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The Wingham Advance-Times, 1974-12-05, Page 2Page The ingbein Adva life -Time iia ': urs•,DeCeMber 5, 1974 k 0 0 ti tl s. c y p ir a es . la cl 01 fr Yi 1 g! ti? tt 01 c1 of aaE ' SPARSE BUT TENACIOUS—Howick Township ratepayers didn't come in droves to hear their candidates recently. But those who did show up made their presence known, airing some of their complaints to prospective council members and board of education representatives. Approximately 25 ratepayers did come to the candidates' night. (Staff Photo) Poor turnout in Howick, tax increases ve • • Howick ratepayers had the op- portunity to confront candidates on the issues of tax increases arising from the 1974 budget, township safety standards and the absence of a building in- spector at a public meeting held in Gorrie Nov. 27 Only 25 Howick Townshipresi- dents did. With Reeve Robert Gibson and Deputy Reeve Harvey Mc- Michael retaining office through acclamation, ratepayers came to hear four candidates running for three council seats. Counc. Stuart Douglas, Counc. Harold Hyndman, Counc. Jim Robinson and Hilbert VanAnkum are running for council. Running for the first time Mr. VanAnkum • said, "I'm going to offer a few criticisms. "I think it would have been dee if we had more information on the 1974 budget. "We've had a sizable increase in taxes. I'm not saying it's righ er wrong: IleotddIlkeltarjuatfin got to the council meeting and were handed a 'slip and told what the mill rate would be. This is done by the auditor, reeve and clerk. "Maybe it's just easier to do it this way, a matter of con- vegience," he .added. Counc. Douglas said that when he brought up the issue of the budget he was told any talk wouldn't be of value until council talked to the auditor. "We never did talk to the auditor until he handed us the budget to explain it to us." Counc. Robinson mentioned that with the inception of the Community Centre as the township's first major project, "a more detailed budget, maybe at every monthly meeting; is called for." Count. Hyndman suggested that people are more "cost-cons- cious" than they were two years itut,tnor e",t'e",be7,aaid..: _.rrs a: m. r •. ....=Age - After ge-After the meeting, Counc. "But if you're going to have Douglas said that council does not really set the budget. He said, "I had no more input into the budget than you did. We this thing Centre) he , you said. "And,I the --Community have think it to was pay for time we it, did ANNUAL MEETING Belgrave Branch United (o -operatives of Ontario friday, December 6 7:00 P.M. Belgrave Institute Hall BOB KRAFT REPRESENTING INVESTORS SYNDICATE LIMITED Mr.. Bob. Kraft has been appointed representative for INVESTORS SYNDI- CATE LIMITED for WINGHAM, WALK- ERTON, AND KINCARDINE area. Bob has lived in the Walkerton area for many years and is well qualified to serve the many prospective clients in the area. He is known to many in this area because of his many years with Combined Insurance Company of America. Bob welcomes all enquiries from all present and prospective clients. BOB KRAFT, Box 337, Walkerton, Ontario, Phone: 881-1798 i explained an arena." THE BUDGET After questions were raised concerning the budget, Reeve Gibson rose to give his ex- planation. He said that of the almost 20 - mill increase in Howick Town- ship taxes, part of it was made up of increased road. expenditures. This accounted for three mills, he said. The actual figure for expendi- tures for 1973 is $98,750, and for 1974, $138,300. Although road superintendent Carrol Johnson had earlier said the 1974 road budget was below 1973, Mr. Gibson said that he (Mr. Johnson) did not take into ac- count the supplementary 'grants that the township had to match. The reeve mentioned that fire protection comprised five mills of the increase. Expenditure for fire protection for 1973 was $4,303.30; for 1974, $11,082.67. He said that about $7,900 for the recreation committee was ap- portioned for 1974 which repre- sented a two -mill increase. Actually this year's recreation budget came to $9,700, and in- crease from last year's $3,500. ' Mr. Gibson added that the biggest increase came in the form of budgeting for the interest on the. Community Centre, even before ' debentures have been issued by the government. About $25,000 had to be available, which cost the taxpayers another six mills. Clerk Ivan Haskins explained the remaining difference, in the mill rate increase isjtributable to an outstanding county levy against Howick Township. Counc. Douglas said that the part of the budget he is concerned about is the fire protection. "Fire protection has been a sore spot with me. We have really been taken by the surrounding municipalities." He mentioned that Listowel charges 3.6 mills, Clifford five mills and HBrriston seven mills. The agreements all expire Dec. 31. "And we have part ownership (17 percent) in Wingham where the cost fluctuates," he said. "Right now we're looking at a possible expenditure for fire protection for next year of $48,000. "Fordwich, Wroxeter and Gorrie are getting pretty poor protection for their dollar," he said. Mr. Douglas said that other municipalities he knows of have paid only $3,000 or $4,000 for fire protection. He did adtnit how- ever, that this figure was, low for the year but that it was a''far from what Howick is and migh be paying. Mr. VanAnkum, in questioning council members' about the budget said, "There was nobody at the meeting to help me lead the questioning. "No one seemed to care." OFFICAL PLAN Mr. VanAnkum stressed that maintaining agricultural land should be one of the top priorities for any council, especially when it comes to drawing up an official land -use plan. "I think if we had a plan five or 10 years ago with teeth in it, Hydro would have had to come to the municipality directly," he said. „People trom town think that land -use planning is not good for them. Just the opposite is true. If we know where the services are going to be beforehand, we're better off," he said. Counc. Douglas minimized Howick Township Council's input into any official plan. He said county planners draw it up and come around to the towns • and villages without any local people serving on the planning com- mittee. "We do a little detail work in our own back yard and that's an," he said. "The tact that amendments will be allowed will be our biggest plus. "They (the county) make it look as if the public has a big input but they don't." Reeve Gibson said that meetings will be held in January for the public to voice any criticism they have of the plan. "Every ratepayers will get a copy of the plan," he said. He said that lots in villages will have to be taken up before land outside will be settled. There will also be a 2,000 -foot perimeter around villages that will be more or less frozen from development unless a special certificate is. issued. "But :I don't think they'll ever„ get a plan that won't be amend- ed," he concluded. PUBLIC INFORMATION Mr. VanAnkum said in.passing that Howick ratepayers should be better informed. "Anyone who is elected should make a real effort to keep people informed. "Public apathy is encouraged by the attitude of the council. They could give out more in- formation'. "And council doesn't seem to attack with any vigor," he said. Counc. Robinson said, "I thought we had a very open council. Nothing was pushed through that shouldn't have been. "There's been a lot of mis- understanding between the council and the people though. "We had a good run-in two years ago and they got a change. I think we'll have • a very poor turnout at the polls because there's no pointed issue this time," he said. Counc. Douglas said he thought the meeting was better than usual especially since "most people take councillors in a ho- hum way." Counc. Hyndman said, "It would look to me that a lot of people saw that ad for this meeting in the three papers. "They appear to be very happy with council as it is. This is what I took out of the meeting," he said. One member of the audience, Morley Johnson, mentioned that part of the apathy displayed by Howick ratepayers may be the council's f It. He said it was part of the c pncil's job to inform the people. "This (a dance) is a little _pathetic " e said. STANDARDS Safety standards on the roads, ponds and in buildings was brought up by members of the audience. Commenting that Howick has no building inspector, especially in terms of the Community Centre, one ratepayer said to Reeve Gibson, "You mean to tell me that you're relying totally on the contractor to stay within the plans laid out for him?" "Yes, he has to," the reeve said. "If he goes out of business and the building collapses who is responsible?" was the next question. Reeve Gibson answered, "I don't think the building will collapse." He said health, fire and en- vironment inspectors have looked the hall over, but no 1.1r,and Mrs. Cecil Wim; ofBly'A. visited of 1. Thursday vaith Mr. Mrs. Harry McGuire. be conte of the W�"s �u tate Claistmaa meeting which will be held in the WI Tuesday, Defiler 10 in the buildingy, w inspector When ed t Howick should obtain the OW 1 a neighboring county, 01110e. Hyndman said, "1 think that's an excellent idea." He added that there have been more u officai inspectors than anyone might realize. "Welcon Construction is pretty reliable. We got top reports about them," Counc. Hyndman said. Another member of the audience askedthan open ponds within police villages be fenced in and that council ss a by-law to that effect. "I* it go to e a drowning to pass a going b saw?" Counc. Douglas, later com- menting on some of the proposals from ratepayers about passing by-laws said, "It's the easiest thing in the world to pass a by- law in council. The problem is enforcing the by-laws." Summing up what he thought was the most important aspect of council work, Counc. Douglas said that he would like to see members act more decisively in the future. Counc. Robinson said that he thought senior citizen housing might be a top priority but that with the work and expenditure on the Community Centre this might not be possible. Counc. Hyndman reiterated his concern with costs that afflict most municipalities today. And Mr. VanAnkum said that his major concern would be keeping agricultural land in use. e Persona Win of * t. members their The roll: w: be, hints Eec c . u social evening wili follow attor they supper hour. Mrs. Herb Wheeler' er' Al and Mrs. Kenneth Wheeler at- tended the wedding of Ann Katherine Wheeler and Dirk Wil- luau Rouyn of London on Sato-, day in the 'Metropolitan United Church with, ReV. Dc George Goth dating. MissMarjo Procter of Sarnia spent Tuy evening ning with her mother,. Mrs. Robert Prods.-', and also visited with her father, Robert Procter, in Uniijersity Hospital, Landon. • Mrs. Larry Mayberry and Mrs. Robert Procter visited one day. last week with 'Robert Procter who is a patient in University Hospital, London. Mr. and Mrs. John Evans of Sarnia visited on Sunday with Miss Nora Van Camp. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hibberd visited Mrs. Ronald Hibberd and baby in the County of Bruce Hos- pital, Walkerton, on Saturday. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hibberd were in London on Wednesday. Mrs. Lois Warwick of Wingham and Mrs. Laura Johnston spent the weekend with Mr. and Mrs. George M. Johnston of London. Mr. and Mrs. Murray Notes Presentation GORRIE — About 50 former and present staff members gathered in the lounge of Ford- wich Village Nursing Home on Sunday to honor Dave and Jean Dinsmore who have sold the nursing home. They were presented with a suitably engraved silver tray. Their daughters, Carolyn and Lorraine, received personally engraved desk sets. A social hour was enjoyed by all present. A Cheery Christmas Card Will go out to announce your gift at Christmas time That's right . . for $8.75 The Wingham Advance - Times will prepare and mail out your Christmas Gift 50 times in the next year. Your thoughtfulness will be remembered for the full 12 months. folvaly visitod th Mr. aMrs. Janes of Donde*. Wpm Men's Choir pre, ' laded in eve of a owl. OLD SPICE GIFT 'S 4% oz. ShaveLotion, 4% oz. 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