The Creemore
Ech
Friday, February 10, 2017 Vol. 17
No. 07 www.creemore.com
News and views in and around Creemore
Inside the Echo
Live at the Legion
Optimistic Outlook
PAGE 3
PAGE 10
Grey Lands performs
New Lowell youth recognized
Publications Mail Agreement # 40024973
Clearview bus driver charged with impaired
Staff photo: Trina Berlo
Peri Curran, Hope Mountney and Caitlin Samuels sparkle during the opening ceremonies of Sunnidale Winterama in New Lowell Feb. 4. For more photos, including the winners of the parade and the bed races, visit The Creemore Echo’s Facebook page.
Mulmur taxes tax woes to ministry by Trina Berlo Mulmur officials had a chance to voice concerns about provincial tax incentive programs during a sit-down with members of the provincial government last week. Mulmur council members and staff met with representatives from the Ministry of Finance during the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference in Toronto to make a case for reestablishing rebates to rural municipalities impacted by the incentive programs. “It’s not just Mulmur. It’s every municipality in the province,” said Mulmur Mayor Paul Mills. “The point we have to get across is that the province is offering these tax incentives but we’re paying for them.” He said the Mulmur delegation spoke to the Managed Forest Tax
Incentive Program, the Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program and the Farm Property Class Tax Rate Program. Mills said the latter has the largest impact on Mulmur’s tax revenue. “We are not criticizing the programs but at one time we were reimbursed by the province for the farm tax. When Premier Harris got in, he did away with that and we are not reimbursed anymore.” Mulmur is asking that the province consider removing managed forest cap rates to allow properties to be accurately valued prior to providing incentives, better oversight and enforcement of the programs and that the province provide a grant equal to the actual loss experienced by rural municipalities. The loss in tax revenue for 2016, is calculated at almost $1 million. “I don’t know how many exactly are
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on these tax incentive programs but it’s the rest of ratepayers that are having to pay for it and make up that $1 million loss,” said Mills. “If [the province] is offering these [programs], they should be paying for it… We only bring in $3.5 million a year in taxes and we are losing $1 million through these programs. They look like the good guy offering the programs but it’s actually the local municipality having to pay the bill.” He said some residents who receive the tax cut assume the municipality is getting reimbursed so the municipality is hoping to raise awareness in the community. Mills said this initiative came out of research around the proposed expansion of the Niagara Escarpment Plan Area, which was unanimously opposed by the Niagara Escarpment (See “Mulmur” on page 3)
by Trina Berlo A Clearview Public Transit bus driver has been charged with impaired driving after he was involved in a collision Feb. 4. Police responded to a collision at the main intersection in Stayner, where Airport Road meets Highway 26 (King St. North and Main Street) at 6:20 p.m. Huronia West OPP are reporting the bus collided with a red Ford Flex. The driver of the Ford sustained minor injuries. “Attending officers determined that the bus driver showed signs of impairment. He was arrested and taken to the Collingwood detachment for further tests,” said police. Bradly Jaeger, 52 of Barrie, is charged with having care and control of a motor vehicle with blood alcohol content higher than 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood, careless driving and driving a motor vehicle with unsealed liquor. He was released and is scheduled to appear in Collingwood court on Feb. 28. As a result of the incident, the bus was impounded and a replacement transit bus resumed regular service on Sunday morning. In October, Clearview Township council approved a six-month contract with Sinton Landmark Bus Lines to operate a Stayner bus route with a connection to Wasaga Beach, using a leased bus. Clearview Township spokesperson Tim Hendry said the municipality would not comment further, as the matter is under investigation by police. He would not say how much damage the bus had sustained, if any.
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