The Citizen, 1991-04-10, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 1991.
Huronviewfunding plan reconfirmed by County
The plan to fund the two new
Huronview projects was reconfirm
ed by Huron County Council at its
March 28 meeting despite disco
very of a $400,000 error in the
initial cost projections for the plan.
Council had originally chosen 4he
plan at the December meeting of
council, the first of two options, one
which would cost more money
because of higher borrowing costs
but one that would get the two new
homes, (one at Brussels and one
near Clinton) into operation a year
sooner. The rejected plan would
have started construction on the
Brussels site this June but held
construction of the Clinton site
until June 1992. Councillors felt
operating costs would increase
under the plan because it would
have to operate the old Huronview
an extra year even though many of
the patients had been moved to
Brussels.
But at the March 7 meeting of
County Council County Treasurer
Bill Alcock revealed there had been
an accounting error of $400,000 in
the calculation of interest between
the two proposals which had al
ready meant a difference of
$600,000 in the money provided
from the county for the fast-track
version of the project. Councillor
Jack Coleman of Stanley Township
said he had to question a decision
council had made based on incor
rect figures.
New figures were presented to
councillors at the March 28 meet
ing but some councillors objected
to having the figures given to them
with so little notice.
‘‘I find it difficult to deal with
this having just had the figures put
on my desk minutes before the
report read,” said Coun. Bill
Mickle, Exeter.
“Having these given to us after
three weeks between (county coun
cil) meetings is very unfair to the
councillors in these chambers.”
Huronview Committee chairman
Howard Armstrong, Stanley Twp.,
apologized for the delay.
“To have this out to you before
this meeting was impossible due to
staffing problems, with the trea
surer on vacation. We intend to go
through it (the plan) step by step,”
said Coun. Armstrong.
County treasurer Alcock review
ed the new figures and explained
where the accounting error had
been made.
Under the December Plan I, the
total cost of the project was
estimated at nearly $21.1 million
with the county share being about
$9.96 million.
The revised Plan I will cost about
$20.7 million with the county share
being about $9.6 million.
"The cost is going down because
the provincial money is coming in
so you don’t have to borrow the
money for such a length of time,”
said Alcock, noting the staggered
grant payment system.
“Now the difference (in the cost
of the two plans) is about $350,000
but there is no consideration for
operating the old site longer.”
Despite the explanation, council
lors had a difficult time processing
the information.
“I am finding it hard to digest
the pink sheet,” said Coun. Lossy
Fuller, Exeter, of the paper on
which the numbers were printed.
Coun. Brian McBurney, Turn
berry Twp., said, “Other than Mr.
Alcock, I don’t think there is one
other person in this room who
understands what’s going on.
There is no way we can make a
decision today.”
Coun. Armstrong agreed with
the councillors but he could not
offer any solutions.
“It is confusing. We don’t even
know how much of the existing
building is going to remain. Every
day you wait, you’ll end up with
different numbers,” said Arm
strong.
“The committee hasn’t added in
the cost of operating two, two-and-
a-half or three homes to the
budget.”
An estimate of operating costs
was not available at the meeting,
although Coun. Mickle has asked
for such estimates before.
“I understand that the numbers
are always changing. Howard has
mentioned the cost of operating
Huronview for an extended period,
we have never seen estimates or
guesstimates for the cost of extra
time,” said Coun. Mickle.
“If we had all the figures in front
Continued on page 19
Scouts to plant 2 million trees
Two million trees will be planted
in Canada this year by members of
Scouts Canada who are participat
ing in Trees for Canada.
In most provinces and the North
west Territories, Scouting mem
bers will be expressing their con
cern for the future of their country
by planting trees. The results of
this program will be a more
beautiful Canada, a land which is
less susceptible to flooding and one
which will have a source of vital
resources.
Trees for Canada is also a
fundraising project. Most of the
funds stay in the community. Some
goes to the Canadian Scout
Brotherhood Fund. This fund
assists Scouts in developing and
Third World countries run self-help
programs which are adapted to
local needs and conditions. Scouts
have run literacy programs, done
reforestation on the edge of the
Blyth 4H club meets
Sahara, developed fish farms and
learned trades - a few of the
projects supported by this fund.
The funds are raised through
donations. A Cub, Scout or Ventur
er will be contacting your house
hold soon. Please support this
worthwhile project.
Two million trees will be planted
this year. Combined with over 38
million planted previously, these
trees will reach maturity when the
Scouts who planted them have
children of their own. Trees for
Canada is a program concerned
with tomorrow - a tomorrow which
will be better because communities
Treebelf
Don Blake - R.R. #1, Auburn
SPRING '91 SPECIALS
WHILE SUPPLIES LAST
BAREROOT SAVINGS ON:
•8’ Royal Red Maple...................................$32.00
•G’ Norway Maple.......................................$22.00
•8’ Emerald Queen Maple...........................$32.00
•8’ Mountain Ash.......................................$30.00
•2’ Scotch Pine...........................................$ 6.00
•2’ Cottonwood Poplar.................................$ .50
The fourth meeting of the Blyth
4H Horticulture Club was held on
March 27 at 7 p.m. in the home of
Christine Stadelmann.
The meeting was opened with
the 4H pledge. Debbie Machan
proceeded to read the minutes from
the last meeting. Everyone then
decided on the name ‘The Goofy
Gardeners’ for this project.
The ‘club members went on to
talk about different types of light
ing, fertilizers, soil conditions and
watering after answering the roll
call, ‘Name a particular feature of a
house plant.’ Sandra Deveau
brought a plant to the meeting so
Blyth people
Continued from page 3
just cost about 99 cents per gallon.
On the way home they took a side
trip into Pigeon Forge and Gatlen-
burg, Tenn., a beautiful little
tourist town in the Smokey Moun
tains.
Attending the Seaforth Harmony
Kings 9th annual Barbershop
Spring Show, “Old MacDonald’s
Farm” which was held at the
Seaforth District Community Cen
tre April 6 were: Alma McCallum,
June Peck, Vera Badley, Marjorie
McDougall, Lenora Davidson,
Melda McElroy, Janet Lawrie,
Lloyd and Mary Walden, Millar
and Ella Richmond and Phyllis
Boak.
They enjoyed the fun-filled skits,
the well rendered singing in quar
tets, choruses, which included both
men's and women’s groups, the
pleasing sounds of two pigs enjoy
ing their meal and the beautiful
coloured rooster demonstrating his
feelings at exactly the right times
in their part of the barn on side
stage.
The Seaforth Harmony Kings
deserve the large crowds that filled
the Community Centre for both the
matinee and the evening perfor
mance. They financially support
the Children’s Institute of
Logopedics (speech).
members could identify it. The
meeting was then closed with the
4H Motto. Club members were
then asked to bring a plant with
them to the next meeting. The next
meeting will be held on April 3 at 7
p.m. in the home of Christine
Stadelmann.
supported Scouts in this program
today!
Local landowners who would like
to apply to have trees planted on
their property in future years
should contact Joan Clark, 523-
0659. The deadline for the applica
tion is April 19.
Josephine St., Wingham 357-2002
AND MANY MANY MORE ....
Please Call COO 0771
Evenings I J