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The Citizen, 1994-03-09, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1994. County examines septic tank charge increase A $28 increase in the fee charged for certificates of approval for sep­ tic tank installations caused one of the liveliest debates at Huron County Council, March 3. The Huron County Board of Health proposes increasing the fee for inspection of new septic tank systems from $72 to $100, the first County accepts Lester’s resignation After a 30-minute in camera meeting Thursday, Huron County councillors accepted the apparently surprise resignation of Wayne Lester as administrator of Huron- view and Huronlea, the county's Depts, show zero growth budget Barring unpleasant last-minute surprises on the income side of the budget, Huron County taxpayers can expect county councillors to hold the line on expenses when they accept the county budget later this month. The Administration, Finance and Personnel Committee reported that all departments had met the target of a zero per cent increase in the mill rate and suggested that there be no special meetings of council to consider the budget until the March 31 meeting which will see the bud- County council voting reforms in jeopardy It appears more and more unlike­ ly there will be a reformed voting structure in place when county vot­ ers go to the polls this fall, meaning there may be a larger, not a smaller county council come December. Earlier, county council had voted, over the objections of the two representatives from Exeter, to a voting structure that would see each municipality get one vote, no matter what its population. A pri­ vate member s bill was to be pre­ sented in the Ontario Legislature to put that structure in place for this fall's municipal election. If no changes are made, several other municipalities beside the six that now have two representatives, would be in line to add a second representative because of popula­ tion growth. But one by one other municipali­ ties that originally supported the one vote per municipality resolu­ tion have reconsidered. Officially Exeter and Goderich have filed their opposition to the Letter to the editor Director responds Continued from page 4 we are trying to do is stop Bob Rae and Paul Klopp from sacrificing the $6 billion a year agricultural sector in order to win back union support as they contemplate certain defeat going into the next election without full union backing. What better way to appease the union leaders than to allow another sector of the work force to unionize in order to build up the unions' bank accounts. Might we suggest Mr. Klopp stop listening to other socialist MPPs, union leaders and farm bureaucrats, who for their own reasons support the unionization of farm workers. Instead, he should start listening to farmers in his own riding who do not want or support the unionization of farmers. increase in five years. With the number of inspections expected to drop this year, the Board of Health had proposed increasing the fee to maintain revenue. It pointed out that the fees charged in surrounding counties ranged from $100 to $150. Bruce Machan, reeve of Wing­ homes for the aged. Mr. Lester's resignation was effective Feb. 1, although there was no mention of it at the Feb. 3 meet­ ing of council. There was, however, get approved. Not everyone was happy with that suggestion, however. Lossy Fuller, deputy-reeve of Exeter objected to the limited amount of time this would give councillors to consider the budget. "I can see we're going to pass it in 10 min­ utes," she said. She complained that the budget must be passed before April 1 by law so that would leave councillors no opportunity to make changes in the budget if they don't meet until March 31. Noting that the departmental budgets had already been presented to the proposal. Wingham Reeve Bruce Machan and Howick Reeve Norm Fairies both said their municipali­ ties were also now opposed to the new voting structure. "Was it not passed 30-1?" asked Jack Coleman, deputy reeve of Stanley Township. "Does that mean nothing at all?" Tom Tomes, reeve of Stephen, wondered if the county was pre­ pared to defend its position before the legislature. "The reality is, if there is an objection, it will be a moot point if council goes to defend it because they won't even introduce a (private member's) bill," said Jocelyn Mur­ ray, county clerk-administrator. Council has two options if the private member's bill cannot be passed. It can stay with the present structure which will increase the size of council, or it can adopt Sec­ tion 28 of the municipal act which would reduce the number of mem­ bers from larger municipalities, but give multiple votes. The Facts: With NAFTA and a general lessening of international trade barriers - no thanks to the ostrich-imitating NDP who would like to build a fence around Ontario - Bill 91 would make it more difficult for Ontario farmers to compete. Ontario farmers must pay $6.75 an hour as a minimum wage while British Columbia - with the second highest minimum wage in the country - pays out only $5 an hour. Might I suggest Mr. Klopp start representing the farming community of Huron County instead of the union bosses who want to bring unions to Ontario's farms. Thom Corbett Executive Director Ontarians for Responsible Government. ham, didn't buy the argument, how­ ever, pointing out the increase amounted to 39 per cent. "I just happen to be one of the guys who has to stand there and explain to the customer why it went up so much in one year," the Wingham plumber said. The argument about what other counties charge wasn't valid, an in camera meeting of county council on the afternoon of Feb. 3 to hear a consultant's management report for the homes. By Monday, Feb. 7, according to minutes of the Health and Seniors Administration, Finance and Per­ sonnel Committee she wondered "Why could we have not had the budget this afternoon?" But Brian McBumey, reeve of Tumberry argued since department heads had met the target set for them by council, councillors shouldn't be looking for more changes. "We have to keep faith with the employees. If you cut more, the staff will be defensive next year." Jocelyn Murray, county clerk­ administrator, reminded councillors that it would be later this month before the final word on revenues would be available. Values In Bfect From Monday, Mar. 7,1994 to Saturday, Mar. 12, 1994 Savings Are Based On Regular Retails We Reserve The Right To Limit Quantities To Normal Family Requirements. he said. "They always point out the counties that charge more. What about the ones that charge less." Dr. Maarten Bokhout, medical officer of health for Huron, said he wasn't aware of other municipali­ ties in the region that charged less. He said the concept was to try to involve some user-pay element in Committee, J. A. Murray, county clerk administrator and the interim co-administrators, Donna Surgeon- er, director of nursing at the homes, and Wayne Caldwell of the county planning department, had met with all three shifts at the two homes to communicate the changes. Lionel Wilder, reeve of Hay pre­ cipitated the in camera session Thursday when he called on county officials to clear the air and hold a press conference to tell the whole story. But Tom Tomes of Stephen Township, past warden and a mem­ ber of the Health and Seniors com­ mittee denied there was any problem. "I question who is run­ ning this council — the press or the councillors," he said. Eventually, however, Councillor Wilder asked that council go in camera to discuss a personnel mat­ ter and the public was excluded for 30 minutes. After the meeting was opened again there was no further discussion except to accept the res­ ignation of Mr. Lester. Product of U.S. A No. 1 Grade FRESH RED STRAWBERRIES 1 Pint Box ■ 99 ea. Cut from Canada A Grades Beef Chuck SHORT RIB OR BLADE ROAST 4.17 kg 1.89, KRAFT CHEESE BARS 907 g pkg. Selected Varieties 5.99 Frozen Beef, Chicken, Turkey YORK MEAT PIES 200 g Box .69 KNECHTEL BONELESS DINNER HAM Ready To Eat 3.95 kg 1.79. ROYALE BATHROOM TISSUE White 12 Roll pkg. 2.99 KNECHTEL POTATO CHIPS 180 g .79 ■^COMPLIMENTS^ POP 2 Litre Bottle .99 >>HONEYDEW FROZEN PUNCHES Assorted Varieties 355 ml Tin .69 With This Coupon SAVE IDO 1 Off Tha Purchase oft-TOO g Bos KELLOGG'S RICE KRISPIES | Specitl Pnca Speciil Is- 2.99. ; Coupon Eipire* Saturday, Mar. 12,1W4 Coupon Valid Only Al KnachielAa*oc,Storee the setting of such a rate. Even the $100 fee didn't cover all the costs involved, he said. But Councillor Machan warned that increasing the price too much might be self-defeating if the goal is to protect the environment. "If you put the price up you're going to have more Saturday and Sunday afternoon jobs (secretly installed, uninspected installations)." Tom Cunningham, reeve of Hul- lett Township agreed. "He's right. If you make the fee too high people are going to try to find a way around it. That's going to be detri­ mental to the environment." Brian McBumey, reeve of Tum­ berry agreed. "If it was left at $72 and you get more (tanks) inspected, it would be to the long-term benefit of the Health Unit.” Gordon Workman, reeve of Brus­ sels and another former plumber, supported his colleagues. "If you're going to raise the fee, make the Health Unit responsible when something goes wrong," he sug­ gested. But Bill Clifford, deputy-reeve of Goderich, argued that using a per­ centage increase was ridiculous. "On the cost of a house the $28 isn't much." As a Board of Health matter, council has no jurisdiction over the appointed board, but Dave Gower, deputy-reeve of Goderich Town­ ship and chair of the Board of Health, promised the board would re-examine the issue. Scrimgeour's Food Market BLYTH 523-4551