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The Citizen, 1998-02-25, Page 6Heating with electricity or why? Natural gas saves you at least 50%* over electrici at least 30%* over oil No payments on equipment purchase until October'98 or 0% financing for one year.' Terms and Conditions * Represents heating energy savings when comparing electric baseboard or forced air furnace with a high-efficiency natural gas furnace. Savings over oil is based on a high-efficiency natural gas furnace compared to a new oil furnace. Any applicable taxes are not included in the calculations. Natural gas prices as of June '97 $0.211999/cu.m. The lowest surveyed rate used in calculations for electricity was $0.069 (Jan. '97) and for fuel oil $0359 (Oct'97). Rates vary across Southwestern Ontario Union Gas service area. Please call your Union Gas Sales Office to find out what the savings are in your area. t Deferred payment is available to Union Gas residential customers on approved credit and financed through Union Gas. All other offers not applicable. Offer valid from Jan. 19 to March 7, '98. There are no set-up fees or early payment penalties for financing. 0% financing option not available with October '98 deferred payment option, any refinancing of the 0% option will be calculated at our standard interest rate of 13.9% annually. At participating Union Gas Sales Offices only. © Union Gas Limited 1998 1 800 860-2223 0 nongas energy for you Natural gas heating The future use of the BMG arena and grounds were up for discussion recently at a Grey Twp. council meeting. Deputy-Reeve and BMG Recre- ation board Chair Alvin McLellan told council of a plan to upgrade the natural gas at the BMG arena and improve the heating and air conditioning system. The project would cause a 100 per cent increase in the Grey Twp. levy from $13,000 to $26,000. Councillor Lyle Martin ques- tioned two major projects in one year and asked if it could be spread over two. Though there was discussion about using the reserve to cut costs, McLellan said both compressors for the ice plant are also old. With budget time approaching for all municipal councils, Grey Twp. Clerk-Treasurer Brad Knight told councillors, Feb. 16, there is a criteria under which Grey Twp. may get more from the province's community re-investment fund. The criteria best suited to Grey Twp. refers to an assessment drop, said Knight. This was caused when the provincial government set the tax rate for farm land at 25 per cent of the residential rate and eliminat- ed the farm tax rebate. Knight will be working on the numbers over the next few weeks as the application deadline is in March. Grey Twp. Reeve Robin Dunbar pointed out this is a one-time assis- tance plan and the township will have to deal with the 25 per cent farmland assessment in the next year. *** In reviewing the impact of the loss of block funding from the province, council heard that with the increased costs of policing and revenue lost due to elimination of the farm tax rebate, Grey Twp. is out $757,000. After Ibwick Twp. Grey shows the largest impact from loss of block funding, said Knight. Dunbar added that almost three- quarters of the township's tax base was taken in the farm tax rebate cut. He also wondered whether peo- ple would bother registering with On Friday, Feb. 20, the newly formed Grey Bruce Huron Perth District Health Council (GBHPDHC) had its initial meeting in Hanover. Bob Caesar of South Bruce was named interim lead, spokesperson and the Ministry contact for the GBHPDHC. He stated "Our initial task at hand is to get staff in place and to consider the establishment of a workstation in Grey Bruce. This will position us to get on with the job of restructuring. We will endeavour to work in harmony with all our health care partners in planning for the health care needs of the residents of the district. Our goal is to make rural health care in Grey Bruce Huron Perth a role model for rural Ontario." Replacements would cost approxi- mately $30,000. He also said other community groups will be asked to contribute to help pay the expense. Dunbar expressed his concern about the "arena sucking up money". "We have to look at recreation as a whole." Dunbar thought $4,000 (rejected by the rec board) spent on two more soccer fields would be a greater advantage. McLellan said it is important to keep up the arena and auditorium as that is where money is generat- ed, not from soccer. Council suggested the recreation • board look at ways to keep the levy down. farm organizations such as the Ontario Federation of Agriculture or Christian Farmers as they had previously been the only route to get the rebate. *** Council will forward a letter to Bell Canada requesting a change to the long-distance calling areas. They expressed concern that many residents in the township must call long-distance to the municipal office and fire department. *** There were no objections to three severance applications which went before council. An application from the owner of Part Lot 6, Conc. 4, asked that seven acres be severed from his 10- acre lot and returned to the neigh- bouring farm. Council agreed, though stating rezoning may have to be undertak- en to change the seven acres from AG4 to AG1. Lot lines may also have to be adjusted to accommo- date a barn. There were no objections to a severance plan from Al Nichol though council stipulated that a sur- vey and drain assessment be com- pleted and that rezoning would only be needed if there. were defi- cient setbacks. *** Goderich OPP Staff Sergeant Brian Baldwin attended the meet- ing to ensure councillors were well informed about their policing options. The GBHPDHC is committed to communicating openly with the communities and stakeholders as decisions are made. Johns hears needs Continued from page 1 from community to community. Johns also said that she learned at the meeting from a university student that there are some advantages to rural youths because they have the opportunity to be more involved in their communities, through such activities as coaching minor sports, and doing volunteer work. Through these community activities, youths can improve their chances of finding work. Flexibility's the key Students from across the district took part in numerous workshops offered to them as part of the Sears Drama Festival held in Blyth last week. Yoga, relaxation and flexibility training was just one of the assorted classes. PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1998. Grey ponders future of BMG arena, land Grey council briefs Tvvp. to apply for prov. funds GBHPDHC meets