The Citizen, 1996-10-09, Page 1Wednesday, Oct. 9, 1996 Vol. 12 No 40 700 + 5,0 GST 750
Fall- tour
With leaves slow to turn this season it seems, the colours may have been the only thing less
than ideal for the annual Wawanosh Nature Centre Fall Colour Tour on Sunday. Warm
temperatures and clear blue skies beckoned a huge crowd to the centre, located on Conc.
6/7 of East Wawanosh. There they enjoyed horse drawn wagon rides, guided tours of the
centre's wooded area followed by refreshments in the education centre.
Office open
this Monday
The Blyth office of The Citizen
will be open this Thanksgiving
Monday. Deadline for advertis-
ing and editorial copy is at 4 pm.
that day.
Though the Brussels office will
be closecl advertising and editori-
al information can be submitted
through the slot in the door until
noon, for inclusion in this week's
issue.
Special
5 pages offer tips for fall
and winter car care
maintenance
Beginning page 8
Sports
Brussels Bulls face-off
against Ironmen in home
opener
See page 17
E.ntertainmerg
Acclaimed actor appears
as acclaimed actor in
Avon production
See page 27
itizen
The North Huron Local reeve
states case
to Crombie
A community meeting with
CIBC District Manager A.G.J.
Grant and Blyth branch manager
Sharon Motycka has lead to some
positive results. However, the plan
to streamline services stands.
Blyth Clerk-Treasurer John
Stewart told council Monday
evening that last week's meeting
between local business people,
other invited guests and CIBC offi-
cials determined that large business
and farm accounts will be trans-
ferred to the Brussels, Wingham cr
Goderich branch, but that it is not
necessary for those customers to
travel to the other community to do
business.
Bank personnel will come to the
client's home to discuss the larger
loans, Stewart related to council.
Blyth residents urged the CIBC
to retain services as they are at pre-
sent, to encourage the village to
thrive and grow.
One concession allowed by the
bank was to permit the local branch
to remain open until 6 p.m. on Fri-
day, allowing customers easier
access to banking services.
By Bonnie Gropp
A local politician continued to
fight for fair taxation during a
meeting with former secretary of
state David Crombie in Toronto
last week.
Blyth Reeve Mason Bailey and
Hullett Reeve Tom Cunningham
were among those present for what
was to be a 90-minute audience
with Crombie, who has been
appointed to head a panel investi-
gating.property tax reform.
"It was a very vigorous meeting.
As a result it turned into one of
nearly three hours," said Bailey.
The head of the Tax Equity
Alliance, who had spoken with Bai-
ley at a recent convention, called
to invite him to attend. On Sept. 28
he went to an organizational meet-
ing in Orillia to prepare for the 3
p.m. appointment with Crombie.
Speaking out for the rural popu-
lation Bailey expressed concern
about the Actual Value Assessment
(AVA), presently being considered
by the province. Bailey, who was
the driving force behind Blyth's
campaign for education financing
reform, which has gained support
from 250 municipalities, said the
AVA is not fair to people outside
the Greater Toronto Area. "We
want a system that will no longer
penalize initiative of good caretak-
ing and investment in property, but
encourages growth and economic
activity in our communities," said
Bailey.
Through Blyth's campaign, he
said, he has had an opportunity to
access the mood of business and
Huron County's Strategic Plan-
ning Committee has issued a report
proposing three alternatives which
would make major changes to the
political landscape of the county,
but Blyth Reeve Mason Bailey pro-
posed a fourth option which could
mean far less change.
The alternatives, unveiled at the
Oct. 2 meeting of county council,
will be considered by the county's
Administration, Finance and Per-
sonnel committee on Oct. 17, then
The gathering was also told by
Grant that Blyth would have a
banking machine within six
months, possibly sooner, said
Stewart.
Council agreed to send a letter to
the Blyth Business Association,
supporting any actions they take
regarding the maintenance of bank-
ing services in the village.
municipal leaders across Ontario.
"If the government continues to
neglect and intimidate "Lesser"
Ontario, it could eventually lead to
a tax revolt, whereby all businesses
discontinue collection of sales tax."
"If Toronto discontinues funding
to "Lesser" Ontario, "Lesser
Ontario will be justified in discon-
tinuing funding for Toronto."
While Bailey noted that he did
not believe in insurrection or civil
disobedience, municipal leaders
had to do something when "it
becomes evident we can not be
heard any other way."
In asking that his message be
conveyed to the premier, Bailey
said, "We request that (he) be
reminded that "Lesser" Ontario
comprises approximately 99 1/2 per
cent of the total area of the
province, approximately 99 1/2 per
cent of the natural resources of the
province, 60 per cent of the popula-
tion of the province, a majority of
the local municipalities in the
province and the majority of the
MPPs in the province."
Bailey said the province's leaders
must be told that those "with
responsible positions in Lesser
Ontario will not be hypnotized into
betraying our citizens, by blindly
accepting amalgamation plans or a
system of assessment that would be
a bit step backwards from system
already unsatisfactory to us."
"There must be a system that
works well for all."
In an interview last week, Bailey
said he left the meeting with a posi-
tive feeling. "I was skeptical going
in, but I think we got his attention."
discussed at the Nov. 7 meeting of
count:, L)uncil.
The first proposals involve
grouping existing municipalities
together to create seven new
municipalities ranging in size from
4,400 to 12,000 in size. McKillop
and Hullett Twps., for instance
would find themselves in a munici-
pality that included Clinton,
Seaforth and Tuckersmith, for a
Continued on page 16
Blyth urges CIBC to retain services
County studies
restructuring