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The Citizen, 1993-12-15, Page 1C itizen Vol. 9 No. 50 Wednesday, December 15, 1993 600 GST included About 50 people gathered at The Ark, Sunday evening for the lighting of the first "Spirit of Christmas Giving" tree. The lights for the tree were purchased by community people as gifts or memorials. A total of 16 strings adorned the tree thanks to the spirit and generosity. The tree was lit following a social time of hot ciders, treats and carolling. HCBE faces challenging year Sports Blyth Tyke team red hot on the ice, scoring 31 in last 2 games See page 11 Government Ashfield reeve wins bid for Huron's wardenship See page 15 Education Madill students get top honours in writing contest See page 21 Fest. friends rally to support theatre The taxpayers of Huron County may be faced with a 14.1 to 19 per- cent increase in their 1994 educa- tion mill rate, says HCBE Superintendent of Business Janet Baird-Jackson. A special meeting of the board was held on Dec. 13, to begin dis- cussions on the 1994 estimates. Director Paul Carroll says this is the earliest budget talks have begun. This board has tried to absorb cost increases as much as possible in the past but, with the Social Contract Act and reductions in other areas, there are few places to look for additional funds to make up the deficit. Mr. Carroll said this special meeting was to provide information on the financial situation and to let the trustees to look at the forecast for 1994, based on the situation as we know it now. "We must look for a direction as to where we go from here," he says. He began by telling the trustees the worst news scenario which is presently being discussed by the provincial government. "There is legislation in the works which may reduce the transfer payments for schools even further. The universities and colleges have already been informed of the additional cuts. Thus far though, this board has not been made aware of any more cuts," he says. Mr. Lamb, the director of finances, gave a summary of the present board position. "I have been looking at the revenue from enrollment and any chances in that area will affect the grants received. "This revenue has decreased by S212,000 because of change in the requirements for a secondary student to be classified as full-time. We have also lost $60,000 from other sources of revenue," he says. 0 Mr. Lamb says the one good bit of information is that the board was able to reduce expenditures by approximately $1,565,000. Mr. Carroll pointed out to those present that the trustees and the board were doing everything they could to generate surplus. "Anything we can do, we are," he says. Superintendent of Business Janet Baird-Jackson outlined three scenarios for the 1994 budget stating that the provincial downloading would make it unrealistic to expect the province not to raise their standard mill rate. The standard mill rate is set by the province and that increase is put directly on the property taxpayer. The board does not have any control over the rate and cannot soften the blow with the reduction of other expenditures. Continued on page 6 By Bonnie Gropp Despite a signficant year-end deficit, the atmosphere at the annu- al meeting of Blyth Festival Dec. 9 at the Bainton Gallery was charged with determination as old and new friends of the theatre rallied to meet the challenge of the upcoming sea- son. Board directors announced that despite a critically acclaimed sea- son and a successful tour the 1993 box office revenues were down by $69,000. This, along with fundrais- ing shortfalls and higher than antic- ipated costs, contributed to an overall deficit of $229,454. "Unless changes are made or financing received, we as auditors doubt the on-going existence of this theatre as it stands now," Ron Burt of Takalo and Burt accounting firm told members. "There are severe problems." Noting the major challenge ahead for the board, President Gayle Waters explained what has been done to begin meeting that chal- lenge. Since September the Festival has been restructuring to reduce costs, increase revenues and devel- op results-oriented marketing strategies. Business Manager Napier Simp- son said the situation was one that "won't be walked away from easi- ly". Suspended programs and staff cuts may be "unpalatable this close to home, but they are necessary." Mr. Simpson said, that the payables sit at $135,000, which is a reduction of $60,000 in the past six weeks. "The primary focus is to maintain the viability of the theatre. Now more than ever we need understanding and support." Complimenting past Artistic Director Peter Smith on his pro- gressive vision for the theatre, Ms Waters said that while his work was commendable a "decision for change was made with great diffi- culty." Thus in October the board appointed long-time friend of the Festival Janet Amos to the position of Artistic Director. "We are simply thrilled to have with us one of Blyth's and Canada's most repected artists. Janet played a key role in the development of the RIDE charges up from • previous year While the message may be clear that it's not a good idea to drink and drive, there are, according to statis- tics from the Wingham OPP still some people not following all the rules. In the first two weeks of the RIDE program Wingham OPP have checked a total of 786 vehicles in their area of District 6. A spokesperson said that six liquor related or seat belt charges have been laid. There have been no impaired charges or 12 hour sus- pensions. While that figure doesn't seem high it is an increase over last year's number. The spokesperson said that in the first two weeks of the 1992 RIDE program a total of 1,228 vehicles were checked, yet only two charges were laid. Blyth Festival and she has strong links to the community," says Ms Waters. Ms Amos began her report to the members with an amusing anecdote about a young boy's confusion over the word 'comforter'. She said she has not come to be the festival's comforter, but that together "we will make a patchwork quilt to save this theatre." Ms Amos said that often when times are difficult people will look in different directions for the right solution. "It's often hard to sort out what went wrong and what to do,"she says. In a humorous, frank manner she related stories about the advice she has received since her arrival adding that she has found it "extremely exciting, because peo- ple care so much about this the- atre." Ms Amos also commended Mr. Smith for the "incredible" achiev- ments he made during his two years as AD at Blyth. He was, she said reaching for the future because of the success attained by the theatre. However, noting that success in theatre usually comes in five year cycles she said the present situation had occured as Blyth didn't really know what to do ,when4i4.4Psuctmw took a down turn. "We road a wave of success that's gone on for 17 years. We haven't had the experi- ence of dealing with the bad years." Ms Amos has sought advice from managers and directors of other theatres for advice on putting the festival on its feet. Uwe Meyer, for- mer production manger at Blyth, Continued on page 13 OPP look for driver Wingham OPP were busy look- ing for the driver of a second vehi- cle involved in an accident at 12:30 p.m., Sunday on Hwy 86 in East Wawanosh. - A spokesperson said that Glen Taylor, 21 of RR3, Wingham was travelling west on 86 and as lie started to turn left onto Sideroad 39/40, his 1979 Chev Malibu col- lided with the unknown westbound vehicle which had pulled out to pass. The second vehicle then left the scene. Mr. Taylor was uninjured and damage to his vehicle was moder- ate. Police estimate light damage to the second vehicles. No further details were available at press time. Offices close for holidays Next week will be the annual Season's Greetings issue, the last edition of The Citizen for 1993. This is to inform you that the Brussels office wil, oe closed from Dec. 21 to Jan, 3, while the Blyth office will shut down from Dec. 22 to Jan. 3.