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Zurich Citizens News, 1974-04-04, Page 1[rikgh NO. 14 FIRST WITH THE LOCAL NEWS THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 1974 15 CENTS PER COPY ATTEND ANNUAL MEETING - The annual meeting of the Huron Progressive Conservative Association (federal) was held in Clinton last Friday night. Taking part in the evening program were, left to, right, R.E. McKinley, Huron MP, Mrs. Margaret Bennett, Wingham, vice-presid- ent of the association, Alfred hales, Wellington MP, guest speaker for the occasion, and Clayton Laithwaite, Goderich, president of the association. Huron ounty tax rate jumps (by Shirley J. Keller) It will cost Huron County taxpayers more in 1974. That was the news at last Friday's session of Huron County Coun- cil at which Warden Bill Elston announced the county budget was "up just a shade over $400, 000" and would represent what amounts to an increase of about 5 1/2 mills. The Warden explained it simply. "Our services are going up every year, " be said. "If we keep adding, we must have more money." He urged all committee members to "try and hold down all new services" in the coming year. Clerk -treasurer John Berry said the total budget amounted to $3, 988, 108... just $)2,000 short of the $6, 000, 000 figure. " "The various committees and boards have reviewed their requirements very carefully, but despite this action there is a steep increase in the county rate requirements for the coming year, " Berry said. "The increase is reflected in the general rate which is increa- sed some $380, 000, " Berry noted. "However, one must remember that in 1973, the county used approximately $200, 000 on surplus funds to hold the levy at that time." The Highways Department in turn is drawing on its reverse this year, Berry said, in order to hold the Highway Levy. Ile Federal PC's meet The Conservative Member of Parliament for Wellington Rid- ing, Alfred Hales, told the annual meeting of the Huron Federal Progressive Conservat- ive Association in Clinton Fri- day night that the size of the civil service in Canada should • be limited to a certain percent- age of the population. He said the federal civil service has become "most expansive and expensive" under the Trudeau government. Mr. Hales, who is chairman of the public accounts commit- tee of the House, said "inflat- ion is today's greatest concern." He pointed out that since Trud- eau took over as Prime Minist- er the cost of living has risen more than 29 percent, and accused the PM of not realiz- ing that excessive government spending causes inflation. As an example of the waste, Mr. Hales said in 1960, under John Diefenbaker as Prime Minister, the official residence cost the people $87, 920, while in 1974 under Pierre Trudeau the same official residence will cost the Canadian people the sum of $1,500,000, "When the energy crisis bit, Trudeau and his government asked the MP's to form car pools -take the bus -leave the car at home- save fuel, " Mr. Hales went on to say. "But what did he do in early Decem- ber? He took a government jet plane and flew to Vancouver to attend a $100 per plate Lib- eral fund raising dinner --burned up 6, 000 gallons of jet fuel. He said safety wouldn't let him take a regular commerc- ial flight, but 15 days later US President Nixon took a com- mercial flight to California to save fuel." Mr. Hales explained that since the Liberal government took office in 1968 --seven short years ago --they have spent more than all the governments put together since Confederat- ion. He went to describe at least eight different depart- ments of government were (continued on page 5) said one must look forward to 1975 when, if the trend contin- ues and the programming in the Highway Department remains constant, rate increase will be necessary for highways. General govenment will cost $272, 300; protection to persons and property, $17, 000; public works, $2, 129, 000; public health, $400,718; Social and Fancily Services including Hur- onview, child welfare and soc- ial services, $2, 245, 073; recreation and community serv- ices including planning, land division, library, museum and Ilistoric sites, $449, is45; fin- ancial, $190,160; other, such as reforestation, development, grants, new building, plumbing inspection, $179,245; estimated surplus in 1974, $98,107. Total budget, $5, 988,108. County taxpayers will cont- ribute $2, 033, 000 to this budget "If you recall last year it was decided to accept the Tax Review Committee's report which altered the distribution of county costs by prorating some of these costs on a population basis rather than assessment basis, " said Reeve Doug McNeil, Colborne. "In addition to this change, of course, is the increase in county require- ment, and as a result the overall requirements for county purp- oses for 19'74 are considerably greater." During the day -long session, business included a report from the Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Frank Mills. In his presentation, Dr. Mills attempted to explain recent stories in the press concerning the possible amalgamation of the Health Units in Huron and Perth. Dr. Mills said it was his impression that because there was a vacancy at the present time in Perth after the death of the MOH there, talk of amalgamation has come alive (continued on page 12) Rest Home lack appro The plans of directors of the Bluewater Rest Home to build senior citizens apartments across from the present facilit- ies may be hitting a snag, following a meeting between the Hay Township council and Hur- on County Planning director Gary Davidson on Monday aft- ernoon. Mr. Davidson termed the idea as "not conforming with the Official Plan of the County." "It is up to you people whether or not you issue a building permit, " Mr. David- son told the council. "But we would certainly like some time to study the complete situation." Air. Davidson also told the council he doubted that there was enough need for this type of accomodation in the area, in view of the geared -to -income senior citizens apartments which are to be built in the village of Zurich. The directors of the Rest Honie just recently purchased the property across the road fron the present home, with the hope of building the apartments as soon as necessary approval has been received. Financing of the project was to be arrang- ed with Central Mortgage and Housing. Plans for the units have been drawn up by the home's architect. Following a lengthy discuss- ion on the proposal, members of council agreed to hold up any forthcoming application for a building permit until another meeting could be arranged Inns als between themselves and the Iluron County Planning Depart- ment. Mr. Davidson promised the council they would have all the information necessary gathered together for such a meeting. Mr. Davidson also discussed at some length the proposed by- law for the Moore Sub -Division, south of St. Joseph, where over 40 building lots are involv- ed. In the new sub -division all structures will be set ba':k at least 25 feet from the front lot line; all structures on lots abut - ting top bank along lake shore will be set back at least 70 feet; and at the ravine all structures will be set back at least 50 feet from the top of the bank. There will also be an area set aside for parking lots and playgrounds, and removing of dirt, or filling in, will not be allowed without the approv- al of the Ausable-Bayfield Con- servation Authority. A number of applications for severance on property owned by Charles Papineau were also discussed at the meeting with the director, and these were referred back to the Huron County Planning Board. In other business at the meet- ing council refused permission to Dave Stark to move an old railway box car to a location on property owned by Glen Thiel, west of Zurich. Mr. Stark had asked for permission to set the car on the property on a temp- orary basis, so he could use it for storeage space. Zurich needs separate disposal agreement Effective May 1, the Village of Zurich will have to negot- iate their own agreement for a waste disposal site with the own- er of the property involved. Up until now, their agreement has been made each year with the council of the Township of Hay, who have leased the prop- erty on the Babylon Line, from Anthony Hoffman. Mr. Hoffman appeared at the meeting of Hay council on Monday afternoon with a request for an increase in the price he received for taking care of the site. He told the c cuncil that last year he received between $7, 000 and $ 8, 000, and he requested this to be increased to $12, 00 per year, allowing him to keep the site open two days each week. At the new price he agreed to purchase a shovel to use in keeping the waste buried. After considerable discussion on thematter, Mr. Hoffman agreed that he would 'operate the site for residents of Hay Township only, for the sum of $7500 per year. This would allow the site to be open one day each week for six months of the year, and two days each week for the other six months of the year. He agreed that he would attempt to work out an agreement with the village of Zurich if they wished to cont- inue using the site. At the same time, Mr. Hoff- man indicated there was a poss- ibility of a section of Stanley Township wanting to use the site as well. He pointed out that if both Zurich and Stanley wanted to use the facilities, the cost could be reduced to Hay so the total he received would still amount to only $12, 000 per year. He indicated that was the total figure he wanted for as many municipal- ities as wished to use the site. The new agreement for Hay comes into effect on Maya. At the same meeting the Hay council were advised by the Zurich council that the hourly rate for fire protection would be increased to $125 for the first hour at a fire, and $75 for each following hour. John Finlay was awarded the contract to act as dog counter for the township, at a rate at 95 cents per dog. Miller Paving Ltd., was awarded the contract for supply- ing and applying 35% liquid calcium on township roads, at a price of $60.35 per flake ton. Several drain contracts were awarded at the same meeting. (continued on page 13)