The Creemore
Echo
Friday, April 8, 2011 Vol. 11 No. 14
Inside the ECHO
10 Years of Newspapering Recognition from Township. PAGE 5
News and views in and around Creemore
Car Tales of Old
Helen remind us of how it used to be. PAGE 14
Publications Mail Agreement # 40024973
BUDGET GOES TO PUBLIC Open House on April 14 after “tough” talks result in four per cent overall hike
by Brad Holden Clearview Township will take a draft municipal tax increase of 7.45 per cent and an overall tax increase of 3.99 per cent to the public on Thursday, April 14, when Council hosts its second annual Budget Open House. The open house comes after four days of deliberation by Council, during which the increase in the Township’s portion of the levy was whittled down from 9.47 per cent to 7.45 per cent, where it loftily stands now. But combine that number with a 1.5 per cent increase in the County levy and a no-increase School Boards budget and, should the Township budget be passed as is, Clearview taxpayers
would see an overall increase of 3.99 per cent over last year’s residential tax bill. That would mean, for instance, that owners of the average house in Clearview Township, last year assessed at $251,819, would have their taxes increase $115, from $2,798 in 2010 to $2,913 in 2011. “This is my 17th budget as part of Clearview Council and, while I thought last year’s was tough, I can honestly say that this one has been the most difficult,” said Mayor Ken Ferguson in a press release sent out Tuesday. “Costs beyond our control continue to rise while residents demand more service. With virtually no increase in our assessment, there’s nothing to offset the impact on taxes.” At this point, Clearview’s 2011 capital budget is set to increase to $35.7 million compared to $31.2 million (See “Draft budget” on page 3)
photo BryanDavies.com
A PLACE FOR TEENS Creemore teenagers Christa Rowe and her younger brother Kevin were fittingly chosen as the honorary ribbon-cutters at the official grand opening of Ray’s Place, Creemore’s Youth Resource Centre, last Saturday. For more pictures, see page 8.
“Millman Panels” to be auctioned for Tree Society
photo BryanDavies.com
New Creemore resident Ingrid Schilling is so excited about the Millman Panels, we let her tell the story herself.
by Ingrid Schilling I keep track of my life’s great decisions, and moving to Creemore last summer falls into the “top 5 category.” Not very long following my arrival, people began to acknowledge me with a friendly “hello” and a brief how-do-you-do. Invariably I was asked where I lived, and as soon as I told them that I bought the Millman House, memories began to flow about what a fun loving couple Fran and Terry were and how much they did for the community. I was told about the beautiful miniature houses Terry carved and Fran painted, and many other objects they made and donated. And always the subject came up: “what happened to the panel room?” Which brings me to the heart of the matter – the “panel room.” When Terry’s health deteriorated and he became housebound, he started woodworking projects for their home. First he made furniture and lawn creations and then he decided to revamp their den. He cut pine panels, 7-1/2” wide and 80” high, and decorated each with motifs such as stars, flowers, animals, snowflakes and geometric shapes which, once installed, became a decorated top border. Each (See “Millman” on page 9)
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