Loading...
The Citizen, 2003-07-23, Page 24PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2003. Ralph Laviolette named new EDO for Huron East Close call Around 3:30 p.m. on July 15, the Blyth Fire Department received a call about a car fire on London Road near Cemetery Line. Firefighters arrived within minutes to find a station wagon upside down on the west side of the road. The driver of the vehicle touched the shoulder of the road and overcorrected, went into a skid, and entered the ditch rolling a few times. (Sarah Mann photo) Brussels water rates to rise By David Blaney Special to The Citizen Huron East has a new economic development officer with the appointment of Ralph Laviolette. Mayor Lin Steffler announced the appointment during the July 8 council meeting. Laviolette is a civil engineer with a business degree and experience in planning, engineering, and financial management. After visiting the area for over two decades he moved with his wife and family to Bayfield last year. Prior to accepting the six-month appointment with Huron East Laviolette served as the assistant chief engineer for CN Rail, general manager of GO Transit expansion and as general manager of business planning for the Toronto-Chicago rail corridor. He has also worked as a project manager for a mining concern and a marketer for several companies. In making the announcement Steffler said Laviolette’s role would be to assist current business owners, aid business start-ups, identify opportunities for growth and promote tourism opportunities. Laviolette says that he will initially concentrate on producing a directory of businesses in Huron East and a community profile. In discussing the profile he commented, “I don’t think of it as being used by local residents but as useful to those who don’t live here.” He went on to explain that it would allow businesses to learn about the municipality and its opportunities. He described his position as giving business “somebody to talk to” when they have an interest in the area. Laviolette suggested that the community has tourism opportunities that could be developed. He said the amount of traffic through the municipality from the major roads meant opportunities for developing things that would encourage people to “stop off and look.” He also suggested that there was room for attracting small business to serve the local agri-businesses and reduce the amount of sourcing from beyond the area’s borders. Although the current contract is for six months, talk around the council table indicated that several councillors were prepared to extend that mandate to at least a year. By David Blaney Special to The Citizen Huron East councillors got a glimpse of the future cost of water at their July 8 meeting as treasurer Brad Knight presented a report on the financial health of the municipality's..w^ter systems. As user-pay services each of the four systems (Brucefield, Brussels, Seaforth and Vanastra) must depend on their subscribers to carry the costs without help from the general tax levy. Brussels’ residential water users currently pay a flat fee of $11 per month for water and $23.50 for sewage. The charges are added to their tax bills. The large number of changes and upgrades required by the provincial government in the wake of the Walkerton tragedy has ieft the Brussels’ system with a projected deficit of $351,209 for the end of 2003. According to Knight the rates to Brussels’ 447 subscribers will need to be raised by $78.50 a year or $6.50 a month to finance the shortfall over 10 years. Councillor Larry McGrath commented on hearing the news that all the systems were under financial pressure, “We have enjoyed cheap water in the past but this (the increase) is just what we need to pay the deficit. If the ministry comes along with some other stupid regulation you could easily add $100,000 to each of these (costs).” McGrath later suggested the rates could double or triple at some time in the future. Knight suggested the current work in Brussels could be financed from the sewage reserve fund, which is in a surplus position of $469,831 at the present moment. He noted that this reserve was created from basically the same property owners that use the water system. Current provincial regulations require council to hold a public meeting before raising the rates and Knight asked that this be done prior to the final tax billing if council intended to act this year. Tips for responsible gambling (NC) - For many people, gambling is exciting and entertaining. They make careful decisions about spending time and money, where to go and how to have fun. The following are some ways people gamble responsibly: • Gamble for entertainment, not as a way to make money • Balance gambling with other leisure activities • Only use discretionary income, not money for everyday expenses • Set a budget and stick to it. If you have lost the money you budgeted for gambling - stop • Don’fborrow money to gamble • Avoid on-site cash machines for additional gambling money Brussels councillor Greg Wilson pointed out during the discussion that “at $11 a month the price of water in Brussels is the same as a six pack of cans of beer,” and went on to suggest the proposed increase was less than a package of cigarettes a month. He said, “They know it (the increase) is coming. I don’t think we need to have a public meeting in my ward.” Council decided to hold information meetings in each area with a water system and then have a formal public meeting prior to Sept. 1. BUYING FOR A MINOR IS A MAJOR OFFENCE /r Responsible Gambling Council (Ontario)' • Always set a time limit • Take frequent breaks • Be aware - risk increases at times of loss or depression If you want to know more about responsible gambling, visit the Responsible Gambling Council (Ontario) website at www.responsiblegambling.org or phone at (416) 499-9800 in Toronto or toll free at 1 -888-391-1111. - News Canada Supply alcohol to a minor and you're risking their health and safety. You also risk up to one year in jail and up to $200,000 in fines. If you're old enough to buy alcohol legally, be responsible. Be responsible. Dontbuy for minors. Call now! Some performances already sold odd BOX OFFICE 1-877-TO BLYTH www.blythfestival.com 3 july 23 - august 23 HIPPIE by Jonathon Garfinkel, Kelly McIntosh and Paul Thompson Music, truth and some really cool fashion statements...