> Banner week for WLMH reno/rebuild endeavour /Pg 4 > West Lincoln extends COVID-19 relief Pg 6 > Mike says ‘thanks’ for 25 years! Pg 15 > West Lincoln food drive rocks Pg 17 Thursday, May 7, 2020 Vol. 9 Issue 1
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Basic discussion descends into council mayhem Grimsby council struggles to work through the simplest of administrative issues By Mike Williscraft NewsNow A simple budget item to establish the Town’s tax rate set off another round of finger pointing, raised voices, points of order, calls for sanctions and microphones being muted at Monday’s meeting of Grimsby council. After Grimsby’s director of finance Steven Gruninger worked through the document which sets the Town’s tax levy and tax rates - with 2020 total revenue at $14.37 million up from $12.48 million in 2019 - Coun. Lianne Vardy renewed her call for a review of the 2020 budget “to give our residents some relief.” Aside from the matter of ex-
treme time conincrease on the traints outlined Town portion “There are 2-3 by Gruninger due of the tax bill. to filing dead- councillors - from their He said counlines of tax rate limited knowledge of cil should wait information with after municipal budgets - until Niagara Region hearing the and the Province who propose to reduce June 1 report of Ontario, some before conthe budget” members of sidering such Coun. Dave Sharpe a move. council thought a review comCoun. Dave pletely unnecessary while oth- Sharpe noted that Niagara Reers said it was premature since a gion has already announced COreport on the financial impact of VID-19’s impact will be about $7 COVID-19 on the town is expected million while Welland has conat the June 1 council meeting. firmed a $4.4 million hit, so he did Coun. Kevin Ritchie called it not want the budget changed so “crazy” to review the budget, the town did not double up on which brought in a 13.4 per cent the financial hit.
As far as the eye can see
GBF’s parking lot was packed with donations, sorted by the volunteers from the Grimsby Firefighters Association and Town staff on Saturday. All this came from the one day ‘Feed Hope’ food drive. For more, turn to Page 8. Marks - Photo
Sharpe said if revenues are reduced and COVID-19 pushes costs up, the Town would pay “two ways”. “It’s a mistake,” said Sharpe of lowering the budget. “There are 2-3 councillors - from their limited knowledge of municipal budgets - who propose to reduce the budget.” Similar to Coun. Randy Vaine’s assertion at the previous meeting of council that the CAO should have the ability to make unilateral decisions, Sharpe said the town had experienced staff who should make the call on spending. At that point, Vaine threw more gas on the fire by citing the debate See DEBATE, Page 3