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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1989-04-05, Page 1INDEX Sports - A10, Al 1 Graduates - Al2 Obituaries - A13 Walton - A19 Hensall - A19 Atoms one win away from title. See page A10• Tweens Page All. Serving the communities and areas of Seaforth, Brussels, Dublin, Hensall and Walton T-Tiron iiva vu xpositor Seaforth, Ontario HURON EXPOSITOR, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 1989 50 cents a copy BIA trims $10/000 off 1989 taxes At their annual meeting members of the Seaforth Business Improvement Area (BIA) passed their 1989 budget, but not before knocking $10,000 off the coasting year's business tax levy. The originally proposed budget, as presented by the BIA executive, called for $51,000 in. expenditures, compared to last year's $33,076. Revenue to help fund this was to include $30,000 from taxation. A signifi- cant increase from 1988's levy of $20,887. Many representatives from the 78 businesses which are members of the BIA filled the Seaforth council chambers to discuss the budget. CO-ORDINATOR DEBATE Several merchants raised objections to the hiring of an economic development co- ordinator/consultant to be shared by the town's economic development committee and the BIA, at a salary of $35,000 per year over a three year contract. This person would take on the duties of the Mainstreet co-ordinator when the town's contract with Mainstreet Canada expires in August 1989. The 1989 budget includes $3,650 for the BIA's share of this co-ordinator's salary for five months. Over a full year the BIA would pay $10,400 toward this co-ordinator's salary. Rod Lyons, one of many merchants who wanted to see taxation remain where it had been in 1988, suggested it may be possible to ' hire an able and qualified retired person locally to fill the coordinator's position at less cost to the town and the BIA. He also suggested that the BIA members could give the coordinator more assistance than in the past to help keep costs down. SOME YOUNG SPECTATORS watch as the canoeists make their was in good shape for the competition, and times were generally way down the Bayfield River Sunday. There were 22 entries in the faster than last year. Corbett photo 18th Annual Seaforth Optimist Canoe Race this year, the River Beef vote debate packs Brussels hall Over 500 cattlemen packed the communi- ty centre in Brussels as an information meeting and debate on the Beef Vote was held Monday, April 3, 1989. The hall was packed with informed beef producers from both the "yes" and "no" sides of the debate which will determine the future of the system of marketing beef in Ontario. Don Hill, Grey County cattleman and farmer, represented the Ontario Beef Pro- ducers for Change (OBPC) and the "yes" side of the vote, while Bob Kerr, Kent Coun- ty cattleman, represented the Ontario Cat- tleman's Association (OCA) and the "No" side of the vote. BACKGROUND An information package on the vote was reviewed. It is the package presented by the Vote Committee representing the OCA, OBPC, and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF), with which most cattlemen have become familiar in re- cent days. Basically, the information package pro- vides information on how a proposed com- mission would regulate the sale of all beef cattle, register all producers, and ensure that all beef cattle for slaughter would be sold competitively by sales agents ap- pointed by the commission. All cattlemen who produced four or more head of beef cattle for at least 45 consecutive days in 1987 or 1988 are eligible to vote ac- cording to criteria agreed upon by .the com- mittee. Beef cattle include all beef and dairy breeds. The vote was "ecommended by the On- tario Beef Marketing Task Force. It will by conducted by the Ontario Farm Prodi Marketing Commission. The ballot is to be returned by mail, postmarked no later than April 14, 1989. THE BALLOT The two questions appearing on the ballot are: 1. Are you in favor of the proposed prorl user - controlled Marketing Commissions which HCBE - Joe would regulate the sale of all beef cattle in Ontario? 2. Are you in favor of the above proposed producer -controlled Marketing Commission working towards a National Beef Cattle Marketing Plan with the authority to manage supply and determine price? THE DEBATE ' "You'd better take your coat off it's going to get hot in here," said one cattleman to a friend 1", and hundreds of his colleagues crowd -r1 i"'r' the hall. Uungs didn't "heat up." The tone of uig was one of intelligent concern in .ate by people who feel they have the best interests of the beef industry at heart. Mr. Hill and Mr. Kerr opened the meeting with a debate, and each was given 25 minutes to speak. Speaking for the "no" vote, Mr. Kerr opened the debate by stating what everyone in the beef industry wants: improved pro- fits, an increased market, an improved Turn to page 13 • Daycare possible if start-up funding found If capital start-up funding can be obtain- ed, Seaforth will have a daycare centre. The centre, which will be operated as a non- profit organization governed by a volunteer board of directors, is seeking approval from the Ministry of Community and Social Ser- vices for a grant of 80 per cent of the project costs. A committee of 13 local citizens has been meeting since February 1, 1989 to study various location options, discuss operating budget and staffing requirements and to research and compile the ministry funding proposal. After meeting with the ministry, the Seaforth Health Centre basement location was ruled out due to natural lighting re- quirements of the Day Nurseries Act. The upper floor (south wing), while very suitable, was not financially viable, because of rent costs. Upon recommendation of the Ministry, the daycare group approached the Seaforth and District Preschool Learning Centre to discuss possible amalgamation The preschool membership vote 1 ' join with the daycare committee, to establish a children's centre offering a preschool pr gram as well as daycare, within one facility . While the preschool will continue to pro- vide half-day nursery program '- 16 children per session, the licenced cap., of the centre will'be increased to an addi tional 24 full-time spaces to a« ' nnwua i children aged two to five. These spaces may be shared among full-time and part-time users. After school care may also be offered. The group is proposing that another por- table classroom be attached to the existing portable located on Market Street to allow for the expansion of services. The new facili- ty would contain office, staff room, extra washroom, kitchen, laundry and an addi- tional 1,000 square feet of play area as re- quired by the government regulations. Addi- tional Early Cl ldhood Education teachers would be needed, as well as support staff, to itatt ,ate. township c 410*Q ' hij11 deit, nt(t'ileh<re• n,. tha 'A' tl a kLtrit til • I go out the, said,,e 11, word fret afte' "n. 'Ys By Melody Falconer CLINTON - Joe must go. During a board meeting held April 3, the Huron County Board of Education declined to reconsider their decision to transfer Joe Wooden, current principal at Central Huron Secondary School (CRSS), to South Huron Secondary School. This transfer comes into effect in September of this year. The board's decision was made despite an emotional campaign conducted by the students or 'HSS in hopes of keeping their principa ,. the school. This campaign culminated with a delegation of students' council members from CHSS attending the board meeting to make a presentation to the trustees. Greg Lobb, student council president, spoke on behalf of the delegation. He requested that the trustees, "Be BIA Chairman Bob Fisher pointed out that almost 100 per cent of the merchants on Main Street indicated they felt a full time co-ordinator would be needed to fill the Mainstreet co-ordinator's position. He add- ed that such a person was necessary to put together promotions, because history has shown volunteer BIA merchants don't have time to do a proper job. "If you're only going to offer $25,000 you might as well throw it away because you're not going to get anyone qualified," said one businessman. It was noted that Seaforth would be among the smallest towns in Ontario to have a full time Economic Development Co- ordinator if one is hired. The businessmen opted not to cut the co- ordinator's salary from their budget, and looked instead at promotions allocations. Mr. Lyons said the BIA should not be con- cerned with building up a large advertising "war chest" using tax dollars. He recom- mended merchants use more of their own money for BIA organized promotions, in- stead of increasing tax levies. He also volunteered to sit on a BIA ad hoc commit- tee to organize these promotions. Mr. Fisher responded by pointing out the advantages to the BIA having the promo- tions money. "If the money is there the promotion gets done. If we want a promotion we can have it, and we don't have to worry about not getting participation. It's easier to organize," he said. But the BIA membership voted to cut back.its proposed 1989 promotions budget by Turn to page 12 • must go courageous and seriously reconsider this ill-advised transfer." During his presentation, Mr. Lobb re - enforced the points that the students had brought forth earlier in their campaign. "You (the board) have stated that it is board policy to transfer principals on a regular basis. "We reject the idea that policy is more important than people. "Mr. Wooden has served the educational system in this county since 1955. Apparent- ly, this policy came into effect in 1969. When he became, principal the policy was not in place. Therefore, can it apply to Mr. Wooden to the same extent as it might to other principals?" Mr. Lobb then commented on the sup- port their protest has garnered from the taxpayers. Turn to page 20 prepare meals, and for housekeeping. Hours of operation would be 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. While the projected date for daycare opening is early 1990, much needs to be done to meet ministry funding requirements. A detailed and comprehensive, proposal documenting community need and support Turn to page 12 • STORY TIME - Family studies student Wendy Gowan reads to Katie Thomas. Katie is one of 16 children taking advantage of a mini -daycare operated at Seaforth District High School this semester. Mcllwraith photo. 0