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Huron Expositor, 1999-06-23, Page 22 -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, June 23, 1999 News Existing plans linked to proposal From Page 1 Foundation there is community support for the overall rejuvenation of the downtown. "We can show there is enthusiasm," said Taylor for the project that would sec the downtown, anchored by a restructured town hall, become.another community centre.' - • The proposal has been sent to all of the community groups involved and Taylor is waiting for their feedback. The -application, for -which the town received a $2,000 grant from the Huron pusincss Development Corporation to - hire a proposal writer, will be fine-tuned and itis hoped it can be submitted to the foundation at the end of June. If not, it will have to wait again until September. ,when another round of applications will be accepted. The foundation,:- made up of. representatives.from Huron, Perth, Bruce and Grey County, is distributing provincial funds generated from lottery and gambling earnings. The $1.25 -million is the most an organization can apply for and the foundation will review the town's -proposal before determining how much, if not the full' amount, will be received. "We can hope," said Taylor; who would like to see the full amount. approved to allow the projects to proceed quickly. It is hoped the museum, art gallery, morals and other aspects of the proposal would help attract visitors to the -community as tourists and eventually, some new residents as well. Taylor said these goals tit with those being set out by the Business. Retention and Expansion Committee that began looking at ways to help strengthen the community this spring. • - • "It would certainly complete a lot of things here," said Taylor. Groups involved in the application includes: The Business Retention and Expansion Committee, Business Improvement Area, Huron Business Development Corporation,. the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee, the Seaforth and Area Museum, representatives from Tuckersmith, McKillop and Seaforth councils, Jack McLachlan,- the economic development officer (Cathy Garrick who is represented by Jane Taylor while she. is on leave), the Optimist Club, Seaforth Agricultural Society, Lions Club and Legion Branch -156. Mayor Scott disturbed by citizens working toward a one -tier system From Page 1 hearing about the one -tier .movement. It has given him concerns the group •is petitioning to have a provincial commission step in and implement a one -tier system; a system Scott and Seaforth Town Council had been opposed to in 1998 when .Huron County first considered the possibility of r a one -tier -System. .,"I hope the mood has Changed aethe county level," said Steenstra. He isn't aware of any petition seeking . a commission. Instead, he said the group 'of citizens is hoping to convince Huron County Council to look at • one -tier again and open the decision up for public input: "It was never brought forth to the general public;" said. .Steenstra of the first time county council looked at and. then rejected -the possibility of a one -tier system: - •"I feel they should have stood by the motion they (county council) passed in. 1998 to only look at a- two- tier system," said Scott. At a 1998 meeting of all councils in the county, it was - almost unanimously decided that :only a two-tier system should he considered. Scott said there is more benefits to a two-tier system and thinks the county should look at the bigger picture of maybe amalgamating further' with Perth County where schools boards 'and hospital systems are already linked. "I find it disturbing they're doing this," he said of thc Concerned Citizens group. He is concerned their efforts' could lead to a provincial restructuring commission.:coming in to make a decision•that should be handled locally. - have concerns -they arc not elected officials. They're_ not accountable to the public. Where are they going to be if a one -Oct -system comes into effect • and there are prohlcros? ' he asked. But MPP Helen .Johns said a commission would only. step in if municipal councils asked for onc to come and sort out a problem they are having`cVith the proyinciaf: mandate to restructure and Clint Emmrich George Romonik Citation for bravery After theincident he would sometimes look put at the water and picture a• body floating there. ' Commissioner's Citations for Bravery also went to -Gerard Jansen;. of - Guelph. Another Guelph resident, Debbie Nightingale, received a Commissioner's Citation fot Lifesaving. From Page 1, Romanik is the former owner of thc Heritage Estates Mobile Home park. 'He said he didn't have time to'be nervous during- the rescue but was affected . after it was over. - "We felt the impact later when we had the chance to. think about it." make less government.. Councils across the county have argued about the possibility that if they did not restructure within a. certain amount of time.' a commission would get involved. • However, Johns said there is no deadline and that the provincial government would like to sec'a decision made locally that benefits the tax payers. Steenstra -said the Concerned Citizens group believes the greater benefits arc going to come from a Conc.-tier system. • He also said they believe there are more -councils now willing to look -at a one -tier system. He said the group would like to see county council At least look at a :onc-tier system and include the public in thc,'proccss. In the past, he said the public has been left out of decisions made at the county Icvcl, - • Scott has.similar criticisms of county council, saying it docs not give enough debate and -discussion to issues at its Meetings after they "float-, up" as recommendations from thc committee levels. Locally, Paul Carroll, Marlen Vincent and Alfred Ross were. expected at Seaforth Council's meeting last night (June 22) to 'seek support for the county system.. . •Spearheading the 'group is Ken Campbell, also from the Seaforth ,area but he was not available for comment this week. Steenstra said there seems to be enough support for a one -tier system that he hopes the county will give it a 'serious look. He said they aren't going to individual councils to debate the issue but to ask them to consider it. He said the debate about whether or not to go one -tier will be up, to the municipal leaders and county council. - "Hopefully, the county government will implement it. 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BUFFETT $7.99 SENIORS DISCOUNT - 10% ALL DAY EVERY DAY ELAX_ and enjoy your Canada Day holiday with a copy of HAVE A The Huron Expositor will be closed on Thursday July 1st. REI47 NOLIDAY! Scott Hilgendorff photos Students in Lydia laine's School of Dance and Theatrical Arts performed a recital for family at the legion June 16. Among them was Tammy Russel who performed to, 'Nobody Noticed Me (6) Children's Aid Society You are cordially invited to attend the Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, June 30, 1999 at7:00p.m. in the Board Room at'theChildren's Aid Society offices, 413 MacEwan Street, Goderich, Ontario Our Guest Speaker - Deborah Goodman Her Topic: - "Does context effect neglect intervention decisions? Refreshments. and Social Time to follow. Memberships may be purchased at the agency at a cost of $5 per •• person. and are available for purchase until June 23. 1999. • Straight Talk From THE BUSINESS DocTo Customer Service Excellence Here is a good question. How does a retailer (or any busi- ness) differentiate usi-ness)'differentiate him or her- self from their competition when they sell the same prod- ucts; to the same customer base: at the same price; and with virtually identical adver- tising?The answer may sur- prise you. The only true dif- ference between retailers - is their people. The only true arca of differentiation left in the marketplace where a sig- nificant advantage can be. gained lies in providing con- sistently excellent customer service (Oh here he goes again with that customer ser- vice stuff! We provide great customer service.). Everyone thinks they provide (good. _very.. goo&or) excel- lent customer service but it doesn't matter what you, think it matters what the cus- tomer thinks. If 1 were to stop the next ten people who walked past your store and asked them to name five businesses they deal with that. provide consistently excel- lent customer service would your name be on their list? Do you think it would be an advantage to you if you were on that list? Most businesses, if asked, would claim to provide excellent customer service and as far as it goes they arc correct. Most business people understand the procedural side of customer service. The procedural side of customer service means having the right product; at the right time; and thc right price; pre- sented by smiling people; without hassle; in clean sur- roundings; with .speed and convenience. But that is just the tip of the iceberg! Procedural customer service is a given -in today's 'market- place. If you don't have it you aren't competing at even a basic level! In .today's marketplace thc consistently excellent cus- tomer service ;providers understand that it is the peo- ple function that allows them to differentiate themselves 'from their competitors.. The people function of customer service is having associates with the right attitude; the right understandings:. the right. focus; the right behav- iors; the right verbal skills; thc right objectives and the right capacity to interact effectively with the customer. Does it make a difference? You bet it docs! We have been told for years that thc biggest asset any company has is its people. it is time to stop paying lip service to that old truism. The winners in today's- marketplace arc. and will continue to be. those organizations that train and nurture their people on an ongoing basis. The game of business isn't about products it is about people. People buy from people. Retail is a con- tact sport, contact between your people and the cus- tomer. The Business Doctor is avail- able for annual meetings & sales conventions.