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Zurich Citizens News, 1981-02-05, Page 1No. 5 / F , \ FIRST WITH LOCAL NEWS FEBRUARY 5, 1981 Price Per Copy 25 Cents Huron rate may go up 17percent By SHARON DI ETZ Huron County Council wrestled with budgets presented by the county's various committees at its, January 29 meeting in an attempt to hold the overall county budget to an increase of between 15 and 17 percent. Increases in the department budgets ranged from 15 to 27 percent. Warden Fred Haberer told council the countywas able to slip through last year, but in 1981 the council would be faced with some tough decisions regarding budget increases. The county's highways department submitted the budget with the largest county rate increase: 27 percent in a budget of $3,927,500. The increase in the road budget this year was related to significant overruns on two projects in 1980 leaving the department with a deficit for the year of $201,068 on a cash basis., Reeve George Fellows of Bayfield questioned the right of the road committee to permitsignificant overruns which would result in a deficit. County engineer Bob Dempsey answered that unforeseen difficulties had resulted in a larger overrun than anticipated on the Council declines Zurich invitation An invitation to place a council member upon the Zurich recreation board was declined by the Stanley Township council Monday night. The council declined the invitation because they give money to three other rec boards besides Zurich and they could not afford to spare the members. In other business, it was agreed that the building superintendant would be sent to a seminar in London dealing with the Provincial Offenses act. There was also a resolution passed that the council give support to the town of Dunnville in their request to the provincial government on an environmental study for the Cayuga area. A resolution was passed that the council should pay the Clinton Fire Area Board 50 per cent of the board budget which comes to $745. It is done every year. It was agreed to send Riddell to run Huron -Middlesex MPP Jack Riddell had a definite "yes" when called on Mon- day to ask whether he'd be running in the upcoming election called earlier this week by Premier Davis. Riddell, who won a 1973 by election and went on to two other wins, indicated he was not pleased with the decision to have, basically, a winter election. Riddell expects the con- stituency machinery to sw- ing into gear quickly. Riding officals met last night to set a date for the nomination meeting, which could be as early as next week. The Huron -'Middlesex PCs had an advanced inkling of the pending election and the riding executive met last week to set a date for a nomination meeting. The association president, Bruce Shaw, said that the meeting had been scheduled for Thursday, Feb., 19 at the South Huron rec centre. The Exeter mayor indicated that there are no confirmed candidates as of yet. He said that the meeting will be open and anyone of the riding residents with memberships will get a vote. William Taylor, the road superintendant, to an en- viromental assessment workshop in London. The area covered at the workshop deal with plan- ning, financial and legal, engineering, building, parks and recreation and the utilities commission. There was a resolution passed that the Bayfield agricultural society will receive $100, the. Huron Central society in Clinton -. will receive $50 and the Hensall-South Huron society will receive $50. The landfill site that the township owns has been rented to the highest tender for the next three years. Larry Peck made a bid of $80 for 1981 and $90 for 1982 and 1983, which is to be paid on April 1 of each year. They also excepted a drainage petition from Glen Hayter and others to clean out the Datters-Logan drain. J.R. Spreite of Spreite associates will bring in a report on the project to council. The value of building permits dropped in 1980 as compared to 1979 and 1978. Last year the total was $720,000 as compared to $1,972,000 in '79 and $1,453,000 in '78. The number of permits dropped 33, from 100 in 1979 to 67 in 1980. construction of Road 11. Road committee chairman Lloyd Mousseau told council the second overrun was the Auburn garage replacement and pointed out that it was a one time project. Once the garage was paid for, said Moitsseau, the road budget could be brought in line next year. The land division com- mittee brought in one of the lower budget increases at 15.1 percent. rile committee recommended the fee for all approved severances be raised from $75 to $100 resulting in - increased revenues of approximately $3,000. Reeve Bill Elston, Morris Township, told council that land severances were a "bona fide part of county planning". He objected to the _person wanting the severance being asked to bear the burden. County clerk -treasurer Bill Hanly pointed out that the county is subsidizing each fee more than 50 percent. Reeve 'Paul Steckle of. Stanley township said he is opposed to severances and remarked that the county cannot continue to subsidize those who are benefiting from the severances. He said he would not be opposed to having those wanting severances .pay hall of the adminiMration Kee. Council referred the matter to executive com- mittee which will consider the land division budget and can make recommendations concerning the fee to be paid. The board of health budget came in with an 18.5 per cent increase largely due to ex- penditures created by the purchase of furnishings and equipment for the new county health building under construction at Huronview in Clinton. The reeve of Bayfield, George Fellows objected to the allotted expenditure of *45,000 for furnishings and equipment at the new health building. Dr. Brian Lynch, Medical Officer of Health, told council more realistic figures would be available at the end of February when it would be brought to council. He said the figure in the budget was an educated guess, but that he was certain when the figures were - available, the fur- nishings and equipment would cost less. Reeve Fellows commented that he did not like using expanded figures because this permits the expenditure to increase to meet that figure. He said he did not like this kind of budgeting. County clerk -treasurer Bill Hanly, told . council EL members that the figure of $45,000 was realistic for the type of facility and number of staff at the health building. Hanly remarked that considering the type .of building and staff requirements, the cost of furnishings and equipment could well be $50,000. So therefore the budgeted figure of $45,000 was a realistic figure. Budgets were also received from the social services committee, the planning department, the development committee, Huronview, the library board, the property com- mittee, and the proposed budgets of the executive committee including genera: government, members of council and general ad- ministration, educational grants and patriotic grants. All were accepted and will now go to the Executive Committee for final review. FOOD MAR*ET " WE LIKE TO SERVE YOU A LITTLE BIT BETTER" NEW GROCERY STORE — Zurich businessman Don Beauchamp, and wife Elaine, stand in front of their new store in Hensoll. New Hensall store opens Don Beauchamp, the owner of Don's Food Market in Zurich, has opened a second store. in Hensall. The store, which opened Friday, is run by Beauchamp and his wife Elaine. The building at 127 King St., Hensall, was leased from Russ Goldstein, who ran Al's Super Save Market. The new store is also connected with Knechtel distributors, and GOLD WATCH -- John Tinney is presented a gold watch by Lionel Wilder in recognition of his service to Hay Township. Tinney was honored with an appreciation night Friday. Beauchamp said the Knechtel people helped him change the store over in just seven days. Concern was expressed at the Hensall village council meeting Jan. 12, when it was learned Al's Market was to be closed. It was thought the village would be left without a local grocery store. "We feel the people are going to stay in town to do their shopping," Beauchamp said, when asked about competition from other large chain stores in the region. Beauchamp was pleased with the "terrific" customer support for his first day's operation. He plans a grand opening in about three weeks. The Beauchamps also took over the Simpson -Sears catalogue outlet. "We want to make it better," Beauchamp said. "To make it a real nice department store." The Hensall store will also be called Don's Food Market. Beauchamp said he has run the Zurich store for about five years. Zurich ag society picks new officers The Zurich Agricultural Society elected new officers and directors at their annual meeting on Thursday. The president is Gerry Theil, the first vice-president is Ted Lansbergen, second vice-president is Norman Eckel and the secretary - treasurer is Margaret Deichert. The directors are the same with two exceptions, those being Jim Love and Gerald Schantz. The rest are Claire Deichert, Fred Haberer, Leo Hoffman, Mrs. Anne Flaxbard, Mrs. Irene Steinbach and Mrs. Diane Theil. The 1980 Zurich fair was discussed and this year's Lair was set into motion. The theme of the parade will be the 125th birthday of Zurich. "The theme is right there in front of us," said Theil. A letter from Jacquline Sullivan was read. She was part of a 4-H exchange program that took her out to Alberta. There is going to be an agricultural convention in Toronto on Feb. 18 and 19. The association has three rooms booked at the Royal York, where the convention is being held. The people who go will also be responsible for arranging entertainment for the upcoming fair.