills. Garbage bag change SEAFORTH — As of March 1, municipalities using the Mid -Huron Landfill will make the switch to clear garbage bags, says the Huron Expositor. The decision came at the Aug. 6 meeting of the Mid -Huron Landfill Site Board and applies to both waste left at the curb and garbage brought to the dump. With clear bags, collectors will be able to tell if there are hazardous or recyclable materials in the garbage and will exercise a zero -tolerance policy for heavy offenders. Goderich Celts GODERICH — Rain didn't damper spirits over the weekend in Goderich at the Celtic Roots Festival, says the Goderich Signal -Star. It is the sixteenth year for the festival which pulls in acts from England, Ireland, Scotland and across Canada. The event is organized by Eleanor and Warren Robinson who spend considerable time traveling between Canada, Europe and the United States looking for acts. The festival also drew fans from as far as Europe and the U.S. Just visiting — Children at the Exeter Playground had a special "alien" visitor last week during the Playground's "Cosmic Adventure" week."Luwe-Luwe" met up with the children during their hike on the MacNaughton Trail and became quick friends with them. Pictured above left with Luwe-Luwe are Kaitlin Fisher, Julia Hartman, Jenna Myatte, Stephanie Simpson, Dominic Masse, Dylan Masse,Abbey Parsons, Sarah Hope, Madison Strang and Katie Boles. (photos/submitted) Meeting planned Continued from front page Dam (at MacNaughton Park). If the study on decommissioning the dam goes ahead, it will cost an estimated $30,000 with South Huron picking up half. Prout said the public meeting will be held to provide information to the public and give ratepayers an idea of what the area will look like without the dam. He said if it is decided to keep the dam, there will be upgrades needed that South Huron will have to pay for. Issues surrounding the future of the dam arose last year when members of the public complained about unsightly green vegetation in the water. Coun. Pete Armstrong said most members of the public probably want to see the body of water at the dam remain. He wondered if the depth of the water can be reduced to three feet to make it easier to main- tain and make it possible to be used for skating in the winter. grant policy By Pat Bolen TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF VARNA — The Bluewater Tug -of -War team received a grant from the Municipality of Bluewater Monday night, but only after a discus- sion of whether it would lead to further such requests. The tug-of-war team is leaving for a tournament in Sweden Sept. 2 and in a letter to council requested support for the trip. Coun. Tyler Hessel said he supported the idea but was concerned that a specific number wasn't being asked for. He added that a similar request from another team last year was turned down by council. A motion was put forward that $750 be given as a grant to the team by Coun. Marg Deichert who said the team deserved support. Coun. Pete Walden noted that the team often organizes events at local schools at no charge. Coun. George Irvin said it wasn't fair to say yes to one team and no to another. Deichert replied that each case had to be looked at individually. Hessel noted that children's groups have a tougher time raising money than adults do and that approving the request could mean there would be more in the future from other groups. The motion for $750 was then passed. In other business, chief administrative officer Lori Taylor introduced Charlene Overholt as the new deputy clerk for the municipality. County defers decision back to Bluewater Continued from front page In another vote taken last week by county coun- cil, councillors agreed by a 10-7 vote to make a change in the way they elect the warden. For the last several years the vote has been open, with each councillor declaring publicly who they're voting for. But councillors have decided to go to a secret ballot for the next warden's election in December. Dowson said he favours the open vote since the secret ballot can lead to more confusion. Money announced for RIDE program HURON -BRUCE — The provin- cial government announced Monday increased funding to local OPP for this year's Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) program. OPP Huron will receive $10,428.58 for South Huron and $9, 400.00 for Goderich. The Saugeen Shores and Wingham Police services will receive $10, 483.44 and $7, 117.20, respectively, to support year-round spot check activities as part of the province's plan to double the RIDE program fund- ing to police services to $2.4 mil- lion. OPP South Bruce will receive $9,400 for Brockton and $10, 428.52 for Kincardine. Provincial funding helps police services cover officers' paid duty and overtime for RIDE activities. RIDE spot checks have proven to be an effective countermea- sure to drinking and driving. Last year, police conducted over 500,000 RIDE spot checks throughout Ontario, resulting in 466 drivers charged. "I am pleased with the Ontario government's commitment to fight impaired driving," said Huron -Bruce MPP Carol Mltchell. "The doubling of resources avail- able to local police will help make Huron -Bruce a safer com- munity." "Drinking and driving is a lead- ing cause of criminal traffic deaths. We have doubled funding this year to enable our police services to get more drunk dri- vers off the roads and make our communities safer," said Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister Rick Bartolucci. •Since 1988, the Ontario gov- ernment has been providing annual grants to help the RIDE program across Ontario. •In Ontario, the number of seri- ous injuries from drinking and driving collisions dropped 51 per cent from 1996 to 2005. ACC completes Lucan social needs assessment By Nina Van Lieshout TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF LUCAN BIDDULPH — The Ausable Community Centre (ACC) in Lucan is looking for council's support after complet- ing a "Social Needs Assessment" this summer At Monday night's council meeting, ACC summer student Brittney Jones spoke on behalf of the centre, explaining the "Social Needs Assessment" sur- vey benefits the community by showcasing certain needs in the area. Jones says during the survey, several local social agencies, businesses and residents partic- ipated. Many suggestions were made regarding which programs and services need to be brought to the area, including a community kitchen (where those who are hungry can go), women's self defence classes, language cours- es and more. Local businesses were inter- ested in bringing business work- shops, seminars and training to Lucan Biddulph, while the com- munity was interested in bring- ing in social programs, more health information and pro- grams focused on loans and grants. The ACC is looking for grant money to hire a program direc- tor to begin the next step of exe- cuting some of the suggestions made by the community. Coun. Alex Westman says he's "impressed with the presenta- tion." Mayor Tom MacLaughlin says although "this is a great first step," a subsequent meeting will need to be held.