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Home My WebLink AboutThe Huron Expositor, 1989-12-13, Page 5THE HURON EXPOSITOR, DECEMBER 13, 1989 — SA County urged BY BILL HENRY Huron County Council has been urged to "get out of the real estate business" following news that it would cost more than $728,000 to renovate part of Clintons Huronview Home for the Aged to current government standards for provincial of- fice buildings. The renovations, at ten times the original estimate, would be necessary before the Clinton offices of The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food could move in, as has been agreed to in prin- ciple by council. "It's time we got out of the real estate business and got down to the point of governing our people in the best way we can," said Exeter Reeve Bill Mickle. Miekle and others also said that the Ministry of Government Services, which is demanding the upgrading, should pay at least half the cost. But instead, council agreed last week to proceed with the renovation once OMAF agrees to a lease which would recover the cost over ten years while guaranteeing to occupy the space for at least five more. Some councillors said the decision is premature, in light of a study committee which is looking at across the board use of county -owned buildings. That study results. in part from the move planned over the next few years to transfer Huronview's occupants to two new facilities, as well as complaints of over- crowding at the Goderich Courthouse, which is owned by the county and houses Huron's main administrative centre, Why ^ - we doing this (renovating and ren; to OMAF 1 'before we have a report from the Facility Use Committee," St. C:ol mba St. Columban Correspondent MRS. CECILIA RYAN 345-2028 to get out ofther estate ess asked Zurich Reeve Robert Fisher. "Maybe there's just too many fingers in the pie at this point in time." But clerk -administrator Nigel Bellchamber said a full r sport from the committee in advance of negotiating a lease with OMAF would not be possible. He also reminded council that by ap- proving the $626,500 tender of D. Grant and Sons construction company, with the condition that a lease be negotiated which would recover the cost, council still has to approve any further move. Exeter Deputy -Reeve Lossey Fuller was also critical, saying the facility com- mittee should be urged to work more quickly. She later condemned council for the speed of the decision in light of her perceived lack of information. "At the county level, we seem to just pass whatever is in iron of us' without any questions or comments or whatever. 1 think it's very, very wrong," said Fuller. Others, including Colborne Township Reeve Bill Vanstone speculated on tear- ing the Huronview building down rather than spend more than $700,000, once ar- chitects fees and other cost are included. Such considerations, he was told, would be among those in front of the review committee. Warden's honorarium to increase 5300 Huron County Council agreed last week to increase its warden's honorarium by $300 to $5,500 next year. The decision, reached on a recorded vote, goes against an executive commit- tee recommendation that the warden's pay remain at $5.200. Goderich Deputy -Reeve John Doherty spoke against the executive committee decision, saying the warden should be entitled to the same increase the rest of council receives. Stephen Township Reeve Tom Tomes agreed, saying the $300 was little com- pensation for the hard work put in by those who head council. Goderich Township Reeve Grant Stirl- ing spoke against the increase, saying per diem rates were also going up for everyone, including the warden. At the same Dec. 7 meeting, council agreed to raise full day session and committee pay for council members to $95, and half-day pay to $65. Vehicle mileage rates were also boosted to 27 cents per kilometre, and 24 cents per kilometre for county employees who also receive an $80 mon- thly vehicle allowance. NO PAST WARDEN NEGOTIATING Council also defeated an executive committee recomendation which would have included past wardens, but exclud- ed committee chairmen in salary negotiations. The current warden, county ad- ministrator, and board or committee chairman usually negotiate salaries for each department each year, with department heads as informational resources. The executive committee recomendation would have included the past warden each year while excluding committee chairmen. Council was told the decision at the executive level ,resulted from a concern over continuity. The committee agreed it would be better to have the same committee negotiate salaries for all departments, especially in the wake of changes resulting from provincial pay equity requirements next year. Clerk -administrator Nigel Bellchamber said pay equity is likely to create "significant hurdles in negotia- tion," and the decision was meant to relieve chairmen from having to familiarize themselves with all aspects of pay equity. Instead, a smaller group would have done that and negotiated across the board. But reaction to the proposal was sharp. I've every faith that the committee chairmen can negotiate well enough. They have in the past," said Turnberry Reeve Brian McBurney. Water Well DRILLING W.D.Hopper and Sons Ltd. 4 MODERN ROTARY RIGS Neil Durl 522-1737 522-0828 FOR COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION SALES & SERVICE PHONE 262-2020 BAILEY'S OF HENSALL LTD. McLaughlin Chev-Olds Ltd. 13 Main St. Seaforth 527-1140 ®Service • Selection • Savings • Satisfaction • Leasing •Complete BODY SHOP Service women hold Christmas dinner The December meeting of the St. Colum - ban Catholic League was held on December 4 in the parish hallwith the an- nual Christmas dinner. Convenors for this event were Karen Ryan and Teresa Cronin and they chose as the theme "An Old Fashioned Christmas". On arrival the ladies enjoyed a glass of hot apple cider. Maryann Feeney, president, welcomed about 611 ladles, Father J. Hardy and Sister Rita Coyne. Following the blessing of the advent wreath and grace led by Father Hardy everyone enjoyed a hot turkey and beef dinner, Christmas pudding and all the trimmings. catered by Doreen Wurdell of Mitchell. During the meal Christmas carols were sung. A Christmas tree decorated with strings of popcorn and cranberries, home made sugar cookies cut in different shapes, .pme cones, red bows and dried apple slices; Christmas wreaths, candles, a fireplace and a rocking chair decorated the hall in a truly old fashioned way. Following the dinner two ladies, Mary O'Connor and Mary Moylan were honored for 60 years of service and dedication to the C.W.L. and presented with 60 year pins by Maria Vogels, 1st vice president. Three ladies, Anna Mciaugblin, Mme Chapin and Lori Cronin, all unable to at- tend, received a mass offering. These ladies have all moved to other areas dur- ing the past year. In lieu of the gift exchange the ladies gave a donation to the Children's Aid Society, Father Hardy and Sister Rita Coyne were each given a gift of money on behalf of the C.W.L. for their spiritual guidance. Two door prizes of poinsettias were won by Jean Eckert and Margaret O'Reilly. BABY BAPTIZED Anthony James Nolan, infant son of Eugene and Barb Nolan of Seaforth was baptized on Sunday, December 3 by Father Caruana. The godparents are Dan Nolan anti tieraldme Menitle. Those attending the ceremony and later at the Nolan home were: great grandparents Jim and Meen Scott of Mitchell and Mary Meikle of Ex- eter; grandparents Carlyle and Penny Meikle of Staffs and Joe and Helen Nolan, St. Columban; Kevin Coyne, Seaforth and Rhonda, Adam, J.D., Meagan and Brady Nolan, St. Columban. PEOPLE Jerry and Marie Eckert of Owen Sound visited on Sunday with Cecile Ryan and Alphonse and Annie Cronin. Clare and Marie Oldham of London visited on Sunday, December 3 with Gerry and Karen Ryan and family. Sister Jean Moylan of Windsor visited on December 2 weekend with her mother Mary Moylan. Don and Brenda Ryan and family of London visited on Sunday with Cecilia Ryan and Mark Ryan. 'NESB1T ELECTRIC LTD. Kirktonn 229-8222 SEE US FOR ALL YOUR NEEDS lnduatria0 •Fnrm •Residentio0 "Pole i.irre Construction .Basket Truck Service *Hydro Poles •ffleetric Motor Repairs •Retvinding •Sales and Service 1 For Service Caf1 229=8222 or 1-800-265-2938 AFTER 6 P.M. CALL TOM RAPSON 527-1643 Murrays hold family gathering Dublin Correspondent MRS. DON MACRAE 345-2842 or 345-2140 A family Christmas gathering was held at the home of Mrs. Katie Murray on Sun- day. Those attending were Lorraine Feeney, St. Marys, Ceril and Rose Marie Murray from Waterloo, Louise and Frank Maloney, Patsy and Bob English, all of Kitchener, Theo .and Catherine Murray of St. Columban, Billy and Catherine Feeney of McKillop. Mao on Saturday with Mrs. Murray was. Vera and Harold Mason, Ux- bridge, and Colene Kerslake, Exeter. Home with Joe Eckert on the weekend were Rose Marie Borysuick and Tammy, Stratford, Steven Eckert, Kitchener, and Jerry and Marie Eckert, Owen Sound, last week. Mrs. Olga Eckert remains a patient in St. Joseph's Hospital,. London. Matt Mccreight is also still hospitalized in Stratford General. Don and Eileen MacRae were with James D. and Marg, Jennifer and Ian MacRae fn London on Sunday, and attend- ed the Christmas musical program of the `Amabile Youth Singers Choir', of which granddaughter Jen is a member. Sympathy from the community is ex- tended to George Goettler on the passing of his sister Mary last week. 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