December 22 News Stories

OPSEU/Health Unit
The Medical Officer of Health for Grey Bruce, is responding to a press release published by OPSEU. In the release, OPSEU rep Ted Loughead denounces the lay off of two Youth Advisors, affective tomorrow. Loughead asks how the board of health can justify the recent pay raise they okayed, for MOH Dr. Hazel Lynn. He says that money could easily have paid the salaries of the two workers getting the ax. Dr. Lynn says the raise was at the urging of the Ontario Medical Association and will be paid by the province, and is not coming out of the health unit’s budget. She says the pay hike puts all moh’s on the same payscale as other health professionals and doctors. Dr. Lynn says she has applied for funding for more youth advisors and that the province is now putting together a new youth program. She says they won’t likely hear anything new on that, until the spring. In the meantime, she says, the health unit budget is so tight, they cannot afford to keep the positions without the grants. Dr. Lynn says Loughead has not contacted her or any health unit staff, to talk about his concerns. She says he is welcome anytime to come in and take a look at the books.

Huron Kinloss Council Highlights
Council agreed to a zero per cent wage increase for council members for 2010…..council got some good news from the province about the shortfall from the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund. It was first believed there would be $600,00 less coming from the funding, but the province has revealed transitional assistance….meaning the township will get back, $89,000. Treasurer Jodi MacArthur says the township also gained from an adjustment to the stabilization component, meaning a total loss of $278,000, not the $600,000 originally thought. Councilor Jim Hanna, mentioned a probable 8 per cent tax hike to cover the shortfall. Mayor Mitch Twolan says the Western Ontario Warden’s Caucus is asking the province to review the funding formula, especially for rural municipalities. ….and more bad news with numbers…this time relating to the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority…Huron Kinloss is one of three municipalities that are facing a general levy increase because of assessment growth…that means facng a 6.7 per cent increase, or $5,000 extra for the SVCA budget. According to Councilor Anne Eadie, the levy is based on a complicated formula set up by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the SVCA, back in the 1990s. …A groundbreaking/completion celebration is planned at the Point Clark Community Centre, on January 5. Huron Bruce MP Ben Lobb and MPP Carol Mitchell will be on hand for a ten o’clock ceremony….this story by Liz Dadson…www.kincardinetimes.com

Ring Switch
A Port Elgin woman faces theft charges, in connection to a ring switch at Elgin Jewelers, in November. Police say two woman, who were looking at a variety of rings, drew the attention away from the clerk. The employee, noticed a $2,000 diamond ring, had been switched with a similar looking older cubic zirconia, when she returned. The employee could not catch up to the women, who had left the store quickly. Video cameras at the store, identified the women. The ring was returned to the store, and a 44 year old woman was charged with theft under $5,000 and possession of stolen property.

Port Drugs
A Port Elgin man is facing drug charges, after a raid on his home. Police say, earlier this month, they found marijuana, ecstasy pills, oxycodone pills, hash oil, $925 in cash and a handgun. A 49 year old man is charged with four counts of possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking, possession of property obtained by crime, and unauthorized possession of a firearm. He’s got a court appearance in Walkerton, in January.

Weapons Charges
A Listowel man is facing weapons charges after a weekend call to police from concerned citizens. Police say they responded to a call about a man with a gun at a Barber Ave home. When police arrived, they found two replica pellet hand guns. Investigation led to charges, including three counts of pointing a firearm and two of carrying a weapon, dangerous to the public peace.