Goderich Signal Star, 2011-12-07, Page 12Wednesday, December 7, 2011 • Signal -Star 11
ntown business now at 71 per cent of pre -tornado operations
usiness
1provement
rea reps say tax
phase -ins,
Ives must be
red
to move forward. come about.
"People are frustrated and it's "In the worst-case scenario, a
starting to ware on them. Deter- business owner now has no job,
mining the value isn't really no money and can't afford to
that tidy," Armstrong said. "The live. Sole proprietors in some
piece that seems to be falling instances can't afford to reo-
apart is where the [insurance] pen, were either under insured,
adjuster conies in. Businesses or have no insurance to cover
are reporting they've been very their costs if they're forced to
slow to assist, and therefore, be closed indefinitely. If they
MiMunt there's been a big loss of don't have that, they're proba-
gnal-Star revenue." bly not paying into CPP, EI, and
That loss or revenue means have been told they'd better
n a month after the big things for those hoping to apply for welfare, and that
derich's downtown open their doors again, and opens up a whole kettle of fish
onirnunity was at 50 even to the BIA itself, which is that could impact loans and
• f its former opera- funded through a tax levy on business.
w more than three downtown businesses. "This has happened!
Rowing the August 21 "Regarding those members Still, the progress made
71 per cent of core and those outside the BIA dis- within the core can't be over-
s have reopened at trict impacted by serious prop- •looked. Amid frustrations and.
al locations. erty loss and destruction and devastating financial blows,
cess stories of the facing rebuild or significant Armstrong has reported 131 of
ommunity following reconstruction, the concern the existing pre -tornado busi-
disaster are evident. and unknown of potential nesses within the core have
$3 million has been ,increased property assessments reopened at their original loca-
1 m donations so far, and taxes is an added uncer- tions. Thirty BIA businesses
ng a $9 million total tainty potentially slowingthe have relocated and have
rovince's two -to -one pace of rebuild, said BIA Chair resumed operations, and 19
atch. That means the Mike Strickland. "The Board remain temporarily closed.
st roughly $330,000 has voiced opinion that anyone "Of those 19, three don't have
hing the overall goal facing such a situation be given buildings that exists anymore."
ion. a tax freeze or phase-in for a While she admits that some
•e said that Goderich period of time to allow time for of those businesses which
making the process the property owner's new 'eco- remain closed so far have not.
cantly easier than it nomic reality,' whether com- voiced a decision regarding
munity is credited .rnercial or residential. If their reopening their shops, the
vering in the face of assessment does not increase numbers of those back on their
s hardshipsand post rebuild, then there is no feet are both inspiring and
t red tape, but those tax reliefto account for by promising.
are making daily life Town." "I think the business commu-
planning exhausting The idea is if the assessment nity has done such an extraor-
of the hardest-hit does increase, the Town will get dinary job of relocating, reo-
downtown core, and the original pre -tornado prop- pening and staying positive, It's
es business owners. erty tax revenue, but the been an incredibly difficult
improvement Area "increased" tax revenue will be challenge, but I'm not so sure
nager Susan Arm- delayed o:r phased in over a I've heard one person actually
s the 'big picture pre -determined time frame, complain. That's quite
the lack of prepared- Strickland explained. amazing"
ound the board that "The point is, at least the orig "The excitement is really in
numerous discon- final tax revenue is replaced to the communication. end of
stalled progress for the Town, and more quickly if things. Through social media
businesses and the the program was Initiated well. pages and 'posts' about re
ty as a whole. Taxes start immediately, the openings and progress, the
e hit with a massive economic viability of the area community has been :respond-
at no one was pre- and Town will likely take years ing in such a positive reinforc-
Armstrong said. "We to return to previous levels, so ing way.
lare a state of emer- higher taxes are punitive in the "The other positive is t h e
here was a lack of early stages of economic recov- obvious support for shopping
ation only because ery. Taking this uncertainty local within Goderich ... We've
- pt changing. Forms away can only add to the recov- all been through something
ements were being ery, and if the phase-in period together, the sense of commu-
updated, so when was given a time frame to qual - nity is big, and the possibility
ht you were all set, ify, i.e, must rebuild within one that when we get through the
pother curve" year to qualify, then it will also trying times it will be better
gly, the companies speed the pace of rebuild, and than it was before is evident.
peen quietly accused as such, the pace to which the People are hoping to see a
O f slowing down an tax base and revenues recover change."
infully slow process for the municipality as well. In the meantime, Armstrong
ho are in the busi- "It's a win-win for all." adds, the BIA is hoping to work
saster - Insurance Armstrong said the 'what -Ws' with the Town of Goderich to
rmstrong says some facing some small business "find a way to make economic
ted quick and help- owners are staggering. In the sense t� rebuild downtown. It
se, while others are case of a few sole proprietors, has to be viable. That is where
g for the 'go-ahead' the worst-case scenario has we're gong to need support of
Ministries, Federal and Provincial gov- "We need to keep m arching for
ernments, and it will probably require ward, find the money and make it
them to adapt and change the laws." happen."
SPECIAL MEETING OF CENTRAL HURON
COUNCIL TO DISCUSS REVISIONS THAT
MAY BE REQUIRED TO THE CENTRAL
HURON OFFICIAL PLAN
TAKE NOTICE that the Corporation of the Municipality of Central Huron will
hold a Special Meeting of Council to discuss revisions that may be required
to the Central Huron Official Plan. This is a legislated meeting required by
Section 26(3) of the Planning Act, RSO, 1990 to discuss revisions that may be
required to the Central Huron Official Plan.
SPECIAL MEETING OF COUNCIL will be held:
Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 4:30 pm
in. the Executive Boardroom, REACH Centre
169 Beech Street, Clinton
BE ADVISED that the Central Huron Official Plan came into effect on July
3, 2003 and that under section 26(1) of the Planning Act, R.S.Q. 1990, as
amended, Central Huron Council shall revise the Official Plan to ensure that
It conforms with provincial plans, has regard to matters of provincial interest,
and is consistent with policy statements issued by the province. Further,
Central Huron Council shall revise the official plan if it contains policies
dealing with areas of employment to ensure those policies are confirmed
or amended. The special meeting will mark the start of the review process
which will include further consultation and public meetings.
The Central Huron Official Pian affects all land within the Municipality of
Central Huron.
ANY PERSON may attend the special meeting of Council and/or make writ-
ten or verbal representation about the review of the Central Huron Official
Plan.
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THE Central Huron Official Pian is available for inspection during regular
office hours at the Central Huron Municipal Office 23 Albert St., Clinton (519)
482-3997 and the County of Huron Planning and Development Department,
57 Napier Street, Goderich (519) 524-8394 x3.
Dated at the Municipality of Central Huron this 7th day of December, 2011.
Brenda Maclsaac, Clerk
Municipality of Central Huron