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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2018-02-22, Page 7THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2018. PAGE 7. NH considers non-resident user By Denny Scott The Citizen North Huron Township Council wants to take a serious look at non- resident policies as part of its ongoing budget process. Non-resident policies focus on making sure ratepayers aren't subsidizing non -ratepayers for use of facilities and ensuring ratepayers aren't denied opportunities due to non -ratepayer participation. During council's Feb. 8 budget meeting, many departments suggested researching such policies, including, but not limited to, the daycare program, recreation and facilities and the landfill. Egg-meister The Londesborough Lions Club hosted its annual Family Day breakfast on Sunday. Above, Ralph DeWeerd cooks the eggs for the breakfast while outside multiple volunteers cooked the rest of the meal while listening to a play-by-play of the Canada's men's hockey team dominating home -team South Korea in the round-robin tournament at the Olympics. (Denny Scott photo) United Church annual meeting set for Feb. 25 PEOPLE AROUND LONDESBORO By BRENDA RADFORD Call 523-4296 of our lives in order to be renewed. Christ was able to ignore the "tempter in the desert" because He recognized our lives are not about control, but about following God's plan for us. We must be open to the lessons reached in 'the desert'. Barb Bosman favoured the congregants present with a beautiful solo, "I Believe There Are Angels Among Us". If you are concerned about the As the Christian church begins its future of Londesborough United, walk with Christ towards Jerusalem plan to attend the annual meeting of Easter the first Lenten candle was following the morning service on extinguished at Londesborough Feb. 25. Another way to assist our United Church on Sunday, Feb. 18. future is to be a member of the Prior to His walk into Jerusalem official board. Consider on Palm Sunday Jesus went into the volunteering for a seat at the table. isolation of the desert for 40 days to Being involved will help ensure we search His soul, away from the have a future. hustle and bustle of crowds where Not one usually to court trouble, I He could feel God's presence as He am concerned about the weather we prepared for the cross. could experience in March. It could Rev. Fletcher's message that be a roaring month in light of the morning was titled "Desert recent lamb -like weather we have Experiences". The supporting been enjoying. It would surely be scripture passage was Matt.:4 1-11. hard to take now we have seen the Terry noted that all of us need to snow pack melting. find our own "desert" — a calm, quiet At time of reporting John Lyons place we can go to feel and get has been in Goderich hospital for comfort from God's presence. about two weeks. He continues to Perhaps one could learn to just deal with an infection. Hopefully he shut down at times in the midst will get home soon. Director of Finance Donna White said the issue has been talked about for years but little had been done. White pointed out that non- resident policies could look at factors other than costs, like giving preferential treatment to North Huron residents. "Since our residents in North Huron not only pay for the service if using it, for example the daycare, but also on their taxes, we could give priority status for North Huron to make sure North Huron residents get space first," she said. Valerie Watson, Manager of Child Care Services, said there is a priority system in place at the daycare, but it isn't based on residency. "[Clerk Richard Al] and I have looked at the billing system to assess non-resident use of] the service," she said, saying those numbers could be reviewed in the future. Later in the meeting, Councillor Trevor Seip said he was interested in looking at non-resident policies, though staff said some municipalities found they spent more money implementing non- resident fees than those fees generated. Councillor Bill Knott suggested having a list brought back of "appropriate" options. He suggested considering the landfill site as an example. Councillor Brock Vodden pointed out that there are relationships that have been built in previous years that have to be considered, but he also wants to make sure everyone is paying their fair share. "There are people from Hullett Township who helped build the [Blyth and District Community Centre] and supported it over the years and took part in the arena board," he said. "Nowadays, the last figure I saw has 30 per cent of the users of the [Blyth] arena facilities are residents of Central Huron, which does not contribute a dime to the capital or operating costs of the arena" Vodden acknowledged it would be ees, pouctes difficult trying to charge user fees on ice rentals because there isn't a good way of doing so, however he felt the arena was a good example of North Huron ratepayers paying twice for a service non-residents only pay for once. Seip said the issue goes back to cross-border servicing and soft services, such as daycare and maintaining an ice surface. He said Central Huron Council has clearly stated that the municipality will not provide operating costs to the community centre because it has its own facility. "That's the deal," he said. "This is going to be a discussion about cross- border servicing when it comes up for renewal. We are going to try and mitigate those issues so it's fair to everyone and everyone is getting the same benefit." Chief Administrative Officer Dwayne Evans said those issues will be in front of council members "sooner than [they] think." Newson said she wanted to be clear it would be nearly impossible to charge non-resident fees to organizations like a hockey association. "In our situation, Wingham blends with Lucknow, Brussels blends with Blyth and our kids travel [to those other communities]," she said. "Where I'm looking at [non-resident user fees] is registering for a course, memberships or programs." Newson went on to say she is concerned about the message that a term like "non-resident user fee" S(aue a New _addition? Le everyone know about your new bundle of joy! Call for prices and details 519-523-4792 or 519-887-9114 The Citizen sends, saying she thinks people might picture North Huron staff checking identification at the entry to the Blyth Greenway Trail. "I get that fear whenever we talk about this," she said. Seip said this was a discussion, and no definitive action was being taken. "We just have to be clear we haven't made a decision," he said. Council took no immediate action as a result of the presentation and discussion. FROM LONDESBORO REPRINTS' OF PHOTOS taken by Citizen photographers are available to purchase. ALL ARE IN COLOUR 4x6 - $4.00 5x7 - $5.00 8x10 - $8.00 Phone to order - 519-523-4792 or 519-887-9114 GET CONNECTED! The Citizen is now planning its 2018-2019 Telephone Book WANT TO ADD OR RENEW YOUR CELL PHONE LISTING? Each person can have one free listing (cell or landline). Additional phone numbers are just $5.00. Get in the book! Is your number correct in the recently delivered Bell Canada phone book? Do you have a new listing since that book was compiled? Let us know about corrections or additions Call 519-523-4792 or info@northhuron.on.ca