Loading...
Huron Expositor, 2003-12-17, Page 22 -TME HURON EXPOSITOR, DECEMBER 17, 2003 Christmasro SALE starting Wed. Dec. 10 30% ALL CHRISTMAS OFF STOCK 1N4TOCK ITEMS ONLYI Hoary for boat selection! • Tree Ornaments • Wreaths • Christmas Silk Arrangements Forbes FLOWER MAGIC 36 Main St., Seaforth 527-1110 'Excluding Plants & Fresh Flowers I.4.111 New ► Inventory arriving weekly! News MacLellan wants Seaforth trust to have bookkeeping done by town From Page 1 trust would be as open as Brussels and any other trust. It can be operated identically to the Seaforth PUC. The PUC approved its own motions and paid its own bills - it ran a clean ship and the trust runs as clean a ship," he said. While Steffler admitted that the Seaforth trust was "not open enough," he said that situation would change. "The minutes are downstairs (in the town hall) and will be distributed after every meeting. Ask me any question and I'll answer it. I don't think we have to be micro -managed by council," he said. Brussels Coun. David Blaney said he is uncomfortable "micro - managing" the Seaforth trust Lots of Great gift Ideas at Happy 125th CIBC - Seaforth 77041111111 1878 rP I I if; 1905 2003 You're Invited to our HOpen Friday, Dec. 19 9:30am - 5pm Join us for Cake, Coffee, Juice and Free Balloons for the Kids! Our History... • The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce opens a branch in the Dominion Block in Seaforth on December 20, 1878. • Moved to current location in 1905. • Becomes a branch of CIBC on June 1, 1961 after the merger of the Imperial Bank of Canada and The Canadian Bank of Commerce. Seaforth Branch as described in a 1974 bank report: The service area is approximately 140 square miles, with an estimated population of 6000 including some 2800 in the town itself and nearby Egmondville. Although there are several small industries, economy is dependent upon farming and related sources of employment. There is a good mix of cash crop & livestock operations. Although an active and busy branch, a relaxed atmosphere pervades for both personnel and customer alike. The staff is most congenial and contributes greatly to the overall effect. "Some things never change." CIBC 44 Main St. South, Seaforth 527-0100 when the money belongs to the ward of Seaforth. "I have some difficulty with the idea that I can tell the Seaforth trust and the ratepayers what they can do with their own money," he said. But, Grey Coun. Mark Beaven argued that council must get involved with the Seaforth trust since the ratepayers can't separate the trust from council. "There has been a shroud of secrecy, whether perceived or real, around the trust and it still reflects badly on council as a whole. I think council has an interest if just to make sure the stuff that needs to be made public is kept public," he said. When Beaven asked Steffler if the trust building that is being built to house the Community Care Access Centre behind Seaforth Community Hospital was tendered, Steffler said it was not. "The reason it wasn't is that the money was raised by the sale of an asset of the people of Seaforth and we wanted to make sure the money stays in Seaforth and Huron East. If a contractor comes from London, he's not interested in the municipality once he gets his cheque," said Steffler. Seaforth Coun. Lou Maloney said that while he doesn't agree with Steffler about the lack of tendering for the building, he agreed that left to themselves, the Seaforth councillors could solve the problems with the Seaforth trust. "It's up to us to report verbally back to council and if we get a chance, the two of us will straighten it out," he said. McKillop Coun. Sharon McClure pointed out that the Seaforth trust has cost Huron East ratepayers between $1,500 and $2,000 more in fees to the municipal auditor because of a three-month delay in sharing its annual financial report. "Send us the bill and the municipality will be reimbursed. That's no problem if in fact it was the fault of the trust," responded Steffler, who added that the trust agreed at its last meeting to continue with accountant Brian Wightman, of Seaforth. But, MacLellan argued that the delay in the trust's financial reporting could be avoided in the future if the town staff does the bookkeeping. "That delay is something we shouldn't have to deal with. I don't see any benefit of hiring a private accounting firm when we have staff perfectly capable of doing it. We shouldn't have to pay a fee to get information about what's going on," he said. He added that the trust should be required to go through a tendering process because council is ultimately responsible for the trust. "Nobody's disputing that it's Seaforth's money but it is still municipal money. Tendering is put in place for a reason - that the municipality is treating people fairly. If anything is ever found wrong down the road, it will be council that has to answer for that. The trust is not responsible to the public - council is responsible at the end of the day," said MacLellan. Steffler supported a private accounting firm for the trust, arguing that the trust has become a real estate holding company that makes a profit. "Why would we expect Huron East to handle our bookkeeping when we're a for-profit organization? Trust us for six months and I can guarantee.you this council will never be on the hook for five cents," said Steffler. Blaney pointed out that the real issue surrounding the Seaforth trust is that committees of council should adopt the same rules of disclosure followed by council. While MacLellan made the motion to rescind the original bylaw creating the Seaforth trust so that changes can be made to it, he also made the motion to table it until Jan. 13 when it can be determined if rescinding the bylaw will interfere with any of the trust's ongoing projects. Clinton Salvation Army agrees to distribute coats From Page 1 The Huron United Way announced earlier this year that it does not have the ,room or the volunteers to run its Coats for Kids program since moving its head office from Clinton to Goderich. The United Way collected coats from throughout the county, cleaned and distributed them. "There was an other organization in the county collecting coats and it was especially difficult to compete against Mark's Work Warehouse promotion," said Whitmore. Mark's Work Warehouse in Goderich donated a portion of their winter coat sales towards the donation of coats for children in need. "We still did well this year, thanks to our many local supporters," he said. Whitmore said the Masons set up a drop-off point in Seaforth at Tremeer • Printers which was filled when it came time to pick up. He added the Masons appreciate the support from the local people who continued knitting this year specifically for the program. The Masons' Care for Kids' program covers Huron, Perth and Middlesex Counties, with distribution points at the Salvation Army in Stratford and the Memorial Boys and Girls Club in London. "There's still a huge need in London but, the need here seems to be increasing. I'm glad we were able to make contributions wherever needed locally," he said. Whitmore said that increasing need was evident as he read an article in last week's newspaper stating one in 10 people in the county lives in poverty. "That's a great amount of people and that affects children too. Christmas and the winter months can be especially difficult on any family," he said. In the spirit of giving, the Masons also donated some additional items they received, including clothing, food and a cheque for $100, to Huron County Christmas Bureau, said Whitmore. "The Masons are a charitable organization and what we do and that's what we will continue to for as long as we can." We are your Holiday Headquarters Send Holiday Greetings with a tray full of Goodies... • Fruit • Cheese • Vegetables • Dainties • Cold Cuts or Combos Gift Certificates & Gift Baskets Available HAMS 329 its BAGEL BITES 599 Cat jot Cti7190•149 >not01015.. . CREA1,1 CHEESE DANISH 399 CINNAMON BUNS 399 ORDER YOUR FRESH HAYTER TURKEY TODAY? Christmas Hours - Open Mon. Dec. 22 8:30-5:30, Dec. 23 8:30-5:30 Wed., Dec. 24 8-3, Dec 25, 28 Closed, Sat. Dec. 27 8:30-5 New Year's Hours - Mon. Dec. 29 Closed, Tues. 30 8:30-5:30 Wed. Dec. 31 8-3, Jan. 1 Closed, Fri. Jan. 2 8:30-8:30 TUCKER'S HEAT SHOP 27 Main St., Seaforth 527-0036. Federation and dairy farmers work together to donate cows From Page 1 "It's just wonderful to see so many farmers joining together to help benefit our area food banks. We're very grateful," said Swart. "There is always a great need for beef and other meats at the food banks. The more support we have the better." Wallace said he knows of six food banks in the county and he hopes to have at least one cow processed, once a month, over the next six months until each food bank has received a cow. "If we get more meat than what we have planned for, I'm sure the food banks could still use as much as possible," said Wallace. "There's always a need and we want to do what we can to help." To donate to the program, contact Wallace at 522-0804 or Klaver at 263-5048.