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The Citizen, 2003-11-05, Page 11THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2003. PAGE 11. Candidates sing praises of Huron East Continued from page 1 fight to see it happen. “If it means getting you people to help, to make the calls, to write letters. I’ll lead that charge.” Beaven joked about how he’d even thought of getting a Tim Horton’s in Ethel. “But they couldn’t compete with Brubacher’s coffee and cinnamon buns so they wouldn’t want to be here.” However, selling the area shouldn’t be a problem, he said. “We have a beautiful product here. Huron East is a fantastic story to tell.” “And friends and family who know me will attest I’m not shy about standing up and speaking out.” McLellan has represented Grey for 12 years. He discussed the current issues facing Huron East. Nutrient managment is something that is on-going. “We all want safe drinking water but don’t want to force farmers out of business.” The BSE crisis is something McLellan is unsure about what municipalities could do to help, but feels that if any steps can be taken council should act immediately. Economic development was also a key point raised. “It may not lower taxes but it will stabilize them.” The three day care facilities in the municipality and their funding is an unresolved issue. “Council has to decide whether it wants to be in the day care business and if they do treat them all the same.” McLellan concluded by saying that in his years as a councillor he has treated the job with respect, and people as he would want to be treated, fairly and honestly. Newman has had previous council experience with Grey. He said that while he feels amalgamation resulted in too great an expansion it is something that can’t be changed now. “Divorce could be costlier than the marriage.” Fairness in all wards is needed, he said. Newman said he would “always look for ways to improve the tax base” and promised “dedicated service working towards a fair and open Huron East for all”. CANDIDATES FOR DEPUTY­ MAYOR TAKE THEIR TURN Agar, who farmed with her husband, said she has an understanding of how hard it is to balance the money. A united Huron East is her goal, she said noting that each area had something vital to offer. MacLellan said the job of deputy­ mayor has been one he takes pride in. He refers to his role at the council table as a balancing act. “I speak for every (ward) at once.” “Anyone who follows the papers knows I speak and I speak often.” TWO VIE FOR MAYOR Seili said that in his years at the council table he has gotten the job done and through his work has travelled many miles in Huron East. He wants to see a continuation of the teamwork the previous council demonstrated and go forward. Dunbar has many years of municipal council experience as well. He spoke of Grey’s good solid history, noting that they had been “pioneers” in many cases. Grey at one point at the lowest tax rate in the county, excellent roads and was the first to have a nutrient management bylaw and implement a blue box program. Also, he said, Grey got along well with its neighbours, particularly Brussels. While amalgamation came with misgivings it was inevitable, he said. What concerns him, however, is that he has been hearing that the sense of community is being lost. “We need a mayor to go around and sell Huron East to us, to create a spirit of Huron East.” Dunbar also said he would fight to get the three-way stop at the Ethel intersection. “I’m tired of waiting.” Q&A During the question period, Murray Bray spoke of how in the past developers had met with considerable Dunbar ‘tired of waiting * for 3-way stop roadblocks. “Council seems more receptive and I hope it continues that way.” Bray asked the candidates for trustee about the funding formula and what they see is wrong with it. Dyck offered an informative and detailed background of the issue. He explained that 10 years ago the local communities paid for their school through property taxes. “That changed when the Progressive Conservative government changed how education was funded.” Then said Dyck, the concept of funding on a per pupil basis seemed attractive because cities were having a lot more spent on them. “However, the reality didn’t pan out.” Envelopes earmarked for such things as transportation fell short, meaning that money had to be taken from other envelopes. “It was simply not working.” Dyck concluded by saying that he believes the new provincial Liberal government has already gotten the point that it’s not working for small school boards, and is hopeful the problems will be addressed. Kaastra agreed saying that the transportation envelope was “sucking money” away from the system.” “And while some of the envelopes can be moved others can’t.” She noted that the problem is being studied, particularly its impact on small schools. Larry McGrath, running for council in the Seaforth ward asked the trustees how the school board thinks it can keep coming back to the taxpayers for more money. “When do you say enough is enough?” Kaastra explained that when the education money leaves Huron East it go to Toronto. “Then Toronto deals out the cards to the school boards.” However, she has been lobbying for changes to a system which she said has “lots of problems” and will continue to do so. Verbeek Colquhoun said the board should have scaled back administrative salaries when new positions were filled. She also suggested that perhaps the board should file a deficit budget, something prohibited by the province. Laurie Martin asked if the projections showing declining enrollment were correct how would they address the loss of money each year. Verbeek Colquhoun said she didn’t believe there would be a drop. “I volunteer on a day care board and the numbers there are increasing.” However, should it become a problem, the board needs to look at sharing facilities with others and partnering to keep schools viable, she said. Kaastra noted that the accommodation review is discussed each year. “Every time a school is listed (for potential closure) it hurts the school. The report has to be brought down when needed, not yearly.” Mentioning such programs as the successful distance education which sees students from outside the board taking courses through Avon Maitland, Kaastra said, “we need to sell ourselves.” Dyck injected some humour noting first that families need to have more than two children, bu then stressed his feeling of optimism that there will be change with the Liberal government. “This government is demonstrating empathy to rural Ontario.” Dyck also stressed that people listen to the candidates for council. “Their visions are vital in creating our schools. If they have a plan that attracts business we will have a viable community and viable schools.” Cora Alcock asked about road paving and the poor condition of some graded roads. McLellan said that there is a long­ term plan for paving or hard surfacing many of the roads begun several years ago. He expects that plan will be followed. Martin asked about what the candidates’ plans were to address the issue of nutrient management and safe drinking water. Beaven said, “A fish in the creek doesn’t care what kind of manure it is or how many animals it came from. It just cares that it’s there. Farmers are getting tired of getting painted with the same smelly brush,” he said noting that many are good stewards of the land. “The province has now taken the lead and I truly hope, which is why I sit on the nutrient management tast force, that this new government continues.” Farmers he said, have many hurdles to jump over and don’t generally care as long as there’s return for their investment. Educate the consumer, increase the demand for organic products and farmers will go there, he said. Dunbar said that the problem is and always has been enforcement and even with Bill 81, municipalities don’t necessarily know what the rules are. “Nutrient management will continue to be an item and I’m hoping that the new government will get a bill that takes the municipality WINGHAM & DISTRICT HOSPITAL HIGHLIGHTS AUXILIARY MEETING The Wingham & District Hospital Auxiliary meeting will be held on November 24 2003 at 1:00 p.m. in the Terrace Room. CHOLESTEROL EDUCATION D*' This program will be offered on Novcuoer 25lh from 1:30-3:00 p.m. in Room 107 of the Hospital. A doctor’s referral is required. For more information or to register call Cherie Dolmage, RD at 357-3210, Ext. 275. POINSETTIA TEA The Wingham & District Hospital Auxiliary will be holding their Poinsettia Tea and coffee break on November 27th from 10.00 - 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. DIABETES EDUCATION DAY The next class will be held on November 27th from 8:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. A doctor’s referral is required. For more information or to register, call Cherie Dolmage, RD at 357-3210, Ext. 275 or Linda Kieffer, RN/CDE at Ext 362 NOTICE OF RESTRICTED SERVICES Tuesday, November 11th will be observed as a Statutory Holiday at the Wingham & District Hospital. Emergency services only will be provided as is our practice foi any Statutory Holiday. Phone:357-3210 Fax:357-2931 E-MaiL winghosp@wcl.on.ca into consideration. Every little bit hurts, including septic. It’s going to be a continuing saga and 1 hope there will be a definitive plan to ensure safe water.” Agar said education starts at home and said Huron East could lead, and be a step ahead of regulations to come. MacLellan said the current council had been pro-active and wanted to stay ahead of the game. “What happens in the future depends on who’s on council.” > Keeping volunteers in the tiny communities was a concern for Andrea Hruska. “Any thoughts on how to make people feel wanted, special? We may risk losing the things that make us unique.” Beaven raised the idea of a volunteer appreciation event. Outgoing mayor Lin Steffler said that council “had tried to come to grips with a volunteer appreciation event but the hundreds of thousands of hours of volunteer work was staggering.” However, she challenged council to not give up. On November 10,h Choose Mark Bea ven Grey Ward - Huron East Reliable • Effective • Responsible "A Strong Voice for Grey" for MAYOR Municipality of Morris-Turnberrv Return your ballot before November 10 Accountability - Honesty - Fairness GUARANTEED 10 Years Experience Serving You: "The Taxpayers"