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Times Advocate, 1997-12-31, Page 2Page 2 Times -Advocate, December 31, 1997 Regional wrap up Walkerton Police amalgamation approved WAI.KERTON - The final ap- pros :ll hi. been given lir the .unalgamation of the Hanover and Walkerton police service.. stated the Saueecn ('uy News. The new. :erg ice comes into effect Jan 1. 1998 ,ted will he known .Is the :South Bruce -Grey Police Services Some of the immediate tasks at hand to mike the -amalgama- tion pruLe:s a _.mouth one is 'cruisers must .he markedsigns changed and personnel must he sworn in Vicious dogs to be muzzled WIN6H:\M - Owners of dogs in Wingham who run louse will .he lined and Vtciiius does will he muided. stated the Wingham Advance -Tines. • A 4(0 -name petition Was cir- culated throughout Wingham asking for pit hulls to be harmed and other 'trays. to he kept leashed Council. decided they will stiffen lines and enforcement on owners of dugs who are causing problems in, the town. but pit hulls will not he- banned from Wingham.• - Decrease in municipal levy MOUNT FOREST The Sau NIFIAdiJ Conservation authority pitches budget to member municipalities The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority is dealing with a series of funding cutbacks By Kate Monk T -A Reporter DASHWOOD - The Ausahle- Bayfield Conservation Authority made its pitch to its constituent mu- nicipalities for next -year's funding at a meeting. last Thursday night.: The meeting_ at the • Dashwood Cominunity Centre was open to all 32 --.municipal councils in. .the ABCA'. area of -jurisdiction. Thir- ty -lour council - members attended. The ABCA con- tinues to deal with a • series of cut - hacks • in funding. The province has slashed the ABCA'< hudget over the past sever- al years. reducing provincial grams from more than Sl -million to less than 595.000. • The Authority has dealt - with these • cutbacks by reducing staff numbers by ' halt'. increasing user fees and establishing partnerships to fund projects. However.' . a change in the rules for levying mu- nicipalities poses another threat .to- the,ABCA's future. Under the leg- islation. the ABC.A'a- 32 member .municipalities must only. match the province's contribution to the au- thority of S94.722. The • municipal • levy 'currently stands,at 'S344.340`and has creased since 1992.'At the Dec. I8 - meeting. the hoard of direetors.vot-- ed to maintain- the 1998 levy at $344.340.- . Municipalities now have 30 days to decide it' they will pay the dis- cretionary amount of the levy and direct their representative on the ABCA how to vote at the annual meeting: The vote on the levy'is based on assessment. meaning the votes are weighted according to the dis- counted equalized assessment in each Municipality. - • "When we get 51 per cent of the as- sessment. the mo- tion' is -passed." ex- plained ABCA general manager Tom Prout. Exeter, with the biggest population in the watershed also has -the largest levy. For Exeter. the difference he tween • the muni -levy• and the proposed levy is 526.582. The town currently pays $35.770 hut that amount could drop to $9.188. • Conservation authority staff and directorsgave several reasons why municipalities should continue their. ',support. - "Conservation authorities -are the only local accessible and account- able agency left after the govern- ent :has cut its 'own ministries. s. Secondly. CAs look alter the inter - "Conservation authorities are the only local accessible and accountable agency left after the government has cut its own ministries." nut 'in - est of the'environment .which the puhlic demands.''. ABCA chairman Tom Tomes said. - • "Many conservation programs are not -as visible as roads. The cost of- supporting conservation is less •expensive than solving prohlems.'•. he explained. Prout said municipal- levies have actually decreased by 25.per cent. The assessment in the watershed has increased hut the authcirity has not increased the levy .accordingly. if the municipal levy .had kept pace with the assessment. the levy would he .S3141.000. rather than S344.340. . Stephen Township reeve Harvey Raiz questioned- why the authority wasn't charging the municipalities less than in previous years. "Witltiiut the levy where it is. you have to decide, what programs you don't want." Prout replied.'_ This could result In the elimina- tion of programs such .Is tree plant mg. education or ether- environ- mental services. Raiz said his municipality was al- ready deciding on its programs by cutting the arcna.and reads budget by IO per -cent. - "We've been where you're head- ed." Prout replied. "If the puhlic wasn't willing .10 :pence money on ,:onscrvation. there would he .no demand." he .said. • According to Prout..several mu- nicipalities have asked the author- . ity to attend their ,:ounctl meetings to discuss the hudect. • Police contractraises council hackles geen Valley Conservation Au- thority • presented a preliminary hudget to the SVCA hoard of di- nectors..with a five per.cenl'de- crease in the municipal levy. re- ported the Mount: . Forest ' Conl"ederate. .: + This year:: proposed hudget is. 3'.300.395. • down I_••from S1.447.04)3' fn 1997. 'rhe de, crease wi)I he offset by savings in property taxes which will amount to about S76.000. Rotary New Year's Eve party ST .LIARY'S - The. 'St. , Mary's' Rotary Club is sponsor- ing a, New Year's 'Family Night' party at the St. Mary's - and Area Arena and Community Centre on New Year's Eve. stat- ed the Journal .Argus.. The alcohol -tree celebration is emphasizing the family part of the et.enmg by not licensing the arena torr the night A full schedule hegins at ahoout 7 p.m. with"puhlic.skatine and .► Christmas tree bonfire in the parking. lot. People can bring in their old Christmas trees and pit -h them. in: A faintly -oriented D J dance, will . he held in the. community centre after the' bon- fire. as well as musical entertain- ment by the local St. -Mary's -group Picks 'N Sticks. There w+11 also he horse-drawn sleigh rides or -.wagon rides. depending on 'he amount of snow. Fire- works will he lit at midnight to ren in the New Year. Wingham restructuring talks continue WINGHAM - Wingham town council approved an option. for the purpose of discussion. by the Ninth Huron Restructuring Committee which would create one municipality north of County 'Road 25. stated the Wingham Advance -Times. That option includes Ashfield. West Wawanosh, East Wawa - nosh. Mortis. Turnberry, How - ick and Grey Townships; the • Town of Wingham and the Vil- lages of Blyth and Brussels. Another option discussed was to split those munieipaliltes into two groups. reported the article. °the, . ,viems are still under u....sron by town council and the restructuring committee. I;y Kate Monk ' ' T -A Reporter EXETER - Exeter could he facing a 25 per cent in- crease in the cost of policing. Council 'discussed the, proposed Ontario Provincial Police services eaintract at the Dec. 15 coiuncil meeting.. • - ' Exeter chief administrative -officer Rick, Hundey said the hike represents a 'S280 in):rcase per household. • • -'This budget is unbelievable." Reese Roy' Tnchncr' said.. members of council ex-' , pressed their concerns with the con- ' tract that will cover the period uf:Jan. 1'.1998 until Dec.,31:2002. The Town of Exeter police force . was disbanded in favor of OPP ser vices Live years ago. The 1997 con- - tract was 5443.484 per year. The new cohtract sub- mitted by he OPP is $549.470. an increase of 25.per cernt-over the 1997 aotual figure: of 5434.1)0). • The submitted '98 contract has new categories and increases in the price of several existing services.. ' The workload was highr than was anticipated in the pre.viious contract resulting in an increase in the eon - stable numbers from Live to 5.3. Together with a wage. "This bu unbelie increase. this prompted a S237i7 i e enehts fort e staff have also increased by $14:125.' • • ' • In' 1997. overtime was hudgeted at. S10:(00 but the • - '9tj,.contract is based on,- the provincial average- of . 522.509.• Caretaker wages have' increased approximately - S3.$(x): Th mehicte maintenance hudget has more than doubled. New -expenses include' communications sup- port. mobile radio equipment and regional head: . quarters support. . In total. the '98 ,:ontract is nearly. S106.000- than the I997'coritract. . Mayor Ben Hoogenhoonm said when Exeter entered into the original .agreement with the OPP. the OPP guaranteed the 1')98 contract would not increase more than founor live per cent. Councillor George Robertson, ques- uonee! what other Huron County communities arc fac- ing with new contracts speculating they will:also he facing. hikes. .' ' "There .ire a lot . of questions that' need to he "an- swered." Robertson said. Trichner said he would like OPP personnel to come to the Exeter council with facts and figures to negotiate anew contract. dget is vable." Welfare case Toad decreases 20 per cent By Kate Monk TA Reporter 'GODER[CH• -, In 'the past two years. the ; number• of people re- ceiving general welfare .assistance in' Huron County has decreased by 21) •per cent. according to program administrator John MacKinnon. "At one tone the case load was around 700." he explame,d. "it`s partly to do with the Harris govern- ment and partly for economic rea- sons.' In November '97. 391 people re- ceived welfare assistance in Huron • compared with .505 cases in No- - vember '95. MacKinnon did not have the figures for people on fami- ly benefits assistance. MacKinnon said 42 people are currently involved in 22 community projects under Ontario Works. Fir.- Two it: Two men charged CLINTON - Two Huron Park area men are charged with assault causing bodily harm in connection with an incident that happened . 89 Albert St. in Clinton on Dec. 18. •- Scott Inson. - 20. of McGillivray Township is also charged with breach of proba- tion and is in custody till he appears in Goderieh court on Jan. 5. James, Russell Wein, 22, of 242 Algonquin Dr.. Huron Park' will appear in Goderich court on Feb. 2. The 19 -year-old victim.frum Bayfield received abrasions and contusions to- his scalp and was taken to Clinton General Hospital but left before receiv- ing treatment. ty-four clients have exited the On- tario Works . community projects and'33 of these have'tound employ- ment: - - Nearly 500 people. are active reg- isirants involved. in some aspect of 'Ontario Works.. This number, in- cludes : voluntary registrants who arrreceiving f'ainil), benelits. Last month. the new OMario Works Act was passed into law and will -be phased in during 1998. • The act will require single par- ents with children' in school to par- ticipate ih the Ontario. Works pro- gram. The government, has committed S30 -million to assist parents with child care if it is need- ed. The •government is also allowed under the new act to use modern technology to combat welfare fraud. The appeals process will also • he streamlined, to allow for quicker resolution of appeals. Across Omanio. 245.0(8) eases representing • 449.1)0) people re- ceived general welfare assistance in November. A -'local of 102.030 cas-i es or 646.202 people received faint- ly benefits according to figures from the Ministry of Community. and Social Services. "We realize we need to do intim to help more people to .top relying on welfare." said Janet Ecker. Min- ister of Community and -Social Ser- vices. "The Ontario Works Act will fur- ther reform the welfare system and strengthen the government's ability to combat fraud. It will also pro- vide more people , with op portunities to get hack to work." she said. , Home support worker saves life lir Continued from front page Finkbeiner is a customer service employee with the Bank of Montreal though is off un long-term disability. Charlton said Finkherncr was a val- ued cntployee and was liked by everyone. - Because of the outpouring of support. Finkbeiner said there is little the family needs at the moment. A computer for Jeff has been dropped off by someone to replace one that melted in the blaze. but Finkbeiner said her sun needs special equipment to use it once it's set up in their new home. The Gcoffreys put up the Finkbeiner children during the arduous first night after the fire while the parents stayed with Grand Bend's Jerry and Rose VariBruacnc. Finkbeiner said their story should he an example of what a community can do for those in need. "This should be a Christmas story." she said. Stephen Township Fire Chief Rob Pertschy said the fire started in the furnace area. The cause was. still under investigation at press time though he listed it as "accidental." Crediton Optimist Club president Brenda Morgan said a number i►I items including appliances and furniture have been offered for the Finkbeiners if they need them. tW7iWff s. The Exeter Times -Advocate surveyed prominent members in our.community asking for their forecast of 1998. Will it be a year of development, change or challenges? Or will it be a year Of cutbacks, hard decisions or hard work? ORGANIZATION:int Helen Johns \I PP for Huron County Helen Johns MPP MPP lir Huron County - '98 WILL BE A YEAR OF: Growth, opportunity and new jobs WHY?: Ontarians told -the government to cut taxes. spend their tax money more wisely and crc- ate a climate where the private sector -Would - create jobs and investment. We' have implemented • Ontario: The".numbers prove the plan is working: - • The deficit will decline to S5.6 -billion from S6.6 • jected in the 1997 hudget. • Reafeconomic growth at -f.4 per cent lir 1997 • 204.001) new private sector jobs in the fast nine • High consumer and business confidence THE COMING YEAR'S CHALLENGES - this plan for Killion pro- .• • months - AND HOW TO MEET THEM: - - • " prosperity are a future Ontario they continue to make balance the The province still . in •revenues. Ontarians can •that all .students children -s and 1 ponder and (hope that enjoy their tarn- we wish you ' , • To continue to build a climate where johs and available equally to -all •Ontarians - • - '• "To maintain the quality of life we enjoy -in Omand. • Ensure a healthy and secure future- for our children. full ot'hope and opportunity -no matter where- In choose to dive. , To rt)ee1these-challenges the government must difficult spending decisions that:are required to hudget. We are just over halfway to that•goal. spends $640.00 more each hour than it receives We are making the necessary decisions to ensure obtain emplityrncnt. quality health services and in Ontario are at the top of.the global classroom. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS}" • , As this holiday season .:ummences 1 look into,my 'eyes which -are filled with anticipation and hope. • their future in this ever-changing world Larry 'everyone takes the opportunity in this.season. to -..ily. friends and.loved ones as 1998 approaches gond health. happiness and prosperity. • ORGANIZATION: 1 r-: _" V . el , Paul Carroll. Director of Education.' • . Avon Maitland District School Board '98 WILL BE A YEAR OF: • - Burbling ,i new vision for puhlic education , , • WHY': The creation of the new District School . Boards provides an opportunity to review our overall _mission and the.key priorities ttr- meeting. the learning needs of our 21.000 .• students in 59 schools in the new jurisdiction; THE COMING -YEAR'S CHALLENGES Pau arrn , . Di• recror'nj , Education A - „ AND HOW TO' MEET THE`l: - .- and examine the -elementur* and there are many traditions tit' most cost-effec- ' the needs tit equal footing been too long at - We will need to examine program delivery changes required to ensure equity in .all of the secondary schools. While much is the same. i. differences. - We will he required. to. -abandon- many current establish new'ways of doing our business in the -_ tine fashion: ' - ADDITIONAL COMNIENTS: Hopefully. the new funding model will serve. taxpavcrs, v'thtle. at the same time. provide .a more - for funding Avon Maitland schools: 'We have the bottom! -r- - ., ORGANIZATION: . O.. ,t. . , t.udholt Chairperson Exeter & Area Block Parents • Lois Godbolt. Chairperson. Exeter & Area Block Parents •98 WILL BE A YE:1R OF: Creating ti ,u�t►rark ,;f mo„e volunteers. WHY?: ' , For example: a liaison person at each - •Luis schuohto promote Block Parents. give out • new applications and help educate the chil- ' dren about Block Parents. , To he effective our program. requires many pairs of eyes operating at any given moment. Our prime objective is still -to increase the number of Block Parent homes. Jf we want a safe arca for our children -to ' grow up and play in their .:ommumty piilicing must exist and. expand. It should become our responsihilit'.. - THE COMING YEAR'S CHALLENGES AND • HOW TO MEET "THEM: homes. There on a Klock. we need twice as • . Huron Park. - Exeter and arca .Alter all. you want , . It's always a challenge to find new Block Parent should he two Block Parent hoirnes an 'each -street • Because more people arc in the workforce malty homes as we have now to create a safe environment. I urge the people ,rt Exeter. Dashwood..Crcditon. Stephen- and Ushorne Townships (the arca our program covers) tci loin the Block Parent organization: the next child inneed may -he your own and wouldn't to know there is a Block Parent with in easy reach' ORGANIZATION: Parliainentary Training: • of /e197, put money has returned'to last nine months: no Longer growth will AND HOW TO Bruce Smith Member of Pnwineial Parhatnent - Middleiex. Assistant tothe Minister of Education and - '9$ WILL BE A YEAR OF: Building on oar ,goyerntnetrt'r suc•ce.sles WHY?: . . Ontario's economy is booming. Our tax cuts have hack into the pockets of consumers. Prosperity Ontario in the form tit:209.(0x) new jobs in the greater investment confidence: over 250.00 people relying on welfare: and. p dictions this ec nomic continue throughout 1998 THE COMING YEAR'S CHALLENGES MEET THEM: sense as a year. to improve As the new dis- reform will of Ontario first. Staying the course and cdnttnutng.to use common means to govern will he essential in the coming Maintaining health care spending and working access to medical services will remain a priority. trict school boards como,into existence. and education initiatives continue to be implemented, this government reaffirm its commitment to putting the students