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The Citizen, 1994-11-09, Page 8PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1994. Grey residents speak out By Bonnie Gropp A candidates night at Ethel Community Hall, Nov. 1 provided residents of Grey Twp. with an opportunity to meet and question their municipal candidates and acclaimed politicians. John Saxon, RR3, Brussels, wondered about spending for spending's sake, referring to the purchase of a new truck, which was partially subsidized by the province. "When do we get to say you're (the provincial and federal governments) not going to give us money to operate? We're going to do our own business," he said. Acclaimed deputy-reeve, Councillor Robin Dunbar said that if people could look at the revenue for the municipality, they would see how much the province contributes. "If it didn't, your taxes would probably be twice as high. Municipalities are creatures of the provincial government, just as the provinces are of the federal government." The truck, Mr. Dunbar added was a necessary item and the grant was there to help. "We needed a truck. The money was there and available. If we didn't take it believe me the next township would have," agreed incumbent Councillor Alvin McLellan. Mr. Saxon said he was told by the clerk that the township could afford the truck if it sold the old grader. "Now, I hear they're selling the old grader to get a new grader." Councillor Dunbar said, "John we could get rid of everything, then when you want to get into (town) for your coffee in the morning, you can take a shovel." Councillor McLellan said the information Mr. Saxon had been given was not accurate and when Mr. Saxon repeated to him what he had been told by the clerk, Councillor McLellan said, "Well, the clerk's not sitting up here." There were questions regarding the money for the new office expansion which Mrs. Armstrong said would come from a capital reserve fund. The expansion too was necessary to accommodate computers and staff. The CNR property acquisitions were also at no cost to the ratepayers. "We were not in favour of the purchase unless the landowners bought the land," said incumbent Councillor Helen Cullen. Gary Boyer of Ethel said that while there seemed to be no end to the money, he had been told that the sidewalk in front of his home couldn't be repaired because it wasn't in the budget. Candidate for reeve Dale Newman said, "My answer to that is if we can find money for a new truck and office we should have been able to do a sidewalk." One ratepayer asked why there wasn't more information on Grey council in the local papers. Councillor Dunbar said when he first came on council he spoke to the newspaper editor regarding this and was told there wasn't enough staff to cover all local councils. He suggested that the clerk send minutes to be published. "I realize this is a poor second." John Vanass, Cranbrook, asked if anyone could attend council meetings, which was responded to affirmatively. Mr. Saxon asked why the only time he attended a council meeting it was closed. It was explained that meetings are closed to discuss personnel matters or property acquisitions when it would be a detriment to the township. Acknowledging Mr. Newman's remark during his opening statement that he would like more input from ratepayers, Mr. Saxon asked him how we would go about getting it. "Come out to council meetings," Mr. Newman said. "Before decisions can be made we should have public input." In support of council's decisions, Mr. Boyer said, "I don't mind spending the money if it goes to a good cause. If you need these things you've got to gel them." Mr. Newman agreed saying, "I can't blame council for going ahead with the new building. It was discussed when I was on council, but the money wasn't there then." With regards to the liquor vote, Brad Matheson, the petitioner, was asked by Jim Armstrong, RR3, Brussels if there was any way that the bowling lanes could get a special license for tournaments. Mr. Matheson had requested the vote to make his business competitive with surrounding bowling alleys which were licensed. Clerk-Treasurer Brad Knight said a no sale permit could be issued, but it would have to be paid for by the parties applying. Bruce Armstrong, RR3, Brussels asked how many "dry" townships there were. Mr. Matheson said that all the neighbouring ones were "wet" with the nearest "dry" one being Momington. "To me it's an antiquated law that's been here probably since prohibition and never gone back," Mr. Matheson said. Mr. Saxon asked council if they would give consideration to the adopt-a-road program established in other municipalities so that some of the projects and work could be done without provincial or federal assistance. Reeve Leona Armstrong said that presently many landowners to cut the municipally owned property grass in front of their homes now. "We really appreciate that."♦♦♦♦ Newcomer seeks council spot Stuart Alton Stuart Alton, a first-time political candidate, will run for a seat on West Wawanosh council. Though he has no previous politi­ cal experience, Mr. Alton says he is looking for the opportunity to be an active member of the community and to try to make changes for the better in his township. His two main objectives are to maintain taxes at a level that ratepayers can afford and to fight against the locating of the county landfill site in West Wawanosh. Ken Pennington’s "Music for all occasions" Call (519) 887-6069 Man runs for Brussels reeve Glen Gouldsborough Challenging incumbent Gord Workman for the reeve's chair in Brussels is Glen Gouldsborough. "I would be the first to admit that I have no experience on municipal council, but then no one else did until being either acclaimed or voted to such a position," Mr. Gouldsborough said. "What I do have is a great deal of enthusiasm and excitement for the future of the Village of Brussels." Mr. Gouldsborough says he has served for eight years on the board of directors for Big Brothers, five with the Guelph chapter and three as chairman in Kapuskasing. An officer of the Canadian reserve forces as an instructor with the Brussels Army Cadet Corp, Mr. Gouldsborough has lived in the vil­ lage for four years. He decided to run for reeve to renew the "village spirit", he says. "In the four years I have been a res­ ident (here), I have noticed a con­ siderable decline in the village spirit. Businesses have been closing and the main street is beginning to reflect a slow yet consistent decline." Mr. Gouldsborough says, it is time to "stop the erosion" by co­ operation among councillors to take advantage of the recovering econo­ my and attract new business and development to the community. "Otherwise there will be even more abandoned or dilapidated buildings in this beautiful place we all like to call home." For strong financial responsibility in government and with county experience on planning and development Re-elect BOB HALLAM Reeve for West Wawanosh on November 14 New Ontario Minimum Wage Regulations NOTICE OF POLL MUNICIPAL ELECTORS FOR THE TOWNSHIP OF GREY Office for which poll to be held: Reeve (1 of whom Is to be elected) Councillor (1 of whom is to be elected) ADVANCE POLLS Advance Polls will be held on Wednesday, November 9th, 1994 at the Grey Township Municipal Building, Lot 21, Concession 9. The Advance Polls will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. REGULAR POLLS Regular polling day will be Monday, November 14th, 1994 from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The locations of the regular polls are as PROXY APPLICATIONS A person who has been appointed a voting proxy may apply to the Clerk not later than 5:00 p.m. on Polling Day to receive a certificate to vote by proxy for the polling subdivision in which the person appointing the voting proxy Is entitled to vote. Proxy applications will also be considered by the Clerk during the period from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 5th, 1994. Brad Knight Returning Officer Township of Grey follows; Poll No. 1 Grey Township Firehall (Ethel) Concession 1 to 4, all lots. Poll No. 2 Grey Township Firehall (Ethel) Concession 5 to 8, all lots, Concession 9, Lots 11 to 35. Poll No. 3 Walton Public School Concession 9 to 18, lots 1 to 10 (except Village of Brussels). Poll No. 4 Cranbrook Community Centre Concessions 10 to 18, lots 11 to 35. These are the new minimum wage rates. The new rates take effect at the beginning of the work week that includes January 1, 1995. 4 General hourly rate (including domestic and harvest worker(s) New Rate $6.85 Previous Rate (6.70) Homeworker hourly rate $7.54 (7.37) Student hourly rate (under 18 years) $6.40 (6.25) Liquor server hourly rate $5.95 (5.80) Hunting/fishing guides daily rate - for five (5) hours or more in a day - for less than five (5) hours $ 68.50 34.25 (67.00) (33.50) Maximum room and meal allowances in calculating the minimum wage, applicable to general workers at the beginning of the work week that includes January 1, 1995 Room (weekly) - private $31.70 (31.00) - non-private or shared 15.85 (15.50) Meals - each meal $2.55 (2.50) - weekly maximum 53.55 (52.50) Rooms & Meals (weekly) - with private room $ 85.25 (83.50) - with non-private or shared room 69.40 (68.00) Harvest Workers (only) weekly housing - serviced maximum $ 99.35 (97.15) - unserviced maximum 73.30 (71.70) For more information, contact your local Ministry of Labour office. ©Ontario