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Times Advocate, 1996-11-06, Page 22Page 22 Times -Advocate, November 6, 1996 What does Remembrance Day mean to you? TAKE TIME TO REMEMBER Andrea McCllnchey -Hensel! "It makes me think of all the people who went to war and lost their lives." INLTY Jim Workman -Exeter "Remember ing those who gave their lives so we could have freedom." Bill Payette -Stratford "It means ex- actly what the name says. Remembering the men and women who died in the wars." Alba Craig "It means not only the men who died, but the horror of the women waiting for their husbands and sons to re- turn." -ExeterMandy 1 Cpl► "Remember- ing the people who fought for us." Jim Gardiner -London "An important day to remem- ber all the soh diers did for us. Without them we wouldn't be able to enjoy the peace we have today." David Hohner -Exeter "It's a time to remember the hardwork and dedication some have had for Cana- da." 110---111 Karl Taylor - Hensa!l "It's a time to remember those who died for us." Beth Jantzl - Stratford "I think about kids not much older than my students, in trenches, cold, hungry and tired, hoping that what they're doing means some- thing." PUC study looks of boundary expansion By Chris Skalkos T -A Reporter EXETER - A study prepared for the Public Utilities Commission presented a "win-win" situation if Usborne and Stephen Townships purchase their hydro from the Ex- eter utility. According to the study custom- ers in the rural areas would see a reduction in their hydro bill while the increase in service would strengthen Exeter's PUC and scare off an Ontario Hydro take- over. Roger White, an engineer at ECMI (Energy Cost Management Incorporated) in Burlington pre- sented the findings of a Boundary Adjustment Study to repre- sentatives from Usborne, Stephen and Exeter council members as well as PUC officials last Tues- day. The Exeter utility commis- sioned White to complete a study designed to look at the financial implications of the PUC ex- panding its hydro services into the townships of Stephen and Us - borne under a municipal merger. According to the findings, rat- epayers in the two rural areas would save $4.1 million over a five year period if they purchased their hydro locally. Each of the 2,500 customers in the two town- ships, who are currently being served by Ontario Hydro, could save an estimated $1,500 in the first five years. Although Exeter customers won't be immediately affected by the expanded service, PUC Com- missioner Chan Livingston said they could see a reduction in their hydro bill after the five-year pe- riod since an increase in power consumption would allow the util- ity to apply for a reduction in rates from Ontario Hydro, which regulates prices. Expanding the utilities boun- daries would also confirm the PUC in Exeter as a viable mu- nicipal supplier, much too big to be gobbled up by a larger utility. Since the government passed current legislation to reduce the number of utilities in the province by 50 per cent, Livingston said small municipal utilities con- suming less than five kilowatts could face a takeover. Exeter's utility currently consumes 10 kilo- watts but expanding its service to Stephen and Usborne would raise it to the 15 to 20 range. "If we don't have the capacity to be competitive with larger utilities we may be dismantled," said Li- vingston, adding a takeover from Ontario Hydro would cost the nine PUC employees their jobs. "The Exeter PUC is an excellent operation and has always done its best to serve its customers. Losing it would hurt Exeter," he added pointing out it has reduced utility rates by seven per cent during the past two years. According to White, the boun- dary adjustment would have more than just financial benefits to the rural customers. Under such a sce- nario, a local PUC can better ser- vice a local community because it is more accessible and accountable to the people who pay the bills. However, Anita Riddell, Stephen Township councillor, remained skeptical of the study. -''Ontario hydro is an established and reliable entity...I'm concerned we would lose the resources and security it provides. We have to weigh the lower rates against that," she said, explaining if residents were struck by a natural disaster, such as a tornado destroying their power grid, Ontario Hydro would call upon surrounding resources to restore power. White said there are more cus- tomers served by municipal util- ities than by Ontario Hydro and it would be just as easy for Exeter to engage in a cooperative agreement with a neighboring utility in such a situation. Riddell also wondered if the study was biased and noted the presentation by White appeared to be negative towards Ontario Hy- dro. White, who is a former 20 -year employee of Ontario Hydro, said Riddell was detecting a positive at- titude toward municipal utilities because "they do it cheaper and better." "If I'm biased it's because I be- lieve in a community based suppli- er," said White. Usborne Reeve, Pat Down said she is "cautiously optimistic" about the report. She said Ontario Hydro has been reliable, but many rural residents who use a large amount of hydro on their farms would benefit from a reduction in rates and a fast- er response time in dealing with power interruptions. "In the past, Ontario Hydro's re- sponse time has been reasonable but they seem to be getting further away and less likely to respond quickly," said Down, explaining a customer who needs service must phone Ontario Hydro in Clinton, which in turn dispatches a utility worker from as far away as Lon- don. Whether the townships want lo- cal service or to remain customers of Ontario Hydro may be irrelevant at this time since the PUC's boun- dary adjustment is contingent upon amalgamation taking place. The government's push for mu- nicipal restructuring under Bill 26 has initiated amalgamation talks be- tween Stephen, Usborne, Exeter, Grand Bend, North Bosanquet and parts of Hay. if a mergertakes place, the PUC, could extend their services fol- lowing existing provincial statutes, otherwise they would need a Pri- vate Member's Bill to implement the expansion, which could easily be defeated considering the strength of Ontario Hydro's power union. Despite the barriers in imple- menting the boundary expansion, Livingston said they want to be pre- pared in case a merger takes place and the study will act as a guide for future use. "It's a detailed study that also deals with the technical aspects that are difficult to understand. If some- thing happens down the road we'll be prepared," said Livingston add- ing the study helps Exeter, Stephen and Usborne understand what would happen to the PUC since the consultants hired in the amalgama- tion study did not consider the im- plications to the utilities under a municipal merger. "Expanding our boundaries is a move toward modernization. Pro- viding local service is a step for- ward for the utility and the sur- rounding townships," said Livingston. 41. Panther Funfest South Huron District High School students get ready for their Panther Funfest this week- end. The event Includes a garage/bake sale, community breakfast and the sellingof dance and trampoline riffle tickets. From left, Vanessa Laye, Kerlann O'Rourke and had Dalrymple pose with donated garage sale items. Benefits of massage therapy and chiropractic This is an extended series featuring various health topics as they are presented each Wednesday at the Exeter Town Hall. By Angela Pickering TA Co-op student EXETER - Many people suffer from common illnesses that prevent them from doing the things they enjoy. For some, even getting through the day is a struggle. Massage therapy is an alternative treatment designed to aid people in management of their pain. It is a soft tissue manipulation that relaxes the body and eliminates toxins and is mainly used to treat lower back pain, headaches and specific injuries. At a health series session last Wednesday, Andrea Rader and Lori Burt talked to participants about what it takes to become a registered massage therapist. They also described effects massage can have on the body and how it can help to heal. "The most important element is the case history," said Lori as she explained the strict procedure that must be followed prior to a session. Information about a client's previous medical history is required as harm could occur if a sensitive area is pushed past its limit. Some receive massages for relaxation alone, but for others it is a way to loosen tight areas of the body that tend to create stiffness and pain. Poor posture and occupational stress are causes of tension. Massage therapy tries to relax the nervous system and concentrates on pressure points. Mark Jones, a registered chiropractor who works in Exeter, also talked to session participants. He explained chiropractors are joint doctors who adjust or manipulate the spipe. Chiropractic is defirled,as,.,, _. "treatment by hands." The effects the method has on the body are numerous. It increases joint range and skin pain TheWo Town tolerance levels as well as improve sensory and motor functions. It helps decrease lower back pain and the severity of headaches as well as assisting in managing common illness such as asthma and arthritis. Jones added there are many case studies to support research behind chiropractic. He read findings that show spinal manipulation by chiropractors is more effective than alternative treatments for lower back pain, such as medical prescriptions. The night was filled with facts and information the audience listened to intently. Perhaps some have found a solution to their aching problem. Tonight at 7 p.m., Dianne Mummery will be introducing Cranio Sacral therapy to health session participants at the Exeter Town Hall. Chiropractor piatklones, displalrs a �Celefoiiq the spine dtMel health session•last week, At spoke of the detailed effects chiropractic can have on the body. Weekly garbage pickup GRAND BEND - Acting on a recommendation from the Public Services/Parking and Law Enforce- ment committee, Grand Bend Council decided to move to a per- manent year-round weekly garbage collection system for the village. A public service report prepared by Bud Markham stated the transi- tion to a bi-weekly garbage pickup for the off-season was not pro- ceeding well and questioned wheth- er the trouble was worth the sav- ings generated by switching from a weekly to a bi-weekly garbage col- lection. Councillor Phil Maguire said some residents have complained their blue box is full before the sec- ond week and as a result, are put- ting recyclables into their garbage. He felt going back to a weekly pickup would encourage people to keep recycling. Mayor Cam Ivey questioned if the village could produce enough garbage and recyclables to justify a weekly pickup during the winter season, however, councillor Bob Mann said staying with a weekly system would save much confu- sion. Council passed a motion to switch back to weekly garbage col- lection after it has had enough time to inform the public about the change. In that same report, he committee also reviewed three types of park- ing permits issued by the village and recommended no change be made to the types or prices of the permits currently available. The committee also recommended the two hour parking limit on Main Street be kept and the village should distribute a notice to ed- ucate visitors about parking. "We don't think we should change the limit, but change how we go about enforcing it," said Mann. In other business, Ivey informed council Grand Bend Public Utilities Commission intends to hire a con- sultant to determine the financial impact of having Grand Bend's utility serve a portion of Bosanquet in case of a municipal merger. The government's push for mu - I nicipal restructuring under Bill 26 has initiated amalgamation talks be- tween Exeter, Stephen, Usborne, Grand Bend, North Bosanquet and parts of Hay. Ivey said a move towards amal- gamation will affect municipal PUC's and it only makes sense to embark on this informative study. The consultant, ECMI, (Energy Cost Management Incorporated) from Burlington, has just com- pleted a similar study for Exeter's PUC outlining the benefits of Us - borne and Stephen Townships pur- chasing their power locally instead of from Ontario Hydro. Ivey said Grand Bend PUC was originally invited, along with Hen- sall and Zurich, to participate in this study but failed to committ themselves to the study. NOrTICE Dear Residents of South Huron: EXETER COUNCIL is concerned that there will be limited community input into The Task Force Study on Health Care and in particular the importance of South Huron Hospital to this community. Council would like to draw the public's attention to the survey in a recent issue of the Exeter Times Advocate. Extra copies are available at the Municipal Of- fice. All South Huron Residents are asked to fill these out and return as soon as possible to the Hospital and Re- lated Health Services Study Task Force. You may also drop your survey off at the Exeter Municipal Office and the Town will send it off for you. EXETER TOWN COUNCIL