The Times Advocate, 2008-07-23, Page 1TIMES ADVOCATE
Exeter, Ontario, Canada Wednesday, July 23, 2008
1.25 (includes GST)
HURON TRACTOR
EXETER
519-235-1115
www.hurontractor.com JOHN DEERE
WHAT'S
INSIDE
Seniors' programs
Project to help
local seniors
PAGE 12
Staying healthy
Local boy faces
allergy challenges
PAGE 17
INDEX
Editorial 4
Sports 8
Announcements 18
Classifieds 21
TIMES ADVOCATE
424 MAIN ST.
Box 850
EXETER, ONTARIO
NOM 1S6
TEL: 519-235-1331
FAX: 519-235-0766
WWW.SOUTHHURON.COM
Trac 21 Online
Graphi
Inc
A P rIntIng Ca enp any
■■■■ ■
je"` ORDERING
519.237.3838
www.track2l .ca
Granton fun — Pirates paraded through the streets of Granton on Saturday
during the annual Granton Fun Day put on by the Granton Lions. Back from left
are Dylan Jones, Mitch Benner and Colin Burford. In front are Granton Wellesley
United Pastor Paul Vollick, Doreen McRobert and Terry, Elizabeth and John
Herbert. Additional photos on page 27. (photo/Pat Bolen)
Medical building moves ahead
By Pat Bolen
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF
ZURICH — After 10 years of work-
ing to ensure that primary health
care remained in Zurich, the Zurich
and Area Health Association (ZAHA)
will soon become inactive after a
meeting at the Bluewater Complex
in Zurich July 15.
With the Bluewater Family Health
Team (BWFHT) officially in opera-
tion in Zurich July 1, ZAHA presi-
dent Steve Haberer said, "Over the
next few months, the ZAHA should
complete what they set out to do.
The FHT will assume all of the
duties that we have been responsi-
ble for."
The meeting was held to update
residents on the progress of the
ZAHA to buy the Hay Mutual build-
ing to use as a medical centre.
The decision to buy the building
was made at a meeting May 23,
2007.
At the July 15 meeting, board
member Cam Steckle read a report
prepared by Jill Geiger on the
progress of fundraising since the
2007 decision.
Steckle said $19,500 was collected
and pledged at the May 2007 meet-
ing and since then a total of
$204,000 has been collected from
residents, area businesses, service
clubs and the Municipality of
Bluewater.
Haberer said three years ago the
ZAHA was faced with the prospect
of Zurich losing its doctor.
"Since then our board of 12 has
met monthly because we had
assumed responsibilities that
required us to do so. The goal of the
board over these past few years has
been to put primary health care in
our village on a solid footing.
"Three years ago we were only
hoping to keep a doctor in Zurich.
Then the prospect of a FHT
emerged, and has now become a
reality. I cannot over emphasize the
See MEDICAL page 2
Innovative
Communication
Services
www.hay.net
ha
Internet Service
Security Systems
Long Distance
Packages
r_ulnrntirti[etiCiftS
519-236-4333
Angry residents
attend meeting
By Scott Nixon
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF
SOUTH HURON — During a special meeting Tuesday
morning, South Huron council passed a controversial
bylaw that had the gallery packed with concerned res-
idents at Monday night's regular meeting.
The bylaw regards the financing of the
Crediton/Centralia sewer project. While council was
unable to come to a decision Monday night, staff pre-
sented further information to council at Tuesday
morning's special meeting, with council eventually
going ahead with the bylaw.
The controversy primarily stems from the time
frame residents were given to either pay in full the
amount they owe for their sewers or decide to enter
into the municipality's 20 -year debenture program.
Letters were mailed out to residents July 8-9 and they
were told they had until July 21 to pay their sewer
charge in full or they would enter into the debenture
program with a 5.09 per cent interest charge. As an
example of the fees residents are facing, a property
owner owing $10,493 would pay $848 annually in
interest, increasing the total over 20 years to over
$18,000.
Residents filled the gallery Monday night expressing
their displeasure over the fact they weren't given
enough time to come up with the money and the fact
that if they didn't come up with the full amount they
would be placed in the 20 -year debenture program.
Chief administrative officer Roy Hardy said the rea-
son for the short notice was that the municipality did-
n't have costs finali7ed for the approximately $6.1 mil-
lion project until July 4. He explained when the
municipality applied for the provincial loan in 2004,
2005 and 2007, the applications only indicated it
wanted a 20 -year debenture option for residents who
didn't pay their bill in full.
So far, 98 property owners, or about 30 per cent,
have paid the project in full. However, many in the
gallery Monday night said they couldn't afford to pay
on such short notice.
The reason for the July 21 deadline for payment
from residents was that council was to pass a bylaw
Monday night to collect the charges. Infrastructure
Ontario needed to know council's decision on the
bylaw by noon Tuesday. Hardy said to delay a decision
on the bylaw would mean the provincial loan could be
recalled and the municipality would have to look else-
where for $4.6 million. As a result, the municipality
would not be guaranteed the 5.09 per cent interest it
now has with the province.
Discussed Tuesday morning was the fact that any
extension in the deadline would mean the municipali-
ty (and the ratepayers) would not be guaranteed the
5.09 interest rate and would have to pay interest on
the extension, making the project even more expen-
sive.
See RESIDENTS page 2
EXETER
CHRYSLER
"Your neighbourhood Chrysler Dealer"
519-235-1525
TAKE A FREE RIDE IN THE 2008 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB 4X4 SXT
• 345hp 5.7L HEMI® V8 engine
with MDS • Air conditioning
• 5 -speed automatic transmission
• Electric shift part-time transfer
case • AM/FM/CD stereo with 4
speakers • Anti -spin rear differen-
tial • 4 -wheel disc brakes with
rear -wheel ABS • Trailer Tow
Group • Power windows, locks
and heated mirrors • YES
EssentialsTM seat fabric
• Advanced multistage front air
bags
PURCHSE FOR
4,588
(Includes Gas Card Alternative Rebate)
BI -WEEKLY PAYMENTS OF
$203
for 72 months
FINANCING
8.83%
CONSUMER CASH OF 511,750'
(includes Gas Cat Atlailatve rue atek
AND YOU OWN IT (Includes Gas Card Alternative Rebate)
)`, h x* x NHSTA 5 5 STAR Front & Side Impact
FIVE STAR HEAR US ON 10lt-XeIte-r-e4
136 Main St. N., Exeter 0000
"UTI MPS felt OI r Reos wFsraoes)-
SERVICE & PARIS OPEN SATURDAY 8 - NOON
VIEW ALL OUR INVENTORY AT:
www.exeterchrysler.com