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The Citizen, 2003-01-08, Page 24PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2003. Wheels Away confronts N. Huron about funds By Bonnie Gropp Citizen editor North Huron's reluctance to provide substantial support to Wheels Away prompted a visit from the organization’s representatives. Monday night. Dianne Grummett. Bev Woodley and Ron Beecroft attended the council meeting in Wingham to speak their minds. Spokesperson Beecroft in a written statement alluded to $46,165 in the community re-investment fund which was earmarked for transportation. “Wheels Away has not received one penny. Why?” The CRF was given to municipalities by the province to offset costs of picking up downloaded services. Stating that the organization is in “dire straights” Beecroft said that giving consideration to the aging population, the notion that Wheels Away is a non-essential service is a Belgrave pumphouse needs immediate repairs By Bonnie Gropp Citizen editor It may seem like dumping money down a well, but there’s little choice. At the Monday night meeting of North Huron council Henry Rouw of the Ontario Clean Water Agency, said that despite the fact the Belgrave pumphouse will be upgraded in the near future, the plumbing needs to be repaired now. “We have already repaired a few leaks, but it’s on-going, it’s Police to enforce trail permits It will cost recreational snowmobilers' $205 if they attempt to ride trails operated by the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) without a valid snowmobile trail permit this winter. In addition, if they wish to continue riding OFSC trails, they will still have to pay the $170 fee for purchasing a 2003 Snowmobile trail permit. That is the message from the OFSC after the Government of Ontario completed the two legal protocols necessary to improve the judicial process for laying permit charges and obtaining convictions. Following a recent high level meeting with the solicitor general’s office initiated by the OFSC, the government provided the Short Wording, which enables enforcement agencies to more easily write tickets for “failure to have or display” a permit on an OFSC Prescribed Trail. Meanwhile, the Chief Justice of Ontario approved the set fines, which clearly established a first-time offence penalty of $205. Both the short wording and the set fines are being distributed to police forces across Ontario for action this winter. “Snowmobile Trail Permits are now as enforceable as are the provisions that snowmobilers must carry proof of registration, insurance and a valid driver’s licence.” stated OFSC General Manager Ron Purchase. “ For our clubs and volunteers, these approvals mean that every police force and STOP (Snowmobile Trail Officer Patrol) volunteer now has the ability as well as the legal requirement to fully enforce snowmobile trail permits this winter.” Snowmobile trail permits became a legal requirement on OFSC myth. While funding from municipalities had always been based on a per capita basis per usage. Beecroft said a new approach must now be taken. "The van needs to be replaced which would not have been as big a problem if we had received the money intended from the capital reserve fund.” 'What money they are talking about, however, was a puzzle to Clerk-Administrator John Stewart and councillors. After Beecroft said they were looking for $5,000 “per ward” plus the per capita fee, Councillor Archie MacGowan asked if his comments indicated that he believed council was withholding funds. Beecroft explained that in Bruce County the disabled transit system was given the money from the transfer fund. Woodley stated that she had spoken with a representative from corroded.” The repairs would cost an estimated $1,420 plus taxes. The dilemma for council, however, was Rouw’s warning that with the mandatory upgrades to the system, there would be a good possibility the new plumbing could be taken out again next year. “But if we spring a leak it could be an emergency situation and we would prefer this be done in a controlled circumstance,” Rouw said. prescribed trails with the passing of Bill 101 two years ago, but have been enforced inconsistently since then. With the completion of the associated judicial requirements, permit enforcement will now be universal and consistent for the first time across Ontario, starting immediately. “The OFSC and our member clubs have an active and positive working relationship with the Ontario Provincial Police and most other enforcement agencies,” said Purchase, “We appreciate their presence on our trails to enforce safety and to help ensure that snowmobilers are riding legally.” The goal of Bill 101 was to ensure that recreational snowmobilers pay their way. However, it also recognized that snowmobile trails on Crown land are sometimes used for commercial purposes, so limited trail permit exemptions were 'allowed, applicable only for prescribed OFSC trails on Crown land. These exemptions are for specified workers while engaged in their work and able to prove it with appropriate documents. They include bait harvesters; commercial fish harvesters; trappers; prospectors; forest workers; utility companies and mining or exploration companies. Bill 101 also reconfirmed limited exemptions for land owners and their tenants and the immediate family members of both while on their own land, including while travelling directly to or from their property on Crown land, if the OFSC trail is the only or safest access route from the closest road. The same exemption for ‘Crown land only’ applies to Crown land the Ministry of Transportation who said that money was there for use though it had not been specifically earmarked by them for disability transportation. “They thought municipalities with an existing service would give that money to them,” she said. “A non-profit organization cannot function on nothing and for the people who use the service we can’t just take it away.” Stewart said of the CRF money received he was not aware of any that was for transportation. The major portion was for the farm tax rebate and policing. He agreed to look into it further with Bruce County and the Ministry. Council promised that they would notify Wheels Away when a decision was to be made. After the delegation left, the topic was brought up once again, with Stewart again expressing puzzlement over what money they Clerk-Administrator John Stewart said that having spoken with the public works department and with an engineer, it was felt the best course was to proceed with the repairs. “The upgrades in the report would pfobably not be done until 2004. While this may look like a waste of $1,400 if there’s an emergency it wouldn’t take long to eat up that money?’ he said. Council voted to proceed with the repairs. tenants and their immediate family members. A Crown land exemption was granted to the Aboriginal people of Canada. A very limited exemption on Crown land only is also available to specific anglers and hunters who can prove that they are using a snowmobile while engaged in their sport, but only when the OFSC trail on Crown land is the only or safest access route from the closest road. It is important to understand that these exemptions do not apply to OFSC snowmobile trails on private land, except for the specific owner of that land. Anyone, other than a snowmobile trail permit holder or the owner and family, who wishes to enter or use private land must first obtain permission from the landowner. For complete details on trail permit exemptions, please refer to Ontario Regulation 185/01 of the Motorized Snow Vehicles Act which can be found on the OFSC web site at www.ofsc.on.ca . The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs is dedicated to providing strong leadership and support to member clubs and volunteers to establish and maintain quality snowmobile trails which are used in a safe and environmentally responsible manner to further the enjoyment of organized snowmobiling. Help for Today. Hope for Tomorrow. AlzheimerStffzT/p believed was coming from the CRF. MacGowan expressed some frustration, saying, “1 don’t care for the insinuation that we have been withholding funds. This was the first I have known about this.” Councillor Jeff Howson agreed that the notion had confounded everyone. “We all sat with the same look on our faces.” Council also pondered if the delegation had actually meant $5,000 per ward or if they had been referring to North Huron as a ward rather than a township. manAuburn wins S35.000(L By Janice Becker Citizen staff It was a very happy Christmas morning for Brian and Alison Wightman of East Wawanosh. When they answered the phone at 9:30 a.m., Todd MacDonald, representing Blyth Minor Hockey, told them they had just won the draw which entitled them to a truck worth up to $35,000 or a cheque for that amount. “We took the cash,” said Alison. “It was a great Christmas present.” The couple quickly had the cheque in their hands when Brian made the trip to Blyth that afternoon to retrieve their winnings. Following Brian’s teachings as an accountant. Alison said they will use the money for “debt reduction”, then maybe buy a few things for the house and the rest will be invested. Wightmans have been buying tickets for the annual draw for the last couple years, said Alison. “Brian sells them through his office in Seaforth so he just bought one of those.” The couple has three daughters, newborn Mackenzie, three and a half-year-old Sydney and five-year- old Autumn. Stewart explained that nothing in the CRF says money has to be used for anything specific. A general resolution is done to say the funds will be used to reduce taxes in the township. Howson reminded council that they have had many questions about Wheels Away, its users and its funding for some time. “Who decides who uses the service? What is it based on? There are too many unknowns. I understand their frustration, but once again we need more information.” GRADUATION GODKIN Dianne Godkin, daughter of Marion and Lavern Godkin of RR 1 Walton, convocated on November 21, 2002 from the University of Alberta, Edmonton with a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Nursing. She is currently completing a post-doctoral fellowship with the Joint Centre for Bioethics, University of Toronto.