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The Huron Expositor, 1998-04-22, Page 5Town discusses merits of one, two tier government At last'Tuesday night's meeting at Town Hall, Seaforth Council bandied about a report from clerk/administrator Jim Crocker on Huron County's recent strategic planning day without reaching any conclu- sions. Councillors have been given a myriad of various options for restructuring, none of them the status quo, and must now identify which of the one -tier or two-tier options they feel should be costed. This report is based on the three key areas in restructur- ing - services, governance and transition. The county now plans to Therapist available to public The Physiotherapy Department of the Seaforth Community Kospitai will introduce a new, full time physiot ei pist, and Kwame new''portsinjury equipment, at an Open Bouae ltlturtday from 2 to 4 p.m. Paula Leslie, formedr- ` edicine Clinic of i � Y vo.bi.111 'f; • School board disappointed CONTINUED from Page 1. accommodation grant. "There is no new informa- tion. It appears to be what was there a couple of weeks ago," Marklevitz said. Marklevitz noted that other grants causing concern is the early learning and the junior kindergarten (JK) funding. She said that the newly announced early learning grant, which is being offered to boards who don't choose to implement JK, is supposed to be revenue neutral with the JK grant. Therefore, she con- tinued, no matter which pro- gram the board chooses to implement, they would get the same amount of funding. However, Marklevitz said early calculations 'show the board •receiving over $750,600 more for the early learning grant. '."These two programs are intended to be revenue neu- tral. However, as can be seen, a significant difference aris- es," the funding report stated. "Follow-up queries have been initiated with the Ministry of Education and Training to attempt to resolve this dis- crepancy." Marklevitz added that the AMDSB's lower than provin- cial average JK enrollment might be the reason for the difference in funding. Moving on to the per pupil grants, Marklevitz said that the grand total per elementary student adds up to $4,778, and per secondary school pupil equals $5,416. "If a student walks through the door, that is how much they are worth," she noted. Several of the trustees noted their disappointment in these numbers, stating . that they failed to see the funding equi- ty the government had promised. Abby Armstrong, chair of the board, said that as far as she knew, boards in Toronto were still spending close to $9,000 per student, while the AMDSB was almost $4,000 lower than that. "The bottom line is that we are still spending close to half Tess than the larger boards," Armstrong stated. Trustee Atje Tuyten agreed, adding that the government spent months promising rural board equitable .,funding for all students' across the province. "I'm not seeing it here tonight," she said. "I guess we kind of hoped, but we should have known better." ' Carroll added that there has been a "dramatic shift" in the way the AMDSB is being penalized. He noted that instead of being punished for low spending,they are losing funding because they are a small beard. Both Carroll and Marklevitz promised trustees more information on the funding effects as soon as it becomes ' available. ,Marklevitz also noted that she has a lengthy list of outstand- ing questions and issues that are yet to be answered by the province. AMDSB CONTINUED from Page 1. trustees that finalization of the '1998 estimates cannot yet be completed. She noted that after administration receives the official format and calcu- lations from the Ministry of Education and Training, these specific details may mean small changes in expenditures in order to achieve a balanced budget. "We will require some minor adjustments," Marklevitz stated. COUNCIL VACANCY NOTICE TO THE ELECTORS OF THE TOWN OF SEAFORTH Due to the resignation of Councillor John Ball the Council of the Town of Seaforth is accepting applications from electors of the Town of Seaforth who are interested in being appointed to the position of Councillor Qualification of Elector: Persons are entitled to be an elector at an election held in a local municipality (unless prohibited by the municipal or any other act) if he or she, i) resides in the local municipality, or ii) is the owner or tenant of land in the municipality, or a spouse of such person; and a) is a Canadian citizen b) is at least 18 years old, and c) is not prohibited from voting under the Municipal Elections Act or any other law If you are interested in filling this position and qualify as an elector, please submit a resume setting out your qualifications and community interests by Tuesday, April 29, 1998, to: James Crocker Administrator, Clerk -Treasurer Town of Seaforth 72 Main Street, PO Box 610 Seaforth, Ontario NOK IWO Applicants will be considered at the regular meeting of Seaforth Council scheduled for Tuesday May 5, 1998 during which applicants will be given an opportunity to address Council before a decision is made. For further information please contact James Crocker at 527-0160. A further meet for discussion with all the municipal coun- cils in Huron before proceed- ing. Huron's restructuring com- mittee aims to have a plan ready by next January 1. Seaforth is asking for its meeting with the committee on May 20, with June 3 its altemate preference. According to restructuring committee figures, Seaforth has by far the lowest assess- ment in millions of Huron's five towns at $68.81 -million with a population of 2,223, compared with Goderich's $339.37 -million (7,500 popu- Huron Strings entertain for Town & Country Homemakers The Town and Country Homemakers' Monthly Dining for Seniors dinner was held on April 16 at the Seaforth Community Centres. Entertainment was provided by the Huron Strings (Marie Flynn, Clara Dale, Warren Whitmore, Mr. and Mrs. Storey, Elgin Nott and Alex Murray) Door prizes were won by: Rose Altman, Helen Chesney, Marie Turner, Alex Murray, Cory Klaver and Joe Verberne. The 50/50 draw winners were: Shirley Cooper and Janet Rice. April birthdays were celebrated by Hazel McNaughton. Lila Story and Mary McCall. 1 lation), Exeter's $199.65 -mil- lion (4,384), Clinton's $101.04 -million (3,182) and Wingham's $100.67 -million (2,921). By comparison, the village of Bayfield with a population of 847 (but with 1,308 elec- tors) has an assessment of $67.34 -million, and the vil- lage of Hensel] with a popu- lation of 1,210 has am assess- ment of 554.54 -million. Pay approved At its April 14 meeting, Seaforth Council approved the following amounts for March meeting attendance: Mayor David Scott, $245; Reeve Brian Ferguson, $150; Deputy -reeve William Teall, $195; Couns. John Ball, $195; Michael Hak, $240; Heather Robinet, $330; and Lin Steffler, $300. HURON CENTENNIAL SINGS CD Recording 13 Songs of. Happiness, Kindness & Peace — Performed by Huron Centennial Students CD's —'20.00, Cassettes — ' 15.00 To order call... 233-3330 or fax 233-3401 proceeds to support school programs' (.11 Seaforth District High School PARENTS' NIGHT Wednesday Apr. 22 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM Everyone Welcome Avon Ns..00 • BOARD Maitland Learning for a Lifetime THE HURON EXCITOR, April 22, 1111i•a You are invited to our 4th Animal Health Week OPEN HOUSE and Petting Zoo TUES. MAY 5th AND WED. MAY 6'h Door Prizes plus Complimentary Coffee & Treats Animal Health affects us all. Canadian veterinarians invite you to celebrate Animal Health Week, from May 3 9, 1998. Because keeping our animals healthy is everyone's responsibility. SEAFORTH VETERINARY CLINIC Main St. Seaforth 527-1760 SMITH -PEAT ROOFING & SHEET METAL LTD. RESIDENTIAL SHINGLING • Free Estimates • Book Early CALL 235-2802 AL NIGH "INDUSTRY LEADERS FOR OVER 25 YEARS" 414 Non Drowsy alle FaSt seasonal • runny nose • sneezing • itchy, watery eyes SAVE x2.00 When you buy Allegra this season. • owes won't know what hit them 67 Main St. Seaforth 527-1990 JOCKEY abil65&ile 25% OFF L XL Anna's Dress $h�ppe •..• � =WORTH e27o489