Huron Expositor, 2006-02-15, Page 17News
The Huron Expositor • February 15, 2006 Page 17
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m oUnexpected$3.3
five
cent
increase
on hold
Shewfelt pointed out that property was re-
assessed in 2005 and county taxpayers will likely
have to foot larger bills.
At the end of 2005, about $17 million sat in the
county's 17 reserve accounts.
Carey explained that money is restricted to
specific areas of spending and most of it can't be
used to offset the budget.
The county was scheduled to again discuss the
budget in the committee of the whole meeting,
Tuesday, Feb. 14 at 9 a.m. The meeting was open
to the public.
More information about the budget can be
accessed by contacting the county office at 524-
8394.
Mark N o n k e s answer about the funding yet.
Some county councillors suggested the addi-
tional financial boost should be used to bring the
tax increase down to three per cent.
Huron East Coun. Bernie McLellan suggested
the extra money be used to bring the overall tax
increase to three per cent for the 2006 budget.
However, Morley said three per cent would not
likely cover a general inflation raise but asked
for more time to find out the necessary informa-
tion before any, discussion continues on the bud-
get.
"Two weeks won't set this county back on its
heals," Morley commented.
The county's overall budget, which totals more
than $80 million, with a levy of approximately
$30 million, had split county council in recent
meetings.
"I think you can't keep tacking (tax
increases) on," . said Goderich Coun. Deb
Shewfelt who voted against the budget in a
January meeting.
In an interview following council,
Shewfelt said he wanted to go through the
budget line by line to look .for additional
savings.
"I thought we could do better," the
Goderich mayor said.
Huron County council put a five per cent tax
increase on hold after new money was received
from the provincial government last week.
Treasurer David Carey reported that Huron
County received an unexpected $3.3 million
from the province in Ontario Municipal
Partnership Funding last Monday, Jan. 30.
Originally, county staff had budgeted $2.7 mil-
lion from the province's municipal partnership
fund.
The provincial government's recently
announced increase now leaves Huron with $5.7
million.
"It appears our MPP has gone to .bat for us,"
remarked Warden Rob Morley.
Yet, before the money is added into this year's
budget, council was asked for more time to find
out what the stipulations were on these new
funds.
"This is a gift from the province but we don't
Know if it's an annivai payment or nr ee-tinie." said
Ellen Connelly in an interview after the Feb. 2
council session.
Treasurer Carey said he's been trying to get in
contact with the Ministry of Finance or Ministry
of Municipal Affairs but has not received an
Seaforth, Brussels offering
Doors Open again in 2006
Susan Hnnderftmark
Seaforth and Brussels will again be opening
its doors to tourists this summer when it joins
Goderich and_ Zurich in the 2006
Doors Open Huron project.
"We're looking for more loca-
tions who want to be part of cele-
brating their history. We've only
scratched the surface of our her-
itage with the people involved,"
says Huron East economic devel-
opment officer Ralph Laviolette'
Last summer's two-day Doors
Open event in Seaforth attracted
2,000 visits to 20 sites and a one -
day event in Brussels attracted
1,000 to 1,500 visits at 22 sites.
While a 90 -page brochure, high-
lighting 29 buildings in Brussels,
25 in Seaforth, five in Walton and
many surrounding villages and hamlets, was
created for last year's event, Laviolette says
new participants can submit their histories to
him by the end of April to be added to the
brochure.
"It would be great to make this event bigger
and better. I'd be more than happy to hear
from anyone who wants to be involved," he
says.
Laviolette says he'd welcome any indus-
tries, churches, heritage homes and communi-
ty groups who would like to open their doors
to the public and educate visitors about their
building's history.
Doors Open events were also held in
Goderich and Bayfield last year and while
Bayfield will not offer one this year, Zurich,
which is celebrating a 150 -year
anniversary, is joining the event.
Laviolette says the Doors Open
Huron proposal has been
accepted by the province for the
weekend of July 8 and 9 and
included in a provincial
brochure.
While Huron East heard last
year from some visitors that
they would have liked to have
more guided tours during Doors
Open, Laviolette says it's diffi-
cult to find enough volunteers to
offer Lours.
"We had 125 certificates of
appreciation to give to volun-
teers last year but not all of them
were up front - many were behind the scenes.
Guided tours would be the icing on the cake,"
he says.
With 75 local houses and
buildings featured in the
brochure, Laviolette guess-
es it could easily included
300 locations.
"There are many places -
century homes and century
farms - that could still tell
their stories," he says.
Quoted
would be.
great to make
this event
bigger and
better,' --
Huron East
economic
development officer
Ralph Laviolette
H. RED) ALLEN
\\ I IOl 111 0I I 1 R1
ItlNitd;v111)v
DONE WELL AT A
REASONABLE PRICE
SEAF'ORTH
519-527-2717
You are invited to attend these area churches
Father Alan Dufralmont. Office 345-2972
Mass Times
St. Patricks St. Vincent de Paul
Sunday 11:00 a.m. Sat. 5:00 p.m. Sun. 9:00 a.m.
Wheelchair Accessible - Everyone Welcome
St. ThomasSt.
Anglican Church
A Congregation of the Parish of The Holy Spirit
Jarvis St. Seaforth 527-1522
Rector: The Rev'd Sue Maipus. M. Div
Sunday, February 19t", 2006
(Note: 9:30 service cancelled)
Worship at 4 p.m.
`Celebration of the New Ministry and Induction
of The Reverend Sue Malpus"
Sat. Feb. 18 - Books for Breakfast - 8 am at
the rectory - Parish Council at 11am
James-Ro�n�n n
Catholic Church
' Welcomes you
14 Victoria Street, Seaforth
527-0142
Weekend Masses: Sat 5:15 pm
Sun. 11:00 am
Fr. Chris Gillespie
Bethel Bible Church
An Associated Gospel Church
126 Main St. Seaforth 527-0982
Sunday School 9:45 a.m.
Sunday Worship 11:00 a.m.
Youth Activities Wednesday 7:00 p.m.
B&G Club Wednesday 7:00 p.m.
EVERYONE WELCOME
Egmondville
United Church
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19th
Worship at 11:00 a.m.
Sunday School 10:00 a.m.
EVERYONE WELCOME
Steve Hildebrand
Lay Pastoral Minister in Training
___,/
NORTHSIDE UNITED
CHURCH
54 Goderich St. W.
Rev. John Gould
Worship 11:00 a.m.
Sermon: A Question in Search
of An Answer
Nursery During Worship
Adult & Teen Bible Discussion
9:30 a.m.
First Presbyterian
Church
Goderich St. W. Seaforth
Rev. Henry Huberts
Sunday, February 19th
Worship 11:15 a.m.
Sunday School and Nursery Provided
ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH
81 Mill St. Dublin
ST. VINCENT de PAUL
29 Nelson St. Mitchell
Father Alan Dufralmont. Office 345-2972
Mass Times
St. Patricks St. Vincent de Paul
Sunday 11:00 a.m. Sat. 5:00 p.m. Sun. 9:00 a.m.
Wheelchair Accessible - Everyone Welcome