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Times Advocate, 1993-02-03, Page 3INTJ -� NFWS Times Advocate, February 3, 1993 Page 3 DPP costing process begun, estimate due in three months EXETER - The Ontario Provincial Police have started their study of how much they will charge Exeter for their services, should the town decide to disband their own police force in favour of a provin- cially -run detachment. Moe Hodson of the Ministry of the Solicitor Gen- eral brought an update on the OPP costing proce- dure to the police services board meeting Thursday, and confirmed that the OPP contract branch would be starting their accounting of the town's needs and finances this week. Hodson said the officers from the contract branch would be conducting interviews with the town staff to assess Exeter's expectations of policing needs and to collect data on the town's economy and other fi- nancial information. "Then they go on to ask you the board what kind of service do you want...why did you want this...what dissatisfaction did you have...and if I'm right, it's cost," Hodson told the board. "Yes," replied chairman John Stephens. Hodson said the OPP will develop a plan to fit the financial requirements of the town, and noted that some poorer areas receive a waiver of the policing costs, or have them phased in over time. "Will we be done before St. Marys?" asked mayor Bruce Shaw, to which Hodson replied that Exeter could expect to have its cost estimate long before St. Marys, which is only in the preliminary stages. Plus he said St. Marys has one major problem to an OPP takeover in that "their facility is redundant". Stephens asked when final cost figures would be available to the board and council so that a decision could be made on whether the town police force should be disbanded or not. "They should have something on tie table within three months," said Hodson. "I can tell you some take a lot longer than that." Hodson also spoke of the upcoming hearing to re- solve the dispute between the police board and the chief Jack Harkness, who was relieved of duty last September for what the board later described as questions of his ability to lead the force. Harkness was reinstated 10 weeks later on the ad- vice of the board's lawyer. The dispute has since at- tracted the attention of the ministry, which has called for a hearing to decide if the board was justi- fied in its actions, or if the chief should remain on duty. The hearing will be conducted with witnesses called by the commission, and lawyers for both the board and the chief.. Hodson said the initial hearing date, set in the middle of the March Break, may have to be resched- uled. He said he would advise the chairman of the Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services, Douglas Drinkwalter, that the date should be changed. However, Hodson said the hearing should not af- fect the OPP costing procedure at all. "There was a worry that because of the hearing coming up that they would put everything on hold - but that is not the case," confirmed Hodson. Police board calls for restraint EXETER - Although it is not known if their 1993 budget will be in effect for the whole year, the po- lice services board is aiming to keep that budget as low as possible, even with the prospect of a possible replacement of the town force with the OPP. The board held a budget session Thursday evening in the hope 'of presenting a final budget to council as soon as possible. "Before we get into it too far, council has said all deparunents are to come in at a zero percent in- crease," said mayor Bruce, Shaw. "We'll try to keep it as low as possi- ble, but I doubt we can hold it to zero." Board chairman John Stephens called the budget a challenge, say- ing the board needs to make a com- mitment to no more than a two per- cent increase in salaries and no increase for the rest of the budget items. "1 agree," said Shaw. "1 agree totally," said board mem- ber Sharon Wurm. "I have some individual concerns. I wonder why we're considering OMPAC [police computer system] when we're look- ing at OPP." The board then referred to the preliminary budget prepared by po- lice chief Jack Harkness that al- lowed for an 8.7 percent increase over last year's board budget that was protested by town council. Shaw asked Harkness why he gave FRSE Automotive Services most items a four percent increase. Harkness replied that the budget proposal was prepared hastily after his return to duty in November to meet the deadlines for budgets as required in the Police Services Act. The chief pointed out that with -between 83 and 87 percent of the total budget taken up with wages and benefits, there was little leeway for the board to keep the overall in- crease down with the•remainder. Wurm said that even with the possibility of the town force 'dis- banding in mid -summer to make way for an OPP service the board should take the budgeting process seriously enough to plan out the whole year. Heading off crises in a tough year for Huron farmers Continued from front page end of March. Rural Connections also offers counselling for farm families faced with stressful circumstances, for those who "need somebody to talk to". Daryl Ball of the Farm Credit Corporation offered some advice to farmers facing debt problems due to the poor crop year. Ball has a farm north of Clinton. "My crop got tumed down too for crop insurance, so I know what you're going through," said Ball. The most important piece of ad- vice he said he could give to those fearing they would not be able to meet loan payments was to sit down with the creditor and find an arrangement to avoid defaulting. "Please give your creditor a call...and maybe you can work out a solution," said Ball. Ball also urged farmers in diffi- culty to work out their financial needs for 1993 as soon as possible, using 1992 tax information and projected expenses for the next growing season. Among potential sources of cred- it, Ball said producers can consider not Only the financial institutions, but also the Agriculture Commodi- ty Corporation, farm supply deal- ers, and from private sources such as other family members. Brian Hughes explained the rela- tively new Agricultural Commodity Corporation to the audience. Since it began in March 1992 and issued its first loans in July, few are yet aware of the OMAF-sponsored plan to provide an alternate source of low-interest financing for plant- ing and harvesting a crop. Hughes said the ACC is a non- profit corporation which loans out funds at the same prime rate it bor- rows them from the Bank of Mon- treal. He said a main advantage is that it is easy to apply for. "It's a lot easier than NISA," said Hughes. "In fact, what isn't?" In 1992, Hughes said the ACC approved 280 loans, totalling 516 million at 6.8 percent interest. "That is not a guarantee that it will be the sante next year," said Hughes, but said he expected simi- lar savings could be realized. Applicants must meet certain credit requirements, although Hughes said ACC loans are likely available to those who think they don't meet other loan requirements, and application fees range from $300 to $600. The one main requirement, is that the crop to be produced has to be under a crop insurance plan. Pay- ments on the loan are usually made through the grain elevator when the crop is sold. "We would expect this year we will be putting up .close to one - hundred million dollars," said Hughes. Brenda McIntosh, representing the Farm Debt Review Board, said she was glad to see the ACC loan program come into being, and that it would be a good source of funds for those who have gone through the Farm Debt Review process and may be ineligible for other types of loans. For farmers facing seizure of as- sets from defaulted loans, McIn- tosh urged them to make use of the Farm Debt Review process. The board, while serving as a neutral third party between the rimer and creditor, can stay a seizure of prop- erty or the proceedings for up to 120 days under Section 20 of its Act. Section 16, on the other hand, gives the farmer an opportunity to seek a review of a financial situa- tion before creditors get involved. McIntosh said such a review can be especially useful in a year such as this. Brian Wallace, president of the Huron Federation of Agriculture, said community support of the HEART program has been tremen- dous and urged people to make use of its funding and services should they need them to make it through this most difficult year on the farrn. Anyone interested in the pro- grams can contact the Farm Debt Review Board at 1-800-265-7288, Rural Connections at 482-9311, or OMAF at 1-800-265-5170. Brian Hughes of the Agricultural Commodity Corporation ex- plains a new loan program available to farmers at last Tues- day's HEART meeting in Clinton. • Rob Dale Motors Sales & Service 1- One 2 wheel front end alignment; valued at 39.95 Free to card holder • Art's Auto Repair 1 - One four wheel tire ro- tation, brake inspection and shock inspection; valued at 20.00 Free to card holder • Haugh Tire Inc. 1 - One flat tire repair, val- ued at 15.00 Free to card holder • Kyle's Shell Service 1 - One four wheel tire rotation and visual brake inspection; valued at 15.95 Free to card holder • C.E. MacTavish Ltd. (PetroCanada) 1 - One soft cloth automatic car wash; valued at 5.25 Free to card holder • Nevin Motors 1 - One four wheel brake in spection plus top oil master cylinder 11 neces- sary; valued at 24.013 Free to card holder FREE For the Lady • Creative Affairs 6 - one long stem rose or two sweetheart roses, valued at 6x3.00=18.00 Free to card holder • Shalome 11 Beauty Salon 1 - One sham- poo, cut and blowdry, valued at 15.00; Free to card holder • Aloette Cosmetics 1 - One make-up and skin care consultation, valued at 35.00, Free to card holder • Aloette Cosmetics 1 - same as above for a friend or relative, valued at 35.00, Free to card holder • Beverly Hills Weight Loss Clinic 1 - One consultation, medical screening or use value towards purchase of a full program, valued at 100.00 Free to card holder • Beverly Hills Weight Loss Clinic 2 - same as above for a friend or relative, valued at 2x100.=200.00 Free to card holder • Sharon's Unisex Hair Styling 1 - one shampoo and set or blowdry valued at 7.00, Free to card holder • Expresalons Unisex Hair Styling 3 - 15 minute free tanning valued at 3x5.00.15.00, Free to card holder • Expressions Unisex Hair Styling 2 - One nail polish and design 2x9.00.18.00 Free to card holder POWERS SAVINGS CAN BE YOURS TODAY! V.I.P. CASH CARD - The card that saves you money LISTENFOR YOUR PHONE TO RING! It could be your Exeter Area V.I.P. Cash Card Operator calling with the opportunity to save you hundreds of dollars for only $46.69 FaP further Information please call 235-3172 FRET For the Family • Klip N Kurl Hair Design 1 - one shampoo, cut and blowdry valued at 11.00 Free to card holder • South Huron Racquet & Fitness Club 1 - One 7 day con- secutive membership to racquet and fitness facilities, valued at 25.00, Free to card holder • South,Huron Racquet & Fitness Club - same as above for a friend or relatives, valued at 25.00, Free to card holder • Tyndall's Karats Schools, 1 - one free 10 week introductory course in martial arts, valued at 30.00, Free to card holder • Tyndall's Karate Schools, 1 - same as above for a friend or relative, valued at 25.00, Free to card holder • Lucan Lanes 6 - one game of open bowling, valued at 6x1.90-11.40, Free to card holder • Ban -Weld Saw & Blade Ltd. - 1 One chain saw blade sharpening, valued at 4.50, Free to card holder • Critter's Corner - 1 one complimentary nail clipping for your dog, valued at 5.00, Free to card holder • Angel Photographic Studios - 3 - One 8x10 wall portrait, valued at 3x44.95-134.85, Free to card holier Total Free Gifts and Services 5839.90. 2FOR I 4" Bonus Roam remember this section is on a buy one, got ono free basis, and you must bring at toast ono guest (more It you can). Tho 4• ay Restaurant 1 - one pork cordon bleu, or veal oar- ; don bleu, valued at 9.95 • P.J.'s Famll.staurant 4 - one menu item of your fhoioe, valued at 4x11.95.47.80 • Lister Roadhouse Restaurant 4 - one panzerotti, valued at 4x3.95-15.80 • LaMar Roadhouse Restaurant 4 - ono rib and ohijtan din- ner, valued at4x6.95.27.80\ ' • Allen's Reatttwtsmt4 - erre fish/4440s dinner, ellkded st 4x5.95-23.80. • Murphy's Pub & Eatery 2 - one order of tacos, valued at 2x5.95-11.90. • Murphy's Pub & Eatery 2 - one order of tostads, valued at 2x5.95-11.90 • Murphy's Pub & Eatery 2 - one order of burritos, valued at 2x5.95-11.90 • Murphy's Pub & Eatiry 2 - one taco salad, valued at 2x6.95-13.90 • Murphy's Pub & Eatery 2 - one deli sausage on a bun, val- ued at 2x5.95-11.90 - •Murphy's Pub & Eatery 2 - one canneloni plate,valued at 2x9.95.19.90. • Good Times Rost&uraM 4 - one burger of your choice val- ued at 4x3.50-14.00 • Good Times Restaurant 4 - one appetizer of your choice, valued at 4x4.00-16.00 • Now Orleans Pizza 1 . one submarine sandwich of your choice, valued at 4.65 • North End Restaurant 4 - one cheeseburger, valued at 4x2.95-11.80 • North End Restaurant 4 - one submarine of your choice, valued at 4x3.95-15.80 • Donut Dellte 1 - one hall dozen donuts valued at 2.95 • Allen's Cate 4 - one shoe of pie and one coffee valued at 4x2.30.9.20 • Donut Debts 1 - one half dozen donuts valued at 2.95 • Tasty Nu Bakery and Cheese House 2 - ona loaf of Tasty Nu White Sliced Stead 2x.99-1.98 • Tasty Nu Bakery and Chasse House 2 - one dozen cookies 2x2.29-4.58 TOTAL BONUS SECTION $290.46 TOTAL FREE GIFTS & SERVICES $839.90 GRAND TOTAL 51190.36 1 f.